• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
GET OUR NEWSLETTER

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work And Business
      • Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
        • marielleHow digital marketing is changing
        • 2021Back up data and keep safe
        • Puzzle-answers-February-2021Puzzle Pages, March 2021: All the Answers!
        • Wedding BEATRICE CONTRINILove in the time of COVID
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Things to do with dogs in Singapore cute dogFun stuff do with your dogs in Singapore!
        • dog-friendly cafesDog-friendly restaurants, bars and cafés in Singapore
        • cdn.cliqueinc.com__posts__258676__june-horoscopes-2018-258676-1527175331570-image-dd084e9663a848659b54ab1d44e8913aYour Horoscopes for the Month of March!
        • The [Not-So] Convenience Store exhibition National Design CentreWhat’s on this week and beyond
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • Kids scooters mini micro scooter 3in1 Deluxe Plus MixedWhere to buy kids’ scooters & more
        • Child with special needsOccupational Therapy for a Child with Special Needs
        • ServiceSchool activities with a lot of heart
        • kidsChildren’s shops & websites for kids’ clothes, toys etc.
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • Arete Culture Black and whtieNot quite a black and white
        • 2021Back up data and keep safe
        • interior decorating cushions for bedrooms5 home décor pieces you shouldn’t overlook
        • SONYHome News: décor, furniture and more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Asia
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Rest Of World
      • News
      • Travel Offers
        • hotel dealsTravel news + Hotel deals & new launches!
        • places to visit near SingaporeBest short breaks from Singapore
        • DuxtonBest hotels for a staycation in Singapore
        • family-friendly resort family vacation boat12 great spots for a family vacation
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • dog-friendly cafesDog-friendly restaurants, bars and cafés in Singapore
        • BaristaNew Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Bars cheap drinksTop bars for cheap drinks in Singapore
        • best breakfast spots brunch cafe tiong bahru bakery diner19 of the best breakfast spots on the island!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
      • Beauty Offers
        • women's sandals in singaporeKeeping comfortable & cool!
        • looksmaxxing trend men aesthetic treatmentsMen – are you “looksmaxxing”?
        • RawbroguhtShopping in Singapore – Fashion News
        • ear piercing singaporeWhere to go to get your ears pierced
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • SParks activeHealth News: What’s up!
        • heavy periods menorrhagia treatmentHeavy periods: How your GP can help
        • comparing health insurance in Singapore doctor and coupleThree tips for comparing health insurance plans
        • COVID-19 vaccination vaccine doctor and womanFAQs about COVID-19 vaccinations
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • BOOKS
    • Close
Home » Travel » Asia » Your essential guide for travelling to China

Your essential guide for travelling to China

25th April 2019 by Expat Living 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/travel-guide-tips-china-holiday/

China is a fascinating, must-see country with something to offer every kind of traveller. Popular destinations include Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Macau, Xi’an, Sanya, Lijang and Tibet. We’ve compiled some of the basic information you need to know before you head to China, including visa arrangements, top spots to visit and some places to stay.

The basics

Population: 1.4 billion
Capital: Beijing
Religion: Chinese folk religion, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, usually practiced in combination with one another.
Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 119 (fire), 120 (medical).

China

FACT FILE

The key dates

Chinese New Year. From the first to the 15th day of the lunar New Year is a time for visiting friends and relatives. It’s the biggest migration of people in the world, so be prepared for overwhelming crowds, noise and fireworks.

Dragon Boat Festival. Try a zongzi rice dumpling while watching the dragon boat racing.

Mid-Autumn Festival. Another family reunion holiday; admire the full moon and sample mooncakes.

The hot spots

Popular destinations include Beijing, Suzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hong Kong, Macau, Xi’an, Sanya, Lijang and Tibet.

There are more than 50 World Heritage Sites, including the Great Wall, the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.

Did you know?

