China Travel Tips: Visa, Culture & Getting Around – Definitive Homejourney Guide

Planning a trip to China from Singapore or elsewhere in Asia? This definitive Homejourney guide to China travel tips covers everything you need to know about China visa rules, local culture, safety, transport, and getting around – with a special lens for Singapore-based travelers, expats, and investors.

As a Singapore-based researcher who has regularly flown from Changi to Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen over the last decade, I have seen China tourism evolve rapidly – from cash-only street stalls in 2012 to QR-code everything today. This guide blends first-hand experience, current regulations where available, and practical tips so you can move confidently, safely, and efficiently.

Throughout this article, Homejourney’s core values of safety, verification, and trust guide the recommendations. Where rules may change – especially China visa policies – you will find clear disclaimers and prompts to double-check with official Chinese or Singapore authorities.

1. Destination Overview: Why Visit China
2. Best Time to Visit China
3. Getting There from Singapore
4. Currency, Payments & Exchange Tips
5. China Visa Guide for Singapore Travelers
6. Culture, Etiquette & Communication Tips
7. Getting Around: Trains, Flights, Metros & Taxis
8. Top Attractions & Experiences
9. Food & Dining: What and Where to Eat
10. Where to Stay: Best Areas by City & Budget
11. Suggested 3-Day & 5-Day Itineraries
12. Safety, Scams & Health Tips
13. Money-Saving & Time-Saving Strategies
14. Connecting China Travel to Singapore Property & Investment
15. FAQ: China Travel Tips, Visa, Culture & Transport

1. Destination Overview: Why Visit China

China is vast, layered, and changing quickly. For Singapore residents used to a compact, hyper-efficient city, China offers a spectrum: ultra-modern skylines in Shanghai and Shenzhen, imperial heritage in Beijing and Xi’an, dramatic landscapes in Guilin and Zhangjiajie, and tech-driven megacities like Chengdu and Chongqing.

From a Homejourney perspective, China is also a key reference market: many Singapore buyers compare lifestyle, infrastructure, and investment potential between Chinese cities and Singapore. Visiting China not only gives you a holiday, but also valuable on-the-ground context if you are evaluating Asian property markets.

Key Reasons Singapore Travelers Love Visiting China

Direct, short-ish flights from Singapore (about 4.5–6.5 hours to most major cities).
Diverse experiences: snow in Harbin vs. tropical islands in Hainan, cutting-edge malls in Shanghai vs. ancient hutongs in Beijing.
Cost range flexibility: you can travel reasonably on a budget or go very high-end in Tier 1 cities.
Cultural familiarity for many Singaporeans who speak Mandarin or dialects, yet enough differences to be exciting.

2. Best Time to Visit China

Because China spans multiple climate zones, “best time to visit” depends on where you are going. From Singapore, most first-time trips focus on Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, or Chengdu – all of which have clear peak and shoulder seasons.

Quick Season Overview

Season	Months	Weather (Beijing / Shanghai)	Travel Notes
Spring	Mar–May	Cool–mild, can be windy (Beijing)	Great for sightseeing, less humid than summer.
Summer	Jun–Aug	Hot, often >30°C, humid (Shanghai)	Peak domestic tourism; expect crowds and higher prices.
Autumn	Sep–Nov	Mild, generally clear skies	Widely considered the best overall season.
Winter	Dec–Feb	Very cold in north, mild in south	Good for Harbin Ice Festival, ski trips; off-peak prices.

Singapore-Specific Timing Tips

Avoid Golden Week (around 1–7 October) and Chinese New Year if you dislike crowds – trains, attractions, and flights are packed, similar to peak travel during Chinese New Year exodus from Singapore, but on a much larger scale.
Shoulder months like late April, early May, late October, and early November balance good weather with manageable crowd levels.
If you are used to Singapore’s heat, winter in Shanghai or Beijing can be a novelty, but pack proper layers; sub-zero temperatures are common in the north.

3. Getting There from Singapore

Changi Airport offers frequent direct flights to major Chinese hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, and sometimes secondary cities depending on airline schedules. Flight durations typically range from 4.5 to 6.5 hours.

Typical Flight Durations from Singapore

Singapore – Shanghai: ~5.0–5.5 hours non-stop
Singapore – Beijing: ~6 hours non-stop
Singapore – Guangzhou/Shenzhen: ~4–4.5 hours non-stop
Singapore – Chengdu/Chongqing: ~4.5–5.5 hours non-stop

For families, these flight times are comparable to Singapore–Seoul, which we cover in detail in Seoul South Korea with Kids: Family Travel Guide Seoul South Korea with Kids: Family Travel Guide | Homejourney . Many Singaporean parents find overnight or early-morning flights useful to sync with kids’ sleep.

