EXPLORE Chengdu

Chengdu arrival: first confirm which enormous airport you used

You landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, code CTU, southwest of central Chengdu. The city also has Tianfu International Airport, so verify the code before following directions or arranging a pickup. Shuangliu’s official transport pages list Metro Lines 10, 19 and 30, taxis, airport services and intercity rail. Save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters and confirm the correct terminal before leaving baggage claim. Set up a payment method that works locally because phone payments dominate everyday transactions and foreign cards are not universally accepted. Chengdu is famous for pandas and food, but neither will explain to a taxi driver which similarly named hotel your booking app meant.

Chengdu transport: three metro lines and zero excuses for guessing

Metro Line 10 serves Terminals 1 and 2 and connects toward the central network through Taipingyuan. Line 19 links Shuangliu with Tianfu Airport and other southern districts, while Line 30 serves the east side of Terminal 2. Choose the line based on your destination, not simply because a train arrived. Official taxis use designated areas, and a licensed ride is practical after metro hours or with heavy luggage. The airport also has intercity rail connections. Check current service times and leave extra transfer time if changing airports because CTU and TFU are separate facilities across a very large city. A connection between them is transportation, not teleportation.

Chengdu safety: relaxed city, strict rules, spicy consequences

Serious street crime against foreign visitors is relatively rare, but watch belongings in metro stations, markets and crowded attractions. Decline unsolicited tea tastings, massages or bar invitations that can end with an inflated bill and threats. The more serious risks involve local law. Carry your passport, avoid demonstrations, do not photograph restricted or military areas and understand that national-security, drug and public-order rules are enforced broadly. Drug penalties are severe even when a substance was consumed outside China. Chengdu may feel easygoing, but the legal system has never promised to share the panda’s relaxed public image.

Sources

• Chengdu Shuangliu Airport official metro guide
• Official Chengdu airport transportation guide
• UK government China safety and legal guidance
• US State Department China travel guidance

Last verified: September 8, 2026