Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit
Location
Jianyang, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Current Local Time
Track Info
Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit - Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Modern FIA Grade 2 circuit - anti-clockwise - wide, technical and shaped around significant elevation changes
When was the track built?
Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit is one of China's newest major racing venues. It was developed near Jianyang in Chengdu's Eastern New Area as a new motorsport centre for southwest China, replacing the older Chengdu Goldenport circuit as the region's main venue.
The first 3.264 km phase was completed in 2023 and passed an FIA inspection that November, earning FIA Grade 2 status. The circuit began trial operations later that year before its formal opening celebrations in May 2024.
When was its first race?
The first major national competition was the 2023 China Endurance Championship finale in early December. Around 50 cars and almost 200 drivers took part across GT and touring-car categories.
The venue's official opening followed on 25 May 2024 during the Tianfu Speed Carnival, which combined professional racing with displays, entertainment and activities for spectators.
What's the circuit like?
- Lots of corners: Nineteen turns are packed into just over 3.2 km, so drivers rarely have much time to relax. Linking several corners together smoothly is more important than simply attacking each one separately.
- More elevation than expected: The circuit climbs and falls by around 20 metres. Four uphill and three downhill sections affect braking points, visibility and how much grip a car has.
- Wide and modern: The racing surface is generally 14 to 16 metres wide, giving drivers room to try different lines and encouraging side-by-side racing.
Turn 1 is one of the standout challenges. Drivers arrive after the longest straight at high speed before turning into a downhill 90-degree corner, making braking accuracy especially important.
Lap records and benchmarks
- China Endurance Championship qualifying: 1:18.504 - Cheng Congfu / Hu Bo, Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, 2023.
- F4 China qualifying: 1:21.108 - Oscar Pedersen, Mygale F4, 2024.
- F4 China race lap: 1:21.413 - Oscar Pedersen, Mygale F4, 2024.
- Hyundai N Cup: 1:33.911 - Zou Yunfeng, 2025.
- Geely Super Cup Pro: 1:38.241 - Chen Sicong / Chen Pengyuan, Geely Binrui COOL SG, 2025.
Qualifying laps, race laps and different vehicle categories are not directly comparable, but they give a useful idea of the performance range seen at the circuit.
Why go?
Chengdu Tianfu offers a very different experience from China's older circuits. The facilities are modern, the track has been designed with good spectator visibility in mind and the elevation changes make the cars look especially dramatic through the faster sections.
The calendar has included the China Endurance Championship, F4 China, one-make touring-car series, motorcycle activities and track events, giving newcomers plenty of different forms of motorsport to experience.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Main straight and grandstand: The easiest choice for a first visit, with race starts, finishes and pit-lane activity all directly in front of you.
- Turn 1: One of the best places to appreciate speed. Cars arrive quickly from the 589 m straight before braking for the downhill corner, creating opportunities for overtaking.
- Elevated sections: Where spectator access allows, higher areas give a better sense of the circuit's 20 m elevation change and can provide views across several corners at once.
Viewing areas can change between events, so check the event map and follow circuit signage when choosing where to watch.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit (China)
Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit is in Jianzhou New City, east of central Chengdu in Sichuan. Taxi, ride-hailing or private transfer is the easiest option for most international visitors, while driving is straightforward for visitors who are legally permitted to drive in mainland China.
Driving & parking
- From central Chengdu: head east towards Chengdu East New Area and Jianzhou New City, then follow navigation towards Huanglianping Road and the circuit.
- Navigation: entering the Chinese address 成都市简阳市黄楝坪路888号 can be more reliable than using an English translation.
- From Jianyang: approach the Jianzhou New City area and follow local navigation towards the circuit complex.
- Parking: event parking is available around the venue, but entrances and parking areas can change for major race weekends.
Tip: Arrive early for major meetings. Previous international race weekends have produced long queues on the roads approaching the spectator parking areas.
Metro & public transport
There is no metro station directly beside the circuit, but Chengdu Metro Line 18 provides a useful way to cover most of the journey from the city.
- From central Chengdu: connect with Line 18, which runs through Chengdu South Railway Station towards Tianfu Airport.
- Sancha Station: this is a useful place to leave the metro and continue towards the circuit by road.
- Final journey: allow roughly 15 minutes by taxi or ride-hailing from the Sancha area, depending on traffic and your event entrance.
- After the race: arrange your return ride before leaving the circuit, particularly when thousands of spectators are departing together.
Airport transfers
- Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU): the best airport for the circuit and approximately 20 km away.
- Taxi or ride-hailing: normally the simplest airport-to-circuit or airport-to-hotel option.
- Metro: Line 18 serves Tianfu Airport and connects it with Sancha and Chengdu South Railway Station.
- Chengdu Shuangliu Airport (CTU): another option, but it is much farther west and normally less convenient for the circuit.
Driving in China for overseas visitors
International visitors should check driving requirements before booking a rental car.
- Foreign licences: an overseas licence or International Driving Permit alone is not normally enough to drive legally in mainland China.
- Temporary permit: eligible short-term visitors can apply for a Chinese provisional driving permit using their overseas licence and required documentation.