4. Currency, Payments & Exchange Tips

China’s official currency is the Renminbi (RMB), often written as CNY or simply “¥”. Day-to-day, locals say “kuai” instead of yuan – similar to how Singaporeans say “bucks” instead of “dollars”.

Cash vs Mobile Payments

In practice, China is one of the world’s most cashless societies. Locals use Alipay and WeChat Pay for almost everything – from metro rides and taxis to small street stalls. Tourists now have more options to link foreign cards to these apps, but you should still carry some cash outside major cities.

Big cities (Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen): Most hotels, malls, and chain restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard; smaller vendors may still prefer mobile payments.
Smaller cities: Expect more reliance on Alipay/WeChat Pay or cash; foreign cards may not be accepted widely.

Currency & Property Investment Lens

For travelers who are also exploring Asian real estate, Homejourney supports comparisons between RMB and SGD when evaluating Singapore properties. You can view price ranges in your familiar currency using our property search tool Property Search and compare with new-launch and resale data via our projects directory Projects Directory . This is particularly useful for Chinese buyers or Singapore investors who frequently travel between both markets.

5. China Visa Guide for Singapore Travelers

Visa policies evolve frequently. The information below is intended as a structured starting point for your planning, but you must verify details with the Chinese Embassy, consulate, or official visa center before you travel. Recent policy updates have expanded visa-free and transit options for citizens of various countries.[3][4][10][6]

5.1 Basic China Visa Requirements (for Most Foreign Nationals)

Most travelers entering China for tourism need an L (tourist) visa, unless they qualify for a visa-exemption or a visa-free transit scheme.[6][9] Official guidance commonly requires:

Passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages.[7][5]
Completed visa application via the China Online Visa Application system (COVA), plus a signed visa application statement in some jurisdictions.[2][5]
Recent passport photo that meets Chinese visa specifications.[1][5]
Proof of travel – such as return flight bookings and hotel reservations – may be requested depending on the visa center.[9]

Many consulates now require online application submission followed by an in-person appointment to submit your passport and biometric data.[1][2][5] In Singapore, you usually go through an official Chinese Visa Application Service Centre – always use the official site to avoid intermediaries that may not prioritise your data security.

5.2 Visa Types Relevant to Tourists & Short-Term Visitors

Visa Type	Purpose	Typical Stay	Notes
L	Tourism	Often up to 30 days per entry[9]	Single or multiple entry depending on approval.
M	Business / trade visits	Varies	Requires an invitation letter in many cases.[1][2][5]
F	Non-commercial visits, exchanges, study tours	Varies	Often needs an invitation from a Chinese institution.[1][2]
G	Transit	Up to the duration approved	Alternative to visa-free transit, depending on nationality.[1][2][6]

For many foreign nationals, a single-entry L visa is valid for three months and allows a maximum stay of around 30 days from entry, but this can vary by nationality and consulate.[9] Always check the details printed on the actual visa.

5.3 Visa-Free & Transit Policies (General)

China operates multiple visa-free transit schemes, notably the 72-hour and 144-hour transit programs in specific cities, and a broader 240-hour visa-free transit policy for citizens of dozens of countries, when transiting to a third country.[3][4][10][6]

Visa-free transit is generally for travelers transiting to a third country or region, not returning to the same place they departed from.[10][6]
The 240-hour transit policy covers 55 countries, including several major European and Asian nations, for transit through selected airports and regions.[10][4]
Separate bilateral visa-free agreements exist for some nationalities, often allowing short stays for tourism or business.[4][6]

Because these policies are nationality-specific and may change (for example, Russia and other countries have seen evolving arrangements), always confirm eligibility with the official immigration or visa center website close to your travel date.[3][4][10]

5.4 Practical Visa Application Tips from a Singapore Perspective

Book visa appointment early: In busy periods (pre-Golden Week, school holidays), slots at the visa center can fill quickly.
Align visa duration with itinerary: If you plan multi-city or repeat entries (e.g., Hong Kong–Shenzhen–Guangzhou–back to Hong Kong), request a multi-entry visa if eligible.
Keep copies of your passport bio page, China visa, and key bookings in both digital and printed form. This is useful for check-ins at hotels and in case of loss.
Check consistency: Your flight and hotel bookings should match the dates you mention in your application to avoid questions.

If you are exploring property or longer-term business in China, you may need different visa categories (M, Z, S, Q etc.). Regulations are complex and change over time.[1][2][5][6] For such cases, consult an immigration specialist and always corroborate with official government sources.