You've booked the flight. You've watched the panda videos. And then it hits you at 2 a.m.: *Do I need a visa? Will my credit card work? How do I get from that enormous new airport into the city?*
Relax. This is the guide we wish someone had handed us on our first Tianfu Airlines descent into the Sichuan basin. Everything below has been field-tested by our team in Chengdu — updated as of August 2026.
1. Visas: You Might Not Need One
China's entry policies have changed dramatically since 2024, and most Western travelers we meet are still planning around outdated rules.
- 30-day visa-free entry currently applies to passport holders from a long list of countries including the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea (full list below in Sources). - 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit is available for travelers from 54 countries connecting through China to a third destination — Chengdu's two airports both qualify. - Standard L tourist visas remain available through Chinese embassies and visa centers if you want a longer stay.
"Pro tip: The visa-free policy is officially described as a "trial" and gets extended periodically. Always confirm on your country's Chinese Embassy website within 2 weeks of departure — our team verifies policy updates monthly, but rules can change."
2. Payments: China Is Nearly Cashless (and That Includes You)
This is the #1 pain point we see. Street vendors, taxi drivers, even some museum ticket counters may not take your Visa or Mastercard.
Your two lifelines, both settable up before you fly:
1. Alipay (支付宝) — link an international credit card directly in the app. Look for "Tour Pass" / international card binding. Most foreign cards now work. 2. WeChat Pay (微信支付) — similar setup, and you'll want WeChat anyway for group chats, translation, and scanning restaurant menus.
Important limits to know: Foreign-card transactions have per-transaction and annual caps (roughly equivalent to USD 5,000/year as of this writing). Cash still works at banks and major hotels — exchange USD or EUR at the airport Bank of China counter as a backup, and keep small bills (¥10–50) for rural teahouses and market stalls.
3. Getting Connected: eSIM Before You Land
Physical SIM counters exist at both airports, but the fastest option in 2026 is an eSIM purchased before departure — providers like Airalo, Holafly, and MobiMatter offer mainland China data packages that activate on landing.
If you prefer a local number (useful for calling hotels), bring your passport to a China Mobile or China Unicom counter at Tianfu Airport (Terminal 1 & 2 arrivals level). Registration takes about 10 minutes.
4. Airport to Downtown: Don't Panic at the Map
Chengdu has two airports, and mixing them up is a rookie mistake:
| Airport | Code | Best for | To downtown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianfu International | TFU | Most international flights | Metro Line 18 (~45 min) or taxi (~¥130–160) |
| Shuangliu International | CTU | Domestic + some regional | Metro Line 10 (~30 min) or taxi (~¥60–80) |
Always check which airport your departure flight uses — they're 70km apart.
"The metro is spotless, bilingual, and costs less than a cup of jasmine tea. Buy a single-journey token with a card tap, or add "Tianfu Tong" transit card inside Alipay for the smoothest experience."
5. What Nobody Tells You: Five Small Things
1. DiDi (滴滴) is the Uber of China — set it up inside Alipay before you land. English interface, card payment. 2. VPN: Install your VPN app *before* arrival — Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp are blocked on mainland networks. Many "roaming" eSIMs route through Hong Kong and don't need one, but read the fine print. 3. Translation: Download the offline Chinese pack in Google Translate or use WeChat's built-in "Scan & Translate" on menus. 4. Toilets: Squat toilets still dominate public restrooms. Carry tissue and hand sanitizer everywhere. 5. Chengdu pace: Locals joke that "Chengdu people are too relaxed to rush." Build slack into your itinerary — the best parts of this city are unplanned.
Where to Go First?
With logistics sorted, spend your first afternoon at People's Park — order a ¥20 jasmine tea with a gaiwan, watch the ear-cleaning masters work, and let the city set your pace. Then come back and read our guide to Sichuan tea house culture.
Last Updated: August 22, 2026 · This article is reviewed by our Chengdu-based team and re-verified quarterly.
Disclaimer: Visa and payment policies are set by the Government of China and are subject to change without notice. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Always verify current requirements with the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in your country, and confirm payment card compatibility with your issuing bank before travel.
Sources:
- National Immigration Administration of China (国家移民管理局) — official port visa and visa-free transit notices: en.nia.gov.cn - Chinese Embassy & Consulate visa sections (check your country's official site) - Alipay International & WeChat Pay official guides for foreign card users - Chengdu Shuangliu & Tianfu International Airport official transport pages
