If you’ve been dreaming of spicy hotpot, lazy panda afternoons, and the laid-back vibe of Sichuan’s capital, you’re probably asking the same question everyone’s been typing into Google: Is Chengdu open for tourists? The short answer is yes—but the long answer involves a tangled web of shifting policies, QR codes, and a few surprises that even seasoned travelers might not expect. Let’s break it all down, from the current entry rules to the hidden gems that are suddenly trending again.
As of early 2025, Chengdu is fully open to international and domestic tourists. The days of mandatory hotel quarantines and blanket lockdowns are over. However, the city has adopted a “dynamic management” approach that can feel a bit like playing a game of chess with invisible rules. Here’s what you need to know before you book that flight.
First, the basics. If you’re flying into Chengdu from abroad, you’ll need a valid visa (tourist visas are being issued again, though processing times vary by country). You’ll also need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test—either PCR or rapid antigen—taken within 48 hours of departure. Some airlines are stricter than others, so double-check with your carrier. Once you land at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, you’ll go through a health declaration process that’s now mostly digital. The famous “health code” app is still in use, but it’s less about tracking your every move and more about verifying your vaccination status and recent test results.
Important note: Unvaccinated travelers are still allowed to enter, but you may face additional screening and a recommendation to test upon arrival. Vaccinated travelers with WHO-approved shots (including Sinovac, Sinopharm, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca) have a smoother path.
For tourists coming from other Chinese cities, the rules are more fluid. Chengdu has scrapped most internal travel restrictions, but if you’re arriving from a city with a recent outbreak (say, a cluster of cases in Shanghai or Guangzhou), you might be asked to take a rapid test at the train station or airport. The good news? These tests are free and results come back in about 15 minutes. The bad news? It can throw off your schedule if you’re trying to catch a bullet train to Leshan or a flight to Jiuzhaigou.
Local authorities in Chengdu have also become more transparent about outbreak zones. Instead of locking down entire districts, they now use a “precision control” system that targets specific buildings or neighborhoods. For tourists, this means you can still explore 95% of the city without interruption—but you should always check the latest WeChat updates from the Chengdu Municipal Health Commission before heading out.
Even with the lingering pandemic protocols, Chengdu’s tourism scene is buzzing with new energy. Some trends are obvious, others are unexpected. Let’s dive into what’s actually drawing crowds in 2025.
The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is back to full capacity, and it’s busier than ever. The base now requires timed entry tickets purchased online (no walk-ins), and you’ll need to show your health code at the gate. But here’s the twist: the panda cubs born during the pandemic are now toddlers, and they’re absolute chaos machines. Videos of them tumbling off bamboo platforms and stealing snacks from their mothers have gone viral on Douyin (China’s TikTok), driving a surge in visitors. If you want to see them at their most active, go early—like 7:30 AM early. The queues start forming by 8:00, and by 10:00, you’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with panda fans from all over the world.
Pro tip: The base has a new “Panda Keeper for a Day” program that’s been a hit with international tourists. For about 800 RMB, you can help prepare bamboo cakes, clean enclosures, and even bottle-feed a cub (if you’re lucky). Spots fill up weeks in advance, so book through the official website as soon as you have your travel dates.
Chengdu’s food scene never really stopped, but it’s having a moment right now. The city’s famous hotpot restaurants—like HuangCheng LaoMa and Xiao Long Kan—are packed every night, and the queues can stretch for hours. But the real action is on the streets. Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alley are overflowing with vendors selling everything from spicy rabbit heads to “bing fen” (a jelly-like dessert with brown sugar). One trend that’s caught fire is the “huo tui” (fire leg) sandwich, a Sichuan take on the classic Chinese breakfast item, stuffed with chili oil, pickled vegetables, and crispy pork. It’s messy, it’s spicy, and it’s absolutely worth the stained shirt.
Pandemic note: Street food vendors are required to wear masks and gloves, and most have hand sanitizer stations. But the crowds are thick, so if you’re nervous about close contact, stick to sit-down restaurants with outdoor seating. Many hotpot places now offer individual pots instead of shared ones, which is a smart pandemic-era adaptation that’s here to stay.
