Packing for China requires a different mindset than most destinations. Some Western staples are impossible to find; many things you’d pack for other trips you can buy for next to nothing on arrival. Here’s what actually matters.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
- The Non-Negotiables (Don’t Leave Without These)
- Electronics & Connectivity
- Clothing: What to Pack by Season
- Toiletries & Health
- The Daypack Essentials (For Sightseeing Days)
- What to Absolutely Leave at Home
- What to Buy in China (Save the Packing Space)
- Tech Packing List Summary
- The “1 Week Carry-On” Challenge
- Final Checklist
The Non-Negotiables (Don’t Leave Without These)
Documents
- ✅ Passport (valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date)
- ✅ Visa or visa-free documentation — check our Visa Guide to confirm your entry route
- ✅ Travel insurance documents — digital or printed, with emergency number
- ✅ Hotel booking confirmations — needed for some accommodation check-ins
- ✅ Emergency contact card — write key addresses in Chinese characters (your hotel, hospital near your route)
- ✅ Spare passport photos (4–6) — needed for visa applications, border crossings in some regions
Money
- ✅ Credit/debit card (Visa or Mastercard with low foreign transaction fees)
- ✅ Cash in USD/GBP/EUR for airport exchange on arrival (avoid exchanging at home — airport rates in China are reasonable)
- ✅ Alipay or WeChat Pay set up on your phone — see our Payment Guide
Electronics & Connectivity
Must-have devices
VPN-enabled phone or laptop China blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and most Western services. Download and test a VPN (ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark) before landing — once you’re in China, VPN websites are also blocked.
Power adapter/converter China uses Type A and Type I sockets (220V/50Hz). If you’re from the US (120V), check your device’s voltage range — most modern electronics handle 100–240V. UK visitors: bring a UK-to-Type A adapter.
Portable battery pack (power bank, 充电宝) Essential for long sightseeing days. China airports and trains have rules: maximum 20,000mAh for carry-on (must be in carry-on, not checked luggage). Popular options: Anker 10,000mAh or 20,000mAh.
Unlocked smartphone Make sure your phone is unlocked before travel — you’ll want to pop in a local SIM. China Mobile, Unicom, and Telecom all offer tourist SIMs with generous data for ¥99–150.
Optional but useful
- Laptop or tablet (hostel common areas often have USB-A ports)
- Kindle or e-reader (long train journeys benefit from one)
- Noise-cancelling earbuds — overnight trains and shared dorms
What you DON’T need to pack
- Portable wi-fi device — a local SIM hotspot does the same job for less
- Currency exchange wallet — your phone’s Alipay is your wallet
Clothing: What to Pack by Season
China spans dozens of climate zones — from tropical Hainan to subarctic Harbin. Your packing list depends heavily on where and when you’re going.
Spring (March–May) — Most regions
- Light layers: T-shirts + 1–2 long sleeves
- A packable down jacket or fleece for evenings
- Rain jacket (April especially — Yangtze River valley is very wet)
- Comfortable walking shoes
Summer (June–August) — Most regions
- Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing
- 1–2 pairs of shorts
- Sandals or flip-flops
- Important: Even in summer, bring one smart-casual outfit — temples, some restaurants, and upscale areas frown on shorts/singlets
- Lightweight long-sleeve layer for air-conditioned metros, trains, and restaurants — Chinese AC is arctic
Autumn (September–November) — Ideal travel season
- Layers work perfectly — T-shirts, long-sleeves, a mid-layer
- Light jacket for evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
Winter (December–February) — Varies dramatically
- Northern China (Beijing, Harbin): Thermal base layers, heavy down jacket, wool socks, hat and gloves. Harbin can hit -30°C.
- Southern China (Guangzhou, Hainan): Light jackets, no heavy winter gear needed
- Yunnan/Guizhou: Mid-weight layers — days can be warm, nights cold
Universal wardrobe tips
- Pack dark colours — Chinese cities are very dusty (especially Beijing and Xi’an) and white clothes become grey fast
- One dressier outfit for restaurants and temples
- Slip-on shoes — you’ll remove them constantly entering temples and guesthouses
- Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes — you’ll clock 15,000–20,000 steps daily in historic areas
Toiletries & Health
Things you can easily buy in China
Don’t waste packing space on:
- Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (available everywhere, international brands in cities)
- Sunscreen (available, though factor 50+ can be harder to find in rural areas — bring that from home)
- Basic pain relief (ibuprofen/paracetamol equivalents available at pharmacies, 药房)
- Razors and toothbrushes
Things to bring from home
Personal medications Bring your full supply plus 20% extra. While Chinese pharmacies are good, matching your specific prescription can be hit-or-miss without Mandarin. Carry a translated prescription card.
Antidiarrhoea medication (Imodium) First few days in China often involve digestive adjustment. Always have this on hand.
Altitude medication (if visiting Tibet/Qinghai) Diamox (acetazolamide) for altitude sickness prevention — consult your doctor 2 weeks before travel. Cannot be reliably sourced in China.
