China Packing List
What to Bring with You on a Trip to China
Even with nothing else, a traveler could get around in a pinch with just the following items. They should be stashed in a safe place, such as an envelope or small purse, so that they can be accessed at a moment's notice.
China Packing List Essentials
- Passport with Chinese visa adequate for the length of stay and number of entries (going to Hong Kong or Macau counts as exiting the country)
- Money (in the form of cash or traveler's cheques)
- Flight tickets or e-ticket numbers
- Hotel reservation numbers and contact information
- The name, address, and phone number of the first destination, preferably in Chinese characters. This is particularly important for travelers taking a bus, taxi, or train from the airport: Most local drivers will not be able to read English or Romanized forms of Chinese.
- A bank or credit card cleared for use in China (While only the larger supermarkets and department stores will accept credit cards, most bank ATMs will accept Visa, Mastercard, and Union Pay cards)
Clothing to Pack for China
Depending upon the season and the regions of China a traveler plans on visiting, the clothing that he or she should bring will vary widely. In general, one should be prepared for climate extremes: cold winters and hot summers with characteristically short spring and fall seasons in most areas. Although climate control is not as prevalent in most regions of China as it is in other countries, air conditioning and heating are available in upscale hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls.
Visitors above a certain size should also not count on being able to purchase clothing and shoes in China. The selection of shoes, for instance, over size 7 (women's) or 9 (men's), is extremely limited. Thus, it's best to be prepared with apparel and footwear appropriate for the weather and activities planned for the trip, whether those are simply sightseeing and strolling around the city or hiking and outdoor sports or business meetings and evenings on the town.
During the winter, it's easy enough to pick up cold-weather, one-size-fits-most accessories such as hats, gloves, scarves, warm socks, and long underwear while you're here.
Medicine and Toiletries to Bring to China
Many of these are widely available in China, but they might not be the brands travelers are used to, and the packages and directions might be entirely in Chinese.
- Antacid or anti-diarrhea medication
- Painkiller for headaches and cramps
- Altitude-sickness medication for those traveling in mountainous regions in Sichuan, Tibet, etc.
- Anti-itch ointment
- Mosquito repellent
- Prescription medications
- Spare pair of glasses or contact lenses
- Medication for yeast infections for female travelers
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss (can be hard to find in China, especially outside of the largest cities)
- Personal grooming supplies and cosmetics
- Tampons for those who use them (can be hard to find, and generally applicator-less O.B. brand is available)
Entertainment and Communications in China
Most of the items in this section are not absolutely necessary but can be immensely helpful or make the journey much more enjoyable.
- Reading material for connecting flights, train, or bus rides (English-language reading material is notoriously scarce in China)
- MP3 or other device
- Cell phone if necessary (It's also easy to obtain low-end Nokia and Motorola phones for under $30. A pay-as-you-go SIM card that can be used all over China will cost around $10.)
- A travel guide book such as Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Frommer's, etc. can be very helpful for those planning to figure out their itinerary on the road.
- A Mandarin phrase book can also be helpful communicating basic needs. The most useful ones list Pinyin and characters alongside the translations.
Using Electronics in China
Those planning to bring electronic devices must keep in mind that they'll also need to bring a plug adapter and a voltage converter. China's outlets will accept two-pronged plugs but will run 220 volts of electricity through them—so it will be only a matter of minutes before an American hair dryer (which runs on 110 volts) plugged into a Chinese outlet fries. Three-pronged appliances from the U.S. will not fit in the outlets in China.
Packing for China: Final Considerations
Many of China's cities are rife with pickpockets and foreign visitors stand out. Valuables, including passport, money, and electronics, should always be carried in a safe place.
Those meeting hosts, business partners, friends, family, etc. might consider bringing along small gifts. Small tokens from another country show the giver's appreciation and thoughtfulness. Food items, such as gourmet candies, are appropriate gifts for people of all ages and genders. Many Chinese women also appreciate foreign cosmetic products.
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