Chengdu is now one of the cities in China where foreigners can visit without a visa. Travelers are allowed to stay for up to six days as long as they hold an international transit ticket. Du Yusi reports.
DU YUSI Chengdu, Sichuan Province "So what can a foreign traveler expect in Chengdu? Filip from Poland has been living in Chengdu for nearly a decade, and he will show us the fun side of the city."
FILIP KOUBSZWSKI Expat in Chengdu "First thing to for foreigners to see like when you come to China is probably some old building structures and food for sure."
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is famous for its spicy cuisine. Central to its flavors is the "mala" sensation, where numbing Sichuan peppercorns and hot chili create a distinctive and invigorating taste.
FILIP KOUBSZWSKI Expat in Chengdu "A little bit about spicing in Chengdu: like these, they all look very hot and spicy, but they are not really. In Chengdu is more about numb."
And of course, pandas are an absolute must-see. But in Chengdu, the iconic bears aren't just found in the zoo. Their presence is felt throughout the city.
FILIP KOUBSZWSKI Expat in Chengdu "I like how Chengdu people approach life here. Whatever happens. It just happens here. You just accept it and you just go with the flow."
Tourists are now just a flight away from Chengdu's laid-back lifestyle. With the introduction of the 144-hour visa-free transit policy, international travelers no longer need to navigate a complicated border entry process upon arrival.
WANG BINGXI Sichuan Border Inspection Officer "We've placed special signs on-site and assigned staff to guide travelers to the designated area for obtaining their entry and exit permits."
Since the introduction of the visa-free entry policy, the Sichuan Border Inspection Office says the number of foreign travelers entering Chengdu has increased. From January to August 2024, approximately 286,000 foreigners entered through Chengdu, with 45-percent of them entering visa-free.
Du Yusi, CGTN, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
