Chengdu Drone Rules for Tourists: CAAC UOM, No-Fly Zones, and 2026 Penalties
Assume Chengdu is a no-fly zone unless you have a written permit. China tightened drone law on January 1, 2026 and the new national standard took effect May 1, 2026, classifying every drone over 250 grams as an aircraft under aviation law. Real-name registration on the CAAC UOM platform is mandatory for tourists, but the system requires a Chinese mobile number, which most short-stay visitors cannot get easily. Chengdu has two large airports, Tianfu (TFU) and Shuangliu (CTU). Their airspace cones cover most of the city, including IFS, Taikoo Li, Wenshu Monastery, and the Panda Base. DJI's geofencing app may show some green zones inside the urban core, but local police enforce the wider CAAC airspace map regardless of what your app says. Penalties under the 2026 rules reach 50,000 yuan for individuals and 200,000 yuan for companies, plus equipment confiscation and possible administrative detention. If you cause an aviation incident near a Chengdu airport, criminal charges for endangering public safety are on the table. Declare any drone at customs on arrival; an undeclared drone risks confiscation. For aerial views, shoot from the IFS rooftop, the Sheraton Chengdu sky bar, or the cable car at Qingcheng Mountain instead.
- Register every drone above 250 grams on the CAAC UOM platform; a Chinese mobile number is required and most tourists cannot complete it remotely.
- Treat all of central Chengdu as no-fly under TFU and CTU airport airspace, regardless of what DJI geofencing displays.
- Expect fines up to 50,000 yuan, confiscation, and possible detention if caught flying without a permit since the May 2026 rules.
- Declare your drone at customs on arrival in writing; undeclared equipment risks seizure when you depart.
- Get aerial shots from the IFS rooftop, Sheraton sky bar, or Qingcheng Mountain cable car instead of flying.
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