Chengdu has expanded its metro at remarkable speed, and the result is one of the easier large Chinese cities to move around.
The metro#
Extensive, modern, signposted in English, and cheap. Lines 1 and 2 cross at Tianfu Square in the centre, which is the reference point for most journeys, and the network reaches the panda base, both airports and the main railway stations.
Pay with the transport code in Alipay, or buy tokens from the machines. Expect a bag scan at every station entrance, as everywhere in China.
Two airports#
Shuangliu (CTU) is the older airport, closer to the city, served by Metro Line 10.
Tianfu (TFU) opened in 2021, is much further south-east, and is served by Lines 18 and 19. Line 18 is the fast link toward the centre.
Check your ticket. Arriving at Tianfu expecting Shuangliu means a considerably longer and more expensive journey than you planned for.
DiDi and taxis#
DiDi is the practical default for anything the metro does not reach — it is inexpensive, you set the destination in the app so there is no language problem, and payment is automatic. Street taxis are metered and fine; have your destination in Chinese characters to show.
Day trips#
Chengdu is the base for Leshan and Emeishan, both reached by high-speed rail from Chengdu East railway station. The station is on the metro, so the whole trip works without a taxi.
On foot#
The centre around Tianfu Square, the Jinli and Kuanzhai alleys and the People's Park teahouse district are all walkable, and walking is how you find the teahouses that make the city what it is. Chengdu is flatter and slower-paced than Beijing or Shanghai, and it suits wandering.
For the sights, the food and how long to stay, see the Chengdu destination guide.