Where the trains go
Sichuan’s high-speed network is excellent on the eastern plain: Chengdu to Leshan (about 1 hour), Emeishan (1.5 hours), and Dujiangyan (30–40 minutes). Trains are quiet, punctual and easy to use. Book with 12306 or a reputable agency, and use your passport as your ticket at the gate.
The western mountains are a different story. Kangding is reached by expressway in 3.5–4 hours; Jiuzhaigou is a long bus or a weather-dependent flight; Yading is a flight to Daocheng or a two-day drive. Do not assume a train exists because a place is famous. Check the actual connection before you build the itinerary.
Booking and stations
Chinese train tickets go on sale about 15 days before departure, and popular routes sell out around holidays. The 12306 app and website accept foreign passports, but verification can be fiddly; allow time. Your passport is your ticket, so carry the same document you used to book. At the station, follow the signs for 进站 (entrance), 候车 (waiting) and 检票 (ticket check).
Chengdu has several stations: Chengdu East (成都东) for most high-speed trains, Chengdu South (成都南) for some services, and Chengdu West (成都西) for regional routes. Check the station code on your ticket, not just “Chengdu”. Arrive 40–60 minutes early; security queues can be long.
- 12306 — official booking, English interface
- Passport — your ticket and ID
- Chengdu East — most high-speed services
- Arrive 40–60 minutes before departure
“The best trips here are not built from a checklist. They come from a long lunch, a wrong turn, a guide who knows which gate to use.”
Buses and private drivers
Long-distance buses connect Chengdu to Kangding, Danba, Jiuzhaigou and other towns, but schedules are limited and stations can be chaotic. For mountain routes, a private driver is often worth the cost: you can stop for photographs, adjust to weather, and avoid a 6am bus station. Agree the route, price, fuel, tolls and overnight costs in writing before you go.
Roads in western Sichuan are scenic and slow. Landslides, snow and construction can add hours. Allow a buffer day, avoid driving at night, and use a driver who knows the passes. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring medication; the switchbacks are relentless.
The small stuff
Carry tissues and hand sanitizer; not every mountain toilet has paper. Bring snacks and water for long drives. Download offline maps and a translation app, and save your hotel address in Chinese. Mobile signal is good in towns and patchy on high passes.
Taxi drivers rarely speak English. Show the Chinese address, use the meter, and have a screenshot of the destination. Ride-hailing works in Chengdu and major towns but is less reliable in remote areas. Tipping is not expected, though a good private driver deserves a sincere thank-you — and, if you like, a modest tip.
Use high-speed trains east of Chengdu, and a private driver west of Kangding. Always check the station name and carry your passport.
