144 hours visa free, or do We need a visa for china?

Soon I will be starting my holiday; from amsterdam airport to Hong Kong, cambodia, and finally getting on a cruise ship from singapore. The cruise ends in Shanghai. During the cruise we do not visit China except at the end, when disembarking. Arriving in shanghai on a saturday morning ( 8 or 9 o clock) and leaving on thursday afternoon (17.00 hours) to hong kong. In Hong Kong we have a stop for about 5 hours before our flight back to amsterdam airport.
Do we need a visa for china or can we use the 144 hour free?
Thanks