Chengdu Metro Guide
Navigate Chengdu's subway system with ease. Find routes, stations, and travel tips for an eficient journey.
Operating Hours
6:30 AM - 11:00 PM daily. First trains around 6:30 AM, last trains around 11:00 PM.
Ticket Prices
Β₯2-Β₯8 per trip (distance-based). Children under 1.3m travel free with paying adult.
Transit Card
Chengdu Metro Card (Β₯20 refundable deposit). Use Alipay/WeChat Pay QR.
Mobile Payment
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes at gates. Visa contactless also accepted.
Major Metro Lines
Line 1
Weijian β Guangdu Station | 23 stations | North-south backbone
Line 2
Xipu β Longquanyi | 32 stations | East-west backbone
Line 3
Chengdu Medical College β Shuangliu Airport Terminal 2 | 37 stations | To airport
Line 7
Loop Line | 31 stations | Circle the city
Popular Attractions & Nearest Stations
| Attraction | Nearest Station | Line | Exit | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding | Panda Avenue | Line 3 | Exit A | 10 min (or take shuttle bus) |
| Jinli Ancient Street | Gaoshengqiao | Line 3 | Exit A | 5 min |
| Wuhou Shrine | Gaoshengqiao | Line 3 | Exit A | 8 min |
| Wide and Narrow Alley | Kuanzhai Xiangzi | Line 4 | Exit B | 2 min |
| Chunxi Road Shopping Area | Chunxi Road | Line 2 / 3 | Exit C | 1 min |
| Wuhou Shrine (Zhuge Liang Temple) | Line 3/5 | Gaoshengqiao (Exit C) | 10 min | Three Kingdoms history museum |
| Du Fu Thatched Cottage | Line 4 | Caita Street (Exit A) | 8 min | Poet's former residence, peaceful gardens |
| Chunxi Road & IFS | Line 2/3 | Chunxi Road (Exit C) | 3 min | Shopping district with giant panda statue on rooftop |
| Giant Panda Breeding Research Base | Line 3/10 | Panda Avenue (Exit A) | 15 min + shuttle | 80% chance to see pandas (visit before 10 AM!) |
| Wenshu Monastery | Line 1 | Wenshuyuan (Exit K) | 3 min | Active Buddhist temple with famous vegetarian restaurant |
Travel Tips for Foreigners
Avoid Rush Hour
Rush hours are 7:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM. Trains can be extremely crowded.
Use Transit Card
Get a Chengdu Metro Card for seamless travel across all lines without buying tickets.
Download Apps
Use Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps for real-time route planning and station navigation.
Know Your Exit
Station platforms mark where each exit is. Check the map to find the best exit.
- During rush hours (7-9 AM, 5-7 PM), transfers can be very crowded
- Some stations have multiple transfer passages - follow signs carefully
- If lost, ask station staff for help (many speak basic English)
How to Buy Tickets
Option 1: Single Journey Ticket
Purchase at ticket vending machines (available in English) or staffed counters at any station. Cash and mobile payments accepted.
Option 2: Rechargeable Card (Recommended)
Buy a Chengdu Metro Card at any station for a refundable deposit (Β₯20). Top up at machines or counters. Offers convenience and avoids ticket queues.
Option 3: Mobile Payment
Use Alipay or WeChat Pay QR codes to enter and exit stations. Look for the QR code scanner at gates.
Option 4: Contactless Bank Card
Some stations accept Visa/Mastercard contactless cards or Apple Pay/Google Pay at designated gates.
Ready to Explore Chengdu?
Download our comprehensive metro guide and start planning your Chengdu adventure today.