Chillán

Chillán is the capital of the Region of Ñuble in Southern Chile, and a popular destination for skiing and hot spring bathing in the nearby Andes Mountains.

Chillán was home to 175,000 people in 2012. It is an important transportation hub for the surrounding agricultural districts.

The air in Chillán is the fourth-most polluted in Chile, after Santiago, Temuco, and Concepción. As in Temuco, the main cause of air pollution in Chillán is the use of wood-burning stoves: about 62% of all households in Chillán use firewood as their main source of heating.

Founded by the Spanish in 1580 the city persisted despite numerous attacks by Mapuche, Pehuenches and other tribes in war with Spain. Over time Chillán became an important marketplace where Mapuches, Pehuenches, Mestizos and Criollos met. Many goods from Patagonia and the Argentine Pampas were brought into the market of Chillán across the mountain passes of the area. In the early 19th century, the countryside of Chillán was ravaged by the Chilean War of Independence and a subsequent banditry epidemic. In 1939, the city was devastated by a large earthquake prompting the government to initiate an extensive reconstruction program.

Winters are cool but mild with a July average of 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). Most of the precipitation falls during this time of the year with May to July being the wettest months, averaging over 200 millimetres (8 in). Summers on the other hand are dry and warm with a January average of 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) and during this time, precipitation is rare, averaging only 2–3 days per month from December to February. Temperatures can occasionally exceed 30 °C (86.0 °F) anytime from October to April.

In the city there are two bus terminals:

• -36.5971-72.106671 Terminal María Teresa (Terminal Rodoviario de Chillán), Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins 010, corner of Avenida Ecuador (At the northern entrance to the city, near the junction of Avenida O'Higgins and Avenida Ecuador.), ☏ +56 42 227 2149. The main intercity bus terminal in Chillán, serving destinations throughout Chile, including Santiago, Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Talca, Concepción, Los Ángeles, Temuco, Valdivia, Osorno and Puerto Montt. Operators include Turbus, Pullman Bus, Buses JAC, Cóndor Bus, EME Bus, Buses Bío Bío, Linatal, Nilahue, Buses Ríos, Jet Sur and ETM. Facilities include ticket offices, food outlets, public toilets, ATMs and information services.  (updated Nov 2026)
• -36.6115-72.099612 Terminal Paseo La Merced (Terminal de Buses Rural La Merced), Maipón 890 (In central Chillán, near Sargento Aldea and Arturo Prat.), ☏ +56 42 222 3606. A bus terminal serving rural and regional destinations throughout Ñuble Province. Services run to towns and communities including Bulnes, Coihueco, Cobquecura, Coelemu, El Carmen, Ninhue, Pinto, Quirihue, San Carlos and Yungay. Operators include Pullman JR, Buses Ruta Sur, Buses Venetur, Buses San Sebastián, Rembus and other regional companies. Facilities include ticket offices, food kiosks and public toilets.  (updated Nov 2026)

The train from Santiago runs daily, with intermediate stops including San Carlos, Parral, Linares, Talca, Curicó, Rancagua and San Bernardo. Tickets can be purchased online through EFE or at station ticket offices during their opening hours.

• -36.60386-72.112463 Chillán railway station (Estación Chillán), Avenida Brasil 484, corner of Avenida Libertad (In the city centre, near Avenida Libertad and Parque de la Meditación.). The main railway station in Chillán and the southern terminus of the Tren Chillán–Estación Central long-distance service to Santiago. The station is near Parque de la Meditación and within walking distance of the city centre.  (updated Nov 2026)

Chillán is connected to Chile's capital Santiago by a modern highway.

The local public transport system is made up of 10 lines of taxibuses, known as Micros (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13 and line 10, known by the name Rapidos), which run throughout the urban area of ​​Chillán and Chillán Viejo, also reaching nearby towns such as Cocharcas and Las Mariposas. The largest transport park is made up mostly of medium-capacity light minibuses. The red bus lines are urban routes, and green ones are rural. There are approximately 30 lines of collective taxis, in addition to taxis.

• -36.606881-72.1020971 St. Bartholomew Cathedral (Catedral of Chillán), Plaza de Armas. Symbol of the city, built after the Chillán earthquake of 1939. It was declared a National Monument in 2014.  (updated Sep 2020)
• -36.604935-72.1104632 Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen (Iglesia Los Carmelitas), Rosas 558. +56 2 2726 1400. A National Monument of Chile, construction began in 1910. It survived the 1939 earthquake, and was restored in 2017.  (updated May 2021) ^{[dead link]}
• -36.628943-72.0747013 Murals of the Mexico School, O'Higgins 250 (in the entrance hall of the Escuela México). Painted by Mexican muralists and Xavier Guerrero after the 1939 earthquake. The library on the second floor houses the mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros entitled Death to the Invader, while in the entrance hall there is a series of smaller murals by the artist Xavier Guerrero.  (updated May 2021) ^{[dead link]}

• -36.60322-72.107461 Hotel Diego de Almagro Chillán, Avenida O'Higgins 391 (About 500 m from the city centre.), ☏ +56 42 245 7000, recepcion-chillan@dahoteles.com. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A large hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, free Wi-Fi, complimentary buffet breakfast, free parking subject to availability, sauna and fitness equipment. Rooms have private bathrooms, a safe and a flat-screen TV. The hotel is on the main north–south avenue through Chillán.  (updated Nov 2026)
• -36.60294-72.110732 Hotel Los Cardenales, Bulnes 34 (About 800 m from the city centre and a short walk from Chillán railway station.), ☏ +56 42 222 4251. A modest hotel with free Wi-Fi, parking, a seasonal outdoor swimming pool and a terrace. Rooms are simply furnished, some with sofa beds. The hotel is close to Parque de la Meditación and Chillán railway station.  (updated Nov 2026)