You've probably heard the rumors that Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport was basically retiring once the massive, flashy Tianfu International (TFU) opened its doors. Honestly, I thought the same thing for a minute. It’s easy to assume the "old" airport would just fade into the background while the new six-runway giant took all the glory. But here we are in 2026, and CTU is still very much the heartbeat of Chengdu’s aviation scene.
If you’re flying into Sichuan, you actually want to land at Shuangliu.
Why? Because it’s right there. While TFU is nearly 50 kilometers away—a trek that can take over an hour even on a good day—Shuangliu is just about 16 kilometers from the city center. You can touch down, grab your bags, and be eating spicy mapo tofu in Jinjiang District within 30 minutes. It’s the ultimate "convenience" airport, and in the world of modern travel, time is basically the only currency that matters.
The Identity Shift of Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Things have definitely changed since the "Dual Hub" strategy fully kicked in. Back in the day, Shuangliu was the chaotic, overcrowded gateway for everything. Now, it has found its niche. It’s the "boutique" hub. It focuses heavily on high-frequency domestic "express" routes—think Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen—and serves as the primary base for Air China and Sichuan Airlines.
When Tianfu opened, most of the long-haul international flights moved over there. But don't let that fool you. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport still handles a surprising amount of traffic. In fact, in the first three quarters of 2025, it saw nearly 25 million passengers. That's not a "retired" airport; that's a workhorse.
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Renovations and the "New" Terminal Experience
If you haven't been there in a couple of years, you might not recognize parts of it. Starting around 2023, the airport went through a massive facelift. They realized that to compete with the shiny TFU, they couldn't stay stuck in the early 2000s.
- Terminal 1 has been the focus of major quality-of-life upgrades.
- Smart Security: They’ve leaned hard into facial recognition and automated baggage drops. It’s way faster than it used to be.
- The Vibe: It feels less like a sterile transit hall and more like a part of the city. There’s better coffee (crucial) and more local Sichuanese snacks that aren't just overpriced vacuum-sealed panda cookies.
The goal wasn't just to fix the roof. It was to turn the airport into a "smart manufacturing hub" and an "aviation economy" zone. It's kinda fascinating—the area around the airport is now full of R&D centers and high-tech manufacturing. You're not just flying into a field; you're flying into an industrial powerhouse.
Which Airport Should You Actually Choose?
This is the question everyone asks. "Should I fly into CTU or TFU?"
Honestly, if your ticket says CTU, you’ve won the travel lottery.
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For domestic travelers coming from major Chinese cities, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is almost always the better choice. If you’re a business traveler, you can take Metro Line 10 and be at a meeting in the CBD before the people landing at TFU have even cleared the taxi queue.
However, there’s a catch.
Because Shuangliu is closer and "preferred" by many, tickets can sometimes be a bit more expensive than those flying into Tianfu. Budget carriers like Spring Airlines or 9 Air often stick to TFU to keep costs down. If you're looking to save a few hundred Yuan, you might have to deal with the long commute from the far southeast. But if you value your sanity and want a 20-minute taxi ride to your hotel, CTU is the king.
Logistics: Getting Out of the Terminal
Navigating CTU is pretty straightforward, but 2026 has brought some tweaks to how things move.
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- Metro Line 10: This is still your best friend. It runs from the basement of Terminal 2 straight to Taipingyuan. From there, you can hop on Line 3 to get to the heart of the city (Chunxi Road) or Line 7 to loop around the city.
- Metro Line 19: This was a game-changer. It connects Shuangliu directly to Tianfu International. If you have a weird self-transfer where you land at CTU but depart from TFU, this line is your lifesaver. It’s fast, reliable, and way cheaper than a 150-Yuan taxi.
- Taxis and Didi: Just follow the signs. Don't go with the "black taxi" guys who approach you in the arrivals hall. The official taxi queue is at Gate 2 or 5 at T1, and Gate 8 or 9 at T2. Didi (the Chinese Uber) has its own designated pickup area in the parking garage—make sure you're in the right zone before you call one, or your driver will be circling the block while you're stuck behind a concrete pillar.
The "Panda" Factor and Layover Life
One of the coolest things about Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is its proximity to the actual pandas. If you have a long layover—say, six or seven hours—you can actually make it to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. From CTU, it's about a 45-minute drive. From TFU? Forget about it. You'd spend your whole layover in a car.
If you’re stuck at the airport, it’s not the worst place to be. The food scene has improved. You can find decent Dan Dan noodles and even some international chains if you're craving something familiar. And because the airport is smaller and more compact than the "starfish" shaped mega-terminals, you don't have to walk three miles to get from security to your gate.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Shuangliu is "secondary" now. That’s a mistake. In the aviation world, a city having two functional airports is a sign of prestige, like London, New York, or Tokyo. Shuangliu isn't the "old" airport; it's the "inner-city" airport. Think of it like London City Airport versus Heathrow.
One thing to watch out for is the terminal assignments. They've shifted things around to balance the load. Always, always check your digital boarding pass before you tell your taxi driver where to go. Terminal 2 handles the bulk of the domestic flights for the big carriers, while Terminal 1 has seen shifts in which specific airlines it hosts.
Practical Steps for Your Next Trip
- Check the Airport Code: It’s CTU. If you see TFU, prepare for a long commute.
- Download Didi: Even if you speak no Mandarin, the English version of the Didi app works perfectly with international credit cards. It’s much easier than haggling or trying to explain your hotel address to a taxi driver.
- Use the Express Lines: If you’re flying to Beijing or Shanghai, look for the "Air China Express" counters. They have dedicated lanes at Shuangliu that can save you a solid 20 minutes of standing in line.
- Book Your Hotel Near Metro Line 10 or 3: This makes getting to and from the airport a breeze. Areas like Wuhou or the South Railway Station area are perfect mid-points.
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has managed to reinvent itself. It’s no longer the only game in town, but it’s definitely the smartest one to play if you want a seamless entry into one of China's most vibrant cities. Whether you're here for the spicy food, the business opportunities, or just to see a panda eat bamboo for three hours, starting your journey at CTU is the pro move.
To make your arrival even smoother, download the "Chengdu Metro" app or use the Alipay transport mini-program. This allows you to scan a QR code at the turnstiles for Line 10 without needing to fumble with a ticket machine or find exact change. If you're landing after midnight, head straight to the official taxi queue at Exit 4 (T1) or Exit 8 (T2), as metro services typically wrap up around 11:00 PM.