Chengdu Ranks among Top 5 Cities for Inbound Tourism

Chengdu has topped multiple travel platform rankings during this International Workers’ Day holiday. Chengdu ranked fifth among the most popular cities for inbound travel according to data from Trip.com, while Qunar placed Chengdu fourth among domestic destinations favored by international tourists.

In terms of inbound travel growth, the number of international tourists flying to Zhengzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Beijing, Weihai, Changsha, and Hohhot increased by more than 100% year-on-year on the first day of the holiday. Among these cities, Chengdu recorded a 1.3-fold year-on-year growth in international arrivals.

“Compared with those of the previous year’s International Workers’ Day holiday, this year’s bookings have seen a significant increase, primarily driven by travelers from Europe and the US. Based on booking data, the growth reached approximately 36%.” The marketing department head of a travel agency in Chengdu shared that these visitors regarded Chengdu as an important stop in their “China travel” itineraries, and Chengdu’s core attraction remained the giant pandas.

During the holiday, Chengdu’s aviation port saw a peak in inbound and outbound passenger flow. According to statistics from Sichuan General Station of Immigration Inspection, Chengdu’s aviation port processed a total of over 90,000 entries and exits and recorded more than 600 inbound and outbound flight operations from May 1 to 5, which represented year-on-year increases of 5.5% and 1.5% respectively. Notably, over 21,000 foreign entries and exits were recorded, up 9.2% compared with the same period of the previous year. In terms of inbound arrivals, Russia, Thailand, and Malaysia were among the top source countries.

To date, the number of regular international and regional direct passenger and cargo air routes currently operational in Chengdu has reached 104. As of May 5, 2026, Sichuan General Station of Immigration Inspection has provided services and support for over 2.5 million entries and exits and more than 17,000 inbound and outbound flight operations, which marked year-on-year increases of 19.7% and 7.1% respectively. The increasingly enhanced aviation network has provided greater convenience and more travel options for both Chinese and international travelers.

Source: HomeinChengdu