China Packing List 2026: What You Actually Need (And What's a Waste of Space)
If you've never been to China, packing for it feels like a guessing game. You've probably read generic lists that say "bring comfortable shoes" and "don't forget your passport." Helpful, but not exactly useful.
This guide is different. It's based on what travelers actually regret not bringing — and what they hauled halfway around the world only to find at a convenience store for ¥3. We've cross-referenced TripAdvisor forums, Reddit threads (r/travelchina and r/chinalife), first-hand accounts from foreign tourists on Xiaohongshu (RED), and packing guides from people who've lived in China for 10+ years.
The short version: China is simultaneously hyper-modern and surprisingly old-school. You'll pay for street food by scanning a QR code, then walk into a public toilet with no toilet paper. Your phone is your wallet, your map, and your translator — but it won't load Instagram without a VPN you should have installed before boarding. Pack accordingly.
The Digital Survival Kit: Do This Before You Fly
This isn't optional. You cannot set these up after landing. The Great Firewall means Google Play Store and Apple App Store are restricted. If you didn't install it at home, you won't get it in China.
VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Install at least one VPN before departure. Better yet, install two — one as backup. Test it the night before your flight. If it doesn't connect in your home country, it won't work in China either.
What you need it for: Gmail, Google Maps (partially), Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, X (Twitter), Google News, and basically any Western social media or email platform.
Real talk from travelers: As of 2026, VPN reliability varies. Some work perfectly for weeks, then stop overnight. Having a backup provider on a different protocol is not paranoid — it's practical. Many experienced travelers now use a combination of a paid VPN on their phone plus an eSIM with built-in VPN routing as fallback.
Do not bring a standalone VPN router. They're bulky, need configuration, and often fail in hotel networks. Your phone is fine.
Payment Apps: Alipay & WeChat Pay
China runs on QR codes. Not metaphorically — literally. Street vendors, noodle shops, taxi drivers, even beggars have QR codes. Cash is still accepted by law, but you'll get confused looks and they often can't make change for a ¥100 note.
What to do before departure:
Download Alipay (支付宝). It now supports international credit cards for foreigners — Visa, Mastercard, Amex all work.
Complete identity verification. You'll need your passport. The app will guide you through facial recognition.
Add your credit card as payment method.
Test it: try paying ¥1 to a friend or making a small in-app purchase.
WeChat Pay (微信支付) is the backup. Same process: download WeChat, verify with passport, link your foreign card. Alipay is generally more foreigner-friendly, but WeChat is useful for communication since that's what every Chinese person uses.
What nobody tells you: Even after setup, payment sometimes fails for foreign cards on first attempt. Don't panic. It usually works on the second or third try. Carry ¥300-500 in cash as emergency backup — enough for a meal and a taxi while you troubleshoot.
Essential Apps to Download
Alipay — Primary payment. Also has built-in Didi (ride-hailing), train booking, and translation. This is your most important app.
WeChat — Backup payment + communication. Every Chinese person uses it for messaging.
Baidu Maps or Amap (高德地图) — Google Maps technically loads, but directions are unreliable. These actually work in China.
Google Translate — Download the offline Chinese language pack before you leave. Works without VPN in offline mode.
Didi (滴滴出行) — Chinese Uber. Has English interface. Links directly to Alipay for payment.
Pleco — Chinese-English dictionary. Works fully offline. Point your phone camera at Chinese text and it translates live.
Trip.com (formerly Ctrip) — Train tickets, flights, hotels. English interface, accepts foreign credit cards.
For Your Phone Itself
Your phone must be unlocked (not tied to a carrier). You'll likely use an eSIM or buy a physical Chinese SIM.
An eSIM with data (like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad) is the simplest option — no passport registration needed, data works immediately on landing. Some eSIMs route through Hong Kong and bypass the firewall, meaning VPN not needed for basic browsing.
If you go the physical SIM route: China Mobile/China Unicom/China Telecom shops at airports can set you up. Bring your passport. A 30-day plan with 20-30GB costs about ¥100-200.
