Chengdu's 144-Hour Visa-Free Policy

As of 2019, Chengdu has a 144-hour (or 6-day) visa-free policy for international stopovers using Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.

This is a convenient policy for those wishing to spend some time in the Chengdu region without the hassle and extra cost of obtaining a China visa.

Here, we present useful information about the policy and how to take advantage of it for touring and visits.

Good news: Since December 1, 2019, Chengdu's 144-hour visa-free transit policy has been extended to 10 surrounding prefectures (Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, and Yibin) covering more Sichuan attractions to the south: the Giant Buddha, Bifengxia Panda Base, etc.

Recommended tours:

• 1-Day Dujiangyan Panda Keeper Program Tour
• 1-Day Chengdu Panda and Sichuan Cuisine Tour
• 4-Day Wolong In-Depth Panda Tour

Rules and Conditions

• The locality covered under the policy: only the city of Chengdu. Unlike 144-hour visa-free policies of some Chinese cities such as Shanghai that allow travel to nearby adjacent regions, this travel policy applies only for the city of Chengdu.
• Eligible port: Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU).
• Eligible countries: In the Americas: the US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile; in Oceania: Australia, New Zealand; in Europe: Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, Ireland, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco; in Asia: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
• Necessary documents and tickets: passport (valid for at least 3 months); confirmed air ticket to a third country; a visa to the third country if required; a filled out arrival/departure card.

Eligible Transit Routes

Visit Chengdu with your passport and air tickets, but NO visa!

This policy requires that passengers must be in transit to a third country or a Specially Administered Region of China. Making a round trip from/to the same country doesn't qualify.

Your itinerary should be departure country → Chengdu → a third country or region. For example, UK → Chengdu → Australia is an acceptable itinerary.

Hong Kong and Macau are considered to be regions separate from Chinese Mainland for international transit purposes, and you won't need a visa if you transit in either of these Special Administrative Regions (SARs). You can include them in your itinerary like this: USA → Chengdu → Hong Kong → USA.

Recommended tours:

• 3-Day Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
• 5-Day Chengdu, Leshan and Mount. Emei Tour

Contact us for a private tour of Leshan and Mount Emei.

How to Make a 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Visit

1) Inform your carrier of your intent to use the 144-hour TWOV (Transit Without a Visa).
2) Fill in arrival and departure cards (available on your flights).
3) Apply for the 144-hour visa-free stay at the dedicated counter on your arrival.
4) Claim your luggage, go through customs, and exit the airport.
5) Leave from the Chengdu airport within 144 hours from 00:00 on the day after arrival.

More about China's national 144-Hour Visa-Free Policies.

Essential Shuangliu Airport Travel Info

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

• Chinese: 成都双流国际机场 Chéngdū Shuāngliú Guójì Jīchǎng
• Airport code: CTU

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is the largest international transport hub in western China, so, traveling to a third destination outside of Chinese Mainland, you are likely to find suitable connecting flights.

There are flights to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, and North America.

Be aware that Shuangliu International Airport has two terminal buildings, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. They have similar facilities. T1 services a mix of foreign and Chinese airlines, but T2 serves mainly domestic airlines. Metro line 10 goes to both terminals.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is very convenient for city visits as it's close to the city center and Chengdu Panda Base. Our private tour with a transfer will help you save time and give you a hassle-free tour.

See How to Get from the Airport to the City Center and Panda Base.

3 Top Things to Do on a Chengdu Visa-Free Layover

1. Check In near Tianfu Square: See a Museum, Park, and Shopping Streets

Central Chengdu is the best place for hotels. See Where to Stay in Chengdu.

At Tianfu Square, you can see Sichuan's best comprehensive museum, Chengdu Museum New Building, walk over to People's Park for refreshments, and perhaps shop on Chunxi Road shopping street. Chunxi is only a few minutes ride away by metro or a 20-minute walk away.

2. Check Out the Giant Pandas at a Panda Base

Under the 144-hour visa-free travel policy, you can visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center, Bifengxia and Dujiangyan panda bases.

See The Top 4 Places to See Giant Pandas in China.

We can pick you up at the airport and take you on a half day or day tour.

3. Chow Down on China's Best Sichuan Food

The sizzling hot pot that you prepare yourself using exotic ingredients is an experience you shouldn't miss in Chengdu.

Chengdu hot pot

Chengdu cuisine is known for being world trend-setting, and the reason is partly that they pay careful attention to making a delicious balance of flavors and partly because they like to spend so much time cooking, eating, and making new favorites.

Sichuan cuisine is the most widely popular cuisine tradition in China, and we can help you find the best authentic local restaurants for your tastes and expectations on our One-Day Chengdu Food Tour.

Get Expert Help Having Your Ideal Visa-Free Chengdu Tour

Face-changing Sichuan opera performances are another highlight of Chengdu.

We can assist you in your visa-free tour of Chengdu. It makes sense to let experts arrange your local tour to save your time and save you from stress and headaches. Our experts can help you do what you want to do.

• 2-Day Panda Keeper and Chengdu Highlights Tour
• See more Chengdu trip ideas or let us tailor-making a unique tour to you.