Best Hacks for Travelling in China - Shanghai & Hangzhou

Okay, I just came back from Shanghai and Hangzhou a few months ago, and I HAVE to share what I learned. China travel in 2024/2025 is a whole different ball game compared to even a few years ago. Some things are way easier now (visa-free for Singaporeans!), but other things still catch tourists off guard.

Let me give you the real talk on how to travel these two cities without wasting money or looking like a blur sotong.

🛫 Before You Go — Prep is Everything

Trust me, China is not a place where you can just wing it. Do your prep or you'll regret it.

Visa Requirements — GOOD NEWS!

• Singapore passport holders: 30-day visa-free entry (finally, as of 2024!)

• Other nationalities: Still need tourist visa (L visa), apply in advance

• Documents to bring: Passport valid for 6+ months, return flight booking, hotel reservations

No more visa stress for us Singaporeans. Just book and go!

Must-Have Apps (Download BEFORE You Board the Plane!)

This is damn important. Download these apps while you still have normal internet:

App	Purpose	Why Essential
WeChat	Payments, messaging, mini-programs	Cannot survive without it, seriously
Alipay	Payments, transport, services	Backup payment option
Amap (高德地图)	Navigation	Google Maps doesn't work properly there
Didi	Ride-hailing	Chinese Grab
12306	Train tickets	Official railway booking
Trip.com	Hotels, flights, trains	English-friendly, very useful

Pro tip: Get familiar with these apps before you go. Nothing worse than standing at a train station trying to figure out how to book tickets while everyone's staring at you.

Setting Up Mobile Payments — THIS IS CRITICAL!

Let me be real with you — China is basically 100% cashless now. Even the auntie selling pancakes on the street uses QR code. No WeChat/Alipay = GG.

1. WeChat Pay: Link your international credit card in WeChat > Me > Services > Wallet

2. Alipay: Register with passport, link international card via Tour Pass

3. Good news: Both apps now support international cards for tourists (they fixed this in 2024!)

4. Backup: Still bring some RMB cash for emergencies — maybe ¥500-1000

I literally saw tourists at Starbucks panicking because they couldn't pay. Don't be that person lah.

🏙️ Shanghai Hacks

Getting Around

Metro System (Best Value — Seriously Just Use This)

• Cost: ¥3-9 per ride depending on distance

• Hack: Get the Shanghai Metro mini-program in Alipay — no need to buy physical card!

• Hours: 5:30 AM - 10:30 PM (varies by line)

• Best lines for tourists: Line 1, 2, 10 (covers most attractions)

The metro is clean, efficient, and cheap. Reminds me of our MRT, just bigger and more crowded.

Taxi & Didi Tips

• Always use Didi app — safer and shows fare estimate upfront

• Screenshot your destination in Chinese characters (drivers don't speak English)

• Peak hours: Expect 30-50% surge pricing

• Hack: Didi's "Express" option is cheapest, "Premier" if you want nicer car

Must-Visit Attractions

Attraction	Cost	Best Time	My Hack
The Bund	Free	Evening (7-9 PM)	Go on weekdays — weekend crowds are insane
Yu Garden	¥40	Morning (8-10 AM)	Skip weekends, trust me
Shanghai Tower	¥180	Clear day only	Book online for ¥20 discount
Nanjing Road	Free	Anytime	Walk from The Bund for full experience
French Concession	Free	Afternoon	Rent a bike — way better than walking
Tianzifang	Free	Weekday afternoon	Less crowded, easier to bargain

The Bund at night is honestly magical. That skyline view is free and absolutely worth it.

Food Hacks

Street Food You MUST Try:

• Xiaolongbao (小笼包): ¥15-30 for 8 pieces — try Jia Jia Tang Bao. So good, I went twice!

• Shengjianbao (生煎包): Pan-fried dumplings — Yang's Fried Dumplings is the OG

• Cong You Bing (葱油饼): Scallion pancakes — ¥5-8 from street vendors, damn shiok

The xiaolongbao in Shanghai is on another level compared to Singapore. Just saying.

Budget Eating Tips:

• Avoid restaurants in tourist areas — walk 2-3 blocks and save 50%

• Look for restaurants with picture menus or use WeChat translate

• Local KFC/McDonald's have China-exclusive items worth trying (spicy chicken burger was 👌)

• Hack: Use Dianping (大众点评) — it's like Chinese Burpple/Yelp

Money-Saving Shanghai Tips

1. Skip the Maglev — Metro to Pudong Airport is ¥7 vs Maglev ¥50 (unless you really want the experience lah)

2. Free Bund views — Don't pay for observation decks when the waterfront is free

3. Lujiazui ferry — Take the ¥2 ferry across for iconic skyline photos

4. Water from convenience stores — ¥2 vs ¥15 at tourist spots (bring your own bottle!)

🏯 Hangzhou Hacks

Getting from Shanghai to Hangzhou

Option	Duration	Cost	Booking
High-speed train	45-60 min	¥73-93	12306 app or Trip.com
Regular train	2 hours	¥48	12306 app
Bus	2.5-3 hours	¥60-80	Bus station
Didi/Car	2-2.5 hours	¥400-500	Didi app

IMPORTANT: Book train tickets 2-3 days in advance — same-day tickets often sell out! I learned this the hard way and had to wait 3 hours for the next available train. Sian.

Navigating Hangzhou

Public Transport

• Metro: ¥2-8 per trip, use Alipay mini-program

• Public bikes: Free first hour, ¥1/hour after — stations everywhere

• Hack: Rent shared bikes (Hellobike, Mobike) via Alipay — ¥1.5 per 30 min

Hangzhou is very bike-friendly. I cycled around West Lake and it was honestly one of the highlights of my trip.

