China is big. Really big. A first trip can feel like planning five trips at once, because a city in the north feels nothing like one in the south.
If you grew up in Singapore, plenty will feel familiar, from the dialects at the market to the food on the table. A few things will catch you off guard, though. Here is what to sort out before you leave Changi.
Where should you go on a first trip?
China is too large to cover in one go, so pick one region and do it well. Beijing suits history fans, with the Forbidden City and the Great Wall within reach. Shanghai is the easy-mode option, where the Bund and old lanes sit beside towers that make Marina Bay look modest. Chengdu, Xi'an and Guilin make good next steps once you have your bearings.
How do you get there from Singapore?
Flights leave Changi for many Chinese cities, not just Beijing and Shanghai. Flight times and fares vary a lot by city and season, so compare before you book. Flying into one city and out of another can save you a long backtrack. Leave some slack on your first and last days in case of delays.
How do you get around once you land?
High-speed trains link many major cities, and they can be a comfortable alternative to short flights. Big cities have metro systems that will feel a lot like the MRT, just busier. Keep your passport handy, as you may need it to buy train tickets or pass checks at stations. Some stations are huge, so arrive early and give yourself time to find your platform.
Do you need cash, or can you pay by phone?
The local currency is the Chinese yuan, also called renminbi. Mobile payments are everywhere, from malls to street stalls, and many places expect you to scan a QR code. Set up a payment app that accepts foreign cards before you fly, and test it at home if you can. Carry some cash too, as a backup for when your phone or card does not cooperate.
Will your phone and usual apps work?
Some apps and websites you use every day in Singapore may not work the same way in China. Check how your messaging, maps and email will work there before you leave, not in the arrival hall. Sort out your data plan or roaming early, and download offline maps of the cities on your route. Save your accommodation address in Chinese characters too, so you can show it to a taxi driver.
What if your Mandarin is a bit rusty?
You will find some English at big sights and transport hubs, but less at small eateries and in smaller towns. If you studied Mandarin in school, you will get further than you think, even with a Singapore accent. A translation app helps with menus and signs, and pointing at pictures works more often than not. Learn a few basics, like hello, thank you and how much, and people will usually meet you halfway.
Which local customs should you know?
Queues can feel looser than the orderly lines at a Singapore bus stop, so hold your place politely. Tipping is not a big part of daily life, so you usually do not need to add extra at meals. At temples, speak quietly, dress modestly and follow any signs about photos. At a shared meal, do not stick your chopsticks upright in your rice, a rule many Singaporeans already know from home.
What should you eat?
Think of China as a giant hawker centre with regional stalls, each with its own style. Try hotpot and mapo tofu in Chengdu, soup dumplings in Shanghai, roast duck in Beijing and dim sum in Guangzhou. Sichuan food can be far spicier than the chilli at your usual zi char stall, so ask for less if you need to. Some dishes share a name with ones back home but taste quite different, which is half the fun.
When is the best time to go?
Weather varies hugely across China, so check the forecast for your region rather than the whole country. The rainy season runs from April to October. Typhoons can hit the south and east coasts from May to November and bring flooding and landslides. If you are planning around the year-end school holidays, check conditions for your cities before you lock in dates.
What safety basics should you keep in mind?
Sichuan and Yunnan are prone to earthquakes, so read up on the area if you are heading there. During typhoon season, watch the weather alerts and be ready to change plans if trains or flights are disrupted. For visas, entry rules, health requirements or local laws, check MFA's travel advice on the China price page before you go. Rules can change, so look again close to your departure date.
What happens if you need a doctor?
Most public hospitals in China do not accept medical insurance from abroad. Some also ask for a deposit before they admit you. Check in advance whether your cover pays for treatment there, and keep a card or some cash that can handle a deposit. Carry a short note of any medical conditions you have and the medicine you take.
Who do you call in an emergency?
Save these numbers in your phone before you land:
- Police: 110
- Fire: 119
- Ambulance: 120 or 999
The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Beijing takes consular enquiries on +86-10-6532 9380. For urgent consular matters, call the duty officer on +86-1391 0755 251. Singapore also has consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xiamen.
A quick checklist before you leave
- Pick one region and plan your route in and out
- Set up mobile payment with a foreign card, and carry some cash
- Sort out data and check which of your usual apps will work
- Save key addresses in Chinese characters
- Check the season and weather for each city on your route
- Read MFA's travel advice for China
- Save the emergency numbers and the Singapore embassy contacts
Get these done and the rest is the fun part: the food, the trains and the sights.
Before you go: travel insurance for China
Before you fly, get your travel insurance through Shenton Brokers for your trip. Compare travel insurance for China to see today's prices from every insurer we compare, with the destination's travel notes and MFA's latest advice. Or get a quote for your own dates.
Buy it as soon as you book: trip cancellation pays only for events after the policy starts.