Chengdu — Travel Guide for Foreign Visitors
Airport transfers, signature food and top things to do — everything a visitor needs in Chengdu.
Southwest China's gateway, famous for pandas and spicy food — TFU is the modern hub.
🍜 Signature dishes in Chengdu
- 麻辣火锅Mala Hotpot
- 麻婆豆腐Mapo Tofu
- 担担面Dan Dan Noodles
- 口水鸡Bang Bang Chicken
- 夫妻肺片Fuqi Feipian
- 钟水饺Zhong Dumplings
- 龙抄手Long Wonton
- 赖汤圆Lai Tang Yuan
- 钵钵鸡Bo Bo Chicken
- 甜水面Sweet Water Noodles
🎟️ Top things to do
- Giant Panda Base
See pandas in the AM, book ahead
- Leshan Giant Buddha
1.5h by high-speed rail
- Sichuan hotpot
Numbling spicy hotpot
- Chunxi Rd
Shopping + giant panda statue
- People's Park
Tea & local life
- Wenshu Monastery
Free, no booking.
- Kuanzhai Alley
Free lanes, no booking.
- Jinli Ancient St
Snack street by temple
- Dujiangyan
Ancient irrigation
- Mount Qingcheng
Entry ticket; allow half a day.
- Sanxingdui Museum
Mysterious bronze relics
- Jinli Ancient Street
Free, no booking.
👥 Visitor tips
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from the airport to downtown Chengdu?
Take the metro or a taxi from TFU (Tianfu) airport. The metro is the cheapest option; taxis are convenient for luggage and groups.
Do I need a visa to visit Chengdu on a layover?
Many nationalities can use China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy in Chengdu. Check your eligibility in the visa checker tool before travelling.
Is a layover in Chengdu visa free, and how long can I stay?
Inside the airport's international transit area you can wait up to 24 hours without a visa. To leave the airport, nationals of 57 countries can use the 240-hour visa-free transit (up to 10 days, counted from 00:00 the day after entry) and many others have 30-day visa-free entry. Full answers: see the visa & layover FAQ. Visa Q&A →
Other cities
Data provided by PivotCN · airport (TFU (Tianfu) ) · verify with official sources before travel.