• Ping pong is among the most popular sports in China, but it originated from Britain as table tennis.
• On the Lotus Bridge that links mainland China and Macau, cars switch from left to right-hand drive and vice versa.
• In the district of Datang in Zhuji, also known as “sock city”, one third of the world’s socks are produced.
• The Chinese invented paper, the compass, gunpowder and printing. Toilet paper was also invented in China in the late 1300s, for the use of emperors. Fortune cookies are not a Chinese invention; they first appeared in the early 1900s, in San Francisco..

Some itinerary ideas

• The Big Three: Beijing – Shanghai – Xi’an (terracotta warriors)
• Natural Beauty: Shanghai – Hangzhou – Huangshan – Guilin
• The West: Beijing – Urumqi – Kashgar
• Sichuan & Yunnan: Chengdu – Shangri-La – Dali – Lijiang
• The South: Guangzhou – Shenzhen – Hong Kong – Macau – Sanya

How to stay healthy

• The high levels of air pollution in major urban and industrialised areas can aggravate bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions. Check pollution index levels at aqicn.info. A reading of 300 and above is considered extremely polluted, and several cities including Beijing regularly exceed this number.
• Rabies occurs throughout China, so you’re best to avoid contact with animals – even the cute ones!
• Buy bottled water, don’t drink it from the tap.

While you’re there, please don’t…

• Leave your chopsticks sticking upright in your rice bowl. Doing so is likened to a shrine with two sticks of incense stuck upright in it, and is the equivalent of wishing death upon the person at the table. Instead, lay them on your dish.

Before you go, read …

  • Country Driving by Peter Hessler – detailing the author’s several long journeys by car through rapidly changing China.
  • Soul Mountain by Gao Xingjian – Nobel prize-winner’s fictionalised memoir about a journey along the Yangzi River.

Before you go, watch …

  • Raise the Red Lantern – this bold and colourful drama by director Zhang Yimou (the man behind the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics) is set in the 1920s and tells the story of a concubine to a wealthy warlord.
  • Skyfall – for a view of Shanghai and Macau through James Bond’s eyes.

They said it

“Let her (China) sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte.

“Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day. Teach him how to fish and he’ll eat forever.” – Chinese proverb

KEY QUESTIONS

China

Do I need a visa?

All visitors to China need a visa with the exception of citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan. (This is if they are not intending to stay for more than 15 days.) For further information, visit visaforchina. org/SGP_EN/

How long will it take me to get there?

Between 4 and 7 hours from Singapore. There’s no time difference between China and Singapore, but Xinjiang and Tibet in the country’s far west use an unofficial time that is 2 hours behind Singapore.

What’s the money situation?

The official currency in China is the renminbi (RMB); the basic unit of this currency is the yuan. Credit card use is largely limited to high-end hotels, restaurants and shops so your best bet is to carry cash. You’ll find ATMs in most major towns throughout the country.

 When’s the best time to visit?

Weather varies enormously depending on the location, but in general the middle of spring and autumn are pleasant times to go. We don’t recommend you travel during the “Golden Week” holiday at the beginning of October, since half the country will be lining up to get trains and buses too! It can be bitterly cold between December and February, especially in the north, where temperatures get down to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Hong Kong’s best weather is generally from March to May and November to December.

What’s the lingo?

The official language of China is Mandarin. Cantonese is the other main language, serving as the predominant language of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong Province. Here are some phrases to get you started:

Hello – Ni hao
What is your name? – Ni jiào shénme míngzi?
My name is __ – Wo jiào __
How much? Duoshao?
Thank you – Xiè xie
Yes – Shì de
No, thank you – Búyào xièxie

Is there anything I should know about meeting the locals?

A handshake is the formal way of greeting people in China, but it tends to be a less firm shake than you may experience in many Western countries.

What’s a must-try dish?

Peking duck – roasted duck meat and strips of crispy duck skin topped with scallions and a sweet sauce and wrapped in thin pancakes.

What should I buy as a souvenir?

Porcelain from Jingdezhen, green tea, calligraphy scrolls, ornate chopsticks.

