Chengdu Train Stations: Where and How to Take a Train?

As the capital of Sichuan and the home of the giant panda, Chengdu is one of the most vibrant railway hubs in south-west China.

The city boasts four major railway stations that collectively handle nearly 500 trains every day, connecting you to both major Chinese metropolises and the region's iconic natural landmarks.

To help you find your way around, Trip.com has put together a complete guide to the main train stations in Chengdu.

Main Train Stations in Chengdu

📌 Click the itinerary link in the table to book your ticket now!

Now, let's take a closer look at the main train stations you won't want to miss for your travels and trips around Chengdu.

Chengdu East Railway Station — 成都东站

The East Railway Station is the starting point for the vast majority of journeys from Chengdu. It opened in 2011 in the Chenghua District, about 10 km from the city centre.

With its 14 platforms, more than 300 trains pass through every day (G, D, C, T, and K). All the major high-speed rail routes go through here: Xi'an in 3 hours, Shanghai in 11 hours, Beijing in 8 hours, and Wuhan in under 7 hours.

The station is spread over three levels. The platforms are on the first floor, the large waiting area (with 3,360 seats) and ticket counters are on the second, while passenger arrivals, along with taxis and buses, are located in the basement.

How do I get there?

How to book your tickets?

Three options:

• On Trip.com (recommended ✅): book in English, and get your ticket on your phone or collect it at the kiosks using your passport
• Via the 12306 app: the official ticketing platform for Chinese railways (English version available for foreign passport holders, but requires identity verification first).
• At the on-site ticket counters: there's a dedicated counter for international travellers on the 2nd floor with English-speaking staff. Just a heads-up: allow a little extra time if you're travelling during peak hours.

How to catch your train?

The procedure is the same at every train station in China:

1. Please arrive 45 to 60 minutes before departure
2. Security check at the entrance (X-ray screening, passport verification)
3. If needed, collect your ticket at the self-service kiosks (passport required).
4. Head through the platform turnstiles (ticket + passport)
5. Please wait in the lounge for your train; the platform gates open 15 minutes before departure.
6. Boarding at the carriage entrance

Services available at the station

The 2nd floor brings together all the essential services you might need, whether you're in transit or about to set off on your journey:

• 🍜 Dining: KFC (with phone chargers nearby), snack bars, Sichuan specialities, and a 24-hour convenience store
• 🛍️ Shopping: bookshop, souvenir shops, pharmacy
• 🧳 Luggage storage: 1st floor, main hall (~15–20 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: You'll find Bank of China and China Construction Bank on the 2nd floor, and international cards are accepted.
• 👶 Family area: baby care room and wheelchair access on every level

The VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

It’s also on the 2nd floor! This area is free for First and Business Class passengers upon presentation of their ticket. Once inside, you'll find self-service drinks, snacks, decent Wi-Fi, and armchairs that are significantly more comfortable than those in the public areas.

For other travellers, there is an entry fee of approximately 100 CNY (~£12.50).

Main routes from Chengdu East

Chengdu Railway Station (North) — 成都站

The North Railway Station has been around since 1952! Located in the Jinniu district, about 5 km from the city centre, it’s easily accessible via Metro Line 1. Do note, however, that it no longer serves high-speed trains, but it remains essential for two key journeys: long-distance overnight trains to Kunming or Beijing, and, most importantly, the Z322 train to Lhasa.

The Z322 train departs every other day at 21:37, arriving in Lhasa on the morning of the second day after a 36-hour journey covering 3,070 km across four provinces. It’s one of the most incredible rail journeys in the world, taking you to altitudes of over 4,500 metres, with oxygen supplied in the carriages and breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau to wake up to.

Heads up: a Tibet travel permit is required for this journey, so be sure to sort this out before booking your tickets.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

• 🍜 Dining: Sichuan cuisine, noodle bars, and snack bars in the lobby and nearby
• 🛍️ Shopping: local speciality shops, pharmacy, newsagent
• 🧳 Luggage storage: main hall (~15 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: Cash machines are located at the entrance and in the lobby.

The VIP Lounge (First Class Waiting Room)

It’s a bit more modest than the one at the East Station, but still very functional: decent armchairs, power sockets, Wi-Fi, and hot drinks. Access is free for First and Business Class passengers, but available for a fee for others (~40 CNY).

Main routes from Chengdu North

Chengdu South Railway Station — 成都南站

The South Railway Station is located in the High-Tech Zone, in the south of the city. It mainly handles C-trains (high-speed intercity services) to Chongqing, Leshan, and Emeishan. With Chongqing just 1 hour 10 minutes away, Leshan 45 minutes, and Emeishan 1 hour, it’s the perfect station for day trips around the region.

Another perk is Metro Line 18, which connects directly to Tianfu International Airport (TFU) in about 50 minutes for 10 CNY. If you're landing at Tianfu and heading straight for a train, there's no need to cross the entire city – it's a direct, single-line metro journey.

How do I get there?

Services available at the station

• 🍜 Dining: restaurants and snack bars in the lobby
• 🧳 Luggage storage: main hall (~15 CNY/day)
• 📶 Wi-Fi: free throughout the station
• 🏧 ATM: Cash machines are located at the main entrance.
• 🚇 Metro connection: Lines 1, 7 and 18

Main routes from Chengdu South

Tips for Taking the Train from Chengdu Stations

💡 Start by checking which station your train departs from

This is the most common mistake. For G-trains to Xi'an or Shanghai, head to the East Station. Taking the overnight train to Kunming or the Z322 to Lhasa? That's the North Station. For C-trains to Chongqing or Leshan, you'll need the South Station. The exact name of the station is always printed on your ticket, so be sure to double-check before you set off!

💡 Book early on popular routes

Tickets go on sale 30 days before departure. For routes like Chengdu–Chongqing or Chengdu–Xi'an during Golden Week or the Chinese New Year, they can sell out in just a few hours. Book on Trip.com as soon as your itinerary is set to secure the best prices.

💡 Arrive at the station in good time

With security checks at the entrance and passport verification at the platform turnstiles, we recommend arriving at Chengdu East Station 45 to 60 minutes before your departure. The station halls are vast, so finding the right platform and waiting area can take a little time.

💡 The train letter shows you where to board

G and D → East station for high-speed trains. Z → North station for long-distance travel. C → South or East station for intercity services. A quick glance at the train number is all you need.

💡 Get your connection sorted before you arrive

Wi-Fi is free in all stations, but it's useless for Western apps without a VPN. A China eSIM solves this problem the moment you step off the plane. Book your tickets on Trip.com and catch your train from Chengdu. 🚄

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