China Travel Guide 2026: Itineraries, Visas & Tips

The first time I landed in Beijing I did what most people do. I had a screenshot of an itinerary, a phone that refused to load half the apps I relied on, and the quiet confidence of someone who had never tried to buy a train ticket in a language she could not read. By the second afternoon I had been politely redirected at a station gate, learned that my passport was needed for almost everything, and eaten the best bowl of hand-pulled noodles of my life in a place with no English menu. That is China in a sentence. It is demanding for the first forty-eight hours and then it clicks, and from that point it is one of the most rewarding countries you can visit from Singapore.

This guide is what I would tell a friend over coffee before she flew. It covers entry rules for Singapore passport holders, when to go, what money and phone setup actually work, how the trains and flights fit together, three itineraries I would happily repeat, the attractions worth booking ahead, and the small cultural things that make a trip smoother. Where I am not certain of a figure I say so, and wherever I quote a price I mean a starting figure that you should confirm on the live listing for your date. Rules about visas and border policy change faster than guidebooks, so treat the entry section as a map to check against official sources rather than the final word.

Start with entry rules: do you need a visa for China in 2026?

Let me begin with the question I get asked most. For ordinary Singapore passport holders there is currently a mutual 30-day visa exemption arrangement between Singapore and China, covering tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits and transit. Our own embassy-sourced records, last checked in late August 2026, list the stay as up to 30 days per entry at no fee, with the exemption applied on arrival. That is a big change from the old routine of collecting documents and queueing at a visa centre, and it is why short trips from Singapore have become so easy to plan.

A few honest caveats. Exemption arrangements can be extended, narrowed or paused, and the exact conditions at the border officer's desk are what count on the day. Your passport needs comfortable validity, normally at least six months, and enough blank pages. You should have a confirmed onward or return ticket and an address for your first night, because you can be asked for both. If your plans go beyond thirty days, involve work, study or journalism, or if you are travelling on a non-Singapore passport, you will probably need a proper visa. Always read the official notice from the embassy or the immigration authority before you pay for non-refundable flights.

Our visa requirements page lists the current fact sheet for China and links the official application channels, and it is where I would check first. Travellers on other passports, including many of our Indian customers, usually need the L tourist visa. Processing at the visa centre has been quoted at roughly four to seven working days for standard service and two to three days for express, and the validity depends on what is issued. If you hold a passport from one of the countries that qualify for the 240-hour transit arrangement, you may also be able to pass through designated ports for up to ten days when you are continuing to a third country or region. That is a transit rule, not a holiday visa, so do not treat it as a loophole.

One practical tip that has saved my customers hassle: an onward ticket is a document you may be asked for, and you may not have bought it yet if you are still deciding where to go next. Many people use a dated flight reservation service to show an itinerary for a visa file or for check-in, and it is worth reading what it does and does not mean before you rely on it. It is a reservation to support paperwork, not an issued ticket, and it should never be your only plan for actually leaving a country.

When to go: seasons, holidays and crowds

China is a continent in disguise, so one answer to the best time is never enough. Still, the two windows that work for most itineraries are spring, from April into May, and autumn, from September into October. Temperatures are mild, skies in the north are at their clearest, and the countryside is at its best. Our regional notes put the national sweet spot at April to May and September to October, with the rainy stretch running roughly June to August across much of the south and east.

The calendar quirk that catches first-timers is the domestic holiday. Chinese New Year, which moves with the lunar calendar, and the first week of October known as Golden Week turn famous sites into shoulder-to-shoulder queues, and trains and flights sell out weeks ahead. Prices rise, hotels demand minimum stays, and even the quietest corners of the Great Wall feel busy. I have done both, and I will say plainly that I would not choose either period for a first visit unless the festival itself is the reason you are going.

Packing follows the map. Layers beat one big coat because buildings are heated and trains are warm. Comfortable shoes matter more than any outfit, because even a light sightseeing day easily passes ten kilometres on foot. Add a power bank, a small pack of tissues for places that do not supply them, a reusable bottle, a rain jacket from June to August, and a printed copy of your first hotel address in Chinese characters. I will come back to that last item, because it is the most useful thing in my bag.

Money, phones and the digital side of China

This is the part that surprised me most. Cash still works in many places, but daily life in big cities runs on mobile payment, led by two apps that most visitors have heard of by now. Foreign cards can be linked to these apps, and the process has become much easier for visitors than it was a few years ago. Even so, I would not arrive counting on it. Bring a mix: a bank card that works abroad, a small amount of local currency from an ATM at the airport, and the patience to hand over a card or cash where an app will not cooperate. Taxis, small restaurants and some tourist sites accept cards less reliably than you might expect, so a little cash is a sensible cushion.

