The Ultimate Packing List for Your China Trip in 2024

Having a trip to China is always exciting, but sorting out what to pack might confuse you, so we've prepared the latest ultimate packing list for you! With the packing list below, you can travel more easily without carrying heavy suitcases.

How to Pack Right for A Trip to China

Essential Things to Pack

The luggage allowance for taking a Chinese domestic flight is usually 40kg for first class, 30kg for business class, 20kg for economy class, and 10kg for infants with booked seats. Therefore, to avoid extra charges for overloaded bags, you need to pack wisely.

1. Important Documents & Papers

When you're planning to travel to China, you need to prepare personal documents and papers first because the process may take a long time. Make sure the following ones are ready before you're on your trip.

Passport & Copies:

Original passport with the visa issued (if needed) and photocopies. Don't put all your eggs in one basket - pack them in separate bags in case of losing any of them. I would also suggest storing the scan where you can access it online.

Transportation Tickets:

Original air/cruise/train tickets or copies if booked online.

Confirmation Letter of Tour Booking:

Print the letter and bring it with you. It contains all your tour information, including the daily itinerary and contact of the people who will be involved in the tour operation.</p

Money & E-wallet:

Credit cards, and a small sum of cash, but never put them in the checked baggage! Visa credit cards are commonly accepted in China. Popular currency can be easily exchanged into Chinese currency at international airport.

There are three currencies in China: the Chinese Yuan (CNY), used in China's mainland; the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), used in Hong Kong; and the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD), used in Taiwan.

E-wallets are quite a popular payment method in China. With WeChat Pay or Alipay on your smartphone, overseas visitors can now go cashless in China.

Phonecard:

You can use your phone to stay connected with a prepaid SIM card that subscribes to a Cellular network plan in China.

Travel Insurance:

This works for all kinds of trips, it provides financial compensation if you face any problems on your vacation. The insurance will protect your nonrefundable trip costs, such as civil flight delays; and will compensate you for medical care if you become ill or lose your luggage.

Essential Documents & Papers

2. Hygiene and Beauty Products

Note that the same brand products you find in China may not be as effective as the ones used at home. If you are conscious of familiar experiences, bring your own toiletries and make-up kits. Besides, a few extra items worth stressing are: 

Toiletries:

All hotels on China's mainland provide free single-use toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and soap. Things go differently if your itinerary includes Hong Kong. On April 22, the single-use plastic ban took effect. This means all the hotels in Hong Kong won't provide free toiletries, so we suggest you bring your own. However, you can buy them in your hotel or local stores.

Hand Sanitizer & Wipes:

Toilet paper, soap, and towels are free to use in your hotel while staying on China's mainland, but many public toilets won't provide them. Tissues are sold everywhere, so no need to overload your luggage.

Moisturizer:

To cope with the very dry weather of western and northern China, moisturizer can be a lifesaver.

Deodorant:

Be aware that deodorant cannot be taken on certain flights. Often, you can find them in some supermarkets if you can't take them on board.

Feminine Products:

If you prefer tampons rather than sanitary pads, prepare your tampons because hygienic pads are more popular in Asia, so you might not find tampons in every store.

Shavers:

Your hotel may or may not provide single-use shavers. For convenience, you can bring your own. Remember to take the blade and battery out of your electronic shaver before checking in your luggage at the airport.

Make-up:

We all wish to be beautiful in the photos we take while traveling. In that case, don't forget to pack your makeup items. Perfume, cleansing water, or other items are allowed to be taken aboard, but they're limited to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less per item.

Toiletries for a Trip to China

3. Clothes

The dress code for the Chinese is smart casual. That being said, you should pack as suggested:

Travel Type Attire:

Bring something dry quickly, such as hiking-type shirts and pants. Summer in the south of China is hot and humid, and most of the indoor environments are aggressively air-conditioned. In this case, a light jacket would come in handy. You might not see Chinese wearing revealing clothes, but it's quite ok if you dress like that. Winter in the north can be very cold and dry, so warm clothes are essential.

