Major city · China
Wenchuan汶川
Spend 1–2 days in Wenchuan, using Chengdu as base; day trips to Luobozhai and Yanmen villages are doable.
Wenchuan is a small county in Sichuan’s Aba Prefecture, reachable from Chengdu in about 2½ h by bus. Its main draw are Qiang villages such as Luobozhai, Yanmen and Longxi Valley, plus a riverfront square with nightly cultural shows. One full day covers the town and a nearby village; a second day allows a longer trek or a visit to Longxi Valley.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (heat, occasional rain)
- Airport
- CTU
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Wenchuan110 ▾
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 Wenchuan, 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
- SafetyWenchuan is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on road conditions in mountain villages and confirm transport fares before boarding.
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.
- AirportCTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Bus to Wenchuan about 2½ h, ¥45 (≈ US$7)).
- Getting aroundLocal buses from the main station cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1); taxis to villages ¥50–¥60 (≈ US$7–9); minivans ¥10–¥15 (≈ US$2–3) per person if you share a ride.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi to village (Luobozhai, Yanmen)¥50–¥60 (≈ US$7–9)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (basic, private bathroom may not be included), a night, per roomCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (basic, private bathroom may not be included), a night, per roomCN¥100 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (basic, private bathroom may not be included), a night, per roomCN¥120 (≈ US$17)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥400 (≈ US$60) · High CN¥700 (≈ US$100)
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
- CTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Bus to Wenchuan about 2½ h, ¥45)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Nov
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wenchuan: 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
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
8 rd
Feb
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
12 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Oct
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Nov
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
8 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 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
Local buses from the main station cost ¥1; taxis to villages ¥50–¥60; minivans ¥10–¥15 per person if you share a ride. Walks from town centre are also possible.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Luobozhai village
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
Hire minivan or taxi north via Songpan road, ~30 min
Village entry free; scenic river valley view.
Yanmen village
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
Taxi or minivan north, ~15 min
Tea houses, picnic spots; yellow public bus also runs.
Longxi Valley
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Minivan or taxi east, ~20 min to turn, then drive 25 min
Good for a 3‑hour walk; limited facilities.
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.
Wenchuan Hotel
Modern, rooms ¥180–¥300, central street
International Travel Hotel
Twin rooms ¥240 with breakfast
Kaiyi Hotel
Twin rooms ¥240, no breakfast
Anbang Hotel
Twin rooms ¥180, no breakfast
Sang Ping Hotel
Twin rooms ¥100, no breakfast
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
- ¥200–¥300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed (check)
- Mid
- ¥350–¥500 (≈ US$50–70) excl. bed (check)
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed (check)
Trip budget
| Hotel twin room (mid-range, private bathroom)1 × 2 nights × CN¥240 | CN¥480 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CN¥400 | CN¥1,600 |
| Bus Chengdu → Wenchuan2 × CN¥45 | CN¥90 |
| Taxi to Luobozhai village2 × CN¥55 | CN¥110 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CN¥200 | CN¥400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥268 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥737 per person per day, bed included | CN¥2,948≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus ticket Chengdu → Wenchuan | ¥45 (≈ US$7) |
| Taxi to village (Luobozhai, Yanmen) | ¥50–¥60 (≈ US$7–9) |
| Guesthouse room (basic) | ¥80–¥120 (≈ US$12–17) |
| Hotel twin room (mid range) | ¥180–¥240 (≈ US$30–35) |
| Qiang ham (cured) | ¥30–¥60 (≈ US$5–9) per 100 g |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi/minivan fares vary; confirm price before boarding.
- Some village roads are steep – allow extra travel time.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Wenchuan汶川
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire119
- Ambulance120
Embassy
US Consulate in Chengdu (check address); other embassies in Chengdu or Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chengdu → Wenchuan bus: ¥45 (≈ US$7), about 2½ h (check)
- Taxi Wenchuan → Luobozhai: ≈¥55, 30 min
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Do you accept credit cards? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 公交站在哪里？ — Where is the bus stop? (gōngjiāo zhàn zài nǎlǐ?)
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 Wenchuan. 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–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, occasional rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Wenchuan
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