The blue-chip CSI300 index gained 0.2%, with its financial sector sub-index sliding 0.13%, the consumer staples sector rising 0.98%, and the real estate index falling 0.06%.
The healthcare sub-index led gains, adding 1.4%. Aier Eye Hospital Group's shares were among the best performers in the CSI300 index, adding 4.3% to an all-time high close of 48.30 yuan ($6.81) after the company revealed plans for stake purchases in five firms.
The smaller Shenzhen index ended up 0.67% and the start-up board ChiNext Composite index was higher by 0.778%.
So far this year, the Shanghai stock index is down 5% and the CSI300 has fallen 3.1%, while China's H-share index listed in Hong Kong is down 11.6%. Shanghai stocks have risen 1.33% this month.
Investors remain concerned about the risk of the renewed spread of the new coronavirus after the northeast Chinese city of Jilin said it would impose fresh restrictions on travel to contain the outbreak, with six new cases reported on Tuesday.