Is Chengdu expensive to visit?
Chengdu is a smaller destination that attracts a range of visitors, each with distinct travel styles, spending habits, and budgetary requirements. You'll find a wide array of accommodation options, such as luxury hotels, mid-range places, or budget-friendly hostels.
Chengdu can be very expensive if you want it to be, but there are ways to cut down on your costs, like looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $27 (¥198) per day, mid-range travelers spend $66 (¥479) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $150 (¥1,092) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Chengdu.
Within Asia, Chengdu is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Amritsar or Surat Thani.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Chengdu Expensive?
A panda in Chengdu, China
How much money do I need for a trip to Chengdu?
The average Chengdu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Chengdu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Chengdu cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Setting realistic expectations for your travel budget is important. Many people think they can visit Chengdu on a tight budget, but most travelers aren't comfortable with a low "shoestring" budget. Think about what you enjoy during your vacations and how you typically travel. Do you prefer resorts, vacation rentals, or hostels? Do you want to visit museums, sights, and participate in activities? Is dining out a priority? These factors will shape both your budget and your itinerary.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You might think that you're a budget traveler. But unless you're willing to eliminate a lot of comforts from your trip, prepare to spend a lot more than the daily average of $27 that backpackers often get by on.
Young backpackers often get away with this shoestring budget, but it usually involves staying in hostel dorms, eating at the cheapest restaurants or fast food places, taking public transit or walking, and only visiting free attractions.
Luckily, Chengdu has plenty of hostels like POSHPACKER | Chengdu Mix Hostel, POSHPACKER | Chengdu Flipflop Hostel, and Chengdu Desti Youth Park Hostel Chunxi Road. At these hostels, you can find affordable dorm beds and a vibrant social scene, but amenities tend to be quite limited.
So, are you average?
Couples and families on a fun trip will likely choose a mid-range hotel, enjoy meals at popular dining spots, and visit significant museums and attractions that have entry fees. Most people who travel to Chengdu will want to experience its major attractions, museums, and historical landmarks. After all, most activities are not free. So, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be about $66 per person, per day.
Dreaming of a Stylish Getaway?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $150 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Also, higher-end tours are common with luxury travelers, such as Leshan Buddha + Panda Base or Old Tea House Private Day Tour - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Chengdu
The prices for hotels in Chengdu can really vary, especially during peak travel season. Off-season, the average hotel room costs $, while during peak season, that average price jumps to around $. With budget accommodations starting at $ and luxury hotels peaking at $, there are options for every traveler. Dorm-style hostels are often the cheapest. Traveling during the low season or booking early can help you save.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Chengdu for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $42 (¥302). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $21 (¥151) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Chengdu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Traveling during the shoulder or low season (instead of ) means you'll get lower prices on accommodations and have fewer crowds to deal with.
Transportation Budget in Chengdu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $5.91 (¥43) per person, per day, on local transportation in Chengdu. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Chengdu is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$5.91
¥43
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is about 20 kilometers outside of the city center. It's a major transportation hub for the country and there are flights from all over China as well as many international destinations. You can take a bus from the airport to the city center and, of course, taxis are available.
There are also train bus connections to many cities within China.
Chengdu opened a metro service in 2010. The original line ran north and south between the North and South Railroad stations along Renmin Road. In 2014, Line 2 was opened between Xipu in the northwest and Longquanyi in the southeast.
There is a very comprehensive bus system in Chengdu. The system can be confusing and crowded, but it is a good option if you can figure it out. In general, rush hour has horrible traffic in Chengdu and traveling during these hours is best avoided.
A few of the typical hotel transfers and transportation services include:
- Private Round-Trip Transfer:Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Chengdu for $67 details
- Chengdu Panda Breeding Base Ticket w/ Optional Transfer or Guide for $20 details
- 1-Day Chengdu Layover Tour: Panda Base, city central with Round Airport Transfer for $240 details
How much does it cost to go to Chengdu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Chengdu will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Chengdu
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Chengdu can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Chengdu is $37 (¥272) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$37
¥272
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Chengdu is around $37 (¥272) per person, with previous travelers spending from $15 to $88. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Chengdu are as follows:
- Breakfast: $4 to $11
- Lunch: $6 to $15
- Dinner: $11 to $26
- Coffee: $3
- Fast Food or Street Food: $6
Sichuan food is everywhere in Chengdu. The dishes are quite spicy but it is possible to order it without spice or a little spicy at most restaurants. It's also possible to break through the spice with sweetened soy, almond, peanut, or milk.
The spiciest food in Chengdu is the hotpot. Sichuan hot pots are large soups that cook in the middle of the table. You can select meat, vegetables, and other ingredients to flavor the soup. Unlike eastern hotpots, you do not drink the soup but instead fish out the ingredients and eat them with chopsticks.
Many establishments feature breakfast in their pricing, although some tack it on as an added expense. The price and quality can fluctuate depending on the hotel. Being aware of this beforehand helps you gauge if you'll need extra cash. The hotel buffet might be a delicious choice, or you could save some cash by heading to a nearby bakery or cafe.
Opt for a water bottle instead of constantly buying drinks. It's not only convenient but also eco-friendly.
Planning a tour? Be sure to confirm in advance which meals are provided. You could find yourself footing the bill for some meals, which can affect your budget.
If you want to experience the culture in Chengdu, a food tour or cooking class is a great way to do it. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Half-Day Professional Mapo Tofu Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit for $69 details
- Half-Day Dandan Noodles Cooking Class with Local Spice Market Visit for $100 details
- Half day Chengdu Dumpling making Cooking Class: Make from Scratch for $62 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Chengdu
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Chengdu typically cost an average of $16 (¥116) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$16
¥116
There are a good number of sights in Chengdu, including People's Park, Tianfu Square, Wuhouci Temple, Kuanzhaixiangzi, and Jinsha Archaeological Site, among others. Museums in the city include the Sichuan University Museum and the Sichuan Science and Technology Museum.
Many people come to Chengdu specifically for the Chengdu Panda Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. It is located in the outskirts of town and you can reach it by catching bus 902 at the Xinnanmen Bus Station. You can also pick up a taxi, which will cost you about 30 yuan from downtown assuming minimal traffic. The park has about 60 giant pandas, which are considered an endangered species in large part because of habitat destruction. They also have some red pandas and black-necked cranes. There is a viewing area where you can visit the giant pandas and the best time to visit is the morning when the pandas are moving around and more active. They usually feed the pandas sometime between 9:30 and 10:00. One of the main activities is to have your photo taking while holding a baby panda. This will set you back 1000 yuan and the entry cost of the facility is roughly 60 yuan. While it is a unique opportunity that you can't have anywhere else in the world, the whole experience feels very forced and awkward. You can expect little more than a moment to hold the animal while they quickly snap your photo. If you want a little more out of the experience you can hire an English speaking guide for the cost of 100 yuan.
There are a variety of activities that you can enjoy while you're in Chengdu. There are many places where you can relax, sip tea, read books, play Weiqi, or have a massage. Chunxi is a shopping street that is pleasant to walk along during the afternoon. It's lined with clothing shops, book stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and arcades. Other activities include visiting the Happy Valley amusement park or going to the Sichuan Opera or a traditional show.
A nice way to explore destinations in Chengdu is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Wolong Panda Base Private Day Tour Optional Volunteering for $220 details
- Shu Feng Ya Yun Sichuan Opera Ticket for $39 details
- Sanxingdui Museum+Chengdu Panda Base or Jinsha Site Tour for $75 details
Chengdu, China
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.