China packing list: what to pack for a successful trip

From the absolute essentials to the things that are best left behind, this is the only China packing list you’ll ever need.

If you don’t want to read to the bottom, save my China packing list PDF to your phone or computer. Tick off what you already have so you know what you still need to get.

Flying out today? Then head straight to my 11 essential things to bring to China and come back to this page only if you have time.

Alright, let’s get packing!

1. China packing list – critical items

Don’t leave for the airport without these things:

• Passport
• Chinese visa
• Phone and phone charger
• Debit card
• Credit card
• Prescription medication
• Hotel address in Chinese characters.

Passport

This is obviously not just critical to get into China, but once you’re there it’s your national ID.

You’ll need to show your passport when you check in to any accommodation (it’s the law) as well as when buying long-distance train tickets.

Chinese visa

You may or may not need to get a visa when you travel to China. It depends on things like how long you’re staying, and what country you’re from.

Check my China visa page for more information and help.

Phone and phone charger

I know I’d be absolutely lost without my phone in China.

It’s not just my communication tool, but it’s my internet access, my banking, my emergency contacts, my alarm clock, my flashlight…

Debit card and credit card

I bring at least one of each, plus an emergency card locked in my suitcase in case the unthinkable happens and I lose my wallet and/or phone.

If you’re thinking of bringing only a credit card, think again. They’re only good for big purchases in China, like paying for a hotel room.

Bring cash (as I explain later) or use WeChat Pay or Alipay to make small purchases at places like street food vendors.

Prescription medication

If you forget your medication, you could find yourself in a world of hurt. The Chinese healthcare system is different, and it’s not as simple as making an appointment with a physician.

If you’re worried about bringing prescription medication into China, just bring along a doctor’s letter. And only bring the quantities you need.

Hotel address in Chinese characters

Have your accommodation address on your phone in Mandarin. This is so you can show it to your taxi driver at the airport.

Even if you have someone meeting you at the airport, like a tour guide, it’s good to have a back-up plan. This tip has saved me a few times!

2. China packing list – essential items

I make sure I also have these things for a stress-free trip to China:

• Yuan (Chinese cash)
• Travel insurance
• VPN
• Travel adapter
• Day pack and/or handbag
• Toilet tissues
• Copies of documents
• Glasses or contacts.

Yuan

I like arriving in China with at least 1,000 yuan in cash.

This is roughly US$150 or £120 (you can check XE to convert to your currency). Just don’t come overloaded with cash – 20,000 yuan is the limit.

Most small businesses and taxi drivers won’t take credit card, so if you aren’t using a Chinese payment app then you’ll need cash.

Also, try to get notes in low denominations if you can. It makes things much easier!

Travel insurance

Medical costs in China can be expensive. If something were to happen, would you be able to cope – both mentally and financially – if you didn’t have cover?

Check out my page on China travel insurance including getting a quote.

Virtual private network (VPN)

If you’re like most travelers, you’re going to want to use Wi-Fi in your hotel room. Otherwise, you could be in for a huge phone bill shock when you return home!

All the major foreign websites and apps are blocked when using Wi-Fi in China, so you’ll need a VPN app to access them.

Take a read of my China VPN review for the ones that work, or go straight to the one I consistently recommend here:

Trust me, traveling in China without Google, Google Maps, Instagram and Facebook (the list goes on) is unpleasant and difficult.

Travel adapter

China’s electrical sockets are unique. In my travels across the country, I’ve seen every kind of combination possible.

Officially, China’s electricity supply runs at 220 V and uses angled two- or three-pin plugs. This is the same as Australia and New Zealand.

However, large modern hotels are usually fine and cater to foreign travelers from America and Europe. But it’s not always the case, so stuff an international travel adapter in your bag.

If you have American appliances working at 110 volts, you’ll need to make sure your adapter can convert voltage too.

Day pack and/or handbag

Although China is safe, I like using a small backpack that’s lockable so I don’t need to worry about being among crowds.

In some tourist places, you will literally have people pressed up against you.

Toilet tissues

Public toilets in China don’t provide toilet paper.

That’s why I like bringing a small stash, so I can go sightseeing straightaway and not have to worry about a potentially awkward situation.

Copies of important documents

If you lose your passport, then you also lose your visa. This would be a major headache.

As a backup, I take photos of all my important documents and save them in the cloud. You could print yours if you’re old-school.

