Major city · China
Qianwei犍为
One day is enough: ride the Jiayang narrow-gauge steam train in the morning, see the Confucian Temple, then head to Leshan or Chengdu.
Qianwei is a small county town in east Sichuan, known mainly for the Jiayang Coal Mine Narrow-Gauge Railway, one of the few steam trains still running in China. The town itself has a modest Confucian temple and a quiet riverside. Most travellers visit as a half-day or full-day stop between Leshan and the Sichuan interior.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, less steam service)
- Airports
- CKG · CTU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Qianwei110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qianwei, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyQianwei is a safe small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire · 120 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 2.5 h drive; bus or train connections via Leshan).
- Getting aroundWalkable town centre; local buses or taxis to the Jiayang Railway station (about 10 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSimple meal (noodles or rice)¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus Qianwei–Leshancheck¥16 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketQianwei Confucian Temple entrycheck¥10 (≈ US$2)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCN¥60 (≈ US$9)
- Mid-range bedBudget double room, a night, per roomCN¥200 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedBudget double room, a night, per roomCN¥350 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · Mid CN¥300 (≈ US$45) · High CN¥500 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CKG Chongqing Jiangbei International (About 2.5 h drive; bus or train connections via Leshan) · CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International (About 2 h drive; bus or train connections via Leshan)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Dec (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qianwei: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
13 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
14 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
9 rd
Dec
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable town centre; local buses or taxis to the Jiayang Railway station (about 10 min).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 1 h
Bus from Qianwei bus station, about 1 h
See the Leshan Giant Buddha; combine with Qianwei for a day trip from Chengdu.
Door to door: 2.5–3 h
Bus to Leshan then high-speed train to Chengdu, about 2.5 h total
A full day; leave Qianwei early.
Door to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus via Leshan, about 2 h
Ya'an is the gateway to Bifengxia Panda Base; worth a separate trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
Near the bus station and Confucian Temple; basic hotels and guesthouses.
Jiayang Railway area
Closer to the train departure point; limited options, best for early departures.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–250 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥250–400 (≈ US$35–60) excl. bed
- High
- ¥400 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget double room1 × 1 night × CN¥200 | CN¥200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥300 | CN¥600 |
| Jiayang Railway round trip2 × CN¥50 · check | CN¥100 |
| Bus Qianwei–Leshan one way2 × CN¥16 · check | CN¥32 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥93 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥513 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,025≈ US$150 |
2026 estimate in yuan; flights and long-distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Qianwei–Leshancheck | ¥16 (≈ US$3) |
| Jiayang Railway ticketcheck | ¥50 (≈ US$7) |
| Qianwei Confucian Temple entrycheck | ¥10 (≈ US$2) |
| Simple meal (noodles or rice) | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Bottle of water | ¥2–3 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Jiayang steam train runs on a limited schedule: check the official site or call ahead.
- Train tickets sell out on weekends and holidays: book in advance if possible.
- Last buses to Leshan leave around 18:00; plan your return.Last buses to Leshan leave around 6:00 PM; plan your return.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Qianwei犍为
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
Consulates in Chengdu; embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Qianwei–Leshan: about ¥16 (≈ US$3), 1 h (check)
- Taxi town centre to Jiayang Railway: ¥10–15 (≈ US$2–3)
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 车站在哪里？ — Where is the bus station? (chē zhàn zài nǎ lǐ?)
- 我要一张去乐山的票 — I'd like a ticket to Leshan (wǒ yào yī zhāng qù Lèshān de piào)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qianwei. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold, less steam service) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified train schedule and ticket booking link.
- Eat pages with local specialties (e.g., Qianwei tofu, Sichuan hotpot).
- Walking route from the bus station to the Confucian Temple and railway.
Sources
Ask about Qianwei
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