Going to China: What Singapore Travellers Need to Know

Planning a trip to China? Whether you're exploring Shanghai's bustling streets, enjoying Chengdu's famous hotpot or visiting Beijing's historical landmarks, a little preparation can go a long way.

While travelling to China has become easier for Singaporeans, there are still a few things worth sorting out before departure, particularly when it comes to mobile payments, essential apps and internet connectivity.

Here's what you need to know for a smoother trip!

1. Singaporeans can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days

Image credit: Cecelia Chang

Good news! Singapore citizens holding ordinary passports can enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days under the bilateral visa exemption agreement.

However, travellers generally still need to complete an arrival card. Since November 2025, foreign visitors have been able to submit their arrival information online before travelling through China's National Immigration Administration (NIA).

TripZilla tip: Complete your arrival card through the official NIA website before departure. It's free, and doing it early can save you time upon arrival.

2. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before your trip

China is largely cashless, with QR-code payments widely used across restaurants, shops, transport services and even smaller local businesses.

Image credit: Cecelia Chang

For Singapore travellers, Alipay and WeChat Pay are two of the most useful apps to prepare before departure. Both support eligible international bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, making mobile payments more accessible to foreign visitors. You might even be surprised to find that some restaurants no longer offer physical menus, relying instead on QR codes for ordering and payment!

Download your preferred payment app, link your bank card and complete any required verification before flying. It's also worth carrying some Chinese yuan as a backup.

3. A China mobile number can make app registration easier

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Here's something first-time visitors might overlook: Some Chinese platforms and services may require a mainland China mobile number (+86) for account registration or verification.

Rather than getting a separate Chinese SIM card, travellers on the CMLink Singapore plan can apply for a mainland Chinese virtual number through its 1-Card-Multi-Number (1CMN) service.

This allows users to register and receive verification SMS messages sent to their Chinese number through their existing CMLink Singapore number, without carrying a second SIM card.

It's particularly useful for travellers who frequently visit China and want to maintain access to their Chinese app accounts between trips.

Do note that the service costs S$5.10 per month, requires identity verification and is subject to approval. New customers must have an active CMLink Singapore line for at least one month before applying for a mainland Chinese number. App registration also depends on each platform's requirements.

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4. Download the essential apps for getting around China

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Your usual travel apps might not work quite the same way in mainland China. Fortunately, a few local alternatives can make exploring much easier.

• Amap (Gaode Maps): For directions, public transport routes and finding nearby attractions.

• DiDi: For booking rides without having to flag down a taxi.

• Alipay: For cashless payments and accessing certain transport services.

• WeChat: For messaging, payments and accessing local mini-programmes.

• Trip.com: For booking hotels, domestic flights and high-speed train tickets.

Having travelled to China several times, I’ve found that apps like DiDi are especially useful for getting around conveniently and hassle-free.

TripZilla tip: Set up your accounts before travelling, as certain services may request SMS verification or a mainland Chinese mobile number.

Get Your China Number with CMLink

5. Stay connected when travelling between mainland China and Hong Kong

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Reliable mobile data is another essential, especially when you're navigating unfamiliar cities, making payments or booking transport on the go.

If your itinerary includes both mainland China and Hong Kong, choosing a mobile plan with shared roaming data can make travelling more convenient.

CMLink Singapore's mobile plans include roaming data you can share across mainland China and Hong Kong, so you can use the same roaming allowance in both destinations without buying separate destination-specific data add-on.

Explore CMLink's SIM-Only Plans

Whether you're exploring Shenzhen before heading to Hong Kong or planning a longer multi-city adventure, having your connectivity sorted beforehand means one less thing to worry about.

Remember to activate international roaming before you leave and check your plan's available data allowance.

Ready for Your China Adventure?

Travelling to China is easier than you might think, especially with a little preparation beforehand. From setting up mobile payments and downloading essential apps to ensuring you stay connected throughout your journey, getting these basics sorted early can make all the difference. That way, you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time discovering everything China has to offer!