While most Singaporeans would have set foot in China, many may have yet to venture beyond the main cities, Shanghai and Beijing. We’re here to tell you all about the other spots worth visiting – cities in China with direct flights from Singapore.
Set your sights on the likes of Xi’An, Shenzhen, and Nanjing where travellers get to enjoy an array of experiences. From gorgeous natural landscapes and historic archaeological sites to unbelievable giant shopping malls and skyscrapers, China offers a nice blend of old and new. Plus, most of these cities are just a 4 to 6-hour plane ride away.
Image credit: @globetrotterj via Instagram
This coastal city has spring-like weather all year round, making it one of the best cities in China to visit at any time of year. Xiamen boasts a number of UNESCO World Heritage sites such as the Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster which is said to have inspired the ending scene in Mulan.
Foodies will want to make a beeline for Zhongshan Road Walking Street for popular Fujian snacks and desserts such as Bapopo herbal jelly and Huang Zehe peanut soup.
Gulangyu Island is another cultural heritage site with ancient relics and panoramic views of the sea. Speaking of which, Huangcuo Beach is where you want to be during sunset hour.
Other sites worth visiting include Xiamen University campus which has a gorgeous lake, Nanputuo Temple which has a thousand-year history, and the Riyuegu Hot Spring Resort.
Getting here: 4-hour flight via Singapore Airlines or XiamenAir
As the capital of the Sichuan province, Chengdu is a pretty popular travel destination even for Chinese locals who flock there mainly to see pandas. Yup, this city is the hometown of these cute bears and you’ll get to see plenty of them at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
If you are heading to the city during winter, consider engaging in the fun activities that the Xiling Snow Mountain Ski Resort has to offer. Choose between skiing, snowmobiles, sledging, or sitting in a cable car to soak in views of the snow-capped mountains.
Stroll down Jinli Street to admire traditional Chinese architecture from the Qin Dynasty and ancient tea houses. This is also where one would find handicrafts and paintings to bring back as souvenirs or to decorate your home. If you’re lucky, you just might witness a hand puppet show or a craftsman making clay figurines. Don’t miss the local street snacks either.
For the most Insta-worthy spot, put Anshun Bridge on your itinerary. It is said to have impressed even Marco Polo during his travels to China. Here’s a tip: go at night when the pretty lights turn on and the area gets more lively with bars hosting live music.
Getting here: 4.5-hour flight via Air China, Sichuan Airlines or Singapore Airlines
Image credit: @terracottawarriorsmuseum via Instagram
This one’s for the history buffs. Witness China’s ancient civilisation in Xi’An – home to the famed Terracotta Army and a city that lies on the Silk Road. Get to learn more about the archaeological discovery of these sculptures that were buried with an emperor over 2,200 years ago.
You’ll be surprised by how many ancient relics and structures have been preserved in Xi’An from the olden days. Another attraction not to be missed is the Ancient City Wall surrounding the old town. A fun way to see the entire wall is to rent a bike and cycle around. Nearby, you’ll find the famous Drum Tower and Muslim Quarter – a unique blend of Chinese and Muslim culture.
Another thing Xi’An is known for is its cuisine, specifically for hand-pulled noodles known as biang biang noodles. While numerous establishments serve this dish, locals swear by the street food stalls to get their share. Don’t miss out on the sweet and sour dumplings and pork buns either.
Getting here: 6-hour flight via China Eastern
Shopaholics may want to plan a trip to Shenzhen; the city is known for its malls selling an array of items such as tailored custom clothing and faux designer bags. Most prominently, Luohu Commercial City is the go-to shopping haven for great deals and all sorts of items including tech gadgets and toys. Fair warning though, the huge mall is like a maze with endless boutiques and shops, so give yourself enough time to wander around.
Another thing this city is known for is its many theme parks. Families with kids in tow will want to pop by Happy Valley Shenzhen amusement park. Apart from the usual roller coasters and rides like carousels, there’s also a water park to splash around in.
There’s also Shenzhen Safari Park where animals roam freely and visitors go around in caged buses to experience close encounters with wild animals. For something a little more historical and cultural, head to Splendid China Folk Park featuring miniature reproductions of the country’s iconic landmarks.
Getting here: 4.5-hour flight via Singapore Airlines or China Southern
Probably best known for producing the Longjing variation of green tea, Hangzhou isn’t too far from Shanghai. Despite its proximity, Hangzhou’s natural beauty is a lovely respite from its neighbouring bustling city. Upon searching the city online, you’ll notice the most famous visual is the Jixian Pavilion found along the Xi Lake, AKA West Lake. Time your visit during golden hour and you’ll have a postcard-perfect holiday snapshot.
