Major city · China
Panzhihua
One day covers the museum and climbing park; add a half‑day if you want hot‑spring relaxation.
Panzhihua is a small industrial city in southwest Sichuan with a tropical mountain climate, a few key sights and cheap transport. Most visitors can see the highlights in a single day, with optional extra time for hot‑spring resorts or nearby caves.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, mild)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, mountain road risk)
- Airport
- PZI
- 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 Panzhihua110 ▾
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 Panzhihua, 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
- SafetyPanzhihua is generally safe for tourists; keep usual precautions, watch mountain roads in rain…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and 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.
- AirportPZI Panzhihua Bao'anying Airport.
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 per ride, run 06:00‑21:00; taxis start at ¥8 (≈ US$2) for the first 3 km (1.9 mi); bike rentals ¥10 (≈ US$2)‑20 per hour; rental cars from ¥150 (≈ US$25) day.City buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 per ride, run 6:00 AM‑9:00 PM; taxis start at ¥8 (≈ US$2) for the first 3 km (1.9 mi); bike rentals ¥10 (≈ US$2)‑20 per hour; rental cars from ¥150 (≈ US$25) day.City buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 per ride, run 06:00‑21:00; taxis start at ¥8 (≈ US$2) for the first 1.9 mi (3 km); bike rentals ¥10 (≈ US$2)‑20 per hour; rental cars from ¥150 (≈ US$25) day.City buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 per ride, run 6:00 AM‑9:00 PM; taxis start at ¥8 (≈ US$2) for the first 1.9 mi (3 km); bike rentals ¥10 (≈ US$2)‑20 per hour; rental cars from ¥150 (≈ US$25) day.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥15 (≈ US$3)‑30
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi start (first 3 km (1.9 mi))Taxi start (first 1.9 mi (3 km))¥8 (≈ US$2)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2
- Museum or sight ticketHot‑spring entry¥30 (≈ US$5)‑80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥150 (≈ US$25)‑250 · Mid ¥300 (≈ US$45)‑500 · High ¥600 (≈ US$85)+
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
- PZI Panzhihua Bao'anying Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Panzhihua: 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
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (58°F)58°F (14°C)
3 rd
Apr
32°C (89°F)89°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (87°F)87°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (67°F)67°F (19°C)
12 rd
Oct
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
16°C (62°F)62°F (16°C)
7 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 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
City buses cost ¥1‑2 per ride, run 06:00‑21:00; taxis start at ¥8 for the first 3 km; bike rentals ¥10‑20 per hour; rental cars from ¥150 day.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ertan Hydropower Station
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Panzhihua Bus Terminal, about 1 h
One of the largest hydro stations in China; scenic reservoir area.
Gesala Ecotourism Area
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 1.5 h
Mountains, caves and lakes; half-day trip.
Xichang
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train from Panzhihua Station, about 2 h
Visit the Qionghai Lake and Lushan Mountain.
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.
Panzhihua Hotel
Luxury, ¥600/night, central district
Holiday Inn Express Panzhihua
Chain, ¥400/night, business‑friendly
Panzhihua guesthouse
Budget, ¥300/night, basic amenities
Southern Hot Spring Resort
Resort with hot springs, ¥800+ night
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 (≈ US$25)‑250 excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥300 (≈ US$45)‑500 excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 |
| Taxi start (first 3 km) | ¥8 (≈ US$2) |
| Bicycle rental (hour) | ¥10 (≈ US$2)‑20 |
| Coffee | ¥15 (≈ US$3)‑30 |
| Hot‑spring entry | ¥30 (≈ US$5)‑80 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Mountain roads can be slippery in the rainy season; drive cautiously.
- English signage is limited; have a translation app.
- Peak summer can feel very humid despite mild temperatures.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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PanzhihuaPanzhihua
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Chengdu (check address); other embassies in Chengdu or Kunming.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → City centre (taxi): ≈ ¥30‑40, 20‑30 min
- Bus city ride: ¥1 (≈ under US$1)‑2 per trip
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duì bu qǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xie)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián?)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?)
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 Panzhihua. 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: Oct–Apr (dry, mild) · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, mountain road risk) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 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
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Panzhihua
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