Shuangliu International Airport is the gateway for transport into Western China and enjoys status as one of China’s five busiest airports. Flights connect Chengdu with Amsterdam, Bangkok, Macau, Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul and Singapore. Beyond this, local airlines operate an exhaustive list of domestic routes China’s provincial capitals and regional transportation hubs.
Airlines operating at this airport include: Air Macau, China Eastern Airlines, Dragonair, Thai Airways, SilkAir, Philippine Airlines and Asiana Airlines. Sichuan Airlines and Air China both operate major hubs here. Visitors should note that the international connections available at Shuangliu Airport are notoriously inconsistent and may be cancelled with little or no notice.
Facilities in the airport are increasingly modern as great strides have been taken to strengthen the infrastructure in the 21st century. Annual throughput approaches 11 million passengers, more than half of which is dedicated to domestic travel.
Transit to and from Shuangliu is handled primarily by taxis and buses along the airport expressway. A metro system connecting city and airport is being planned.
It is possible to reach Chengdu via the Kunming-Beijing railway, with consistent and reliable connections along the way. The train station sits on the north side of the city, and the most popular journeys are to Xi’an (18 hours), Kunming (18 hours) and Chongqing (4 hours, 30 minutes). The latter is a popular launching point for river cruises along the Yangtze. Consult with Chengdu travel agents to arrange one of these cruises.
Xinnanmen Bus Station (at the city centre) is Chengdu’s busiest terminal, with long-haul connections to and from virtually every city in Sichuan. Wuguiqiao Bus Station also receives a steady influx of tourists, most of who are bound for Yibin or Chongqing. Beyond these two, there are several other less important terminals throughout Chengdu that offer transport into the region’s less-travelled countryside.
Once you’re settled into the city, public transportation consists primarily of buses. A thorough network plies every major avenue and many side streets throughout the city. Bus routes are outlined on most city maps, and signs posted at bus stops detail the routes that service that particular stop, though English is sparse on these postings. There are two classes of city bus: air-conditioned and regular. Keep in mind that fares increase after 22:00.
On the whole, Chengdu is relatively flat and lends itself well to cycling (distances between sites are often too long to comfortably walk). Many hotels and travel agents hire out bicycles, and tourists are advised to carefully examine these bikes before hiring as they may be held liable for any (potentially pre-existing) damage. Pedicabs are also available for hire, both as point-to-point transportation and by the hour, though some portions of the city are off limits to these drivers. Be sure to agree on a price before boarding.
Hire cars are readily available in Chengdu, and most include the option of a chauffeur for a modest surcharge. Recently, China has loosened its restrictions on foreign drivers, and international driver’s licenses are now recognised.
Generally, tourists who do not hold a Chinese driver’s license are not permitted to drive themselves so hiring a driver is all the more appealing.
Beware of the reception telling you that they have no rooms at the rate you have reserved. They tried this with us and told us that a booking did not constitute a guarantee - even though we had paid ...