West Lake Tips

• Cost: Free entry to the lake area (yes, FREE!)

• Best time: Sunrise (5-6 AM) for photos without crowds

• Boat ride: ¥55 for the official boats, includes island visit

• Hack: Walk or cycle — the 10km loop is totally doable and super scenic

Must-Visit Hangzhou Attractions

Attraction	Cost	Duration	My Insider Tip
West Lake (西湖)	Free	Half-full day	Rent a bike, you'll cover way more ground
Lingyin Temple	¥75	2-3 hours	Go early morning — peaceful and less sweaty
Longjing Tea Village	Free	2-3 hours	Buy tea directly from farmers (see below!)
Hefang Street	Free	1-2 hours	Good for souvenirs, bargain like your life depends on it
Xixi Wetlands	¥80	3-4 hours	The boat ride is worth it

Longjing Tea Hack — This One I'm Proud Of

Want famous Dragon Well tea without getting ripped off?

• Tourist shops: ¥800-2000 per 500g (robbery lah)

• Direct from farmers: ¥200-500 per 500g (same quality!)

• How: Take bus K27 to Longjing Village, walk into the tea fields, look for families selling

• Tip: Ask to see them make it — many offer free tastings

I bought tea for my parents and in-laws directly from a farmer family. They were so happy, and I saved like ¥1000. Win-win.

Hangzhou Food Specialties

Dish	Where to Find	Price Range
Dongpo Pork (东坡肉)	Lou Wai Lou	¥68-88
Beggar's Chicken (叫花鸡)	Local restaurants	¥88-128
West Lake Fish (西湖醋鱼)	Lake-view restaurants	¥78-108
Longjing Shrimp (龙井虾仁)	Tea restaurants	¥88-128

Hack: Lou Wai Lou is touristy but still authentic — go for lunch to avoid the insane dinner queues. The Dongpo Pork literally melts in your mouth. Worth it.

💰 Budget Breakdown

Let me give you realistic numbers based on my trip:

Daily Budget Estimates

Style	Accommodation	Food	Transport	Activities	Total/Day
Budget	¥150-250	¥80-120	¥30-50	¥50-100	¥310-520 (~S$60-100)
Mid-range	¥400-600	¥150-250	¥80-120	¥150-200	¥780-1170 (~S$150-225)
Comfortable	¥800-1500	¥300-500	¥150-250	¥200-300	¥1450-2550 (~S$280-490)

I went mid-range style and spent about S$180/day. Not the cheapest trip, but not expensive either.

My Top 10 Money-Saving Hacks

1. Set up WeChat/Alipay before arriving — avoid terrible forex rates

2. Take high-speed trains instead of flights — faster door-to-door anyway

3. Metro + shared bikes for city transport — cheap and efficient

4. Eat where locals eat — follow the queues, they know what's good

5. Book attractions online for 10-20% discounts

6. Visit popular spots early morning or evening

7. Buy tea/souvenirs from source, not tourist shops

8. Use Didi Express instead of flagging taxis

9. Carry a power bank — your phone is your lifeline there

10. Download offline maps in Amap before going to rural areas

🚨 Important Tips

Language Barriers

Don't worry if you don't speak Chinese. Here's how I survived:

• Hack: Use WeChat's built-in translator — point camera at Chinese text, instant translation

• Download offline Chinese language pack in Google Translate before you go

• Screenshot important addresses in Chinese before going out

• Hotel business cards are lifesavers — take one when you check in!

Most young people in Shanghai speak some English. Hangzhou less so, but you'll manage.

Internet Access

• VPN: Download before you go! Google, WhatsApp, Instagram all blocked

• SIM card: Buy at airport — China Mobile tourist SIM ~¥100 for 7 days

• Pocket WiFi: Rent from airport or book online (¥30-50/day)

• Hack: Some international hotels have unblocked WiFi

I used a VPN throughout. Otherwise you can't access anything we use daily lah.

Safety Tips

• China is extremely safe for tourists — felt safer than many Western cities tbh

• Keep passport photocopy separate from original

• Register at local police station within 24 hours (hotels do this automatically)

• Emergency numbers: 110 (police), 120 (ambulance)

📅 My Recommended 5-Day Itinerary

Day 1-2: Shanghai

• Day 1: The Bund, Nanjing Road, Yu Garden, evening river cruise
• Day 2: French Concession, Tianzifang, Shanghai Tower, dinner in Xintiandi

Day 3: Travel + Hangzhou

• Morning train to Hangzhou (book in advance!)
• Afternoon: Hefang Street, evening walk along West Lake

Day 4: Hangzhou

• Morning: Lingyin Temple
• Afternoon: Longjing Tea Village (buy tea for everyone back home!)
• Evening: West Lake boat ride at sunset (so romantic)

Day 5: Hangzhou + Return

• Morning: Xixi Wetlands or cycle around West Lake
• Afternoon: Train back to Shanghai
• Optional: Last-minute shopping near Hangzhou train station

Honestly, Shanghai and Hangzhou are such a good combo for first-time China visitors. You get the crazy modern vibes of Shanghai and the peaceful traditional feels of Hangzhou. Perfect contrast.

Just remember: prep your apps, set up your payments, book your trains early, and you'll have an amazing trip. China might seem intimidating but once you're there, it's actually pretty easy to navigate.

Have a great trip! And if you try the xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao, you're welcome in advance. 😋