Packing Guide

Clothing

  • Bring comfortable casual clothing and good walking shoes; jeans and shorts are perfectly acceptable.
  • Avoid packing too much white or light colored garments since they tend to show dirt and dust much easier.
  • Do not over packed. Laundry services are readily available in all hotels with a service charge or you can wash your clothes in the bathroom sink of your hotel room.
  • Unless you are on a business trip, one formal outfit should be all that is necessary. Formal clothing in China is consisted of a jacket, slacks, tie for men and a pantsuit or dress with low heels for women.
  • Dress in layers because temperatures vary widely in China, especially during winter time.
  • China can be an excellent place to purchase silk blouses, padded jackets and cashmere sweaters. However, don't neglect packing clothing that you might purchase in China because colors, sizes and quality vary widely throughout the country.
  • A good packing strategy is to lay out all the clothes that you want to take and only pack half of them.
  • Remember to leave some room in your suitcase for souvenirs.
  • Take note of the maximum luggage weight allowed per traveler and pack accordingly. Usually, on International flights, each passenger is allowed to have two checked bags of 50 pounds each and a carry-on (no larger than 14"x9"x22"). On China domestic flights, each passenger is allowed to have a checked bag that weights up to 44 pounds.
  • Note that lap top computers, purses, handbags and backpacks are considered as personal items, so even you bring any of these onboard, you are still allow to have a carry-on luggage.

Medications

  • Leave your prescription drugs in their original packages while packing.
  • Take an ample supply of your medication just in case your travel schedule changes within the last minute
  • Pack your prescription medications and other essentials in your carry- on luggage in case your other luggage get lost.
  • Bring all medications that you are currently taking and pack reliable cold, headache, upset stomach medications. Although western medicines are available in China, selections can be limited depending on the city.
  • Check with your personal physician regarding the usage of Pepto-Bismol tablets as a preventive measure against upset stomach and/ or diarrhea.

Recommended Travel Medications

  • Pain reliever
  • Cold, allergy, sinus medicine
  • Throat lozenges or hard candies
  • Antacid
  • Diarrhea medication
  • Laxative
  • Sleeping pills
  • Broad Spectrum Antibiotic (Some antibiotics are available over the counter in China. However, supply and brands vary widely from city to city).
  • Anti-motion sickness medication
  • Insect Repellant (depending on your destination city)
  • Chapstick
  • Sunscreen
  • Eye drops
  • Contact lens Solution

Camera

  • Check your camera before your departure
  • Bring extra films, especially if you need a specific kind.
  • APS film is difficult to find in China.
  • Bring extra batteries.
  • Use lead lined film pouches to protect your film from airport x-ray machines.
  • Do not pack your film in your checked baggage.

Tickets and Documentation

  • Travel and health insurance information
  • Visa and Passport
  • Important phone numbers, photocopies of all travel documents and traveler's checks
  • Airline paper tickets or e-ticket confirmation
  • Hotel confirmation
  • Extra ID tags for your luggage
  • Business cards (these can be translated into Chinese in larger US cities)
  • Some cash

Personal Items

  • Liquid laundry soap for hand wash only clothing
  • Antibacterial hand soap
  • Antibacterial waterless hand sanitizer
  • Extra pair of contact lens/eye glasses
  • Sun glasses
  • Sewing kit
  • Pen and journal
  • Duct Tape