WHERE TO STAY

China

  • The Brickyard is a lodge and spa about 10 minutes from Mutianyu. Rooms have a modern rustic feel and feature a glass wall and outdoor terrace with spectacular views of the Wall. brickyardatmutianyu.com
  • William Lindesay is a British Great Wall researcher whose company, Wild Wall, organises excursions to remote sections of the wall, including accommodation in a farmhouse, to longer “extreme” hiking and camping adventures. wildwall.com
  •  The School House is a sustainable tourism enterprise that provides employment for locals. It comprises eight restored village houses used as comfortable visitor accommodation, including Grandma’s House, with two bedrooms and enclosed garden – perfect for a family. theschoolhouseatmutianyu.com


Read more in our Travel section!

Beijing versus Shanghai
How to visit the Great Wall of China

This article first appeared in the Travel Guide 2017 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!

Categories: Asia Travel Tags: Asia Asia Travel Beijing China Hong Kong Shanghai

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

The Fullerton Hotel kids room tent

4 fun family staycays – with deals!

Covid-19 travel woman mask airport

COVID-19 travel: What to expect

A family staycation at MBS!

Primary Sidebar

Expat Living Singapore 🇸🇬

expatlivingsg

Open
Launched in late 2019, Ollie, a locally female owned brand of eco-conscious essential oils, have launched a diverse range of new products to meet the growing needs of their customers.

The brand launched right before the pandemic and was well-received by its fast growing customer base. 

Since the launch they have added some beautiful products to their 100% pure essential oil range. 

Their signature product range consisting of a natural Yoga Mat Sanitiser, Hand Sanitiser and Mosquito Repellent Spray has a new addition; an aromatherapeutic Room Mist which is a blend of floral, minty essential oils and has anti-bacterial and fungal fighting properties. Essential oils of Lavender, Geranium, Peppermint, Eucalyptus are used as main ingredients to create a calming and refreshing experience for the user. This portable Room Mist is safe to be used in cars, on linens and even directly on skin.

Rithika Gupta, Founder, Ollie said, “With consumers increasingly adopting 
environment-friendly ways of life, there is a visible shift towards healthier and organic alternatives. Ollie is our way of helping consumers harness the power of essential oils while supporting their eco-conscious lifestyles. Our signature products are meant to help them use natural products that fulfill their daily needs without the hassle of creating DIY essential oil blends from scratch. The brand is committed to sustainable practices and sources directly from local farmers and eco-friendly distillers. To ensure a green supply chain, they oversee the production at every critical stage and use sustainable packaging for their products.
Open
Alcohol in Singapore is expensive, as you probably know… so we’ve have tracked down some great bars that will help you get more drinks for your dollar! 

Check out the awesome guide (link on our stories) for the best bars and restaurants across the island that offer cheap drinks or great happy hour deals. Go forth and be merry! And, for a date night with a view, check out our round-ups of rooftop bars and other cool bars around town all on our website!

Note: These promotions are subject to changes. Please visit the bar’s social media page or drop them a call to confirm the deals
Open
*** March Giveaway** Is your home ready for a refresh, but you aren’t sure where to begin? 

This could be your lucky day! Known for its luxurious and eclectic style, The Cinnamon Room offers an extensive collection of artisan-crafted home décor that’s bound to add a touch of flair to your space. The store’s popular signature hide rug collection is handmade using high-grade, ethically-sourced hides. They’re as durable as they are stylish – red wine and coffee stains simply wipe away, making these low-pile beauties an effortless solution for any area of the home.

This month, we’ll be selecting one special reader to enjoy a 90-minute home consultation with The Cinnamon Room’s founder and designer Visha Nelson. What’s more, you’ll also receive a $900 voucher to use towards a rug of your choice!

To stand a chance to win, all you need to do is follow us on Instagram (@expatlivingsg) and @thecinnamonroom and click below to enter or check out our stories for the link! expatliving.sg/wccr/

The competition closes on 31 March, so hurry and enter now!