Reading glasses or contacts

I’m shortsighted and struggle to read maps or anything close to my face. So, if you’re losing your sight like me, glasses or contacts are an essential item on your China packing list.

3. China packing list – clothes and shoes

Here’s what you’ll need for a trip of up to 10 days:

• Socks x 7*
• Underwear x 7*
• Bra x 4* (for the ladies)
• T-shirts or shirts x 7*
• Sweaters x 2 (or long-sleeve shirts if warm weather)
• Jeans or trousers/skirts x 2 (or shorts if warm weather)
• Belt
• Nice outfit if you plan on going out, including shoes
• Pajamas
• Comfortable walking shoes.

*Quantities are based on doing washing part-way through your trip. If you wash on Day 5, you’ll still have a couple of days of clean clothes left while you wait for things to dry. Everything else can be washed when you get home!

I recommend wearing some of the heaviest stuff (e.g. jeans and sweater) on the plane to help lighten your load. It’s also beneficial when the temperature drops in the cabin.

I’ve written an entire article about what to wear in China if you need more detail about the kinds of clothes you should wear.

For season-specific packing requirements, there’s more info further down.

4. China packing list – toiletries

Only pack small amounts for a short trip:

• Facial tissues
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental floss
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Cleanser and/or moisturizer
• Pads or tampons
• Makeup
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Brush or comb
• Razor/Shaver
• Shaving gel or foam
• Travel-size laundry detergent
• Adhesive strips.

Facial tissues

You definitely won’t get these in hostels, but even some hotels can be quite stingy when it comes to facial tissues.

I like bringing a small travel pack. You can always grab more once you’re in China.

Deodorant

Make sure you bring deodorant to China. Most locals don’t use it so it can be hard to find – head for a pharmacy.

Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss

I pack a manual toothbrush as it’s lighter than an electric one, plus it’s one less thing you need to charge if you only bring one travel adapter.

I’m a mad flosser and I don’t like the kind of dental floss you get in China. It’s like fishing wire so I always bring my own.

Soap, shampoo and conditioner

These items will be supplied in Chinese hotels, even the budget ones, so aren’t essential for your China packing list. However, the quality is usually terrible so bring your own if you’re fussy or concerned about nasty ingredients.

If you’re staying in a hostel, make sure you bring all three of these things.

Cleanser and/or moisturizer

Equivalent products can be found in China but ingredients will be listed in Mandarin. The last thing you want is a rash!

Pads or tampons

Of course these are available in China, but the packaging is in Mandarin so if you have particular preferences it’s better to BYO unless you can read Chinese.

Tampons are harder to find because they’re more expensive and not as many women use them. If you want to find out more about that, have a read of this article.

Makeup

Bring only what you need, but if you do buy makeup in China, note that it might have skin-whitening ingredients.

Hand sanitizer

This is widely available in China but I like having my travel-size bottle with me so I can sanitize after I’ve used gross restrooms. Public restrooms in China don’t have soap.

If you want to find out more, check out my FAQ about squat toilets (yes, really).

Sunscreen

If you’re going to a warm city or anywhere in China where there’s hot sun, you’ll need sunscreen. Chinese sunscreen often has whitening in it, so best bring your own.

If you do buy sunscreen in China, you won’t have a problem finding high SPF protection. The Chinese hate getting brown.

Brush or comb

I don’t have much hair left so I don’t need a brush or comb! But I know this is an essential item for a lot of people.

Razor/Shaver and shaving gel or foam

Easy to find in China, but personally I’d rather be exploring the magnificent Longji Rice Terraces than looking for a place that sells shaving stuff.

Travel-size laundry detergent

Pour your detergent from home into a tiny bottle, and hang up your clothes with a travel clothes line.

Hotel clothes washing services are expensive in China.

Adhesive strips

When I travel abroad, I walk a lot. This often means blisters on my heels at the end of a long day.

I only bring half a dozen adhesive strips with me, not a whole box, because my body adjusts fairly quickly and every little bit of saved space in my bag helps.

5. China packing list – useful extras

You may or may not need some of these things. I bring most:

• Comfort food
• Camera and charger
• E-reader and charger
• Travel apps
• Prepaid SIM card
• Earplugs
• Eye mask
• Hairbands or hair clips
• Condoms and lubricant
• Over-the-counter medications
• Face masks
• Tablet or laptop and charger
• Bluetooth speaker and charger
• Headphones
• Clothes line
• Plastic or fabric bag
• Small padlocks
• Guidebook.

