Yes, you can leave the airport during a layover in Chengdu provided you meet the necessary entry requirements, such as holding a valid visa or qualifying for the 24-hour or 144-hour visa-free transit policies. To exit, you must carry your passport, complete an arrival card, and pass through immigration and customs. However, it is generally recommended only for travelers with a layover of at least seven to eight hours at Shuangliu International Airport (CTU) or at least eight to nine hours at Tianfu International Airport (TFU), as the latter is located significantly further from the city center. When planning your exit, you should account for approximately four to five hours of total processing and travel time, including immigration procedures, commuting to the city, and returning to the airport at least three hours before your departing flight. While in the city, you can explore major attractions like the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding or Chunxi Road, but you should prioritize your itinerary based on your specific layover duration and the airport's distance from downtown.