#homedecor #rugs #beautifuldesign #singapore #awardwinning #expatlivingsg #thecinnamonroom #hollandvillageshowroom
Open
Check out what's inside our March issue! To get a copy delivered to you, visit 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

In this issue, we feature our best finds to make your bedroom look and feel great. Check out two renovated homes, get an insider’s view of Siglap, and discover useful tips and trends on the property rental market. There's plenty more too, including delicious Mexican food, top quality meat, cool fashion, fab facials and fragrances to try. 

🎁 Plus, there's a bonus mini guide on Preschools!
Open
We think home-grown label Love, Bonito’s fourth loungewear collection is super cute! 

Whether you’re in bed, at home lounging, or out and about, find comfort in effortless pieces of super-soft separates and one-pieces.

Get the complete package with matching accessories - plush slippers as the latest addition - and twinning pieces for your 
mini-mes.

Love, Bonito Loungewear is priced between S$9.90 to S$41.90 and available from lovebonito.com and in-stores island wide
Open
Photographs are some of our most prized possessions so we wanted you to meet Tekkie Help experts Sarah and Bo who are passionate about helping people keep photos (and data) safe. 

They feel that organising, managing and protecting our digital photos should be a top priority. Their number one piece of advice...create a centralised location where photos are stored in full-size resolution. 

Click on our stories for a handy guide to creating a Digital Photo Hub of your own 📷
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Are you looking to revitalise your skin? 🤔
Well, today is your lucky day! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
We have TWO Visible-repair Replenishing Eye Cream and Galvanic Intensifier sets from @flesette to give away!

Bring the spa to your home with this great bundle, which consists of two tubes of eye cream and the reusable Intensifier, which attaches to the eye cream and gently vibrates and massages the thin, sensitive skin around the eyes, improving absorption and helping to turn back the clock! 

Use it to combat any or all of the below:

PREMATURE AGEING ⏳
 
DULL SKIN 😑
 
FINE LINES + WRINKLES 👵🏻

EYE BAGS + DARK CIRCLES 🐼

How to join? 
1. Follow @expatliving and @flesette 
2. Tag a friend who you want to give the other set to 
3. Go to expatliving.sg/VRRECGIS and enter your details 

Giveaway ends 4 March. Good luck! 
 
*
*
*
*
*
#expatlivingsg 
#youthfulskin 
#Flesette 
#singapore 
#expatlife 
#fridaygiveaway 
#beautifulskin
Open
No doubt you’ve been out walking around Singapore more than usual lately and maybe you’ve noticed more plants than you do when zipping by in a car, but what are they exactly? 

There are so many different types of flowers, trees and other plants in Singapore – some are native, but heaps have been imported over the years. 

Take a look on our stories for a handful of pretty pics and a cool website link from NParks to satisfy your curiosity.

Here are some interesting facts about plant numbers in Singapore...

• 4712 flora species
• 88 tree families
• 1,689 tree species
• 259 heritage trees

🌸 🌳 🪴
Open
Order your copy of the March issue here 👉 expatliving.sg/mag/ig

Inside, we feature our best finds to make your bedroom look and feel great. Check out two renovated homes, get an insider’s view of Siglap, and discover useful tips and trends on the property rental market and plenty more, including delicious Mexican food, top quality meat, cool fashion, fab facials and fragrances to try. 

📕 Plus, there's a bonus mini guide on Preschools!
Open
Now facelifts can be non-surgical and non-invasive which we love.

This facelift in Singapore uses painless High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

How it works.....
HIFU uses ultrasound technology to reach three different depths of the skin, in order to deliver focused beams of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius without disrupting the skin surface. These beams will melt the fats in the face, while tightening the skin and boosting collagen production; this allows your skin to continually lift and tone after the treatment. 

