What to Pack for China: A Complete Checklist
Packing for China is different from packing for Europe or Southeast Asia. The climate varies wildly, the infrastructure is unique, and a few specific items will make your trip much smoother. Here’s exactly what to bring.
Essentials
Passport with visa — obvious, but check the expiry date. You need at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages. Copies of your passport and visa — keep one set in your luggage, one with a friend at home, and a digital copy in your email. Travel insurance documents — some hospitals in China require proof before treating foreigners.
Tech and Connectivity
This is where most travelers get it wrong. A VPN installed before you leave home. This is critical. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook — none of them work in China without a VPN. Install and test it before departure. Astrill and ExpressVPN are reliable choices. Download WeChat and set up WeChat Pay before you arrive — you’ll need it for everything. Power bank — China’s mobile payment ecosystem drains your battery fast, and you’ll be scanning QR codes constantly. Universal adapter — China uses two-flat-pin and three-flat-pin outlets (Type A and I). Most modern hotels have USB ports, but don’t count on it.
Clothing by Season
Spring (March-May): Layers. Mornings are cool, afternoons warm. A light jacket, long sleeves, and jeans work. Bring an umbrella — spring is rainy in the south. Summer (June-August): Light, breathable fabrics. It’s hot and humid in most of China. Linen, cotton, and quick-dry materials. Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen. Fall (September-November): The best time to visit. Pack layers again — a sweater and light jacket for evenings. Winter (December-February): Northern China is bitterly cold (Beijing averages -5°C). Bring thermal underwear, a heavy coat, gloves, scarf, and hat. Southern China is milder but not warm — a medium coat works.
Health and Hygiene
Toilet paper and hand sanitizer — public restrooms often don’t have either. Carry a small pack of tissues everywhere. Face masks — still common in crowded subways and during pollution spikes. Basic medicine — diarrhea medicine (旅行者腹泻 happens to almost everyone), cold medicine, pain relievers. Chinese pharmacies carry different brands and the staff may not speak English. Insect repellent — essential in rural and southern areas, especially in summer.
Documents and Apps
Download these before you go: Pleco (Chinese dictionary — best translation app by far), Didi (China’s Uber, works in English), Maps.me or Amap (Google Maps doesn’t work well in China), Train China (for booking high-speed rail tickets). Print your hotel bookings and flight confirmations — some hotels ask to see them during check-in, and immigration may ask for your itinerary.
What NOT to Bring
Don’t bring a paper guidebook — they’re heavy and outdated before you leave. Use your phone. Don’t bring expensive jewelry or watches — you’ll attract attention and create anxiety. Don’t bring more than two pairs of shoes — you’ll walk a lot but you don’t need options. Don’t bring a hairdryer — every hotel has one. Don’t bring your own chopsticks — they’re everywhere.
One last thing: leave room in your suitcase. You will buy things — tea, silk, ceramics, random gifts from the Muslim Quarter. A half-empty suitcase on the way in is a full one on the way out.