Chengdu subway, Known in Chinese as 成都地铁 (Chéngdū Dìtiě), is Chengdu's rapid transportation system, the capital of Sichuan Province in China.
Since its inauguration 27 September 2010, Chengdu Metro has experienced spectacular growth. From 2024, The system comprises 19 operational metro lines, and a tram line (S2). With a total extension of more than 558 kilometres (347 miles) and more of 370 stations, The system has greatly increased in size and capacity.
subway map
Below we show you the Chengdu metro map in two different formats. Click on the image to see it larger:
Previous map of Changdu subway in PDF. We don't know for sure who belongs to the credits., possibly to the web TravelChinaGuide.
The same Changdu metro map in PDF format.
Schedules
- Chengdu subway operates 6:00 a 23:00 every day, with some variations depending on the specific line.
Official Web site
- You can get more information and updates on the official website: www.chengdurail.com.
Chengdu Subway Fares
Chengdu Metro uses fare system based on distance traveled. Next, A table is presented with the main prices in Chinese yuan (CNY) and its equivalent in US dollars (USD) so that foreigners have a better idea of the price:
Distance (km) | Precio (CNY) | Precio (USD) |
---|---|---|
0 – 4 | 2 CNY | 0.29 USD |
4 – 8 | 3 CNY | 0.43 USD |
8 – 12 | 4 CNY | 0.57 USD |
12 – 18 | 5 CNY | 0.72 USD |
18 – 24 | 6 CNY | 0.86 USD |
24 – 32 | 7 CNY | 1.00 USD |
32 – 40 | 8 CNY | 1.14 USD |
40 – 50 | 9 CNY | 1.29 USD |
50 – 70 | 10 CNY | 1.43 USD |
More of 70 | 11+ CNY | 1.57+ USD |
The maximum price for a single trip within the metro network is 12 CNY (about 1.71 USD).
Payment methods
Passengers can purchase tickets using cash at automatic and semi-automatic ticket machines at stations. These machines accept coins 1 CNY and banknotes 5, 10 y 20 CNY. Besides, It is possible to pay electronically using applications such as WeChat Pay y Alipayaccording to what they say on the website Chengdu Expat.
Cards and Special Discounts
Chengdu Metro offers various cards and special discounts:
- Tianfu Tong Card (天府通卡): A rechargeable transportation card that offers a 10% discount on ticket price.
- Card for seniors (65-69 years): Users in this age range also receive a 10% off.
- Tourist cards: There are special cards designed for tourists, that allow unlimited trips for a specific period, facilitating tourism in the city.
History of Chengdu Subway
Chengdu subway started service on 27 September 2010 with the opening of the Line 1. China Railway Engineering Corporation y China State Construction Engineering Corporation collaborated on this initial project, under the direction of the engineer Gao Shilian. The first phase connected Shengxian Lake con Century City and cost approximately 7 billion yuan, with extensions that followed in June 2013 and July 2015.
The Line 2, Que une Xipu con Longquanyi, was inaugurated on 16 September 2012 After starting construction 29 December 2007, managed by China Railway No.2 Engineering Group Co., Ltd.
In April 2012 was launched Line 3, stretching from Chengdu Medical College to Shuangliu West Station and opening the 31 July 2016. China Railway Group Limited supervised construction with Zhao Xiaogang as chief engineer.
The Line 4, which was inaugurated on 26 December 2015, with a second phase completed in December 2016, was under the supervision of China Communications Construction Company and engineer Li Xiaoguang.
The construction of the Line 5 started in May 2016, inaugurating the 27 December 2019. This line was directed by Wang Jianping of China Railway Construction Corporation.
The Line 7, a circuit of 38.61 kilometers around the center of Chengdu, it was built by China Railway Construction Engineering Group, dirigida por Chen Wenhua, and inaugurated on 6 December 2017.
The Line 10, connecting downtown Chengdu with Shuangliu International Airport, was inaugurated on 6 September 2017 under the supervision of Zhang Zhongwei of China Railway Engineering Corporation.
Decade of 2020
The Line 6, Known as the longest unbranched line in China, started operations on 18 December 2020, and was built by China State Construction Engineering Corporation under the direction of Xu Jianping.
The Line 8 and the Line 9 were inaugurated simultaneously on 18 December 2020. The line 8 was led by Zhang Wei of China Railway Group Limited, while the Line 9, notable for being the first driverless metro line in western China, was directed by Liu Bin of China Communications Construction Company.
