What to Pack for China (2026): The Complete Packing List for Foreigners

→ Download and install at least two VPN apps (in case one stops working)

→ Download manual configuration files (OpenVPN or WireGuard profiles) as a backup

→ Test the connection before you leave — connect to servers in Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore for the best speeds

→ Save your VPN provider's support email and website offline — you won't be able to visit their site from China

→ Consider paying for a full year upfront to avoid payment issues from China

→ WeChat — messaging, payments, mini-programs, basically your entire social and financial life in China

→ Alipay — payments, metro passes, utility bills, services

→ Didi — ride-hailing (China's Uber, and far more reliable here)

→ Amap / Gaode Maps — navigation that actually works in China (Google Maps is inaccurate and incomplete)

→ Google Translate — download the offline Chinese language pack before departure

→ Pleco — the best Chinese dictionary app, with handwriting and camera recognition

→ Passport — must have at least 6 months validity remaining from your entry date

→ Visa printout — a printed copy of your visa or visa-free entry confirmation (even if it's in your passport, have a separate copy)

→ Hotel booking confirmation — printed, with the hotel's Chinese address visible. Immigration may ask for this at the border

→ Travel insurance documents — policy number, emergency contact number, and coverage summary printed out

→ Passport photocopies — bring 2-3 copies of your passport's photo page. You'll need these for SIM card registration, bank account opening, and accommodation registration

→ Passport-sized photos — bring 4-6 photos (2-inch / 48mm x 33mm, white background). These are required for residence permits, some visa extensions, gym memberships, and various registrations. You can get them in China too, but having them ready saves a trip to a photo shop on day one

→ International driving permit — if you plan to drive, though note that China does not recognize IDPs for long-term stays. You'll need to convert to a Chinese license eventually

→ Bring your full supply in original packaging with pharmacy labels

→ Carry an English-language prescription letter from your doctor listing drug names (generic names, not brand names), dosages, and medical necessity

→ Keep medications in your carry-on luggage, never in checked bags

→ Note: some medications that are legal in Western countries may be controlled or banned in China (particularly certain ADHD medications, strong painkillers, and some sleep aids). Check with the Chinese embassy before traveling if you take any controlled substances

→ Allergy medication — your specific antihistamine (Cetirizine/Zyrtec, Loratadine/Claritin). Available in China but brands differ

→ Cold and flu medication — DayQuil/NyQuil equivalents exist but are formulated differently

→ Pain relief — Ibuprofen and paracetamol are widely available, but bring your preferred brand for the first few weeks

→ Stomach medication — antacids, anti-diarrhea pills (Imodium), and electrolyte packets. Your stomach may need time to adjust to new foods and water

→ Any vitamins or supplements you take regularly — specific formulations are hard to match in China

→ Universal travel adapter — one that covers Type A and Type I outlets. Most hotels in major cities have universal sockets at the desk, but apartments, Airbnbs, and smaller hotels often have only Chinese outlets

→ Power strip with USB ports — bring a compact one from home. This way you only need one adapter to charge multiple devices. A 3-4 outlet strip with USB-A and USB-C ports is ideal

→ Portable battery pack — 10,000-20,000 mAh. Your phone will drain faster than usual because you'll be using maps, translation, and payment apps constantly. You can also rent battery packs from ubiquitous stations across China, but having your own is more reliable for the first few days

→ Temperatures regularly hit 38-40 degrees C (100-104 degrees F) with extreme humidity. You will sweat through everything

→ Pack lightweight, breathable fabrics — cotton and linen are your friends

→ Bring a light long-sleeve layer for aggressive air conditioning in malls, offices, and the metro

→ A compact umbrella is essential — summer thunderstorms are sudden and intense

→ Sunscreen with high SPF (your preferred brand — Chinese sunscreens are excellent but formulations differ)

→ Shanghai winters hover around 0-5 degrees C (32-41 degrees F), but the damp cold makes it feel much colder than dry-cold cities at the same temperature

→ Most Shanghai apartments do not have central heating (unlike northern Chinese cities). You'll want warm layers for indoors too

→ Pack thermal underlayers, a solid winter coat, and warm socks

→ A good scarf and gloves are essential — the wind off the Huangpu River cuts right through you

→ The most pleasant seasons, with temperatures around 15-25 degrees C (59-77 degrees F)

→ Layering is key — mornings can be cool and afternoons warm

→ A light jacket or cardigan will cover most situations

→ Spring can be rainy, so pack a rain jacket or umbrella

→ One set of formal / business attire — you'll need it for opening a bank account (yes, really — some banks are more helpful when you look professional), work meetings, and any government office visits

→ Comfortable walking shoes — Chinese cities involve a lot of walking. Metro stations are huge, sidewalks are long, and you'll often walk 10,000-15,000 steps a day without trying

→ Slip-on shoes — you remove shoes when entering Chinese homes and many apartments. Having easy on-off shoes saves time

→ Large amounts of cash — China runs on mobile payments. WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted virtually everywhere, from street food vendors to luxury hotels. Bring some cash for the first day (500-1000 RMB is enough), but don't stuff your luggage with bills. You can exchange more at any bank if needed

→ International SIM card on a long-term plan — roaming charges are expensive and you'll need a Chinese phone number anyway for app registrations. Use an eSIM for the first few days, then get a local SIM. See our SIM card guide

→ Excessive Western toiletries and groceries — Chinese supermarkets like Ole, Sam's Club, and Hema carry international brands of shampoo, deodorant, soap, skincare, and snacks. They're often cheaper than importing from home. Bring a small travel supply for the first week, then shop locally

→ Physical books and entertainment — books are heavy and take up precious luggage space. Everything is digital now — load up your Kindle, download shows to your phone, and bring a pair of good earbuds instead

→ Too many towels and bedding — hotels provide these, and if you're renting an apartment, you can buy quality linens on Taobao for very little. They'll be delivered to your door within 1-2 days

→ Bulky kitchen appliances — different voltage, different plug, and you can buy everything locally. Chinese e-commerce is incredibly fast and affordable

→ Portable battery pack (10,000+ mAh) — already mentioned above, but it's worth repeating. You'll be using your phone for payments, navigation, and translation all day. A dead phone in China means no wallet, no map, and no way to communicate. Rental stations (shared power banks) are everywhere in China, but you'll feel more comfortable with your own in the first week

→ Reusable water bottle — tap water in China is not drinkable. You'll be buying bottled water or using the filtered water dispensers that are common in offices, apartments, and public spaces. A good insulated bottle means you always have water on hand and can fill up from the ubiquitous hot water dispensers (most Chinese people drink hot water, and dispensers are everywhere)

→ Photos from home — this sounds sentimental, but seasoned expats swear by it. A few printed photos of family, friends, or your hometown can help enormously during the homesickness that hits around week two or three. They also make your temporary apartment feel more like home

→ Small gifts from your country — this is a cultural powerhouse move. Bring a few small, lightweight items that represent your home country: chocolate, local snacks, small souvenirs, or specialty coffee. Chinese colleagues, landlords, and new friends genuinely appreciate these gestures, and they're unbeatable conversation starters. A box of Belgian chocolate or a bag of American beef jerky has opened more doors in China than any business card

→ Notebook and pen — when language fails, drawing a picture or pointing at written Chinese characters works surprisingly well. Also useful for jotting down addresses in Chinese that someone writes for you

→ Earplugs and sleep mask — Chinese cities are loud. Construction, traffic, and early-morning street life start before 7 AM. If you're a light sleeper, these are non-negotiable