Connectivity is the other half. Some overseas services and apps load slowly or not at all on mainland networks, which is why many travellers prepare ahead. Download offline maps, save your hotel address in Chinese, and set up translation tools before you leave. If you use messaging, email or map services from home, check how they behave from inside the country, because the fix is much easier to install before you fly than after you land. A roaming plan that routes your data through another country can help with this, and so can a VPN installed in advance, which is a personal choice you should make on your own reading of current rules.

For data, I now use an eSIM every time because there is nothing to swap at the airport. Our catalogue lists several China plans, from simple day passes such as the Mainland China 5G eSIM, which starts from S$2.00, to bundles with Hong Kong and Macau coverage like the China eSIM 5G unlimited plan, from S$4.00. Check the validity, the daily data rules and whether the plan includes the destinations you will visit, because Hong Kong and Macau are not always bundled. E-tickets and eSIM details are emailed after our team confirms your booking, so install your plan while you still have home Wi-Fi.

Getting around: trains, planes and city streets

The high-speed rail network is the hero of any China trip. Trains run on time, seats are comfortable, and between major cities the journey is often faster than the airport process once you count security and the commute at each end. Beijing to Shanghai takes a little over four hours on the fastest services. Shanghai to Hangzhou is closer to an hour. Xi'an to Chengdu and Chengdu to Chongqing are practical hops, and even scenic regions are increasingly linked.

Tickets are tied to your passport. You will be asked to scan it at the barrier, so keep it in your hand rather than at the bottom of your bag. Book as soon as your dates are firm, especially for popular morning departures, and arrive at the station earlier than you think you need to. Big stations have security lines, multiple waiting halls and gates that close a few minutes before departure. I always leave forty-five minutes for a major station and I have never regretted it.

Domestic flights are the answer for the big distances. Beijing to Chengdu, Shanghai to Guilin or Xi'an to Kunming would take a day or more on the ground and a couple of hours in the air. Airports are large and often a long way from the city centre, so factor in the transfer. A pre-arranged ride is a relief after a long flight, and we offer fixed-price airport transfers for many cities, including the one-way Beijing Capital airport to downtown transfer, from S$44.52, and the Pudong airport transfer in Shanghai, from S$67.55. Look at the terminal and the vehicle size before you book, particularly if you travel with luggage or a stroller.

Inside cities the metro is the best friend a traveller has. Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu all have extensive, clean networks with signs in English and a payment option that works with your phone or a card. Rush hour is intense, and the transfers in huge stations can be long walks, so pick a hotel near a line. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are reasonable, but your address needs to be in Chinese. Bikes and e-scooters are everywhere. Pavements are shared, so look both ways even on a one-way street, because silent electric bikes are the real hazard.

Three itineraries I would actually repeat

The classic: Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai in ten days

This is the route for a first trip. Spend three or four nights in Beijing, two in Xi'an and three in Shanghai, with a day or two of slack. It balances imperial history, ancient capitals and the future in a way that makes sense to people who have never been. Everything is linked by high-speed rail, which keeps the logistics simple and the days full.

Beijing is for the big sights. Give the Forbidden City half a day and book the entry ahead because capacity is capped. Our listing for the Palace Museum starts from S$22.75. The nearby Temple of Heaven, with its round altar and its morning park full of locals practising tai chi, is one of my favourite places in the capital, and a general admission ticket starts from S$15.00. Add a hutong wander, a roast duck dinner and a late stroll along the central axis, and you have a proper first visit.

From Beijing, take the train to Xi'an and give it two nights. The Terracotta Army is the headline, but the Muslim Quarter's evening food stalls and the walk or cycle on the old city wall are what I remember most. Then continue by train or flight to Shanghai for the skyline, the river and a final night of dumplings.

Pandas, canyons and spice: Chengdu and Zhangjiajie in eight days

If the classic route is the greatest hits, this is the one I recommend to repeat visitors. Chengdu is a laid-back city with a teahouse culture and a famous attitude towards food. The Giant Panda base is the main draw, and the trick is to go early when the pandas are fed and active. We list a Chengdu Panda Park day tour with tickets, from S$40.38, and a combined panda and Leshan Giant Buddha trip from S$91.48 for people who want a longer day out.

From Chengdu, fly to Hunan for Zhangjiajie, the landscape that inspired the floating mountains in a famous science-fiction film. The sandstone pillars are real, and the national forest park is a day or two of cable cars, glass walkways and hiking trails. A Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon ticket starts from S$14.11, and the Tianmen Mountain cableway package from S$60.50. Weather matters here: mist can hide the views, so build in a spare day. Also consider the Guizhou Nanjiang Grand Canyon if you extend your trip, a lesser-known karst gorge with a shuttle bus inside the park.

