What to Pack for China: The Practical Checklist

Packing for China is easy: you can buy almost anything there. But a few items make a real difference, especially in the first days. Here's our checklist.

Documents

• Passport with at least six months' validity and blank pages. You will need it for hotels, trains and many sights.
• A photo of your passport saved on your phone.
• Visa or visa-free entry: check the latest rules in our visa guide.
• Travel insurance details.

Phone and power

• An eSIM or roaming plan so WhatsApp, Google and Instagram keep working. See essential apps.
• Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your card. See how to pay in China.
• A power bank (under 20,000 mAh and in your hand luggage).
• Plug adapter: China uses types A, C and I sockets. Many hotel sockets take several plug shapes, but a universal adapter is safest.

Clothes by season

• Spring and autumn: layers, a light jacket and a scarf for cool evenings.
• Summer: breathable clothes, a hat, sunglasses and a light rain jacket.
• Winter: a warm coat, gloves and a hat for Beijing and the north; the south is milder.
• All year: comfortable walking shoes. You'll walk more than you think, often on steps.

Health and small essentials

• Your regular medicines, with a copy of the prescription.
• Hand sanitiser and tissues: some public toilets don't provide paper.
• Sunscreen, which can be pricier in China.
• A reusable water bottle; hotels have boiled or bottled water.

Leave at home

• Large amounts of cash: mobile payment works almost everywhere.
• Drones, unless you have checked local rules.

How we help

Before you fly, we send a short China guide covering payments, eSIM, apps and your visa route, so you arrive ready. Ask us anything on WhatsApp.

← All travel guides