China Packing List 2026
The complete checklist for every China trip — documents, tech, clothing by season, health essentials, money, and items that are unique to travelling in China.
Before You Leave Home — The Three Non-Negotiables
- 1. Install and test your VPN. Google Maps, WhatsApp, and Gmail are blocked in China. You cannot download or activate VPN apps once you arrive.
- 2. Set up WeChat Pay or Alipay with a foreign card. China is cashless — most restaurants, shops, and taxis no longer accept foreign cards or cash.
- 3. Download offline maps. Maps.me or Baidu Maps with China offline data. Google Maps does not work in China.
Essential Documents
Keep originals and photocopies in separate bags. Store a digital copy in cloud storage accessible offline.
- Passport (valid 6+ months after travel date)Essential
- China visa (or e-visa approval printout)Essential
- Travel insurance policy documents + emergency numberEssential
- Flight confirmation printouts (offline copy)Essential
- Hotel confirmation printoutsEssential
- Tour booking confirmations (Panda Touring documents)Essential
- Passport photocopy (store separately from passport)Essential
- Emergency contacts card (printed)
- International driving permit (if self-driving)
Technology & Apps
China's internet restrictions mean tech preparation is more important than for any other major travel destination.
- VPN app installed and tested before departure (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram are blocked in China)Essential
- WeChat or Alipay set up with foreign card linked (for cashless payments)Essential
- Offline maps downloaded (Maps.me or Baidu Maps — Google Maps is blocked)Essential
- Universal travel adapter (China uses Type A/I sockets)Essential
- Power bank (10,000+ mAh — long days away from plugs)Essential
- Smartphone with Chinese SIM or international roaming planEssential
- Translation app (DeepL or Google Translate — download Chinese offline pack)Essential
- Camera + spare memory cards
- Laptop or tablet (optional — smartphone is sufficient for most trips)
- Portable Wi-Fi hotspot (alternative to Chinese SIM)
Clothing by Season
Spring & Autumn (Apr–May, Sep–Oct) — Recommended Season
The best time to visit China. Layers are key — mornings and evenings are cool, afternoons warm.
- Light long-sleeve shirts or blouses (3–4)
- T-shirts (3–4)
- Zip-off hiking trousers or light trousers (2)
- Light cardigan or fleece jacket
- Packable down jacket (for evenings and mountains)
- Rain jacket or packable poncho (spring rain is common)
- Comfortable walking shoes (broken in before travel)
- Sandals for cities
- Warm socks (5–7 pairs)
Summer (Jun–Aug) — Hot and Humid
China in summer is very hot (30–38°C in most cities). Lightweight, breathable fabrics are essential.
- Lightweight t-shirts and shirts (5–6)
- Lightweight shorts or linen trousers (3–4)
- Lightweight dress or skirt (for women)
- Light cardigan or shawl (for air-conditioned restaurants and temples requiring covered shoulders)
- Rain jacket (typhoon season in coastal areas)
- Breathable walking shoes
- Sandals
- Hat with wide brim for sun protection
- Lightweight compact umbrella
Winter (Nov–Mar) — Cold in the North
Beijing can reach -10°C. Shanghai is wet and cold (2–8°C). Southern cities (Guilin, Chengdu) are milder (5–15°C).
- Thermal base layers (2 sets)
- Heavy-duty fleece or down jacket
- Warm waterproof outer jacket
- Warm trousers (2–3 pairs)
- Wool or thermal socks (5–7 pairs)
- Warm hat and gloves
- Scarf
- Waterproof boots (for Beijing and northern China)
- Umbrella (winter rain is common in Shanghai and southern China)
Health & Medical
- Hand sanitiser — useful in rural areas and before street foodEssential
- N95 masks (2–3) — for pollution days in Beijing/ShanghaiEssential
- Prescription medications (with doctor's letter + extra supply)Essential
- Diarrhoea tablets (Imodium) — adjustment period is common for new cuisinesEssential
- Antacids / heartburn tablets
- Anti-histamines (for dust, pollen, or food reactions)
- Sunscreen SPF 50+ (expensive and less effective options available in China)Essential
- Insect repellent (essential for Guilin, Zhangjiajie, and rural areas)Essential
- Altitude sickness tablets (acetazolamide) if visiting Tibet or Yunnan above 3,000 m
- Small first-aid kit: plasters, antiseptic wipes, pain relief
Money & Cards
- Credit card with no foreign transaction fees (notify bank before departure)Essential
- Cash: ¥1,000–2,000 yuan for small vendors, taxis, rural areasEssential
- Backup credit card (store separately)Essential
- Alipay or WeChat Pay linked (most restaurants, shops are now cashless)Essential
- Note of emergency card cancellation numbers
China-Specific Essentials
Items that are either unique to China travel or particularly important given local conditions.