We thought this was super cool so we tried it out. Read the full review on our stories
Open
If you’ve just arrived (or been here a while) and wondering where to buy furniture in Singapore, we’ve pulled together this huge list of the best furniture shops on the red dot for you to start on! 

This comprehensive guide to Singapore furniture stores covers all areas, budgets and decorating tastes. 

There’s furniture shops for Asian, contemporary, chic, recycled and vintage furniture. So, whether you’re after a good sofa, antique lamp, modern dining table or a cute kid’s bed, grab a coffee and get scrolling via the link on our stories
Open
** Friday Giveaway**

Win a fabulous Glam Makeover & a 1 to 1 Makeup Workshop worth $350! 

How to join? 🤔

👉🏻Follow @expatlivingag and @falakamaar 
👉🏻tag the person who you want to win- it can also be you! 
It’s that easy! 

Falak Amaar is a Singapore based MUA trained and certified by celebrity Makeup artists (for Kim Kardashian, Ariana Grande to name a few) Mario Dedivanovic and Samer Khouzami (aka the king of contouring)

She loves to share the techniques she has learnt from the Makeup Maestros in 1 to 1 as well as group makeup workshops and uses them to create the most natural to the most transformative looks.

She regularly posts videos for simple makeup tips and tricks on her Instagram & Facebook Page along with the stunning makeup looks she creates for her clients.
*
*
*
*
*
#makeup
#Falakaar 
#expatlivingsg
#singapore 
#expats
#beautifulmakeup 
#makeupartistsg
Open
In Singapore, the year-round summer weather means you can’t do without swimwear, and you’ll need a few. It’s a hard life! 

Whether you are wondering where to buy a bikini or a full swimsuit, or even something more sporty for swimming laps there’s a good range of shopping options. 

The round up (link on our stories) includes the best online and physical stores to buy swimwear for women of all shapes and sizes 👙
Open
After four years in Kampong Bahru, local eyelash extensions studio The Lash Company has shifted to a bigger and brighter space in Holland Village! We visited the new salon to review their eyelash extensions service.

Read the reviews on our stories
Open
Looking for a house in Singapore? 

We asked the Expat Team at real estate company Knight Frank to give us some insider tips for a home search and to reflect on some of the property trends arising from the COVID-19 situation. 

What’s the current situation if you want to lease an apartment, and how difficult is it to find a house to rent now. 

Read the full story on our stories now
Open
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Expat Living Team ❤️

All we really need is love, but if you do fancy something else then we have fun trivia, gift ideas and some lovely dining options on our stories
Open
🏮 Gong Xi Fa Cai to all our friends celebrating Chinese New Year!
Open
What would make a doctor like DR MENKA GUPTA transform herself into a functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist in Singapore? 

Her lifelong passion for healing is the answer – and she hasn’t looked back. Born and raised in Lucknow, India, she knew from the age of three that she wanted to be a doctor. After years of working as a specialist in the fields of gastroenterology, general medicine and gynaecology in leading hospitals in the UK, India and Singapore, she joined the Institute for Functional Medicine in 2012, and established Nutra Nourish here five years ago. 

Dr Menka is the the only IFM certified practitioner (IFMCP) in South Asia (there are less than 1,000 globally) 

Read the full article in our stories
Open
Noticed all the lanterns and bright lights across Chinatown? 

Yep, it’s that time of the year again! Chinese New Year is in full force in Singapore, so we’ve listed some great events and handy tips for you to experience a truly authentic, fun and prosperous start to the Year of the Ox 🐂 🍊 🧧 

Check out our guide (link on stories) of what to do (and also what not to do!)
Open
Striking a stylish downward dog in yoga or a perfect squat when working out needn’t only be about flexibility. 

Now there’s a selection of trendy and stylish active wear to inspire us at the same time! 

Yumi Active offers a range of uber-sleek, re-imagined performance gear. With active wear with gorgeous designs, bold prints and ethnic motifs, the brand is certainly getting us motivated with the right kit to get fit

Check them out on our stories
  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2021 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.