- Ideal trip length
- 6 to 10 nights
- Best time to go
- April to May; October to November
- Time zone
- GMT+8 (China Standard Time)
- Currency
- Chinese yuan renminbi (CNY)
Entry update31 December 2026
The 30-day visa-free entry for the UK, Australia and about 48 other countries runs until 31 December 2026, with no extension announced when I checked. Singapore's mutual visa exemption is a separate agreement and is not affected. US travellers need a visa, or can use the 240-hour visa-free transit with an onward ticket to a third country.
About China
China rewards travellers who arrive curious and well prepared. Shanghai is the natural first stop: polished, international and easy, with the Bund's historic skyline facing the towers of Pudong. The former French Concession is lovely on foot, with plane trees, cafés and art deco villas. The hotel scene is among Asia's strongest, and dining ranges from soup dumplings to serious tasting menus.
From Shanghai, high-speed trains reach Hangzhou's West Lake in about an hour and Beijing in roughly four and a half hours. Beijing brings the Forbidden City, hutong lanes and quieter stretches of the Great Wall. Practical preparation matters more here than elsewhere in Asia. I help my clients set up payments, apps and connectivity before departure, so the trip runs smoothly from day one.
When to go
April, May, October and November bring mild, clear days, so I mark them as best. I avoid the national holidays in early May and early October, and Chinese New Year, when travel is very busy. Summers are hot and humid, with plum rains in June.
Places to go
Shanghai
Art deco Bund, leafy former French Concession lanes and some of Asia's strongest luxury hotels.
See hotelsBeijing
Forbidden City, hutong lanes and the Great Wall, about four and a half hours from Shanghai by train.
Ask me about hotels hereHangzhou
West Lake, tea villages and serene resort hotels, about an hour from Shanghai by train.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in China
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
Before you go
Arriving
Getting there
Shanghai Pudong handles most long-haul flights. Hongqiao, closer to the centre, serves domestic and some regional routes, and sits beside the main high-speed rail station.
Getting around
High-speed trains are fast and punctual, and you book them with your passport. In cities, the metro is excellent and Didi ride-hailing works in English.
Visa and entry
Singapore passports get 30 days visa-free, as do UK and Australian until 31 December 2026; US travellers need a visa or 240-hour onward transit. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
China runs on mobile payments. Link an international card to Alipay or WeChat Pay before you go, and carry some cash as a backup.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in mainland China. Luxury hotels add a service charge, and a small tip for an excellent private guide is appreciated.
Local customs
Carry your passport, as hotels, trains and many sights ask for it. Some, including the Forbidden City, need advance booking with your passport number.
On the ground
Language
Mandarin. English is limited outside top hotels, and Google is blocked, so arrange roaming or an eSIM and a working translation app.
Plugs and power
Types A and I, flat two-pin and angled three-pin. Many hotel sockets also accept round two-pin plugs.
Safety
Violent crime against visitors is rare, and cities feel very safe. Watch for tea-house and art-student scams in tourist areas.
China: quick answers
When is the best time to visit China?
April to May; October to November. April, May, October and November bring mild, clear days, so I mark them as best. I avoid the national holidays in early May and early October, and Chinese New Year, when travel is very busy. Summers are hot and humid, with plum rains in June.
How long should I spend in China?
6 to 10 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in China?
My picks are The Peninsula Shanghai and Bulgari Hotel Shanghai. Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for China?
Singapore passports get 30 days visa-free, as do UK and Australian until 31 December 2026; US travellers need a visa or 240-hour onward transit. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
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ExploreI start China with Shanghai, add Beijing or Hangzhou by fast train, and sort payments and connectivity with my clients before they fly.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.