Planning a China 14 days trip from Singapore – or as part of a wider Asia journey – is one of the most rewarding ways to experience Asia’s history, food, and fast‑changing cities in a single route. This definitive Homejourney guide gives you a complete, realistic two weeks China itinerary, written from a Singapore perspective, with insider tips on flights, budgets, safety, and how this China travel route connects to long‑term lifestyle and property decisions in Singapore.
Having personally done variations of this 14‑day route from Changi multiple times – both as a pure holiday and when accompanying Singapore buyers on regional fact‑finding trips – I’ll walk you through what actually works on the ground: train timings, realistic jet‑lag days, and where to cut or extend. Along the way, you’ll see how Homejourney supports travellers who are also thinking ahead about diversification into Singapore real estate in a safe, transparent way.
Table of Contents
- 1. China in 14 Days: Overview & Why This Route Works
- 2. Best Time to Visit China on a 14‑Day Itinerary
- 3. Getting There from Singapore & Entry Basics
- 4. Currency, Budget & Payment Tips for Singapore Travellers
- 5. Recommended 14‑Day China Complete Itinerary (Beijing – Xi’an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Shanghai)
- 6. Alternative 3‑Day & 5‑Day Mini Itineraries
- 7. Where to Stay: Best Areas & Accommodation Tips
- 8. Food & Dining: What to Eat in Each City
- 9. Transport Within China: Trains, Flights & Apps
- 10. Safety, Scams & Health Tips (From a Singapore Benchmark)
- 11. From China Travel to Singapore Property: How Homejourney Bridges the Journey
- 12. FAQ: China 14‑Day Itinerary & Singapore‑Specific Questions
1. China in 14 Days: Overview & Why This Route Works
For a China complete itinerary in 14 days, most reputable planners and tour operators recommend visiting 4–5 key destinations to avoid rushing.[5][2] The most balanced route – especially for Singapore travellers who value comfort, food, and efficient transport – is:
- Beijing – 3–4 days for imperial history and the Great Wall[5][2]
- Xi’an – 2 days for the Terracotta Army and city walls[5][2]
- Guilin & Yangshuo – 3–4 days for karst landscape and countryside[5][2][6]
- Shanghai – 3 days for a modern Asian mega‑city, shopping, and dining[2][5][6]
This roughly follows the classic tourist backbone recommended by major China specialists, with a mix of culture, scenery, and city life.[2][5][6] It also aligns well with direct or one‑stop flights from Singapore, and high‑speed rail links between cities.[5][2]
Who this 14‑day China travel route is ideal for
- First‑time visitors to China who want the key highlights without over‑packing the schedule[2][5]
- Singapore families and couples who value reliable infrastructure and decent English support in major cities
- Investors or professionals who may later compare China’s top cities with Singapore as a base
In practice, most Singapore travellers I’ve worked with either fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai, or reverse the route depending on flight deals. Multi‑city tickets on full‑service carriers sometimes cost only slightly more than simple returns if booked early.
2. Best Time to Visit China on a 14‑Day Itinerary
China is huge, but for the Beijing–Xi’an–Guilin–Shanghai arc, these windows are generally best:[5]
- Late March–May (spring): Comfortable in Beijing and Xi’an, mild in Shanghai, pleasantly warm but not too humid in Guilin.
- September–early November (autumn): Clearer skies in Beijing, less rain in Guilin, and cooler nights in Shanghai.[5]
As Singapore travellers, we often underestimate how cold Beijing can be in winter (sub‑zero, windy) and how hot inland cities get in July–August (high 30s with strong sun). If you’re travelling with young kids or elderly parents, spring and autumn are noticeably more comfortable.
Dates to avoid or plan around
- Chinese New Year (dates move each year) – intense domestic travel; trains and flights sell out early.
- Golden Week (around 1–7 October) – national holiday, very crowded sites, higher hotel rates.
Outside of these peaks, you’ll still see crowds at flagship attractions like the Great Wall or Terracotta Army, but with early starts and pre‑booked tickets, queues are manageable.[5][2]
3. Getting There from Singapore & Entry Basics
Direct flight options from Singapore
From Changi, there are frequent direct or one‑stop connections to all four cities on this China 14 days route with major Asian carriers. In practice, the most common flow my clients use is:
- Singapore → Beijing (PEK/PKX): Direct flights with full‑service airlines.
- Shanghai (PVG/SHA) → Singapore: Direct flights, with multiple timings daily.[2][5]
For Xi’an and Guilin, high‑speed trains and domestic flights make connections straightforward.[5][2] Many travellers now deliberately plan one high‑speed train sector and one domestic flight to experience both.
Visa requirements & documents
Visa rules for China change periodically and depend on your passport. Always check with the Chinese Embassy or official visa centre in Singapore for the most up‑to‑date requirements before booking flights. Singapore passport holders historically enjoyed visa‑free entry for short stays in some periods, but this is subject to policy updates – verify before you travel.
