What every Singaporean travelling to China in 2025 needs to know

Having spent loads of time in China over the years, I’m pleased to share my tips with you so that you can feel more confident and organised.

My tips are tailored for Singaporeans because there are some unique things that you need to know.

Not from Singapore? Then check out my comprehensive China travel tips page – it’s for all travellers.

1. You don’t need a visa for short trips

Departing Changi Airport just got even easier. Image by Dr David Sing on Shutterstock.

I’ll start with the best thing.

There’s a mutual visa-free travel arrangement between Singapore and China.

Previously, Singaporean citizens could enjoy visa-free travel for up to 14 days.

But since 2024, you can stay for up to 30 days, which has fuelled even more interest in China travel.

The visa-free arrangement includes travel, business, or even family visits. It’s so good!

2. Factor in travel time

High-speed trains are fast but distances are still long. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

You don’t need me reminding you how small Singapore is.

But when compared to China’s land area, Singapore is a staggering 13,000 times smaller.

So, when you’re planning your trip to China, you need to factor in the time it will take you to get from point A to point B.

There are many domestic flights in China that take longer than flying from Singapore to another country!

For example, if you’re making your way from Shanghai to Beijing – whether by plane or high-speed train – you should allow most of the day for it (this includes getting to and from your hotel).

This is why it’s important to include travel time in your itinerary.

Also, depending on the city you’re flying to, your flight time to China will be around 4-6 hours.

3. Get a VPN before you leave

Instagram and countless other sites are inaccessible. Image by G.Tbov on Shutterstock.

Censorship in China is very real and very extensive.

If you want to stay connected with all your loved ones in Singapore, and keep using all the websites and apps you’re used to, you’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) if you want to use Wi-Fi.

Of course, you can survive in China as a Singaporean without a VPN but life is much harder. Foreign social media (e.g. WhatsApp and Instagram) and news sites are banned, as well as the sites that make our lives easier like Google.

Refer to my page on the best VPN for China which highlights the ones that work there.

Or, go straight to the one I recommend which I used while living and working in China:

I should point out that the Chinese government isn’t trying to make it hard for foreigners accessing sites from back home. The restrictions are in place to control what the locals see.

If you don’t get a VPN, activate global roaming on your phone. This could cost you a fortune though.

4. Forget beaches and year-round summer

Dameisha in Shenzhen is one of the few nice beaches. Image by Andrei Iakhniuk on Shutterstock.

Unless you’re headed for southern China in the middle of the year, you’ll need to brace yourself for weather that you simply don’t get in Singapore.

Avoid Beijing in January if the thought of icy winds and sub-zero temperatures don’t appeal to you.

I recommend visiting in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) for the most pleasant weather. But China’s so big it’s hard to generalize.

Whatever you do, don’t go during China’s national holidays – you can see my list with dates here.

I find the number of domestic tourists can be overwhelming, especially at the tourist sites.

Also, apart from Hainan Island and a few beaches in Shenzhen, China isn’t known for its sand and surf.

You’re better off going to Indonesia or elsewhere in southeast Asia if you’re looking for a beachy holiday.

5. Cleanliness standards are different

I’ve got much worse photos I can’t even show. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

If you’re used to the high level of cleanliness and sanitation in Singapore, you should reset your expectations for China.

Although the biggest cities – like Shanghai and Guangzhou – are OK, once you get off the beaten track then you’ll see a different side to China.

I’ve been in restaurant kitchens that were so dirty they would be shut down where I’m from (Australia).

I’ve seen people openly throw rubbish out of their cars and onto streets.

I’ve experienced people spitting right by my feet hundreds, maybe thousands, of times.

And, I’ve seen toilets so dirty I’ve had to ‘hold on’ and find someplace else to go.

When it comes to hygiene, I find China and Singapore are like chalk and cheese.

If you’re travelling to smaller cities and towns, I recommend bringing hand sanitizer. And always carry toilet paper as it’s not provided outside of hotels.

6. Orderliness standards are different

Everyone just pushes their way through. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

I’ll keep going with the theme of standards (because we all think we know best!).

I’m sure you queue up politely. But not in China – it’s every woman and man for themselves.

Chinese airports are probably the only place where I’ve seen people line up. Everywhere else, they will do their darndest to cut in front of you.

I know it’s easier said than done, but try to relax into this ‘quirk’ of Chinese culture. Lots of foreigners I know get really cross about this, but it’s a battle you just cannot win.

Another public etiquette concern you might have is that mainland Chinese generally aren’t mindful of noise levels.

It could be 7am on a Sunday morning and you’ll have hotel staff yelling outside your room. Trust me, this has happened to me countless times.

It’s perfectly acceptable in China.

British-born Chinese, Kim Ooi, has written an entire article highlighting the reasons not to go to China.

It’s along the same vein as this Reddit post that explains all the reasons why Singaporeans don’t travel to China that much for a holiday. (Be warned, this was a real rabbit hole for me!)

I just think it’s important to remember that China is absolutely different to any other country and that’s what makes it so unique and worth visiting.

7. Get your payment apps sorted

WeChat and Alipay are the main ways the locals pay. Image by Freer on Shutterstock.

The Chinese don’t use credit cards. Plastic cards are kind of obsolete.

Set up your banking details on WeChat Pay or Alipay days before you leave. I find Alipay is better for foreigners, but it’s a personal choice.