Feminine hygiene products Available in China (Tampax and similar brands in cities), but choice is limited outside major urban areas. Pack what you normally use.
High-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+) Widely available in cities but expensive. If you burn easily, pack a 200ml bottle from home.
Insect repellent Particularly for Yunnan, Hainan, and rural areas in summer. DEET-based repellents are harder to find outside pharmacies.
Wet wipes and hand sanitiser Toilet facilities at attractions and rural areas range from “surprisingly lovely” to “bring your own paper.” Wet wipes are your best friend.
Tissue/toilet paper Many public toilets (especially at attractions) provide none. Always keep a small packet in your daypack.
Water purification tablets Tap water in China is not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and everywhere, but for hiking or rural areas, purification tablets provide a backup.
The Daypack Essentials (For Sightseeing Days)
Every sightseeing day, your small daypack should contain:
- 💧 1.5L reusable water bottle (refill from hotel kettles — room temp boiled water, a Chinese tradition)
- 🌂 Compact umbrella (China weather changes fast, and the sun in summer is brutal)
- 📱 Charged phone + power bank
- 💊 Basic first aid: plasters, blister pads, pain relief
- 🧻 Tissues and hand sanitiser
- 💴 ¥200–500 cash (for markets, small temples, rural vendors)
- 📷 Camera if you use one (phone cameras are excellent though)
- ☀️ Sunscreen and lip balm (summer/high altitude)
What to Absolutely Leave at Home
These will cause problems:
- Drone — China requires registration and permits for drone flight. At some sensitive sites (near military installations, government buildings), drones are illegal. Unless you’re on a specific professional assignment, leave it at home.
- Military-pattern clothing — Not illegal, but you may be asked to change at certain attractions
- Certain books or printed materials — Politically sensitive material can be confiscated at customs
These are pointless to bring:
- Translation pocket dictionary — use the DeepL or Google Translate app instead
- Heavy guidebooks — download your guides offline (we recommend our own guides, obviously)
- Adapter for unusual sockets — Type A is the most universal standard
What to Buy in China (Save the Packing Space)
These are cheaper and better quality in China than anywhere:
| Item | Why Buy in China |
|---|---|
| Umbrella | ¥15–30 at any corner store, excellent quality |
| Rain poncho | ¥10–20, sold everywhere |
| Padlock | ¥15–30 for hostel lockers |
| Cheap slippers (拖鞋) | ¥5–15, essential for hostel showers |
| Tea | Incomparably better and cheaper than imported Chinese tea |
| Silk scarves | Real silk for less than you’d pay for polyester at home |
| Phone cases and accessories | Electronics accessories are dramatically cheaper |
| Traditional medicines | For those interested — Tu Chong Mei (herbal patches) for sore muscles after hiking days |
Tech Packing List Summary
| Item | Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone (unlocked) | Essential | For maps, payment, translation |
| Power bank (10,000–20,000mAh) | Essential | Max 20,000mAh for flights |
| Travel adapter (for China Type A/I) | Essential | Check voltage compatibility |
| VPN app (pre-downloaded) | Essential | Download at home — can’t access websites from China |
| Download maps offline | Essential | Google Maps or Maps.me for your cities |
| Noise-cancelling earbuds | Recommended | Overnight trains especially |
| Portable charger for camera | Optional | If using a dedicated camera |
The “1 Week Carry-On” Challenge
If you’re doing a whirlwind trip and want to travel carry-on only:
Top: 3 T-shirts, 1 long-sleeve, 1 smart-casual shirt
Bottom: 2 pairs of trousers (one can double as smart), 1 shorts (summer)
Footwear: 1 walking shoe, 1 packable sandal (summer)
Layers: 1 packable down jacket or fleece
Other: 3 pairs of underwear + socks (laundry is cheap in China — ¥20–40 per load at hostels)
China has excellent laundry services. Budget hotels often have coin laundry. Wash-and-dry in 24 hours for ¥30–50 is universal.
Final Checklist
Print this before your trip:
Documents
- Passport (6+ months validity)
- Visa / visa documentation
- Travel insurance policy + emergency numbers
- Hotel booking confirmations
- Emergency contact card with Chinese addresses
Electronics
- Phone (unlocked, VPN installed and tested)
- Power bank (≤20,000mAh)
- Power adapter for China
- Phone charging cable
- Earphones
Health
- Personal medications (full supply + 20% extra)
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets
- Hand sanitiser
- Tissue/pocket tissues (×3–5 packs)
- Sunscreen SPF50+
- Insect repellent (if rural/tropical areas)
- Altitude meds (if Tibet/Qinghai)
Clothing
- Appropriate layers for your season and destinations
- Comfortable walking shoes (broken in)
- One smart-casual outfit
- Compact umbrella
Money
- Debit/credit card (Visa/Mastercard)
- Cash for initial expenses (USD/GBP to exchange on arrival)
- Alipay/WeChat Pay set up and tested