Regardless of visa status, you should have:
- Passport with at least 6 months’ validity beyond travel dates
- Return or onward ticket (e.g. to Singapore or next destination)
- Hotel confirmations (printout or on your phone)
- Basic travel insurance with medical coverage
For China domestic travel, real‑name registration is required for high‑speed trains and many attractions, so carry your physical passport whenever you move between cities.[5]
4. Currency, Budget & Payment Tips for Singapore Travellers
China uses the Renminbi (RMB or CNY), also called yuan. For Singapore travellers used to QR payments and PayNow, the main adjustment is that many China payment ecosystems are built around local apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay), but international cards are now increasingly supported.
Typical daily budget benchmarks
Actual spending varies a lot by travel style, but for a realistic benchmark based on recent trips and current price levels in major cities:[2][5][6]
Homejourney’s multi‑currency features (including RMB support) make it easier for China‑based investors or frequent travellers to see Singapore property prices in their home currency, which helps when benchmarking affordability across Beijing, Shanghai, and Singapore.
Cash vs cards vs apps
- Cash: Still useful for small eateries, rural areas, and older taxis.
- Cards: International credit cards are increasingly accepted at major hotels and attractions in big cities.
- Apps: Alipay/WeChat Pay now allow some foreign card linkage; if you’re comfortable with mobile payments, set this up before your trip.
Exchange a small amount of RMB before departure or at the airport for immediate needs, then use ATMs in town for better rates. As with large property transactions, Homejourney always recommends using regulated, transparent FX channels for bigger sums and double‑checking fees.
5. Recommended 14‑Day China Complete Itinerary
This is a practical, time‑tested China travel route that closely follows suggestions from specialist operators and travel writers, adapted with Singapore travellers in mind.[2][5][6]
Days 1–4: Beijing – Imperial China & the Great Wall
Beijing deserves at least 3–4 days to cover the core highlights: Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Summer Palace.[5][2]
- Day 1 – Arrival & Jingshan Park sunset
Land in Beijing, check into your hotel near Wangfujing or Dengshikou for easy access to central sights. In the afternoon or early evening, walk up Jingshan Park for sweeping views over the Forbidden City at sunset – an excellent way to orient yourself.[2]
- Day 2 – Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven
Start early at Tiananmen Square to clear security and avoid mid‑day crowds.[2][5] Walk into the Forbidden City (at least 2–3 hours) and consider a local guide or audio guide to bring the imperial history alive.[2] In the afternoon, head to the Temple of Heaven, where you can watch locals playing cards, dancing, or doing taiji in the surrounding park.[5]
- Day 3 – Great Wall (Jinshanling or Mutianyu)
Allocate a full day to the Great Wall. Many 2‑week itineraries suggest Jinshanling for scenic, less crowded hiking,[2] while Mutianyu offers restored walls and easier access. Bring layers – winds can be strong even in spring and autumn – and pre‑book a driver or join a small group tour to avoid touts at city bus stations.
- Day 4 – Summer Palace & Bullet Train to Xi’an
Spend the morning at the Summer Palace, walking around Kunming Lake and the Long Corridor.[5] After lunch, take a high‑speed train (approx. 4.5–6 hours) to Xi’an.[2][5] Buy tickets in advance and arrive at the station at least 45–60 minutes before departure for security checks.
Days 5–6: Xi’an – Terracotta Army & City Walls
Xi’an is often recommended as a 2‑day stop on classic two weeks China itineraries.[5][2]
- Day 5 – Terracotta Army & Muslim Quarter
In the morning, visit the Terracotta Army, about 1 hour’s drive from the city centre. Most itineraries allocate at least half a day to explore the three main pits and museum.[2][5] In the late afternoon or evening, head to the Muslim Quarter for street food and night‑market vibes.[2][5]
- Day 6 – Ancient City Wall & cultural sites
Walk or cycle on Xi’an’s Ancient City Wall – one of the most complete city walls in China.[2][5] Combine this with the Little Wild Goose Pagoda or the Shaanxi History Museum if you enjoy museums.[5] In the evening, take a flight or high‑speed train south to Guilin.
Days 7–10: Guilin & Yangshuo – Karst Landscapes & Countryside
Multiple popular 2‑week itineraries recommend 3–4 days for Guilin and Yangshuo, including the Li River cruise and rice terraces.[2][5][6]
- Day 7 – Guilin city highlights
After arrival, explore Elephant Trunk Hill, a symbol of Guilin, and the Two Rivers and Four Lakes area for an evening stroll.[5] Keep this day light in case of travel fatigue.
- Day 8 – Longji Rice Terraces day trip
Allocate a full day to the Longji (Longsheng) Rice TerracesReferences
