Singapore began offering 30-day visa-free entry to Chinese tourists on February 9 in hopes of attracting tourists from the world’s largest source market, but its high costs and other problems are a constant topic of discussion on Chinese social networks.
One netizen, Yanyi Elaine from China’s Anhui province, wrote on her Weibo account with more than 11,000 followers: “The city is known as the capital of fines. Why would I go there? TO DO.”
His message quickly gained attention.
The hashtag “Traveling without a visa to Singapore could make visitors poor if they are not careful” has become the most searched topic on Weibo, according to the Singapore newspaper. Strait Times.
It attracted 310 million views and sparked more than 9,000 threads.
Singapore has the dubious distinction of having been the world’s most expensive city nine times in the last 11 years.
According to Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data on cities and countries around the world, the average monthly spending of a single person in Singapore is estimated at S$1,506 (US$1,121). ).
But some Chinese Internet users say that Singapore, although very expensive, remains a safe destination.
One wrote on Weibo: “Singapore can’t be treated like Thailand. Really expensive. And the food, in summary, is just average. But the place is still quite fun, safe and secure , and not as weird as Thailand.”
Another said: “The experience in Singapore is better than Thailand. »
A third wrote: “Yes, it’s very expensive. My friends all went to Thailand, but I said I wasn’t interested in that place.
Some Singapore-based Chinese nationals are offering tips on how to save money while visiting the city-state.
On social media channel Xiaohongshu, they advised Chinese tourists to eat at hawker centers and shop at suburban malls such as Changi City Point, known for its outlet stores.
An American YouTuber, ‘Grif’, said he was shocked to find delicious cheap food for less than US$5 at Singapore’s Tiong Bahru Market.
China was Singapore’s second-largest source of visitors last year, with 1.4 million people, behind Indonesia.
