Chengdu is the economic, transportation, and communication hub of Western China. It is the capital of the Sichuan province in Southwest China and home to over 14 million residents. In a 2007 Public Appraisal for Best Chinese Cities for Investment, Chengdu was listed among the top 10.
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Time
GMT +8
Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Plug types vary, but the two-pin flat blade and oblique three-pin flat blade plugs are common. Adapters are generally required.
Currency
China’s currency is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY), which is divided into 10 jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange your leftover Yuan before returning home because you may have difficulty exchanging the currency outside China’s borders. Foreign cash can be exchanged in cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger hotels and the special ‘Friendship Stores’ designed for foreigners will accept most Western currencies for purchases. Major credit cards are accepted in the main cities, but acceptance may be limited in more rural areas. ATMs are scarce in rural areas.
Communication
The international dialling code for China is +86. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices and hotels; phone booths on the streets are usually for local calls only. In hotels, local calls are generally free or will be charged only a nominal fee. Mobile phone networks are very advanced and Chinese networks have roaming agreements with most non-North American international operators. Internet cafes are available in most main towns.
Emergency number
Emergencies: 110 (Police); 120 (Ambulance – Beijing)
Climate
The weather in Chengdu is mild and humid all year long; however, the four seasons are quite distinct: spring is long and warm, summer is short and steamy, autumn is cool and rainy, and winter is cold and foggy. Temperatures range from 21°F (-6°C) in the winter (December to February) up to 99°F (37°C) at the peak of summer (June to August). Chengdu is humid and foggy for most of the year, which reduces sunlight hours and can exaggerate the feel of the temperature. The rainy season is in July and August, when occasional storms are experienced. The best time to visit Chengdu is in the spring and autumn, including April to June and September to November.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Getting to the city
There are shuttle buses running to downtown Chengdu, as well as long-distance coaches to other cities in Sichuan Province.
Car rental
There are no car hire facilities at the airport, however rental cars are available in downtown Chengdu.
Airport taxi’s
Taxis are available outside of Gate 2 of Terminal 1, and Gates 4 and 5 of Terminal 2.
Transfer between terminals
The terminals are within walking distance, however shuttles are available to transfer passengers.
Facilities
Airport services include an information centre, baggage trolleys, a smoking room, ATMs, phone chargers, vending machines, luggage storage and packaging, a lost and found, medical services, a baby-care station, VIP and first class lounges, restaurants and shops, and business services that include fax, photocopying, printing, and internet.
Parking
Parking is located in front of Terminal 1. The first hour is CNY 4, and every 30 minutes thereafter is an additional CNY 2.
Internet
China Telecom provides five hours of free wifi with registration via mobile phone.
Attractions around the city
1) Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊貓繁育研究基地). Here is how to get there.
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2) Emei Mountain (峨眉山) + Leshan Buddha (樂山大佛). Both sites listed as the 15th (Year 1996) World Heritage in China. Here is how to get there.
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3) Dujiangyan irrigation system (都江堰) + Mount Qingcheng (青城山). Both sites listed as the 27th (Year 2000) World Heritage in China.
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4) Jiuzhaigou (九寨溝). Listed as the 8th (Year 1992) World Heritage in China. Possible to arrive by plane and bus.
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Notice travel facts are extracted from sites including KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Chengdu page and wikipedia.
Photo sources:
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