Chengdu
The gateway to western China — home to the giant pandas, a relaxed teahouse culture and a fast-growing technology and battery economy. Where culture meets new industry.
Planning Chengdu at a Glance
Best Season
March–June and September–November
Hotel Area
Jinjiang / city center or Hi-Tech Zone
Days Needed
3–4 nights for educational groups
Getting Here
Chengdu Tianfu (TFU) & Shuangliu (CTU)
Price Range & What's Included
Includes accommodation, guide, company visits and all meals. International flights excluded.
Includes the panda base, cultural workshops and school exchanges (4-star hotel, all meals, entrance fees). International flights excluded.
Duration, Season, Visa & Getting There
Duration & Timing
3–4 nights for educational groups (Giant Panda Base, cultural workshops, school exchange, Jinsha Museum). 2–3 nights for executive groups visiting CATL western operations or Intel R&D. Often combined with Beijing as an 8-day program.
Best Season to Visit
March–June and September–November are ideal. Chengdu has a characteristically overcast sky year-round — clear blue-sky days are relatively rare, which is normal and does not affect the program. Avoid July–August (very hot). Chinese school holidays in late January and February bring larger crowds to the panda base.
Visa Requirements
Most nationalities (UK, EU, Australia, NZ, Japan, S. Korea) enter visa-free for up to 15 days as of 2026. US, Canada and India nationals require a standard tourist (L) or group travel visa. Chengdu's Tianfu International Airport has expanded direct international routes significantly since 2021.
Getting There
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) — opened 2021, one of China's largest — serves direct routes from Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, London and multiple European hubs. Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) handles domestic routes. High-speed rail to Xi'an: 4.5 hrs. High-speed rail to Chongqing: 1 hr.
Recommended Hotel Area
Jinjiang / city center area (central, close to Jinli Street, Wuhou Shrine and most cultural sites — best for educational groups) or the Hi-Tech Zone (close to technology companies and R&D centres — best for executive delegations).
Best-Fit Groups
Educational panda & culture groups, school exchange programmes, executive battery & tech delegations, and western-China study tours.
For Executives & For Students
What Business Delegations Visit in Chengdu
- CATL western operations
- Intel Chengdu R&D & manufacturing
- Tianfu Software Park
- New-energy & battery supply-chain briefing
- Western China development-zone visit
What School & University Groups Experience
- Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base
- Jinsha Site Museum
- Cultural workshops (calligraphy, face-changing)
- Local school exchange
- Wuhou Shrine & Jinli Ancient Street
- Sichuan cuisine & teahouse experience
Who You Can Visit in Chengdu
Which Groups Benefit Most
Chengdu Program Questions
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