โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport represents one of China's most ambitious and architecturally striking aviation projects, opened in June 2021 after five years of construction to address the capacity limitations of Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and establish Chengdu as the third city in China (after Beijing and Shanghai) to operate dual international airports. Located 51 kilometers southeast of downtown Chengdu in Lujia Town, Jianyang, this world-class facility features a unique design inspired by the mythical Sunbird that serves as Chengdu's logo, with two terminal buildings radiating six arms outward from a central hollow circular core in a mirror configuration.
The airport operates with two main terminal buildings totaling 705,900 square meters of floor space, designed to handle an initial capacity of 40 million passengers annually with future expansion plans for 90 million passengers through four terminals and six runways in a 'four-vertical-and-two-horizontal' layout. Terminal 1 covers 387,400 square meters across four floors and specializes in international operations with capacity for 13.5 million international passengers annually, while Terminal 2 spans 318,500 square meters dedicated primarily to domestic flights with capacity for 36.5 million passengers annually, both terminals featuring state-of-the-art facilities including business areas, dining, shopping, and comprehensive passenger amenities.
Runway infrastructure consists of three operational runways with lengths of 4,000 meters, 3,800 meters, and 3,200 meters respectively, configured to support independent parallel approaches on the two north-south runways (RWY01/19 and RWY02/20) while the east-west runway (RWY11) serves dedicated takeoff operations, enabling efficient traffic flow for the facility's high-capacity operations. The terminals are connected by Alstom's APM 300 automated people mover system featuring driverless Innovia APM vehicles operating on a dual-lane transit system, with Terminal 1's domestic section also connected to Terminal 2 to facilitate seamless international-to-domestic transfers.
The airport's comprehensive Ground Transportation Center (GTC) provides multimodal connectivity including Chengdu Metro Line 18 offering 30-40 minute connections to downtown Chengdu, high-speed rail service via Tianfu Airport Station on the Chengdu-Yibin high-speed railway (operational since December 2023), and extensive bus and taxi services, making Tianfu Airport a true intermodal transportation hub that enhances Chengdu's position as a major gateway to Western China and supports the region's role as a critical hub for domestic and international aviation in Southwest China.
๐ Connection Tips
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport operates as China's newest major aviation hub with two specialized terminals - Terminal 1 for international operations (13.5 million capacity) and Terminal 2 for domestic flights (36.5 million capacity). Premium lounges occupy central locations in both terminals, valuable for longer layovers in the distinctive Sunbird-inspired architecture. Digital wayfinding and multilingual signage assist international travelers, though staff English proficiency varies. Domestic travelers should note that Terminal 2's domestic operations serve China's extensive high-speed rail network, making air-rail combinations popular for onward travel.
Ground transportation includes Metro Line 18 offering 30-40 minute connections to downtown Chengdu, high-speed rail via Tianfu Airport Station (operational since December 2023), and comprehensive bus and taxi services from the multimodal Ground Transportation Center. The Alstom APM 300 automated people mover system connects terminals efficiently, essential for international-to-domestic transfers between Terminal 1's international gates and Terminal 2's domestic operations. Connection between the parallel terminals requires the automated transit system, so factor transit time for terminal changes during connections. The airport's 51-kilometer distance from downtown Chengdu requires careful timing for ground transportation connections.
International passengers benefit from Terminal 1's specialized facilities including business centers, luxury shopping, and premium dining options. The airport's three parallel runways (4,000m, 3,800m, 3,200m) enable efficient independent operations but weather delays can occur during Sichuan Basin fog seasons (October-February). Allow extra time for security screening and immigration processing, especially during peak travel periods as this ultra-modern facility handles increasing volumes since its 2021 opening.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ar Horqin Airport (AEQ) is a Class A1 general aviation airport located in Ar Horqin Banner, within the city of Chifeng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Opened to serve the regional needs of this vast and culturally rich area, the airport primarily handles short-haul domestic flights using aircraft with up to 30 seats. The terminal is a modern, compact facility that provides a streamlined gateway for travelers visiting the famous Ar Horqin grasslands or engaging in local commercial activities.
The terminal layout is designed for maximum efficiency, featuring a single level that integrates all passenger services from check-in to boarding. Within this space, travelers will find a comfortable waiting area equipped with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi, allowing them to stay connected while enjoying views of the surrounding Inner Mongolian landscape. The airport's focus on general aviation means that walking distances within the terminal are exceptionally short, often taking just a few minutes to navigate from the main entrance to the departure gate.
Amenities at Ar Horqin Airport include a small restaurant where passengers can sample regional cuisine, as well as essential facilities such as a first aid station and a smoking zone. While the airport does not feature large-scale shopping malls, its small retail presence offers a selection of local products and traditional Inner Mongolian items. For ground transportation, the airport is well-served by local taxis and bus services that connect the terminal to nearby towns and cities. Dedicated parking areas for both short-term and long-term stays are also available directly outside the terminal building.
๐ Connection Tips
Ar Horqin Airport operates as Inner Mongolia's specialized Class A1 general aviation facility serving the UNESCO Global Important Agricultural Heritage System of Ar Horqin Banner, located 8 kilometers northeast of Tianshan Town between Shenglong and Shuangshan villages, accommodating aircraft with up to 30 seats including Cessna 208B and Harbin Y-12 for regional connectivity. The facility primarily serves tourism access to traditional Mongolian nomadic culture where 15,000 people maintain seasonal migrations across the grasslands, supporting 3,000 households engaged in sustainable livestock management of 190,000 sheep and goats plus 81,000 cattle.
Connections through AEQ enable access to one of Inner Mongolia's last authentic nomadic regions where traditional seasonal movements continue unchanged, connecting travelers to summer camps, winter settlements, and cultural heritage sites across the 3,375-square-kilometer banner territory. The airport's compact design facilitates rapid transit between limited daily operations, while its strategic position supports government services, livestock industry logistics, ecological research, and cultural tourism focused on the region's status as China's first nomadic agricultural heritage site.
Domestic connections typically route through major Inner Mongolia hubs including Chifeng Yulong Airport (CIF) for commercial airline access, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) for national connectivity, or regional airports throughout the autonomous region supporting the grassland economy. The facility's role extends beyond traditional aviation to support seasonal migration logistics, veterinary services for livestock operations, emergency medical evacuations for nomadic communities, and research access to the restored grassland ecosystems where scientific management reduced sheep populations while increasing cattle numbers for environmental sustainability.
Travel planning requires coordination with local authorities and nomadic community schedules, particularly during the three-month summer migration period when thousands of herders move to traditional camps, creating unique tourism opportunities for visitors seeking authentic Mongolian cultural experiences. The airport serves as gateway to homestay tourism development, traditional crafts markets, and ecological restoration projects while maintaining essential connectivity for one of the world's few remaining nomadic societies recognized by the FAO for its sustainable agricultural heritage practices.
โ Back to Chengdu Tianfu International Airport