Meanwhile, wear comfortable shoes for long walks (China is huge, you know). Keep in mind that clothing sizes are much smaller in China - you may find it hard to get attires of the right size for Westerners.

A Respectable Outfit:

For places like upscale restaurants, nightclubs, or for important events, e.g., wedding ceremonies.

Umbrella/Hats/Sunblock/Sunglasses:

We highly recommend you to pack these items up because rainy and sunny days are both common in China.

Note:

There is no dress taboo on most occasions in China, but in some religious occasions, such as temples or mosques, it is best not to overdress.

Clothes for a Trip to China

4. Medications & Vitamins

Pepto-Bismol and antibiotic cream are usually helpful just in case you get travelers' diarrhea. Consult your healthcare provider for the use of your daily pills and vitamins, and bring your medical record as well as sufficient medications with spare portions.

In addition, the basic med-kit would include electrolyte solution, anti-colic pills, anti-inflammatory and anti-itch drugs, DEET, etc. If you bring kids with you, consult your pediatrician to know what vaccines your children need for peculiar situations.

Medicine for a Trip to China

Packing List for Kids

Traveling with kids is great - only when everything is packed right! It is common sense that kids can be more vulnerable to a new environment than adults. However, you should go over all the items and make sure your kids are satisfied.

Diapers:

Bring sufficient. Technically, you can find nothing other than Pampers in many supermarkets unless you search in an upscale shop, which is usually not available outside developed cities.

Baby Carriers:

It'd be safe to keep your children immobilized to deal with chaotic traffic.

Baby Formula & Food:

Stick to what your children have back home to avoid upsetting their tummies. For teens, you can always find rice, dumplings, or noodles in restaurants, no matter what destination you are visiting. One more thing: DO NOT drink tap water, ever.

A Car Seat:

Most taxis in China don't come equipped with car seats for kids. And it will occupy too much space in your luggage if you plan to pack it up. However, when you travel with Odynovo, we will arrange private cars with car seats for your kids to keep them safe on vacation.

Toys/Storybooks/Snacks:

Bear in mind that what appeals to grow-ups may be boring to kids to ensure they enjoy the trip, too. Besides cliché tricks, I find it extremely helpful to give them a simple digital camera to photograph what they are interested in. To make them engage, you can also do some homework and design games before the trip starts.

Packing List for Children for a Trip to China

Not Must-Have But Always Helpful Items

Power Converter

The standard voltage of mainland China and Hong Kong is 220V at a frequency of 50 Hz, while that of Taiwan is between 110 and 120V at a frequency of 60 Hz. Three-pronged angled and two flat style plugs are commonplace. Your hotel may (or may not) offer a converter for free, but I would suggest having your own for convenience.

Face Mask

Sometimes, the air quality in developed cities tends to be less interesting on winter days. Get yourself prepared. A gentle reminder: this is not for COVID as the rule has changed since December 2022. You don't need to wear a mask for it anymore.

Trekking Pole

Only when your tour involves strenuous mountain hiking or the off-the-beaten-path sections of the Great Walls, such as Jiankou, Jinshanling, Gubeikou, etc.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

You can't reach many Western websites (Facebook and Google included) in mainland China. To break the wall, you need to install a workable VPN before your trip.

WeChat Account Sign-Up

Widely used in China, WeChat (Weixin) is a popular instant messaging application that lets you text, send emojis, and even have a live chat. Get a free account with your phone number (to receive a confirmation code) to connect with your travel consultant, tour guide, or friends. It's much more efficient than sending messages and emails.

Offline Translator App:

Most Chinese don't speak foreign languages, so communication can be a big deal. An offline translator app will solve this problem. Text, images, or voice input can be translated into Mandarin.

Things Worth Packing

Double-Check

Always remember to check your package again in case you miss something important! Or you can write to trip@odynovotours.com or contact us with a simple click for a personalized itinerary. Our expert will get you covered everything to ensure your trip to China is smooth sailing from start to finish.