How to Buy and Top-up a Public Transport Card in Chengdu

If you’re in Chengdu for any substantial amount of time, you’re bound to end up using Chengdu’s public transport system.

Relatively new, opening in 2010, and forever expanding, with a raft of new lines and extensions planned over the coming years, Chengdu’s Metro is one of the easiest ways to get around the city. Like most major cities, Chengdu offers a rechargeable public transport card called the Tianfu Tong Card (天府通卡). It can be used across the city’s public transport network, including both the Metro and buses.

Instead of buying a ticket for every journey, simply tap your Tianfu Tong Card when you travel. It’s quick, convenient and ideal for regular commuters. The card may also offer discounted fares on eligible public transport services, subject to the latest Tianfu Tong fare policies. It’s a great option if you’re living in Chengdu or planning to stay for an extended period.

Good news for international visitors: If you’re only visiting Chengdu for a short time, you may not even need to purchase a Tianfu Tong Card. You can now use supported overseas-issued bank cards to ride the Chengdu Metro directly. Simply tap your card at the Metro gates to pay your fare. There’s no need for cash, paper tickets or a separate app. You can also use these cards at Metro ticket vending machines to buy single-journey tickets. However, if you plan to use both the Metro and buses regularly, the Tianfu Tong Card is still the most convenient and cost-effective option.

Purchase

If you’re staying in Chengdu for a longer period or regularly using both the Metro and buses, purchasing a Tianfu Tong Card is still recommended.

You can purchase Tianfu Tong Cards at select Metro stations, including Tianfu Square (天府广场), Sichuan Gymnasium (省体育馆) and Chunxi Road (春熙路). They are also available at HongQi Convenience Stores (红旗连锁).

To get your card, you’ll need to pay a refundable deposit and provide valid ID (although this is not always requested, it’s best to bring it just in case). You can claim your deposit back when you return the card. If you don’t use the card for more than a year, it will be deactivated.

Top up

Topping up the card is fairly simple. Here are the two methods, depending on which version of the Tianfu Tong Card you have:

1) Old Card: Ticket Machine Top Up

You can top up your card using an automated ticket machine found in Metro stations. These machines include an English-language option, making the process straightforward. Depending on the machine, they may accept coins, cash and bank cards.

Alternatively, you can visit a staffed ticket counter and ask staff to add credit to your card. In most cases, you can pay using cash, WeChat Pay or Alipay.

2) New Card: Mobile Phone Top Up

Newer Tianfu Tong cards support mobile top-ups through the official Tianfu Tong app. At present, the app is available on Android, while an iOS version is expected to be released. If your Tianfu Tong Card has a “2018” serial number or a “C” in the top-right corner, you can take advantage of this feature.

Chengdu’s Metro network is extensive and continues to grow every year.

Please note: Chengdu’s Metro network continues to expand with new lines and extensions. For the latest interactive Metro map and network updates, please visit the official Chengdu Metro map.

Chengdu’s public transport system also supports mobile payments. In addition to the Tianfu Tong Card, you can pay using WeChat Pay, Alipay and Apple Pay on many services. Since July 2025, supported overseas-issued Visa, Mastercard and American Express cards also work on the Chengdu Metro and Chengdu Public Transport Group buses. This makes travelling around the city even easier for international visitors.

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