Comfort food

Packing comfort food is like packing toilet tissues. If I want to hit the ground running, I like knowing I have snacks from home that will get me through the day.

Bringing some comfort food is also a good idea if you tend to get homesick when you travel.

Camera and charger

I bring a proper digital camera with me when I visit China. Why? A camera takes a much higher quality photo than a phone.

But if you’re happy with just basic happy snaps on your phone, leave the camera off your list.

E-reader and charger

I like to read when I travel. Sometimes I’ll bring a physical book, but usually I bring my Kindle so I can pick and choose what to read. E-readers are also much slimmer than books.

Travel apps

Have all your travel apps pre-downloaded and ready to go. Refer to this article for the most useful China travel apps, and don’t forget your VPN app must be downloaded before you go.

Prepaid SIM card

For short trips to China, I enable global roaming if my phone company has OK rates overseas. I also use messaging apps like WhatsApp in China to keep in contact with family and friends.

Getting a prepaid travel SIM card before you go is another good option.

You can also get a SIM card when you arrive in China – just make sure your phone is unlocked. However, you may need to know Chinese (or know how to translate) which is why a prepaid SIM from home might be better.

Earplugs

Super-duper important if you find it hard falling asleep when it’s noisy (which is most of the time in China).

Eye mask

Good for the plane as well as some hotel rooms where the light might creep in at an ungodly hour.

Hairbands or hair clips

If you’ve got long hair, pack some hairbands. At least you know they’re small and light!

Condoms and lubricant

Guys, best bring your own if you have preferences or you don’t want to brave the stores looking for some.

Over-the-counter medications

While over-the-counter medications are available everywhere in China, product labels are in Chinese and pharmacy staff may not speak English.

I always like to bring paracetamol and vitamins. And if you haven’t been to China before, I recommend bringing something to stop you from vomiting as well as something to stop diarrhea.

I suggest reading these tips if you’re going on your first trip to China.

Face masks

These used to be mandatory when moving around China. But in a COVID world, I still like to have face masks handy.

Tablet or laptop and charger

This is a no-brainer for me as I need my laptop to work remotely. But you may also benefit from bringing your tablet or laptop as a form of entertainment (e.g. pre-downloaded movies) while you’re in the air or just chilling in your Chinese hotel room.

Bluetooth speaker and charger

A phone’s tinny speaker is enough for most people, but I’m fussy when it comes to listening to music. I like a crisp, loud sound, which is why I bring my own small Bluetooth speaker.

Headphones

Noise-canceling headphones are great for long-haul flights to China. They block out other annoying passengers, as well as that never-ending ‘hummmm’ plane sound.

Clothes line

If I know I’m going to be in the one place for a while, I wash my underwear in the hotel basin and hang it on my lightweight travel clothes line.

I even do it in nice hotels – no shame!

Speaking of hotels, check out my summary of China hotel booking apps to help make your bookings easier.

Plastic or fabric bag

This helps keep my dirty clothes away from the clean ones.

Small padlocks

I prefer to lock my suitcase when I’m out sightseeing. The locks are also good when you’re going through airports, or for keeping your day pack secure.

Guidebook

I personally don’t bring guidebooks with me to China, but I know lots of people who swear by them. Try bringing an electronic version if you can.

What to pack for China in winter

China is a huge country, and the weather is extremely variable.

When you travel across the country, you can experience almost arctic temperatures in the north as well as tropical heat in the south.

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with China’s weather before you go, and Google the particular cities you’ll be in.

North and west China

Winter in China in the north and west can be brutal. In addition to the clothing items mentioned above, stick these things in your suitcase:

• Beanie
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Thick socks x 4
• Thermals x 4
• Winter jacket (I bring a thin and thick one)
• Lip balm for chapped lips.

If you’re going somewhere particularly icy (this includes Beijing), bring thermal underwear. I like to get at least two days’ wear out of each piece, but the ‘smell test’ is always a good barometer. Ha!

Winter boots may also be helpful if your ordinary walking shoes aren’t up to the task, or you plan on trekking through snow.

If you’re a serious hiker, sunglasses and sunscreen are worth packing too.

South and east China

Southern China has a temperate winter, so the only extra things you may need are:

• Umbrella
• Jacket.