Water towns and gardens: Shanghai and Hangzhou in five days

When I only have a long weekend, I do this one. Shanghai gives you the Bund at night and the old streets of Yu Garden by day. A Yu Garden admission ticket starts from S$10.16. For something unusual, the Shanghai Maglev train, from S$12.00, links the airport and the city at high speed and is more fun than it has any right to be. Then take the train to Hangzhou, where West Lake, tea plantations and Lingyin Temple make a calm contrast. Our one-day Hangzhou tour includes a West Lake boat ride, from S$279.04.

Beijing in detail: the Wall, the palaces and the parks

Beijing rewards planning more than any other Chinese city, mainly because the best sights need entry arrangements. The Great Wall has several sections, and the choice matters. Badaling is the nearest and most famous, and also the busiest. Mutianyu has cable cars, restored watchtowers and a toboggan ride down, which makes it the family favourite. Jinshanling is wilder and more photogenic, with a long walk along sections that are partly unrestored. Simatai and Huanghuacheng appeal to hikers.

My own favourite compromise is the Mutianyu day tour, because it solves the transport headache in one go. Our Mutianyu and Summer Palace day trip starts from S$32.86 and combines two of the best things around the capital. If you want a longer hike and are happy to sacrifice convenience, the Jinshanling bus tour begins from S$67.48. And if you are only after the classic photograph on a tight budget, the Badaling Great Wall entry ticket is from S$10.00.

Closer to the centre, Prince Kung's Palace is a quieter alternative to the major imperial sites and a good pick for people who prefer gardens to crowds; the palace museum ticket starts from S$10.00. In the evening, wander the hutongs near Houhai or Nanluoguxiang, stop for noodles, and let the neighbourhood do the rest. If you want a modern counterpoint, the Pop Mart theme park has become an unexpected hit with younger visitors, from S$22.56.

Shanghai in detail: skyline, river and old lanes

Shanghai is the polished sibling. It is a city where you can see history and a skyline from the same spot. Begin on the Bund at dusk, when the colonial-era buildings glow on one bank and the towers of Pudong light up on the other. Take a river cruise if you want the view from the water; our Suzhou Creek 30-minute retro ship cruise is a gentle option from S$14.63, and the larger Huangpu River dragon boat cruise starts at S$69.94.

For a view from above, the Magnolia Observation Deck sunset ticket starts from S$28.78, and I like it more than the busiest towers because it is quieter. Families will want the LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort, from S$116.00, while the Shanghai Zoo is a lower-cost option from S$9.42. For something stylish, exploring old Shanghai by electric scooter is a lively way to cover the former French Concession, from S$79.06. Whatever you do, leave room to walk. The best Shanghai moments are accidental ones: a bakery, a plane tree avenue, a lane house with laundry on bamboo poles.

Food: what to eat and how to order without Chinese

China does not have one cuisine. It has dozens, and the regional differences are dramatic. In Beijing you want roast duck, hand-pulled noodles and the pancakes sold from street windows. In Shanghai it is soup dumplings, braised pork and delicate river fish. Chengdu is the home of Sichuan cooking, with its numbing peppercorn and chilli heat. Xi'an has hand-torn flatbread soups and cumin lamb skewers. Our local food notes for China are broad on purpose, because the honest advice is to eat what the city is known for and ask the person next to you what they are having.

The practical problem is ordering. Menus can lack English and photographs are rare outside tourist areas. Use a translation app with the camera feature, point at what a neighbouring table is eating, and do not be shy about it. Many restaurants use a QR code at the table to order through a mini-program on your phone. If it asks for a login you cannot complete, a friendly member of staff will usually help you place the order. Sharing is the default, so order a vegetable, a meat, a staple and one soup for every two or three people.

A word on food safety. Tap water is not generally considered suitable for drinking, so stick to bottled or boiled water, and most hotels supply a kettle. Street food is part of the fun, and I follow the simple rule of choosing busy stalls where the food is cooked in front of me. If you have allergies, learn the relevant words in Chinese or carry a card from your translation app, because ingredient lists are not common.

Booking the big attractions without stress

Most of the pain around China's top sites comes from timing. The Forbidden City limits daily entries and fills up in peak months. The Terracotta Army, panda bases and big theme parks have reservation windows. Some of the best-loved shows sell out days ahead. The solution is simple: decide your date, then book the tickets, in that order. Many sites check your passport against the booking on entry, so make sure the name matches exactly.

