Something big is happening. China has quietly become the go-to destination for Singaporeans looking to make the most of the June school holiday. China surpassed Japan as the number one outbound destination for Singaporeans in June 2025, with a striking 58% growth in visitor numbers. If you have been toying with the idea of travelling to China, this June holidays might just be the perfect time to take the plunge.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the best cities to visit, how to get there, what to expect on the ground, and how to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, which means having travel insurance sorted before you board.
Why China is having its moment
Let’s start with the basics. China is enormous, endlessly varied, and, for Singaporeans especially, surprisingly accessible. Here is why it is capturing everyone’s attention right now:- No visa required – Singapore passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to China, which removes one of the biggest friction points of international travel.
- Excellent value for money – Your SGD goes far in China. Meals, transport, and accommodation are all significantly cheaper than comparable options back home.
- Well-connected flights – Direct routes from Singapore serve Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing, and more.
- A world-class high-speed rail network – Once you land, traveling between cities is fast and remarkably comfortable.
- Cultural depth that genuinely surprises – Beyond the familiar flavours of Singapore’s Chinatown, China offers an entirely different scale of food, history, and experience.
Singaporeans are also travelling to China specifically to seek out the originals: the flagship stores, the regional menu items, and the experiences that the Singapore outposts simply cannot replicate. Think Pop Mart’s sprawling concept stores, Chagee’s full tea bar experience, or Hai Di Lao’s regional hotpot variations you won’t find on our shores. Part cultural exploration, part shopping mission, part food adventure.
With all of that on offer, it makes sense to travel with a financial life jacket, particularly when you are navigating a multi-city itinerary with more moving parts than a single-destination trip.
Top China cities Singaporeans are visiting
China is vast, so where should you actually go? According to YouTrip’s June Holiday Travel Trends in 2025, here are the five cities drawing the most Singaporean visitors, along with what makes each one worth the trip.| City | Why Go |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | A cosmopolitan mix of sleek skyscrapers, art deco heritage, Michelin-starred dining, and world-class shopping. |
| Shenzhen | Tech-forward, shopping-centric, and just a short train ride from Hong Kong. A great option for a weekend getaway. |
| Beijing | The Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Peking duck: this is bucket-list China at its most iconic. |
| Guangzhou | A food lover’s paradise where dim sum culture runs deepest, and the proximity to Shenzhen makes it an easy add-on. |
| Chengdu | Giant pandas, bold Sichuan flavours, and a wonderfully unhurried teahouse culture. An increasingly popular pick for families. |
Getting there is easier than you think
One of the biggest things putting people off travelling to China is the assumption that it is complicated to navigate. It really is not, at least not the way it used to be. Here is a quick overview:- China’s high-speed rail network is genuinely impressive. It is clean, punctual, and covers thousands of kilometres, making multi-city travel feel effortless.
- DiDi and city metros make getting around within cities cheap and stress-free.
What to expect on the ground
- Accommodation – Accommodation in China ranges from clean and well-run budget guesthouses to full five-star international hotels, all at prices noticeably lower than in Singapore. You get considerably more for your money.
- Food – Food is one of the highlights of any China trip, and rightly so. That said, Singaporeans familiar with local Chinese cuisine can sometimes be caught off guard by just how different the regional flavours are.
- Sichuan mala is genuinely fiery, not Singapore-adapted fiery. Cantonese offal dishes are rich and unfamiliar if you have not grown up with them. Rich cooking oils and unfamiliar ingredients can occasionally cause stomach upsets, particularly in the first few days. It is best to pack antacids, anti-diarrhoea tablets, and rehydration sachets as a precaution.
- Shopping – Shopping is a major draw. Budget accordingly, keep your receipts for tax refunds where applicable, and enjoy.
- Weather – Weather in June varies by region. Southern cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen are hot and humid. Shanghai is warm. Beijing and Chengdu tend to be drier and slightly milder. Pack light, breathable layers and a compact rain jacket wherever you go.
- Accessibility – Families and elderly travellers will find the major cities well set up with good infrastructure, accessible transport, and plenty of family-friendly options. A bit of advance planning around accessibility and pacing goes a long way.
The honest bit: What could go wrong
China is a wonderful destination, but it pays to go in with eyes open. Here are the things most likely to catch Singaporean travellers off guard and how to prepare for them.- Flight delays and disruptions are a real risk in June. China’s summer monsoon season brings thunderstorms, fog, and heavy rainfall that regularly affect air travel across major hubs including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Beijing. Multiple mass disruption events were recorded across China’s busiest airports in May 2026 alone. Building buffer days into your itinerary is good advice, not just cautious pessimism.
- Baggage loss is a heightened risk on multi-city itineraries.A typical Singaporean trip might go: Singapore → Shanghai → high-speed rail to Hangzhou → fly to Chengdu → back to Singapore. Each transit point is another opportunity for checked luggage to be misrouted or delayed. Arriving in Chengdu without your bag is exactly the scenario travel insurance’s baggage coverage exists for.
- Stomach upsets are common. Trying new foods is part of the travel experience, but stomach-related illnesses are a common reason travellers seek medical care abroad. Without travel insurance, even a simple visit to a clinic can result in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
- Missed connections are another risk. A cancelled domestic flight can cascade into missing your international flight home. Travel insurance that covers trip disruption means you are not scrambling for solutions alone and out of pocket. The practical takeaway: multi-city China itineraries are incredible experiences, but they have more moving parts than a simple beach holiday. China Taiping Singapore’s Travel Safe covers medical emergencies, trip disruptions, and baggage loss, which is a sensible addition to any complex itinerary.
Tips for a stress-free China holiday
- Book early – Demand is high during Singapore school holidays, and prices climb accordingly.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before departure – Link your DBS, OCBC, or other major Singapore bank card. This will be your most-used tool in China.
- Download offline resources before you leave – Google Maps (or Amap), Google Translate with offline language packs, and your full itinerary saved locally.
- Keep copies of important documents – Digital and physical: your passport, travel insurance policy details, and emergency contacts.
- Register your trip with the MFA’s eRegister – It is free, takes five minutes, and means the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can reach you in an emergency.
- Purchase travel insurance before you travel – Ensure your policy provides coverage for medical emergencies, trip disruptions, and other unexpected situations while you’re overseas.
- Know your insurance assistance line – China Taiping Singapore’s 24-hour emergency assistance line is available while you are overseas.
- Build in buffer time – This is especially around domestic flight connections during the June monsoon season.
- Pack a basic medical kit – Anti-diarrhoea tablets, antacids, and rehydration sachets. You will thank yourself for it.
Conclusion
China is deserving of the attention it is getting from Singaporean travellers. The cities are dynamic, the food is extraordinary, the transport is world-class, and your dollar goes remarkably far. With a bit of preparation, it is one of the most rewarding trips you can take from Singapore.
Planning a trip this June? Speak to your China Taiping insurance advisor or Buy Online to unlock special offers for China destinations or enjoy up to 50% off Travel Safe premiums for other destinations. Find the Travel Insurance plan that offers the best value for your travel needs, so you can focus on making the most of your journey from the moment you set off.
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