Visas & entry
China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: The Complete Guide
Who qualifies, the third-country-ticket rule that trips people up, what you can and can't do inside the transit area, and why Chengdu is the smartest entry point for a 10-day Sichuan journey.
Read the guide →
City guide
Chengdu for First-Timers: Pandas, Hotpot & Practical Magic
Morning pandas only. How to order hotpot at wei la and survive. Getting Alipay, eSIMs and bullet trains working — plus the five mistakes that cost travelers a day.
Read the guide →
Planning
The Best Time to Visit Sichuan: Month-by-Month, Honest Edition
Jiuzhaigou's October peak, plateau windows, Emei's sunrise odds, Chengdu's grey winters — and the two national holiday weeks we honestly think you should avoid.
Read the guide →