What to pack for China in summer

In addition to the items mentioned above, pop these things in your bag for summer travel:

• Hat
• Flip flops or sandals
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen (Chinese sunscreen may have whitening in it)
• Swimwear
• Umbrella or thin rain jacket for tropical areas
• Mosquito repellent for tropical areas (and mosquito net if you’re camping).

If you plan on swimming in China, ask your hotel for an extra towel to use by the pool/beach. This will save you from bringing your own.

Cities in the south of China, like Guilin, can get really wet in the monsoon. That’s why it’s worth packing some wet weather gear like an umbrella or raincoat.

Local women use umbrellas during summer in China. This stops them from tanning.

Also, telling you to bring flip flops is a bit contradictory as that’s one of the things I say not to wear in China. I’m including it here for those of you who can’t live without flip flops in summer!

Special items for girls vs guys

I’ve mentioned these things already, but here they are with Chinese characters if you forget to BYO and need to find them in a store.

For the ladies:

• Pads 月经垫 (yuè jīng diàn)
• Tampons 卫生棉条 (wèi shēng mián tiáo).

For the lads:

• Condoms 避孕套 (bì yùn tào)
• Lubricant 润滑油 (rùn huá yóu).

Special items for children

Bringing kids to China?

Take everything you would normally bring on a family vacation, and pay special attention to:

• Baby formula – bring the stuff your bub is used to
• Diapers – bring enough for at least the first few days
• Snacks – your kids’ favorite foods may be hard to find in China
• Tablet – keep them entertained on the flight with a tablet loaded with movies and games.

Staying longer?

If you’re staying longer than 10 days, add more of each item of clothing depending on how long your trip is. Just factor in how often you want to be doing (or paying for) washing.

For example, when my sister travels, she doesn’t like doing any washing at all. If her trip is 15 days long, she’ll take 15 pairs of underwear! I personally prefer to bring fewer clothes, and do washing, so that I have room in my suitcase for plenty of Chinese souvenirs and gifts.

If you’re moving to China (e.g. you’re going to teach English for a year or more), I recommend packing these things where applicable:

• A year’s supply of your prescription medication
• Unlocked phone
• VPN on your laptop (in addition to your phone)
• Portable drive or cloud access
• Extra shoes (shoe sizes are small in China)
• Any special hair products
• Perfume or cologne
• Accessories like jewelry.

If you rely on a hair straightener, I suggest buying one in China.

Carry-on luggage for China

Here’s the hand luggage that I routinely bring with me on the plane to China:

• Noise canceling headphones
• Headphone adapter
• Laptop with pre-loaded movies (when using bad airlines like Capital Airlines)
• Kindle
• Roll-on deodorant (some airports have issues with aerosols)
• Eye mask and ear plugs to help me sleep
• Moisturizing face wipes to keep my skin hydrated
• Lip balm
• Tissues
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Underwear
• Pen for filling in customs slips.

The second item on this carry-on list, the headphone adapter, is something I never knew existed until fairly recently.

But this tiny thing is so handy! Basically, it means you can use your own high-quality headphones to listen to the in-flight movies and music, rather than using the crappy disposable headphones provided.

Some airlines offer a bluetooth connection, in which case you wouldn’t need this gadget.

If you’re wondering why I bring extra underwear, it’s a little travel hack in case my luggage is lost. It hasn’t happened to me yet, but it has happened to my sister (and she had to borrow my underwear – that’s another story!).

And by the way, I find those inflatable pillow things uncomfortable, which is why it’s not on the list. Some people swear by them though.

General tips when packing for China

No matter where you go, or how long you go for, remember these tips.

1. Don’t stress if you forget to pack something

You’ll find most things you need in China, so if you happen to forget your pajamas, don’t stress too much. It’s just a matter of asking your tour guide for help.

2. The Chinese are smaller

If you do forget something and need to buy it in China, remember that Chinese people are smaller than Westerners.

For example, if you’re normally medium in underwear, buy large or extra large in China. A lot of Westerners live in Hong Kong so it’s not as big an issue there.

And if you have big feet, don’t plan a big shopping trip for shoes. You may not find anything that fits!

3. Layer up in winter

It’s a good idea to layer up so you can take things on and off quickly as you adjust to different temperatures. Buildings in northern China have central heating.

For me, zip-up hoodies are more practical than regular long-sleeved sweatshirts.