When in Hangzhou, you’ll want to set aside time to explore the countryside. We’re talking about the vast tea plantations, hiking through Yunxi Bamboo Forest, and riding a boat through Wuzhen water town.
Of course, if things are getting too slow, you can opt to seek some thrills at OMG Heartbeat Paradise – a giant park in the mountains with a luge ride, glass boardwalk, and caves. Or pretend you’re in Europe at Tianducheng where there’s an Eiffel Tower replica.
Getting here: 5-hour flight via Xiamen Air or Scoot
Image credit: @jsuisting via Instagram
At a glance, you might mistake the Usnisa Palace for Esplanade Singapore but trust us, it’s something quite different and magnificent. This monument in Niushoushan is said to hold relics of Buddha and is located in the city of Nanjing, a port town along the Yangtze River.
The city does have a well-documented tragic episode referred to as the Nanjing Massacre when the Japanese invaded. Learn more about what happened at the Nanjing Museum and Memorial Hall.
Image adapted from: @cha_amme, @a.s.avchinnik via Instagram
Nanjing is also where you’ll find a really popular tourist destination – Zhongshan Mountain National Park, sometimes referred to as Purple Mountain. The name comes from clouds with purple hues that are often sighted at the mountain peak.
We recommend taking a ticket package here to see multiple historic sites including Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Linggu Temple, and Liu Hui Pavilion. The package also includes scenic train rides to help you get around to the different sites.
Getting here: 5-hour flight via Scoot
Here’s a fun fact for you: in terms of population size, Chongqing has surpassed both Shanghai and Beijing. It is also one of the biggest cities in the world, being almost 100 times the size of NYC. That means that there’s so much to explore here. For starters, book a relaxing cruise down the Yangtze River where you’ll pass by the famous Three Gorges mountain range.
Also, add Hongya Cave to your list of spots to visit. This huge stilt house complex will remind you of Mother Tang’s bathing house in Spirited Away. It’s been built on a waterfront cliff along the river, making it the perfect spot to enjoy night views of the Yangtze River Bridge. Once serving as a military fortress, the place now houses many restaurants serving a smorgasbord of Sichuan dishes.
If you’re missing home, Raffles City Chongqing will seem like a familiar sight considering it resembles MBS quite a fair bit. It’s definitely worth a visit; here you can walk the tallest sky bridge in the world, shop till you drop in the 5-storey mall, and grab a drink at the open-air bar perched on the 47th floor.
Getting here: 5-hour flight via Singapore Airlines, Air China or Chongqing Airlines
Now that we’ve convinced you to book a holiday to China, it’s time to share more lobangs to help you save on your trip. It’s no secret that the best flight, hotel, and attraction deals can usually be found by comparing prices on sites like Agoda, Trip.com, Expedia, and Klook. But for even further discounts, read on.
Image adapted from: DBS PayLah!
Open up DBS PayLah! (App Store | Google Play) on your smartphone, click on the “Deals” icon, and there you have it – thousands of deals for travelling, dining, and shopping. These include:
Flights
Accommodations
Tours & activities
Image adapted from: DBS PayLah!
Furthermore, with the DBS Altitude Card, you’ll get to unlock more Miles for Life! From now till 31st December 2024, the first 10,000 to register each month on DBS PayLah! will earn up to 5 miles per S$1 on foreign spend with a minimum spend of S$1,000 per month. The best part is that the miles are awarded in the form of DBS Points earned that do not expire, so you can redeem them for future trips!
Now, if you’d rather save on foreign exchange fees, consider the DBS Visa Debit Card which offers zero exchange fees on 11 currencies. That’s not all; you get 5% cashback on all foreign currency spending including online purchases.
With your itinerary and direct flight information sorted, all that’s left to do is to start making reservations at your desired accommodation and securing tickets for all the things you want to do. Then, you’re well on your way to having an unforgettable holiday in China.
*T&Cs apply.
This post was brought to you by DBS.
Cover image adapted from: @nastya_zlenko, @terracottawarriorsmuseum & @momijys via Instagram
You can't deny the recent surge in popularity of China as a travel destination.
Christmas gift ideas 2024 Mariah Carey’s voice is everywhere, which can mean only one thing…
Here are all the best things to do this weekend in Singapore.
Perfect for manifesting some huat before you buy 4D.
Scaling mountains can be daunting if you're new, but this hiking guide for beginners has…
Sail to the likes of KL, Melaka, and Phuket. Or just embark on a weekend…