China Visitor Tools

240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Through Chengdu

Chengdu is where the 240-hour rules bite hardest: the pandas and Leshan are in, but Sichuan only opens 11 named cities - and Jiuzhaigou is not one of them.

The facts for Chengdu

Designated entry / exit ports in Sichuan

  • Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)
  • Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (Chengdu)

Where you may travel

Only part of Sichuan is inside the permitted area - these 11 named cities/areas only: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan, Ziyang. Everywhere else in the province is out of bounds on this permit.

Check your exact route

Enter your nationality, ports, cities and flight times into the free checker - it applies the same rule data as this page and tells you, rule by rule, whether your route is legal.

Check my route via Chengdu

Mistakes that break trips here

  • Booking Jiuzhaigou. It sits in Aba prefecture, outside Sichuan's 11 named cities. It is the single most common broken itinerary on this permit.
  • Adding Daocheng Yading or Kangding. Both are in Garze prefecture - same problem as Jiuzhaigou.
  • Assuming a domestic flight inside Sichuan fixes geography. The limit is administrative, not about distance: if the prefecture is not named, the permit does not cover it.
  • Forgetting Chongqing is a separate, full-scope municipality. Chengdu + Chongqing is a legal and very good 10-day pairing.

FAQ

Which Chengdu airports are designated?

Both: Chengdu Shuangliu (CTU) and Chengdu Tianfu (TFU). You can arrive at one and depart from the other.

Where exactly can I go in Sichuan?

Only the 11 named cities: Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya'an, Meishan and Ziyang. Leshan covers the Giant Buddha; Emei Shan trips are usually run from Leshan/Emeishan - Emeishan city is administered by Leshan.

Can I see Jiuzhaigou on this permit?

No. Jiuzhaigou is in Aba prefecture, which is not on the list. You would need a Chinese visa (or a passport that qualifies for the separate 30-day visa-free entry) for that trip.

Can I combine Chengdu with Chongqing or Xi'an?

Yes. Chongqing municipality and Shaanxi (Xi'an) are both full-scope, and cross-province travel inside the 24 covered regions is allowed on one permit.

What about Shangri-La after Chengdu?

Not on this permit. Shangri-La is in Diqing prefecture, and Yunnan's list of 9 permitted areas does not include Diqing - even though Kunming, Dali and Lijiang are all allowed.