2026 China's $8 Billion Mega Airport vs Singapore's Best: Which - Reanne & Ben #OTWD

2026 China's $8 Billion Mega Airport vs Singapore's Best: Which - Reanne & Ben #OTWD

More about the current video:(Published on 2026-03-12)

China Built a $8 Billion Airport… Then I Visited the World’s Best 🇨🇳🇸🇬

In this episode, travelers Reanne & Ben kick off their journey at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport's brand-new Terminal 3, which opened just three weeks prior in January 2026. Spanning 680,000 square meters, this floral-themed mega-terminal is one of the largest in China, designed with branch-like pillars and petal-shaped ceilings. The couple navigates the tax refund process, which involves multiple stops, finally scoring a ¥760 refund on WeChat. They marvel at high-tech amenities like a digital toilet map showing real-time occupancy, an outdoor smoking garden, and pet stations.

The flight to Singapore on Scoot is a budget affair—no free food or TVs, and $50 for luggage—a stark contrast to China's generous airline perks. Upon landing at Changi Airport, they are blown away by the seamless passport control (thumbprint scan in minutes) and the iconic Jewel waterfall, calling it the coolest airport they've ever seen.

However, the honeymoon phase ends quickly when they check into a tiny hotel room costing £65 per night and visit a 7-Eleven. A can of beer at SGD 12 (£7) and a small bottle of water at SGD 4.20 make it clear: Singapore is one of the most expensive countries they've ever visited. The episode ends with a mix of excitement for the city's beauty and dread over its prices, setting the stage for their budget-strapped exploration.

FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)

Q: How did the tax refund process work at Guangzhou airport?: A: They were offering a 9-10% tax refund on items like electronics and luxury bags. We had to go to the tax refund desk before check-in, then after customs to a specific gate to get the money back on WeChat. It took about an hour total.

Q: What were the most impressive features of the new Terminal 3?: A: The airport terminal is modeled on a floral design, with pillars shaped like branches, and petal and leaf patterns. It's 680,000 square meters, one of the biggest terminals in China, with five runways and capacity for 120 million passengers a year.

Q: What was the biggest surprise about Singapore's cost of living?: A: Singapore is very expensive. A can of beer was SGD 12 (about £7), a small bottle of water was SGD 4.20, and even a simple hotel room cost £65 per night. The 7-Eleven prices were shocking—we felt we couldn't afford to eat out.

Q: How did Singapore's airport compare to China's in terms of technology?: A: The passport control at Changi Airport was incredibly fast. We used a machine that scanned our passport, took a thumbprint, and displayed 'Welcome to Singapore'—all done in minutes. It felt even more advanced than China's systems.