Near T2 domestic gates, Relay fills the last‑minute gap
Just off the main departures corridor in Terminal T2, Relay is the grab-and-go stop for books, magazines, drinks, and small travel gear. It sits airside after security, so you can swing by on the way to gates without backtracking to check-in. Think of it as the airport’s standard newsstand: not special, but useful when boarding starts in 20 minutes and you still need reading material or a bottle of water.
Stock shifts a bit, but you’ll usually find Chinese and some English-language magazines, basic paperbacks, plus snacks and bottled drinks under ¥20–30. Prices run higher than downtown Chengdu convenience stores, but in line with other shops in CTU T2. Expect standard packaged sweets, instant noodles, and a few ready-to-eat items rather than proper meals, so eat in the main food court if you have more than 45 minutes.
Relay in T2 also carries basic travel accessories: power banks, charging cables, neck pillows, and small toiletries, often in the ¥40–150 range. Quality is hit-or-miss; fine in a pinch, not something to plan a shopping trip around. Don’t expect electronics beyond simple phone accessories, and you won’t find duty-free liquor or cosmetics here—that’s in the dedicated duty-free stores further down the T2 concourse.
Lines spike when multiple flights out of T2 board at once, especially around the :30 and :50 marks of each hour. The shop is usually open from early-morning first departures to the last evening flights, roughly 06:00–22:30. Buy water and snacks here before heading to the far T2 gates, since vending options thin out toward the end of some piers. Strong move: grab a charger or cable if your battery is under 40% before you sit at the gate.