Major city · China
Xichang西昌
One day covers the lake, ancient city and launch centre; add a half‑day for the wetland park if you have time.
Xichang is a small city in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, best known for its satellite launch centre, Qionghai Lake and the well‑preserved Jianchang Ancient City. The sights are close together, so a single day is enough for a quick overview, with optional extra time for the wetland park or nearby villages.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy)
- Airport
- XIC
- 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 Xichang110 ▾
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 Xichang, 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
- SafetyXichang is generally safe; keep an eye on bus schedules and follow local guidance at the launch centre.
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.
- AirportXIC Xichang Qingshan Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the city; taxis and buses available).XIC Xichang Qingshan Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) south of the city; taxis and buses available).
- Getting aroundCity buses No.6, 108, 106 and 111 link the West Railway Station with the lake, ancient city and fishing villages.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥800 (≈ US$120)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥1,200 (≈ US$170)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel room, a night, per roomCN¥2,000 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥80 (≈ US$12) · Mid CN¥150 (≈ US$25) · High CN¥250 (≈ US$35)
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
- XIC Xichang Qingshan Airport (About 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the city; taxis and buses available)XIC Xichang Qingshan Airport (About 9.3 mi (15 km) south of the city; taxis and buses available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
Feb
not flagged
9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C)
Mar
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
Oct
Best
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
not flagged
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Jun (235 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xichang: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (42°F)42°F (6°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Feb
9°C (49°F)49°F (9°C)
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
16 rd
Mar
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
68 rd
Apr
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
26°C (78°F)78°F (26°C)
163 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
180 rd
Jun
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
28°C (83°F)83°F (28°C)
235 rd
Jul
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
235 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
84 rd
Sep
13°C (56°F)56°F (13°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
32 rd
Oct
10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C)
25°C (76°F)76°F (25°C)
14 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 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 No.6, 108, 106 and 111 link the West Railway Station with the lake, ancient city and fishing villages. Taxis are available; schedules vary – check locally.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lugu Lake
skipDoor to door: ≈6 h
Bus from Xichang West Railway Station, about 6 h
Long travel time; better as an overnight leg.
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.
Qionghai Hotel
Garden‑style villas, lakeside rooms; price ¥622 per night.
Mingren Hotel
Central Xincheng district; price ¥500 per night.
Xichang Minshan Hotel
Near city centre; price ¥600 per 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
- ¥80–120 (≈ US$12–17)
- Mid
- ¥120–200 (≈ US$17–30)
- High
- ¥200 (≈ US$30)+
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel room1 × 1 night × CN¥1,200 | CN¥1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CN¥150 | CN¥150 |
| Bus to Qionghai Wetland Park (round‑trip)1 × CN¥50 · check | CN¥50 |
| eSIM data (7 days)1 × CN¥120 · check | CN¥120 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥152 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥1,672 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,672≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in CNY; flights and rail passes excluded.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus timetables change seasonally; confirm departure times.
- Launch centre tours require advance booking – check the official site.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire
- 119
- Ambulance
- 120
Pocket card
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Xichang西昌
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 Beijing.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus No.6 West Station → Yuecheng Square: ≈¥5, 10 min (check)
- Taxi from station to hotel: ≈¥30–50 (check)
Say or show
- 对不起 — Excuse me / Sorry (duìbuqǐ)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xièxiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duōshǎo qián?)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the bathroom? (xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?)
- 可以刷卡吗？ — Can I pay by card? (kěyǐ shuākǎ ma?)
- 救命！ — Help! (jiùmìng!)
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 Xichang. 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 (rainy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a half‑day for Qionghai Wetland Park (¥50 entry).
- If interested in space tourism, arrange a launch‑centre visit in advance.
Sources
Ask about Xichang
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