Line 17, which began to operate in 2020, was developed to improve connectivity between strategic areas, including new urban developments and industrial zones. The project was led by the China Railway Construction Corporation, which has been involved in numerous infrastructure projects nationwide. The chief engineer of the project was Zhang He, a veteran of mass transit projects who has contributed significantly to the design and execution of metro systems in China.
Line 18 plays a crucial role in the connection between the South Railway Station and Tianfu International Airport, facilitating more efficient access to air transport. This stretch was a joint effort of China State Construction Engineering Corporation y China Communications Construction Company, reflecting the collaboration between the largest construction firms in the country. The engineering was in charge of Li Meng, whose experience includes the planning and execution of multiple subway lines in large Chinese metropolises.
Currently
Last, the Line 19, was recently opened and connects Chengdu's two international airports. This project was led by the China Railway Engineering Corporation, with Tao Cheng as the principal engineer, Standing out for its focus on high-speed, high-capacity solutions for dense traffic areas.
To this day, in the year 2024, Chengdu subway system comprises 19 operating lines and a tram line (S2). The lines in operation are the Line 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18, 19 and the T2 tram line, along with other lines that are still under construction or in the planning phase.
Fuentes: Chengdu Bendibao, WikiMili.com, Sepanta Design).
History of Chengdu Metro Map
The first map of the Chengdu subway was designed in parallel with the construction of the Line 1, which was inaugurated in 2010. The original design focused on clarity and ease of use for passengers. The company China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group Co., Ltd. (CREEC) He was instrumental in the first infrastructure designs and mapping of the metro.
As the subway expanded, Map design evolved to include more lines and stations. In 2016, the line 9 of the Chengdu Metro, the first fully automated line in western China, He stood out for his innovative station designs. For this line, Businesses Sepanta Design y Jiang & Associates Design (J&A), both leaders in transport design, collaborated closely to develop unique and modern concepts.
Key Companies and Designers
- Sepanta Design: An architectural design studio based in London, known for its focus on creating functional and conceptual spaces. Led by Reza Esmaeeli, the team designed station interiors that reflect Chengdu's local culture and Sichuan's silk and embroidery tradition.
- Jiang & Associates Design (J&A): One of Asia's largest interior design firms, headquartered in Shenzhen. J&A has been recognized as the “most influential design team in China” during 10 Consecutive years. J&A collaborated on the design of stations to ensure a memorable aesthetic experience for passengers.
- SOHOVita: A global design and management platform that connects international designers with architectural projects in China. SOHOVita facilitated collaboration between foreign designers and Chinese projects, ensuring effective communication and compliance with international design standards.
Innovations and Design Themes
The layout of the map and the stations on the line 9 were inspired by the rich embroidery and silk culture of Sichuan. The designers sought to express the texture of the local culture using modern and futuristic materials. Each station features a distinctive color palette and custom architectural elements.
The lighting design was developed by BPS Electrical and Mechanical Consultants.
Fuentes: My Modern Met, Sepanta Design.
Additional data
Stations near sites such as Tianfu Square, Renmin Park and Chunxi Street offer fast-track access to some of the city's most iconic attractions. Besides, stations such as the Chengdu Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center allow tourists to easily access the city's main sites by public transport. These are the most important places:
- Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center (Panda Avenue, Line 3): Observe pandas in their natural habitat, Learn about its conservation.
- People's Park (Tianfu Square, Line 1 y 2): Enjoy leisurely rides, lakes and gardens in the heart of Chengdu.
- Jinli Street (Huaxiba, Line 1): Explore Sichuan culture and cuisine on a lively traditional street.
- Wuhou Temple (Gaoshengqiao, Line 3): Discover the history of the Three Kingdoms at this temple dedicated to the famous strategist Zhuge Liang.
- Kuan Zhai Xiangzi Street (People's Park, Line 2): Stroll through historic alleys that combine ancient and modern architecture.
- Chengdu Museum (Tianfu Square, Line 1 y 2): Learn about Chengdu's rich history and culture at this interactive museum.
- Qingyang Temple Cultural Park (Baiguolin, Line 4): Visit this ancient Taoist temple surrounded by beautiful gardens.
- Chunxi Road Square (Chunxi Road, Line 2 y 3): Shop in modern boutiques, enjoy restaurants and entertainment in this important commercial area.
Old Chengdu Metro Map
In a historical way, we will be posting the old maps of the Chengdu metro in this section, in this case they are from the years 2014 and previous. Click above image to enlarge: