Major city · China
Xilai Ancient Town西来古镇
Do a half‑day or full‑day visit from Chengdu (4–6 h); stay only if you prefer a quiet night.
Xilai Ancient Town is a compact historic riverside settlement in Pujiang County, about 80 km (1.5–2 h) southwest of Chengdu. Its Ming‑Qing architecture, stone streets and tea culture fit a half‑day or full‑day trip; overnight stays are optional and limited to a few guesthouses.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jun–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- CTU
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Emergency numbers for Xilai Ancient Town110 ▾
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 Xilai Ancient Town, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; streets can be slippery when wet and crowds increase during festivals, so watch your footing and keep valuables secure.
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.
- AirportCTU Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (About 1 h 30 min by expressway to Xilai).
- Getting aroundThe old town is compact; walk the cobbled streets.
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 (About 1 h 30 min by expressway to Xilai)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Feb
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Dec
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xilai Ancient Town: 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)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
13 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Nov
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Dec
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
6 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
The old town is compact; walk the cobbled streets. Local minibus or taxi from Pujiang bus station covers the 1.3 km to the railway stop.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chengdu
goDoor to door: ≈ 2 h
Bus from Xilai to Chengdu Xinnanmen Bus Station, about 1.5–2 h
Capital of Sichuan, museums and pandas.
Pujiang County town
goDoor to door: ≈ 15 min
Taxi or local minibus, 15 min
Markets, Chaoyang Lake scenic area.
Qionglai
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 2 h
High‑speed rail to Qionglai station, then taxi 20 min
Another historic town, longer travel.
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.
Xilai Ancient Inn
Renovated courtyard guesthouse inside the old town
Pujiang budget hotels
15 min by taxi from the town centre
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
- ¥120–180 (≈ US$17–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥180–300 (≈ US$30–45) excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Pujiang green tea (cup) | ¥15–25 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Sichuan snack (douhua, spicy noodles) | ¥20–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Local craft (bamboo souvenir) | ¥30–80 (≈ US$5–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Stone streets become slippery when wet; wear sturdy shoes
- Pickpocketing is rare but keep valuables secure during festivals
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Xilai Ancient Town西来古镇
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; other embassies in Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chengdu → Xilai by bus: about ¥30–45 (≈ US$5–7), 1.5–2 h (check schedule)
- Local minibus Xilai‑Pujiang: ≈ ¥5–8, 15 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? — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 厕所在哪里? — Where is the toilet? (cèsuǒ 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 Xilai Ancient Town. 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 Jun–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 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 Xilai Ancient Town
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