Many public toilets in China (outside hotels) do not provide toilet paper. Always carry a small pack.
Public toilets outside hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites are often squat-style. Comfortable trousers and shoes with good grip help.
Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in China. Bottled water is cheap (¥2–5) but a refillable bottle reduces waste. Hotels provide thermos flasks of hot water free — useful for instant noodles or green tea.
Essential for day trips (Great Wall, panda base, Zhangjiajie). Most tours involve significant walking.
China's major sites involve extensive walking on uneven stone surfaces. The Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Zhangjiajie National Park require comfortable, worn-in shoes. Do not bring new footwear for these sites.
Temples and monasteries require covered shoulders and knees. A light scarf or shawl can convert a strappy top for temple visits.
Useful for hostel lockers and securing luggage zips on overnight trains.
Hotels at all levels have laundry services (¥30–80 per load), but sheets or a small bag of powder lets you wash socks and underwear easily.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to enter China?
Most foreign nationals need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their travel date, plus a Chinese visa obtained in advance from a Chinese embassy or consulate. Citizens of some countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, and several others) can enter China visa-free for 15–30 days under 2024–2025 policy expansions. Always check current visa requirements 4–6 weeks before travel, as policies change.
Should I get a VPN before going to China?
Yes — install and test a VPN before you leave home. In China, Google (including Maps, Gmail, Drive), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and most foreign news sites are blocked by the Great Firewall. Reliable VPNs that work in China (as of 2026): ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill. Download and activate before arrival — you cannot access VPN websites from within China.
Do I need WeChat Pay or Alipay in China?
Highly recommended. China is increasingly cashless, and many small restaurants, shops, and market vendors no longer accept cash or foreign cards. Both apps can now be linked to foreign Visa and Mastercard cards. Set up one before departure. Alipay's international version (supporting foreign cards) is generally easier for visitors. Cash is still needed for rural areas, small vendors, and taxis that don't use apps.
What power adapter do I need for China?
China primarily uses Type A sockets (two flat pins, same as USA/Canada) and Type I sockets (angled pins, same as Australia). Most modern hotels have universal sockets. Bring a universal travel adapter to be safe. China operates on 220V/50Hz — US appliances rated 110V only may need a voltage converter (most modern electronics are dual-voltage; check the power brick label).
Is it safe to drink tap water in China?
No — tap water in China is not safe to drink anywhere in the country. Always use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is cheap (¥2–5 per 600ml bottle) and widely available. Chinese hotels provide free thermos flasks of hot boiled water — safe to drink when cooled. Bring a reusable water bottle and refill from hotel kettles.
How much cash should I bring to China?
Bring ¥1,000–2,000 Chinese yuan (approximately $140–280 USD) for contingencies: rural market vendors, small local taxis, tips, and places that do not accept apps or foreign cards. ATMs at major banks (Bank of China, ICBC, China Construction Bank) accept international Visa and Mastercard. Exchange rate at ATMs is better than airport currency exchanges.
What should I wear for the Great Wall?
Sturdy walking shoes with good grip are essential — the Wall is steep and the stone steps are uneven. Layers are important: the mountaintop is always cooler than the city below, even in summer. In spring and autumn, bring a light jacket. In summer, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, SPF lip balm) is critical — there is almost no shade on the Wall. Avoid sandals, heels, and new shoes.
Do I need travel insurance for China?
Yes — strongly recommended. Medical treatment at international-standard hospitals in China costs $200–500+ per consultation, and hospital stays run $1,000–3,000 per day. China has no healthcare reciprocity agreements with most countries. Travel insurance covering $100,000+ medical costs costs approximately $50–150 for a 2-week trip. World Nomads and Allianz are popular options for China visitors.
Related China Travel Tools
- China Travel Budget Calculator 2026 — Estimate your total trip cost by city and travel style
- China Travel FAQ — Answers to the most common China travel questions
- China Itineraries — Curated multi-day routes for every trip length
- China Visa Guide 2026 — Visa requirements, costs, and how to apply
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