The world No.1 will face Leylah Fernandez in the final after defeating Shnaider 6-3 7-5 on Saturday.
The unseeded Canadian Fernandez had beaten Czech Marie Bouzkova by the same 6-3 7-5 scoreline in the earlier semi at the Yinzhou International Tennis Centre in the eastern Chinese city.
Australian and US Open champion Rybakina, who arrived for her title defence after a bruising defeat in Beijing and a foot injury that forced her out of Wuhan, showed flashes of her best form despite a few wobbles against the 13th-ranked Shnaider.
"She played really well and it's always difficult to play against left-handers. We don't have so many on the tour," said Rybakina, who faces a similar test against Fernandez.
"I needed some time. The returns were not as bad but during the rallies to switch the pattern was a little bit of an issue for me, but I'm happy I managed to win in two sets."
Rybakina will aim to further sharpen her game in Sunday's final before turning her attention to the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo next week and then launching her WTA Finals title defence at Indian Wells from November 8.
Meanwhile in the Japan Open, Katie Boulter's run ended at the semi-final stage as she was beaten 6-1 6-4 by Czechia's world doubles No.1 Katerina Siniakova.
Siniakova will play Ashyln Krueger in the final after the big-hitting American, who'd knocked out Australian Talia Gibson in the quarter-finals, defeated her compatriot Ann Li 6-4 6-7 (4-7) 6-3.
