Chengdu's go-karting (卡丁车, kǎdīngchē) scene is booming: indoor tracks in shopping malls and outdoor circuits on the city edges offer 200cc and 270cc rental karts, timing sheets and heated competition between groups. A session costs around ¥80–¥150 and takes ten minutes — short, loud, addictive. It is one of the cheapest adrenaline rushes in the city and a popular group activity for birthdays and team outings.
Where to race
- Indoor mall tracks in Longquanyi, Jinjiang and near the Global Center (环球中心) — convenient for rainy days and short sessions; perfect for beginners.
- Outdoor circuits on the western outskirts near Dujiangyan — longer laps, faster karts, spectator areas; good for serious drivers.
- Children's kart tracks in family entertainment centers — slower karts for kids over 1.2 m, with adult supervision.
- Some venues also host drifting experiences, mini-F1 rentals and sim racing rigs for rainy-day alternatives.
How a session works
You sign a safety waiver, get a helmet and a balaclava, and wait for your session. Karts are grouped by age/size; each session is 8–10 minutes, with a timing sheet printed at the end showing your lap times and ranking. Most tracks allow "arrive-and-drive" bookings, but group bookings on weekends are recommended. The karts can reach 60–70 km/h on outdoor tracks, less on indoor tight circuits.
Practical Information
- Location: indoor tracks in Longquanyi and Jinjiang districts; outdoor circuits near Dujiangyan and Xindu. Search 卡丁车 on Dianping for the latest venues.
- Transport: Metro to Longquanyi or taxi from the city center (~30–45 minutes); outdoor tracks usually have free parking. Indoor mall tracks are directly above metro stations.
- Hours: 10:00–22:00 most days; busiest Friday–Sunday 14:00–20:00. Weekday mornings are almost empty.
- Cost: ¥80–¥150 per 8–10 minute session; multi-session packs ¥300–¥500 for 4–5 runs. Children's karts ¥50–¥80 per session.
- Booking: walk-in weekdays; book via Dianping / Meituan on weekends; bring photo ID. Closed-toe shoes and long trousers are required.
Tips for foreign guests
- Wear closed-toe shoes and trousers; venues provide helmets and balaclavas. Long hair must be tied up and gloves are optional.
- Follow marshal instructions; overtaking is only on marked sections. Do not reverse on track; wait for the marshal.
- If you are competitive, ask about "timing races" — a 10-lap format with a podium and fastest-lap prize, usually for groups of 8+.
- Useful Chinese: 跑几圈? (Pǎo jǐ quān? = How many laps?); 要包一节吗? (Yào bāo yī jié ma? = Do you want to book a session?); 我们四个人 (Wǒmen sì gè rén = we are four people); 最快圈速 (zuìkuài quānsù = fastest lap).
A go-kart session is the cheapest adrenaline rush in Chengdu — a great way to blow off steam after a few days of tea and mahjong, and a guaranteed good time with friends or colleagues. If you are visiting with kids over 1.2 m, ask about the children's karts — they are slower but just as thrilling for young drivers, and the mini-tracks are fully fenced and supervised. Most indoor tracks also rent proper racing suits and gloves for a small deposit if you want a more authentic look.
How to pay and get around
Nearly every ticket, tea-house table and bar bill in Chengdu is settled by mobile: scan the QR code on the table with WeChat or Alipay, enter the amount, and confirm. If you are a short-stay visitor, ask the hotel to help bind a card, or carry around 500 yuan in small notes for old stalls, temple fairs and late taxi shares. The metro covers most venues shown here, and Didi is cheap from 22:00 when the metro closes; agree on the drop-off point before getting in. Book weekends through Dianping or Damai two to three days ahead, and keep your passport handy because many tickets are checked against the ID used at purchase. A light umbrella and comfortable shoes solve ninety percent of unexpected afternoons, and most venues listed in this guide sit within a short taxi ride of the Jinjiang or Chunxi Road hotels that first-timers usually book.
