Getting To & Around Chengdu
Two airports, a metro that covers the pandas and the old town, and why DiDi beats the traffic.
Arriving
Chengdu has two airports — Tianfu (TFU, the new international hub, 50 km east) and Shuangliu (CTU, closer, mostly domestic). Metro Line 18 reaches Tianfu in 45 minutes; Line 10 reaches Shuangliu in 25. High-speed rail links Chengdu to Xi'an (3.5 hours) and Chongqing (1.5 hours).
Getting around
The metro (13+ lines) covers the pandas, the old town, the airport and the bars. Buses and DiDi fill the gaps. Traffic is heavy — the metro is usually faster.
To the panda base
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is 15 km north — Metro Line 3 to Panda Avenue, then a shuttle. Go at 8am opening; pandas sleep by 10am.
Taxis & ride-hailing
DiDi works everywhere; taxis are metered. Few drivers speak English.
Locals' Tip
Take Metro Line 3 to the panda base — it skips the morning traffic that can double the taxi time.