Sichuan in southwestern China is one of the largest provinces in the country. It is known for being the “Land of Abundance” because of its rich resources. There’re beautiful mountains, magnificent cultural sites, and the world-famous Sichuan cuisine. It’s a popular travel destination for visitors from home and abroad.
Sichuan has a well-developed system of transportation. It borders many other provinces including Tibet, Chongqing, Yunnan, Gansu, Qinghai, Shaanxi, and Guizhou. This article is a comprehensive guide on Sichuan transportation to help you get to and around the province on your Sichuan tour.
Overview of Sichuan Transportation
Sichuan transport is highly developed, making it the transportation hub in Southwest China. There’re a few major ways of getting around, by air, rail, and road. You can even take a Yangtze cruise ship tour to explore the regions along the iconic river.
In general, if you’re traveling to Sichuan from your home country, the easiest option is to fly into Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan. There’re many direct and indirect flights connecting major cities in the US and Europe. Once you arrive in Chengdu, you can get around by train or road transportation.
If you’re traveling to Sichuan from other places in China, depending on the distance, flying and taking a train are both great options. If you’re traveling from cities relatively far away, like Beijing or Shanghai, you can fly directly to your destination, whether it is Chengdu, Jiuzhaigou, or Kangding. Many places have local airports that offer domestic flights.
Trains are also fast and convenient from closer cities like Chongqing. Trains connect cities to many Sichuan attractions. However, to explore some remote areas, you might have to take a bus or hire a car. The journey along the roads and highways will prove to be an unforgettable experience as well.
How to Get to Sichuan
By air
The most used airport of Sichuan transportation, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU), is about 16 km (10 miles) from Chengdu city center. There’re domestic and international flights with approximate travel time as below:
- Beijing – 3 hours
- Shanghai – 3 hours
- Guangzhou– 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Shenzhen – 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Kunming– 1 hour and 30 minutes
- San Francisco, USA – 14 hours
- Tokyo, Japan – 5 hours
- Bangkok, Thailand – 4 hours and 15 minutes
To fly from other cities in China to Sichuan, there’re many other options, including Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU), Mianyang Nanjiao Airport (MIG), Nanchong Gaoping Airport (NAO), Kangding Airport (KGT), Jiuzhai Huanglong Airport (JZH), and Daocheng Yading Airport (DCY).
By train
There’re many high-speed rail and normal train services connecting various regions of Sichuan with the rest of China, making Sichuan travel easier. Chengdu is the most popular stop for high-speed trains. Here’re some travel times from various cities to Chengdu by high-speed rail for your reference:
- Beijing – 8 hours
- Shanghai – 11 hours
- Xi’an– 3 hours
- Chongqing – 1.5 hours
- Kunming – 6 hours
How to Travel around Sichuan
Different parts of Sichuan have their own charms. To travel in Sichuan and get around this large province, you have a few options depending on where you’re going, by air, rail, bus, private car, and even bike.
By air
Flying is the quickest Sichuan transport to get to the most popular destination and attractions in Sichuan. Jiuzhaigou, Daocheng Yading, Kangding, and Mianyang all have local airports. Although it’s worth noting that some regions are of high altitudes, which might cause altitude sickness and discomfort if you fly there.
By train
Trains can take you to many attractions out of the city center of Chengdu, such as Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei, and Dujiangyan. Trains offer a fast, convenient, while also scenic journey. There’re a number of trains to and from Chengdu throughout the day.
By bus
Buses are also an important part of Sichuan transportation. Many remote areas like the Tibetan villages of Danba can only be reached by bus. Chengdu has several bus stations such as Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station, Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station, Chengdu Wuguiqiao Bus Station, and Chengdu Beimen Bus Station.
By car
Sichuan is a popular destination for self-guided tours. For visitors who enjoy a more flexible trip, renting a car or hiring a private driver is a good option. The scenic highways of Sichuan might be enticing but can also be dangerous if you’re not familiar with the area. Especially in the summer when there’s more rainfall, the mountainous roads might be difficult to navigate or even closed due to the weather.
By bike
Biking in or across Sichuan has become increasingly popular among adventurers. If you’re one for physical and mental challenges, embark on a cycling journey to the most remote areas of Sichuan.
