Practical
The boring stuff that makes the trip work
Payments, connectivity, language, and safety. Set these up before you arrive and the rest of Chengdu becomes much easier.
Chengdu runs on mobile payment and Chinese-language apps. That is not a barrier, but it does require preparation. The visitors who struggle are usually the ones who wait until they are standing at a checkout counter to set up Alipay.
Read the payment and connectivity guides before you fly. Then read the safety guide for the common scams and traffic rules.
Before and during your trip
Start with this one
Alipay and WeChat Pay
Payments in Chengdu
Alipay and WeChat Pay work for foreign cards, but setup matters. Here is how to pay for meals, metro rides, and tickets without holding up the queue.
CNY 300–500 per person
Cash and ATMs in Chengdu
You need less cash than you think, but not zero. Carry small notes, use bank ATMs, and keep a backup for app failures.
International eSIM or roaming
eSIM and internet in Chengdu
Plan connectivity before you fly: an international eSIM is usually easier than a local SIM, and some apps may not work on local networks.
Alipay, WeChat
Apps for Chengdu
Five apps cover most of a Chengdu trip: payments, rides, maps, translation, and trains. Set them up before you arrive and skip the rest.
Limited outside tourist areas
Language and English in Chengdu
English is limited outside hotels and tourist sites. A translation app, a few phrases, and Chinese addresses will solve most situations.
Low for violent crime
Safety and scams in Chengdu
Chengdu is generally safe, but tourist scams and traffic are real. Know the common setups, use official services, and keep your night plans simple.
CNY 200-400 per person per day
Chengdu Daily Budget
A realistic look at what a day in Chengdu costs, with budget, mid-range and comfortable bands, sample totals, and the extras that push spending up.
我吃素 (wo chi su), I eat vegetarian
Vegetarian and Vegan Eating in Chengdu
Chengdu's cooking hides pork, lard and meat stock in dishes that look vegetarian. Here is how to order meat-free, where to eat, and what to expect.
Light, persistent drizzle
Chengdu Rainy Day Guide
Chengdu rain is often light but persistent. Plan indoor blocks, dress for wet pavement, and know which outdoor sights are worth postponing.
Jasmine tea (茉莉花茶)
Buying Tea in Chengdu
Chengdu runs on jasmine tea. Buy it from a tea shop rather than a tourist gift counter, taste before you commit, and pack it for the trip home.
Simplified Chinese
Chinese Addresses for Taxis
Copy-ready Chinese addresses for Chengdu's main sights, airports, stations, and neighborhoods, plus the exact sentence to show a taxi driver or paste into DiDi.