While downtown Chengdu is a whirlwind of neon lights and sensory overload, a growing number of tourists are escaping to the surrounding countryside. Places like Qingcheng Mountain (a Taoist holy site) and Dujiangyan (an ancient irrigation system) are seeing a surge in visitors who want to hike, meditate, and breathe fresh air. The pandemic has accelerated a shift toward “slow travel”—longer stays, fewer destinations, deeper experiences. In Dujiangyan, you can now rent a traditional courtyard house for a week, attend tea ceremonies, and learn calligraphy from local masters. It’s a far cry from the “12 cities in 10 days” tours that used to dominate Chinese tourism.
Why this matters for COVID safety: Outdoor activities are naturally lower risk, and the rural areas around Chengdu have very few cases. Many guesthouses require a negative test upon check-in, but the trade-off is peace of mind. Plus, the scenery is stunning—think misty mountains, bamboo forests, and terraced tea fields.
If there’s one thing that frustrates tourists the most, it’s the digital bureaucracy. Here’s a survival guide.
You’ll need to download the “Sichuan Tianfu Health Code” app (or use the mini-program within WeChat). This code—green, yellow, or red—determines where you can go. Green means you’re free to roam. Yellow means you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case or visited a high-risk area; you’ll need to quarantine for 7 days. Red means you’re positive or symptomatic; you’ll be taken to a designated facility. For most tourists, the code stays green as long as you test negative and avoid outbreak zones. But here’s the catch: the code can change color without warning if you pass through a neighborhood that later reports a case. It’s rare, but it happens.
How to avoid trouble: Keep your phone charged and your data roaming on. If your code turns yellow, don’t panic. Call your hotel’s front desk or the local tourism hotline (12301). They’ll guide you to a testing site, and once you get a negative result, the code usually reverts to green within 24 hours.
Chengdu is a cashless society, and that hasn’t changed. You’ll need Alipay or WeChat Pay for almost everything—from buying a bottle of water to paying for a taxi. International credit cards are accepted at high-end hotels and some tourist attractions, but don’t rely on them. If you’re coming from abroad, set up Alipay with your foreign card before you leave. It’s easier than ever now, thanks to Alipay’s “Tour Pass” feature that allows temporary top-ups.
Internet access: VPNs are still technically restricted, but many hotels and cafes in Chengdu have “international” Wi-Fi that bypasses the firewall. If you need a reliable connection for work or video calls, buy a local SIM card at the airport. China Mobile and China Unicom have tourist SIMs with generous data packages for about 100 RMB per week.
Let’s not sugarcoat it—some things are still different. Large-scale events like the Chengdu International Food Festival and the Lantern Festival have been scaled down or moved online. Nightclubs and KTVs (karaoke bars) are open but operate at reduced capacity, and you’ll need to show a negative test from the previous 48 hours to get in. The famous “teahouse culture” of Chengdu—where locals sit for hours sipping jasmine tea and playing mahjong—is alive and well, but many teahouses now require reservations and limit group sizes to six people.
One surprising closure: The “Panda Post Office” near the research base, which used to let you send postcards with a special panda stamp, is temporarily closed for renovations. It’s a small loss, but it’s emblematic of the ongoing adjustments.
If you’re flexible, patient, and willing to roll with the punches, Chengdu is absolutely worth visiting in 2025. The city has retained its soul—the slow mornings, the fiery food, the friendly chaos—while adapting to a post-pandemic world. You’ll deal with more paperwork and digital hurdles than you would have in 2019, but the rewards are still enormous. The pandas are fluffier than ever, the hotpot is spicier, and the mountains are waiting.
A final tip: Join a local WeChat group for expats or travelers in Chengdu. Groups like “Chengdu Expats” or “Sichuan Travelers” are goldmines for real-time updates on testing sites, restaurant openings, and sudden policy changes. The pandemic has made community more important than ever, and Chengdu’s expat community is famously welcoming.
So pack your bags, download the apps, and prepare for an adventure that’s equal parts frustrating and magical. Chengdu is open—and it’s ready for you.
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Author: Chengdu Travel
Link: https://chengdutravel.github.io/travel-blog/is-chengdu-open-for-tourists-covid19-travel-updates.htm
Source: Chengdu Travel
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