4. Bring quick-dry clothes

I love my decades-old Kathmandu Polartec lightweight pullover. It comes out of the washing machine almost dry, every single time.

5. Your stuff will get dirty

Don’t bring your best clothes as they may get dirty. And avoid bringing white shoes as they’re bound to get filthy in China.

I’ve written an entire article on what not to wear in China if you’re interested in finding out more.

6. Watch your weight

For an economy flight to China, the checked baggage allowance is usually from 23 kg (50 lb) up to 32 kg (70 lb), depending on the airline and kind of ticket you have.

But some airlines allow two pieces at 23 kg (50 lb) each, so refer to your airline for the exact allowance.

I find the international Chinese airlines have a fairly generous luggage limit, but it’s the domestic airlines that you’ve got to look out for.

What you don’t need to pack for China

There are some things you don’t need to bring with you, including:

• Hair dryer
• Perfume or cologne
• Water bottle
• Nail clippers
• First aid kit
• Mandarin phrasebook
• Bikini
• Shower cap.

Hair dryer

Chinese hotels will have these, so don’t bother taking up valuable space in your bag with a dryer from home.

Perfume or cologne

While it’s nice to smell good, unless you have lots of fancy dinners or outings planned in China, I suggest leaving your bottle of perfume at home in case it spills in your suitcase.

Water bottle

You can’t drink from the tap in China, not even at the top hotels. It’s unsafe to drink.

Bottled water is therefore available everywhere, and while all the plastic is shocking for the environment, you’ll need to buy it.

I mean, you could boil water each day in your hotel, wait for it to cool and and pour it into a bottle of your own. But could you be bothered?

Nail clippers

For a trip that’s 10 days or under, I make sure I clip my nails the day before I leave. That way, I’m all set.

First aid kit

Unless you’re a serious hiker, don’t worry about bringing a first aid kit. Just bring all the medications you need, as well as adhesive strips. You can call for help for anything more serious.

Mandarin phrasebook

Instead of lugging around a phrasebook, use Google Translate on your phone.

Bikini

Chinese women tend to cover up a bit more when they’re swimming. Instead of a bikini, they might wear a one-piece bathing suit that has a little skirt around the waist.

Similarly, men tend to wear swim shorts rather than Speedo briefs.

This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear the swimwear of your choice in China. But you’ll stand out and, if you’re female, guys may leer at you.

Shower cap

It’s one of the few freebies you’ll find in a Chinese hotel.

Take a read of the article on what not to bring to China for more on this topic.

Amazing China travel resources

Here are some more China travel-related things I know will help you:

• If you want to do a crash course in Mandarin, I recommend LTL where you can enjoy a 20% discount
• Read the article on vaccinations for China and make an appointment with your doctor if necessary
• Sign up for China travel insurance which is super-important in China where medical costs can be high.

And don’t forget your VPN!

As I mentioned earlier, you don’t want to be left without access to all your favorite websites and apps in China.

See your China VPN options here or get the one that I recommend most:

Just remember that you must download it to your device before you arrive in China.

Final packing tips for China

I hope I’ve been able to help you with lots of practical advice. If you want to read more, I suggest these articles:

• Planning a trip to China
• Food you shouldn’t bring to China
• China travel tips

I hope you have an incredible adventure. Let me know in the comments if you feel I’ve missed a must-have item, or if you have any cool travel hacks of your own.

Have a safe journey, or in Chinese, yī lù píng ān (一路平安)!

And don’t forget, you can save my China packing list PDF to your phone or computer. Tick off the items you already have so you know what you need to get.

Main image credit: Pixel-Shot on Shutterstock.

FAQ about what to pack for China

What are the most important things to pack for China?

As well as your passport, money, cards, and phone, don’t forget to bring any medications you’re on as well as your accommodation written in Chinese characters.

Should I bring cash or cards to China?

It’s important to bring both (as well as use Chinese payment apps). Have enough cash to last you at least a few days, then you can find an ATM. Debit cards are better than credit cards in China, as most places don’t accept credit cards.

Should I bring a camera to China?

China is a safe country, so it’s perfectly fine to bring your camera. But if you don’t mind lower quality photos, just take photos on your phone.

What shouldn’t I pack for China?

Some people bring a reusable drinking bottle to China, but it’s pointless really. Chinese tap water isn’t safe to drink, so you have to buy bottled water.