We sell tickets and day tours for a wide range of Chinese attractions, and the approach is the same as anywhere else on HolidaySG. Pick a date, choose an option, and book online. E-tickets are emailed after our team confirms your booking, so I would avoid ordering something for the very next morning. If you are travelling with children, the LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort and the zoo are popular, and for adults who prefer culture over rides, the performance listings are worth a look, such as Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, from S$68.75, and the ERA Intersection of Time acrobatic show in Shanghai, from S$53.80.

Staying healthy, safe and respectful

China is generally a safe country for visitors, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The usual city precautions apply: watch your bag in crowded stations, keep valuables in the hotel safe, and be sceptical of anyone who approaches you with an unusually friendly invitation to a tea tasting or an art exhibition, a well-known scam in big cities. Use official taxi queues or a ride-hailing app, and agree on the meter or price before you set off.

Emergency numbers are worth saving: 110 for police, 120 for an ambulance, 119 for fire and 12301 for the national tourist hotline. Buy travel insurance with medical cover, because hospitals that treat foreigners may ask for payment upfront. Pharmacies are common, but bring your regular medicine in its original packaging with the prescription, since some products are restricted. There are no routine vaccination requirements for most visitors from Singapore, but check with a doctor about your own history and any region-specific advice, especially for high-altitude trips to Tibet or western Sichuan.

On etiquette, politeness goes a long way. Greet people with a smile and a simple nihao, remove your shoes if a host does, and do not stick chopsticks upright in a bowl, which resembles an offering to the dead. Tipping is not expected in most places. Queuing is more relaxed than in Singapore, so be patient and assertive in equal measure. Ask before photographing people, particularly monks and older residents, and be mindful of how you talk about sensitive political topics. Most locals are welcoming and curious about visitors.

What a China trip costs

Budgets vary widely, and the honest answer depends on your style. Our country notes describe a broad range, from lean backpacker spending to comfortable mid-range travel, and the real number is shaped by hotels and by how many internal flights you take. Trains and metros are good value, street food is cheap, and the major expenses are usually accommodation, long-distance flights and paid attractions. Expect Beijing and Shanghai to cost more than inland cities like Chengdu or Xi'an.

To keep spending sensible, book rail early, eat where the locals eat, walk or use the metro between nearby sights, and choose a few paid highlights rather than every attraction. Entry fees are modest by Singapore standards. The Great Wall sections and the major parks are usually inexpensive, while theme parks, shows and private tours cost more. Remember to allow for a small buffer, as card acceptance can be unpredictable.

My honest mistakes, so you can skip them

I will end the practical part with the errors I made, because they are more useful than a list of rules. I booked a morning train with no margin and watched the gate close. I assumed my phone would work as it does at home. I arrived at a major site on a public holiday without a ticket. I tried to cover Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai in a week and spent most of it in transit. And I underestimated the size of everything. Distances are long, stations are huge and walking days are real.

Slow down, choose fewer places and give yourself time. Take the early train. Carry a power bank. Say thank you in Chinese, even badly. Keep the paper address and your passport together. And when something goes wrong, which it will, take a breath and ask for help, because someone nearby will almost certainly stop and help you.

Frequently asked questions

Do Singapore citizens need a visa for China?

Ordinary Singapore passport holders currently benefit from a mutual 30-day visa exemption for tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange visits and transit. Rules can change, so check the official notice before you book, and use our visa requirements page for the latest fact sheet.

How long should I spend in China on a first trip?

Ten days is a comfortable first trip for three cities, such as Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai. Two weeks lets you add Chengdu or Hangzhou without rushing.

What is the best time of year to visit?

April to May and September to October are the most reliable. Avoid Chinese New Year and the early-October Golden Week unless you are prepared for crowds and higher prices.

Will my phone work in China?

Yes, but some overseas apps and websites can be slow or unavailable, so prepare in advance. An eSIM, offline maps and a translation app are the most useful tools. Install them before you fly.

Can I pay by card or do I need a mobile payment app?

Cards work in hotels, malls and many big restaurants, but mobile payment is the norm for daily life. Set up an app before you arrive and carry a card and some cash as backup.

Is the high-speed train easy to use as a foreigner?

Yes. Tickets are tied to your passport, stations have English signs, and the trains are punctual. Book ahead for popular times and arrive early because of security checks.

Is tap water safe to drink?

It is generally not recommended. Drink bottled or boiled water and use the kettle provided in your hotel room.

Is China suitable for families with children?

Very. Pandas, the Great Wall cable car at Mutianyu, LEGOLAND Shanghai and the Maglev are all kid-friendly, and trains make family travel easy. Keep the pace slow and plan breaks.

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