Ultimate Packing List for Your China Trip in 2025/2026

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

Come and visit Li River in Guilin

Essentials Documents for a China Tour

When traveling to China, it's important to bring several essential documents to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. These documents are your key to entering, staying, and getting help while in China. Here's a list of the key papers you should have:

Necessary docs & digital equipment for a China tour

1. Valid Passport

It must be your own valid passport, and everyone in your group has theirs too, even the little ones. Ideally, it should have at least six months of validity remaining at the time of entry. You may consider taking your driver's license with you. As it is useful to help verify your personal information.

2. Visa

Tourist visas for China are generally valid for 90 days, with a maximum stay of 30 days. In most cases, the visa is processed within four to five working days. It is advisable for you to submit your visa application about one month before the date of entry. If you are entering China under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, you only need to fill out an entry form at customs.

3. Travel Itinerary & Tickets

Bring original air/cruise/train tickets or copies if booked online. However, to enter China, it's wise to bring a copy of round-trip ticket. Especially if you're under the 10-day visa-free transit policy, you must hold a ticket to a third country scheduled within 10 days.

Also, you may consider printing an invitation letter and bringing 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. This can help you pass customs quicker.

4. Cash & Online Payment Methods

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 airports.

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.

5. Travel Insurance

It's not essential, but it is definitely helpful. The insurance 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.

Digital Equipment

Digital equipment for a China trip

When traveling to China, it's helpful to bring essential digital gear. They will help you stay connected, informed, and prepared, making your experience in China more comfortable, especially if you're traveling independently.

1. 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.

2. Camera

If you're interested in photoshooting, don't forget to bring your camera. China has numerous beautiful places, including nature landscapes or ethnic culture sites. Taking pictures for them can help memorize your China tour.

3. Power Bank

A power bank ensures that you can recharge your device on the go and at whenever you want to.

4. Phone Card & VPN

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

Also, if you want to access websites and apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube while in China, you'll need to prepare a VPN service in advance. Generally, purchasing a one-month plan should be more than enough.

5. 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.

Health & Selfcare 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 about are:

1. Medications

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.

2. Toiletries

All hotels on China's mainland provide free single-use basic toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and soap.

Things go differently if your itinerary includes Hong Kong. Since April 22, 2024, the single-use plastic ban has taken 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 in Hong Kong.
Apart from the basic set, there are other toiletries you need to pay attention to:

Toiletries for a Trip to China

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 there's 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.

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.

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.

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.

Clothes Packing

Clothes for a Trip to China

Packing for different seasons is important because weather conditions in China vary throughout the year, and wearing season-appropriate clothing helps you stay comfortable, healthy, and prepared for your trip.

Generally speaking, there's no dress code in daily life in China. So, just pack what you need and what you like. The dress code for the Chinese is smart casual. That being said, you should pack as suggested:

1. Casual Clothes

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.

2. A Respectable Outfit

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

3. Umbrella/Hats/Sunblock/Sunglasses

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

Extra Packing List If Traveling With Kids

Packing List for Children for a Trip to China

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.

1. Toys & Storybooks

In an unfamiliar environment, bringing a few small items from home can help children feel more secure. You can pack some of their favorite toys or storybooks to comfort and soothe them.

For encouraging kids, it's 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.

2. Baby Formula & Food

For kids, it's important to stick to what they have back home to avoid upsetting their tummies, especially for toddlers. For teens, you can always find rice, dumplings, noodles or other mild food in restaurants, no matter what destination you are visiting. You can also bring some of your child’s favorite snacks to help with their appetite and mood.

One more thing necessary: DO NOT drink tap water, ever. Unlike in the United States, tap water in China is not suggested to drink directly unless it has went through a water purifier. Generally speaking, the tap water in China needs to be boiled before consumption.

3. Baby Carriers

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

4. Diapers (Optional)

If your luggage space doesn't allow you to bring too much, consider buying some while traveling in China. Many imported supermarkets in China sell internationally recognized diaper brands, such as Pampers and Huggies.

5. A Car Seat (Optional)

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 us, we will arrange private cars with car seats for your kids to keep them safe on vacation.

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 cover everything to ensure your trip to China is smooth sailing from start to finish.