You could always set up both in case one of them doesn’t work. This has happened to many tourists before, including me.

I always bring about 2,000 RMB (SGD$370) in cash in case the payment apps don’t work and there isn’t an ATM near the hotel (there usually is, so don’t worry).

8. Weigh up solo travel vs organised tour

Chinese tour guides carry a flag so you don’t lose them. Image by Dr David Sing on Shutterstock.

Even if you can speak Mandarin, you might want the peace of mind of letting a tour guide do all the work for you.

Chan Brothers is a popular local Singaporean travel company that will help put a package together for you.

But there’s also a bunch of mainland China travel agents that could be a lot cheaper.

From my own experience, tours in China differ greatly and it’s not necessarily a case of the more you pay, the better the tour. Do your research carefully.

If you’re a bit of an adventurous traveller like me, you could also consider trekking around China solo yet still stay at nice hotels (hey, I like a little luxury sometimes!).

I suggest checking out Gayle’s tips for solo travel in China here for some unique insights.

9. Don’t tip

I love that there’s no tipping culture in China. Image by ThewayIsee on Shutterstock.

Please don’t turn China into a tipping country.

No one tips in China, and neither should you.

There are a couple of exceptions that seem to only exist for foreigners, and I’ve listed them here for you.

That’s all I’ll say on this topic, as it gets me cranky!

10. Forget road rules

Anything goes on China’s pedestrian crossings. Image by Melissa Herzog on Shutterstock.

As a former British colony, Singapore is known around the world for obeying certain rules. Road rules is one of them.

In China, I’d say drivers follow ‘guidelines’ rather than hard-and-fast rules. I definitely recommend a ride in a taxi or DiDi (China’s version of Grab) for a taste of some erratic driving – which always seems to work, by the way.

As a pedestrian, zebra crossings don’t mean much at all. Cars will zoom right through and you’ll have no right of way, even though you should.

Then again, you can jaywalk in China and no one will bat an eyelid.

Also, electric scooters rule the sidewalk. Just be super-careful as a pedestrian.

You can check out my guide to the various customs in China for more on this kind of thing.

11. Multiculturalism is different

You’d be hard-pressed to find headscarves in China. Image by Jerome Quek on Shutterstock.

As you know, Singapore is a melting pot of different cultures from around the world. There’s people of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian descent.

This makes things like the language and food vastly different.

China, on the other hand, has 56 official ethnic groups (55 minorities plus the dominant Han).

While multiculturalism is celebrated, I find the culture is more inward looking and people from ‘outside’ are seen more as a curiosity (maybe that’s because I’m a white guy – I don’t know).

If you’re looking for the most diversity, head to southern China and provinces like Guangxi and Yunnan.

English is limited outside the biggest tourist spots, and even the youngsters will be embarrassed to try and speak it. So if you can speak Mandarin, you’re in luck!

12. Get an eSIM

I recommend using Airalo in China. Image by Fit Ztudio on Shutterstock.

Getting an eSIM for your trip to China is a wise decision.

As you travel around the country, you can stay connected to the outside world with generous data allowances. And, you won’t break the bank.

Mobile data is usually a fraction of the cost of using your own phone carrier in China.

Plus, you don’t need to worry about finding a local SIM on arrival and figuring out a Mandarin SIM card.

You can read my page on China eSIM for some of the best providers for China as well as important info about using eSIM in China generally.

13. Prepare to be wowed

I find the Western Xia Tombs eerily cool. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.

OK, this last one is a little cheesy but it’s a fun fact.

There is only one UNESCO World Heritage Site in Singapore – the Botanical Garden.

But in China, there are 59!

The crazy thing is that you probably haven’t heard about the vast majority of them.

A hidden gem and favourite of mine is the Western Xia Imperial Tombs in Yinchuan, northwest China.

But if you’re sticking to the main tourist trail, then you can’t go past the Great Wall. It is enormous and simply stunning.

I’ve listed the best places to visit in China here if you’re looking for inspo.

Don’t forget your VPN lah!

Remember, the Chinese internet is censored and if you want to use Wi-Fi in China you’ll need to get a VPN.

Visit this page for options or get the one I recommend based on my time in China:

You have to get this sorted before you board the plane as VPN sites are banned in China.

I know you are going to have a great time in China, as it’s a bloody amazing place to visit!

You’re likely to go back again and again, like I have.

I hope my tips have helped you. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions. Otherwise, head over to my page about the best China hotel booking apps.

Main image credit: Mzynasx on Shutterstock.

Helpful resources

Need help with your trip? Here are some helpful resources:

• Familiarize yourself with what you should bring to China
• Get China travel insurance in case something goes wrong
• Get a new Singaporean passport if yours has less than six months’ validity or is running out of pages
• eRegister your trip (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore and Singpass) in case of emergency
• Don’t forget your China vaccinations especially if you’re going to rural areas or you’ll be near animals.

Assistance for Singaporean citizens in China

Hopefully you won’t require consular services, but if you do then here are the contact details for the Singapore Embassy in Beijing:

• Address: No. 1 Xiu Shui Bei Jie, Jian Guo Men Wai, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600
• Phone: (+86) 10 6532 115 or (+86) 1391 0755 251 for after-hours emergency
• Email: singemb_bej@mfa.sg
• Website: https://www.mfa.gov.sg/beijing

There are also consulates in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xiamen and Hong Kong.

FAQ for Singaporeans travelling to China