144-hour Visa-free Transit in Chengdu

The six-day, or 144-hour visa-free transit has been introduced to Chengdu, a fascinating travel destination in China. This benefits citizens from 54 countries who are transiting in Chengdu for a layover not exceeding 144 hours. That is, you are able to stay for as long as six days in Chengdu and other 10 cities in Sichuan Province 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.

Who can enjoy the 144-hour visa-free transit? - List of 54 Qualified Countries

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, Norway, 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

Areas Allowed to Stay

Passengers qualifying under the 144-hour visa-free transit are allowed to travel within Chengdu and other 10 cities in Sichuan, including Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Ziyang, Yibin, Ya'an, and Meishan. Unfortunately, the famous Jiuzhai Valley is not within this region.

What Is an Eligible Route?

Departure Country A: ⇒ Chengdu ⇒ The Third Country C

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.

What Documents Do I Need?

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.

How to Apply for 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit? - A step by step guide

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

What Are the Eligible Transit Ports?

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

What Can I Do During the 144 Hours?

Take a close look at the pandas

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.

Explore the most prosperous landmarks

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, or spicy chili skewers.

Sometimes it is nice to sit back and enjoy a nice cup of tea, and embrace 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 settles your nerves and is more relaxing. If you arrive at night, you may visit Jinli Street, where you can enjoy a similar travel experience to the Wide and Narrow Alley, but more charming as a night piece.

Enjoy spicy Chengdu hotpot

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.