- Simpler option: for a short race weekend, using taxis, ride-hailing or a pre-arranged driver can remove the extra paperwork.
Race-day tips
- Active circuit: Tianfu has a busy 2026 programme including national racing and international competition.
- Major events: the 2026 calendar includes Chinese F4 and the FIA TCR World Tour.
- Tickets: check the exact event before travelling because grandstand access, paddock access and admission arrangements vary.
- Save the address: keep the circuit name and address in Chinese on your phone to show a taxi driver if necessary.
Where to stay
- Jianzhou New City: the most convenient area if your priority is a short journey to the circuit.
- Tianfu Airport area: useful for visitors arriving by air, with a growing selection of hotels.
- Central Chengdu: best for sightseeing, restaurants and nightlife, but expect a much longer journey to the circuit each day.
- Camping: general spectator camping is not advertised as a standard facility, so use a hotel unless your event specifically provides another option.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: a taxi or private vehicle is usually the easiest way to minimise walking and transfers.
- Before travelling: contact the event organiser to confirm accessible parking, drop-off points and spectator seating for your particular race.
- Airport arrival: arrange any required mobility assistance with your airline before flying into Chengdu.
Quick guide
- Taking public transport? Use Metro Line 18 to Sancha, then continue by taxi or ride-hailing.
- Flying? Choose Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and take a taxi or transfer to the circuit area.
- Driving? Navigate to 成都市简阳市黄楝坪路888号 and check your event's parking instructions beforehand.
Check Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit and your event organiser shortly before travelling, as ticketing, parking, entrances and spectator arrangements can change between meetings.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit (Chengdu, China)
Chengdu Tianfu International Circuit is a modern motorsport venue in Chengdu’s eastern development area, around 40 km from the city centre. Whether you’re visiting for touring cars, endurance racing, Formula 4 or a track event, you can combine the racing with giant pandas, Sichuan food, historic streets and lakeside scenery.
Family-friendly highlights
- Trackside karting: The Tianfu complex includes a kart circuit where visitors can experience a smaller-scale version of the racing action. Check public session times before arriving.
- Sancha Lake: Escape the circuit noise beside a huge reservoir dotted with islands and surrounded by the developing Chengdu Eastern New Area. The area also hosts water-sports facilities.
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding: Chengdu’s most famous family attraction lets visitors see giant pandas and learn about conservation and breeding. Go early, when the pandas are generally more active.
- People’s Park: A relaxed introduction to everyday Chengdu, with gardens, ponds and traditional teahouses where families can slow down after a busy race weekend.
Culture & rainy-day stops
- Wuhou Shrine: Learn about the Three Kingdoms period and the famous strategist Zhuge Liang at one of Chengdu’s best-known historic sites.
- Jinli Ancient Street: Next to Wuhou Shrine, this pedestrian area is packed with traditional-style buildings, snacks, souvenirs and evening lights.
- Kuanzhai Alley: Historic courtyards and lanes now filled with cafés, shops and food stalls make this an easy first stop for visitors unfamiliar with Chengdu.
Eat & drink like a local
- Sichuan hotpot: Chengdu is famous for bubbling pots of spicy broth used to cook meat, vegetables and tofu at the table. Ask for a mild or divided pot if you are new to Sichuan chilli.
- Dan dan noodles: A quick local meal combining noodles with chilli, preserved vegetables and a rich savoury sauce.
- Mapo tofu: Soft tofu in a spicy, aromatic sauce that showcases the numbing sensation of Sichuan peppercorns.
- Jinli & central Chengdu: Good areas for first-time visitors who want to sample several snacks without committing to a large restaurant meal.
Get outdoors away from the track
- Sancha Lake: The large lake is the easiest scenic contrast to the circuit, with waterside views and recreation around its many islands and peninsulas.
- Longma Lake: Part of the newer Jianzhou area close to the circuit, with landscaped public space suitable for an easy walk before dinner.
- People’s Park: If you are staying centrally, combine a garden walk with tea and a little people-watching rather than planning another full attraction.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Leshan Giant Buddha: Visit the enormous 71 m Buddha carved into a cliff above the meeting point of three rivers. It forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and works best as a full-day trip.
- Dujiangyan: Explore an ancient irrigation system begun more than 2,000 years ago that still helps control and distribute water across the Chengdu Plain.
- Mount Qingcheng: Combine Dujiangyan with forested mountain paths and historic Taoist temples. The mountain is recognised by UNESCO as one of the important birthplaces of Taoism.
Good to know on event weekends
- Check the race calendar: Tianfu hosts a mixture of national and international events. In 2026, the TCR World Tour is scheduled to race here from 16 - 18 October.
- Allow for the distance: The circuit is outside central Chengdu, so do not plan a city attraction during a short gap between track sessions.
- Consider staying east: Accommodation around Jianyang, Chengdu Eastern New Area or Tianfu Airport can make early race-day starts easier.
- Road transport is simplest: A taxi, ride-hailing service or private car is generally the easiest way to reach the circuit and nearby lakes.
Race schedules, karting sessions, circuit access, attraction tickets and opening hours can change - check current information before you travel.