Chengdu Tianfu Airport (TFU) Temporary Permit & G318 Self-Drive Hub
Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) is the #1 international arrival gateway for driving the legendary Western Sichuan G318 Tibetan Loop, Mount Siguniang, and Jiuzhaigou. Get your Temporary Driving Permit inside the T1 Ground Transportation Center (GTC) and pick up a 4WD SUV in one stop.
Terminal 1 Ground Transportation Center (GTC) Transfer Hall (Between T1 & T2)
T1/T2 GTC Long-Term Parking Garage Car Rental Hub — huge inventory of Tank 300 4WD, Prado, and BYD Song Plus DM-i SUVs.
30-Day Visa-Free, 240h Transit (Sichuan Statewide!), & L/M Visas
成都天府国际机场 T1 综合交通中心（GTC）交管服务站
Terminal 1 Ground Transportation Center (GTC) Transfer Hall (Between T1 & T2)
天府国际机场 1号航站楼（T1）综合交通换乘中心（GTC）交管服务窗口
Eligible Entries: 30-Day Visa-Free, 240h Transit (Sichuan Statewide!), & L/M Visas
📞 Airport Station Hotline: +86-28-8690-1114 / +86-28-12123
3-Step Arrival Walkthrough at Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)
Clear T1 International Customs & Enter the Central GTC Hub
All international flights into Chengdu land at Terminal 1 (T1) of Tianfu International Airport (TFU). After passing customs, follow the central signs straight into the Ground Transportation Center (GTC 综合交通中心) situated between T1 and T2.
Under China’s expanded 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit policy, foreign travelers landing at TFU can now travel across 11 cities in Sichuan (including Leshan, Ya’an, and Meishan) or use 30-Day Visa-Free to drive all of Ganzi and Aba (G318)!
Where to Pick Up Your Rental Car at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
| Rental Agency | Exact Terminal Pickup Bay | Foreign Payment & Deposit | Popular EV & SUV Fleet | Local Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip.com Airport Car Hire (TFU GTC Hub) | GTC Parking Garage Car Rental Zone | Yes — Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay & Alipay | Tank 300 4WD, BYD Song Plus DM-i (Green Plate), Toyota RAV4 AWD | Best selection of high-clearance SUVs and plug-in hybrids for the 4,298m Zheduo Pass on G318. |
| eHi Car Services (一嗨租车天府机场GTC店) | GTC Ground Floor Self-Drive Pickup Area | Yes — Foreign Passport + Temporary Permit | Haval Dargo AWD, Tesla Model Y, Buick GL8 | Allows pick up at Tianfu Airport (TFU) and drop-off at Shuangliu Airport (CTU) or Chengdu East Railway Station. |
| CAR Inc. / Zuche (神州租车天府机场网点) | GTC Designated Parking Zone | Alipay / WeChat Pay / Major Cards | Li Auto L7/L8 EREV, Nissan X-Trail, VW Teramont | Extended-range hybrids (EREV/PHEV) get green `川A·D` plates (exempt from Chengdu tail-number bans) and zero range anxiety in the mountains! |
Driving from Chengdu Tianfu (TFU): G318 Tibetan Loop & Tail-Number Rules
TFU sits 50 km southeast of downtown Chengdu, connected by the S4 Tianfu Airport Expressway and the G4202/S4202 Ring Expressways.
Best G318 Vehicle Choice: Plug-In Hybrid (`川A` Green Plate) or 4WD SUV
Renting a Plug-In Hybrid SUV (like a BYD Song Plus DM-i or Li Auto L7 with a green `川A·D` plate) gives you two superpowers: 100% exemption from Chengdu’s weekday tail-number ban inside the 4th Ring Road AND 1,000+ km gasoline+electric range across 4,400m mountain passes.
Zero Tibet Permit Needed for Western Sichuan (Kangding / Xinduqiao / Daocheng)
Foreigners holding a Temporary Driving Permit from TFU and a valid passport can legally self-drive all of Ganzi and Aba Tibetan Prefectures in Western Sichuan (Kangding, Tagong, Litang, Daocheng Yading, Mount Siguniang).
See Our Complete 5-Day Western Sichuan G318 Self-Drive Itinerary
Check our dedicated Western Sichuan G318 Route Guide for day-by-day elevation charts (500m Chengdu to 4,298m Zheduo Pass), oxygen tips, and checkpoint instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions — Chengdu Tianfu (TFU)
Can I drive the Western Sichuan G318 Tibetan Loop with a Temporary Driving Permit from TFU?
Yes! Western Sichuan (Kangding, Xinduqiao, Danba, Mount Siguniang, Litang, and Daocheng Yading) is inside Sichuan Province—not the Tibet Autonomous Region. Your TFU Temporary Driving Permit and passport are 100% legal at all traffic checkpoints.
What if I fly into Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU) instead of Tianfu (TFU)?
Almost all international flights now operate at Tianfu (TFU). If you arrive at Shuangliu (CTU) on a domestic connection from Shanghai or Beijing, get your Temporary Permit at your first port of entry (PVG/PEK) or take a 25-minute taxi from CTU to Chengdu Xipu DMV (犀浦车管所总所).
Does Chengdu enforce weekday license plate restrictions?
Yes. Blue-plate gasoline cars are restricted one weekday per week (07:30–20:00) inside the G4202 Chengdu Ring Expressway based on the last numeric digit of the plate. Green-plate EVs and PHEVs (`川A·D/F`) are completely exempt.
How long is the permit issued at Chengdu TFU valid?
Up to 30 days for 30-day visa-free entries, 10 days for 240-hour transit visa-free travelers, and up to 90 days for L/M visa holders.