144-hour Visa-free Transit in Chengdu

Since January 1, 2019, the 144-hour visa-free transit will be introduced to Chengdu, a fascinating travel destination in China. This will benefit citizens from 53 countries who are transiting in Chengdu for a layover not exceeding 144 hours. That is, you will be able to stay for as long as six days in Chengdu without applying for a visa in advance if you are from one of the countries. Making use of the visa-free policy will not only save your money, but also give you a chance to enjoy a hassle-free layover tour in Chengdu.
 

 American Countries: US, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile

 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand

 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

 Other European Countries: UK, Ireland, Russia, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco

 Asian Countries: South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
 

Passengers qualifying under the 144-hour visa-free transit are allowed to travel in Chengdu only. It means they cannot leave Chengdu for other cities. In case they indeed need to go to other Chinese cities after arrival in Chengdu, please apply for a visa at the local exit and entry administration.
 

You need to take an international flight to enter Chengdu, and then catch a connecting flight to leave for the third country. NO stop in any other mainland Chinese cities is allowed. Note that A and C can refer to foreign countries as well as Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.
 

1. Your passport, valid for at least 3 months at the time of application
2. A confirmed air ticket to a third country
3. A visa to the third country if required
4. An arrival/ departure card
 

1. Inform the airline when boarding
2. Fill an Arrival/Departure Card
3. Apply for the 144-hour visa-free stay permit upon arrival
4. Claim the luggage
5. Go through the customs
6. Leave the airport
 

If you wish to transit in Chengdu and use the 144-hour visa-free transit facility, only Shuangliu International Airport can be used for you to enter and exit. The contact number of the airport is 0086-28-85205555 if you have any further queries.
 

Wide and Narrow Alley

When mentioning Chengdu, what comes into your mind first? I guess the answer is pandas. They are fluffy and cute, and mostly inhabit Chengdu, China. A Chengdu trip is never complete without greeting with the pandas. The Panda Base, only 10 km (6 miles) from downtown Chengdu, should be absolutely on your destination list. Half a day is enough for the visit.
 

The Chunxi Road Pedestrian Street and the Wide and Narrow Alley nearby are perhaps the most thriving part of the city. There you can see two sides of Chengdu, fashionable and antique. International brands gather here in large shopping malls, while vendors sell small traditional commodities on the streets. You can enjoy a wide variety of Chengdu snacks there, like wonton, boiled glutinous rice balls, and spicy and chili skewers. It would be a nice choice to order a cup of tea and feel the slow lifestyle of Chengdu at a teahouse. Some teahouses offer the ear cleaning service. Time permitting, you can have your ears picked which makes your nerves more relaxed. If you arrive at night, you may visit Jinli Street, where you can enjoy a similar travel experience as the Wide and Narrow Alley, but more charming night piece.
 

Hotpot is what makes Chengdu so famous in terms of its food. If you get used to spicy and hot food, do take the chance to challenge your taste buds. There are numerous hotpot restaurants and you can find one easily no matter where you are. In some restaurants, the classical face-changing performance in Sichuan opera is available, adding fun to your meal.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Liaoning
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit in Guangdong (to be adopted)
Xiamen, Wuhan, Qingdao, Kunming - to be implemented since Jan. 1, 2019