Chengdu became the first city in Western China with a metro when Line 1 (the blue line) officially began operation on September 27th, 2010.
So far, it has six metro lines, 156 stations, and 226 kilometers (140 miles) of track. Ridership reaches 3.17 million per day.
Metro Tickets
When you enter the metro station, you will purchase your ticket first.
Buy your ticket from the self-service ticket machine. Choose the station you want to go to and then the machine will display the total price. Then you can put cash in and take the ticket. The machine will only accept 1 yuan coins, 5 yuan notes, 10 yuan notes, and 20 yuan notes. You can also pay using WeChat or Alipay.
Fares range from 2 to 10 yuan. Here, we have provided a table of the rules relating to rates, for reference:
Recommended tours:
- 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program Tour
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda and Sichuan Cuisine Tour
- 4-Day Wolong In-Depth Panda Tour
| Distance | Fare (single trip) |
|---|---|
| 0–4 km | 2 yuan |
| 4–8 km | 3 yuan |
| 8–12 km | 4 yuan |
| 12–18 km | 5 yuan |
| 18–24 km | 6 yuan |
| 24–32 km | 7 yuan |
| 32–40 km | 8 yuan |
| 40–50 km | 9 yuan |
| Over 50 km | 10 yuan |
- Discounts: Ordinary Chengdu Transportation Smart Card (Tian Fu Tong) holders can enjoy a 90% discount; children under 1.3 meters (4 feet) in height can travel on all the subway lines free of charge.
After you buy the ticket, you need to pass through the security checkpoint. Then, scan your ticket to pass through the automatic barrier and follow the signs to wait at the platform.
When you arrive at your station, put your ticket in the automatic barrier's recycling slot to exit.
Alternatively, if you are staying a long time in Chengdu, you can apply for a Chengdu Transportation Smart Card or download a metro app on your cell phone so that you can just scan the card or your cell phone when you enter and exit the station.
Chengdu Subway Map 2020
Chengdu Metro Lines, Stations, and Operating Times
| Line | Stops | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 | Weijianian – Shengxian Lake – North Railway Station – Renmin Road North – Wenshu Monastery – Luomashi – Tianfu Square – Jinjiang Hotel – Huaxiba – Sichuan Gymnasium – Nijiaqiao – Tongzilin – South Railway Station – Hi-Tech Zone – Financial City – Incubation Park – Jincheng Plaza – Century City – 3rd Tianfu Street – 5th Tianfu Street – Huafu Avenue – Sihe – Guangdu – Wugensong – Huayang – Haichang Road – Guangfu – Hongshi Park – Luhu Lake – Wuhan Road – Tianfu Park – Western China International Expo City – Guangzhou Road – Xinglong Lake – Science City | 06:10–22:50 |
| Line 2 | Xipu – Tianhe Road – Baicao Road – Jinzhou Road – Jinke Road North – Yingbin Avenue – Chadianzi Bus Station – Yangxi Flyover – Yipintianxia – East Shuhan Road – Baiguolin – Chengdu University of TCM & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital – Tonghuimen – People's Park – Tianfu Square – Chunxi Road – Dongmen Bridge – Niuwangmiao – Niushikou – Dongda Road – Tazishan Park – Chengdu East Railway Station – Chengyu Flyover – Huiwangling – Honghe – Chengdu Institute of Public Administration – Damianpu – Lianshanpo – Jiepai – Shufang – Longping Road – Longquanyi | Xipu to Longquanyi: 06:20–22:45 Longquanyi to Xipu: 06:10–22:45 |
| Line 3 | Chengdu Medical College – Southwest Petroleum University – Clock Tower – Machao West Road – Tuanjiexinqu – Jinshuihe – Sanhechang – Jinhua Temple East Road – Botanical Garden – Chengdu Junqu General Hospital – Panda Avenue – ibis Chengdu Zoo – Zhaojuesi Road South – Simaqiao – Lijiatuo – Qianfeng Road – Hongxingqiao – Chengdu Second People's Hospital – Chunxi Road – Xinnanmen – Moziqiao – Sichuan Gymnasium – Yiguanmiao – Gaoshengqiao – Hongpailou – Taipingyuan – Chuan-Zang Flyover – Wuhou Flyover – Wuqing South Road – Shuangfengqiao – Longqiao Road – Hangdu Street – Yingchunqiao – Dongsheng – Shuangliu Square – Sanliba – Shuangliu West Station | Chengdu Medical College to Shuangliu West Station: 06:10–22:50 Shuangliu West Station to Chengdu Medical College: 06:00–22:50 |
| Line 4 | Wansheng – Yangliuhe – Fengxihe – Nanxun Avenue – Guanghua Park – Yongquan – Fenghuang Street – Machangba – Intangible Cultural Heritage Park – Caiqiao – Zhongba – Chengdu West Railway Station – Qingjiang Road West – Cultural Palace – Southwestern University of Finance and Economics – Caotang Road North – Chengdu University of TCM & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital – Kuanzhaixiangzi Alleys – Luomashi – Taisheng Road South – Chengdu Second People's Hospital – Yushuang Road – Shuangqiao Road – Wangnianchang – Huaishudian – Lailong – Shiling – Chengdu University – Mingshuwangling – Xihe | 06:10–22:50 |
| Line 7 | North Railway Station – Simaqiao – Fuqing Road – Balizhuang – Erxianqiao – Chengdu University of Technology – Cuijiadian – Shuangdian Road – Huaishudian – Yinghui Road – Chengdu East Railway Station – Daguan – Shizishan – Sichuan Normal University – Liulichang – Sanwayao – Chengdu South Railway Station – Shenxianshu – Gaopeng Avenue – Taipingyuan – Wuhou Avenue – Longzhuayan – Dongpo Road – Cultural Palace – Jinsha Site Museum – Yipintianxia – Chadianzi – Huazhaobi – Southwest Jiaotong University – Jiulidi – 2nd Beizhan Road West | 06:15–22:55 |
| Line 10 | Taipingyuan – Cujin – Huaxing – Jinhua – Terminal 1 of Shuangliu International Airport – Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport | Taipingyuan to Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport: 06:00–0:00 Terminal 2 of Shuangliu International Airport to Taipingyuan: 06:05–23:05 |
Best Metro Lines for Tourists
Here, we have provided you will lists of attractions and the metro stations they are closest to on some main lines.
Line 1
| Attraction | Station |
|---|---|
| Wenshu Monastery | Wenshu Monastery |
| Tianfu Square | Tianfu Square |
| Sichuan Science and Technology Museum | Tianfu Square |
| Chengdu Museum | Tianfu Square |
| Donghu Park | Tongzilin |
| New Century Global Center | Jincheng Plaza |
| Chengdu Haichang Polar Ocean Park | Haichang Road |
Line 2
| Attraction | Station |
|---|---|
| Happy Valley Chengdu | Yingbin Avenue |
| Chunxi Road | Chunxi Road |
| Qingyang Palace | Tonghuimen |
| People's Park | People's Park |
| Sansheng Flower Village | Chengdu Institute of Public Administration |
Line 3 - Heading to Popular Attractions
| Attraction | Station |
|---|---|
| Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding | Panda Avenue |
| Chengdu Zoo | Chengdu Zoo |
| Wuhou Temple | Gaoshengqiao |
| Jinli Ancient Street | Gaoshengqiao |
Line 4
| Attraction | Station |
|---|---|
| The Wide and Narrow Alleys | Kuanzhaixiangzi Alleys |
| Du Fu Thatched Cottage | Caotang Road North |
Line 7
| Attraction | Station |
|---|---|
| Jinsha Site Museum | Jinsha Site Museum |
Tips for Taking Metro in Chengdu
- Bilingual broadcasts and signposts are available in Chengdu Metro. Even if you cannot read and speak Chinese, you can take the metro trains easily.
- At the end of 2019, Line 5 will be open. By 2020, Chengdu Metro will have 14 lines and will cover a total route length of 514 kilometers.
- Chengdu Metro's rush hours are from 07:30 to 09:20 and 17:00 to 19:00.
- Although the time of the last train depends on the station and line, most lines' operating hours start at 06:00 and end at 23:00.
- Generally speaking, each metro stop has four exits in four directions. You should choose the most convenient exit – to avoid crossing over the roads on the surface – by reading the signs at the crossings of the passageways.
- No eating is permitted in Chengdu Metro.
Tour Chengdu Your Way
Using the metro will enable you to see most of the interesting places inside Chengdu city but it can't transport you to see many hidden gems in Chengdu, such as Wolong Panda Center where you can explore the habitat of wild giant pandas.
It is time-saving and enjoyable to explore Chengdu with a private tour, with privately guided activities that show you Chengdu in another light, beyond the obvious. See our recommended Chengdu tours:
- 1-Day Chengdu Panda and Sichuan Cuisine Tour: This tour is recommended for a first-time visitor who seeks a day tour contain Chengdu pandas and Sichuan cuisine
- 1-Day Teahouse, Theater Backstage, Landmark Square, and Panda Afternoon Tea Tour
- 2 Days Giant Panda, Giant Buddha and Ancient Town Tour