Documents & Money: What to Pack and What to Copy
Physical Documents
Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date. This is non-negotiable.
Visa (if applicable): Check if your nationality qualifies for the 15-day unilateral visa waiver (50+ countries as of 2026) or 240-hour transit without visa.
Printed hotel confirmations: In Chinese and English. Some hotels require them at check-in, especially in smaller cities.
Printed flight itinerary: Required if using transit without visa. Immigration will ask to see your onward ticket.
Travel insurance documents: Not mandatory for entry, but you'd be foolish not to have coverage.
Two spare passport photos: 48mm × 33mm, white background. Needed if you lose your passport or need an emergency travel document.
Digital Backups
Save the following to a cloud folder AND an offline note on your phone:
Passport photo page (clear scan)
Visa page or visa-free confirmation
Hotel booking confirmations
Flight tickets
Insurance policy number and emergency contact
Your hotel's address in Chinese characters — screenshot it. Show it to taxi drivers. This alone will save you hours of confusion.
Money
Cash (RMB): ¥500-1,000 — Emergency backup only. Get small notes (¥10, ¥20, ¥50). ¥100 notes are nearly impossible to break at small shops and street vendors.
Foreign credit card: 1-2 cards — For linking to Alipay and WeChat Pay, and as ATM backup. Visa and Mastercard both work.
International debit card: 1 card — For ATM withdrawals. Wise and Revolut consistently offer the best exchange rates in China.
ATM tip: Bank of China (中国银行) and ICBC (工商银行) ATMs consistently work with foreign cards. Smaller bank ATMs may reject them. When withdrawing, select "Credit Card" or "International Card" — not "Savings."
The Stuff Nobody Tells You to Pack (But You'll Regret Not Having)
This section is built from the real "I wish someone had told me" moments shared by foreign travelers.
Tissues / Toilet Paper (小包纸巾)
If you remember exactly one thing from this article, let it be this: carry a small pack of tissues everywhere.
Public restrooms in China — including those in some train stations, parks, tourist sites, and even shopping malls — frequently do not provide toilet paper. This isn't a budget hotel thing. This is a national norm.
What to do: Buy multi-pack pocket tissues (小包纸巾) at any convenience store on arrival for about ¥1 per pack. Keep one in every bag and jacket. Some travelers bring a small roll of toilet paper in a zip-lock bag as backup for longer day trips.
Hand Sanitizer
Goes with the toilet paper situation. Public restrooms also frequently lack soap. A small bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer clipped to your day bag will get used more than you expect — especially before eating street food.
Deodorant / Antiperspirant
This catches many Western travelers off guard. Stick or roll-on deodorant is difficult to find in China. Most Chinese drugstores and supermarkets stock spray deodorants with very light formulations, or none at all in smaller cities. Antiperspirant specifically is nearly nonexistent outside international import stores in Shanghai and Beijing.
Bring enough to last your entire trip. If you're picky about brand or formula, don't assume you'll find it locally.
Menstrual Products
Tampons exist in China but are far less common than pads. Convenience stores almost never stock them. Larger supermarkets in major cities might have a single brand. If you use tampons or a menstrual cup, bring your supply from home. Pads are widely available and cheap.
Sunscreen Without Whitening
Chinese sunscreens overwhelmingly contain skin-whitening or brightening ingredients. If you have sensitive skin, prefer reef-safe formulas, or simply don't want your face to lighten several shades, bring your own sunscreen. This is especially important for high-altitude destinations like Tibet, Yunnan, and western Sichuan, where UV radiation is intense.
Insect Repellent
Southern China in summer is lush, humid, and full of mosquitoes. While mosquito repellent is available locally, the formulas differ from Western brands and some travelers find them less effective. If mosquitoes love you, bring a DEET-based repellent from home. Dengue fever is present in parts of southern China, particularly Guangdong and Yunnan, so this isn't just about comfort.
Specific Over-the-Counter Medications
Some Western OTC staples either don't exist in China or require a Chinese ID to purchase:
Imodium (loperamide) for traveler's diarrhea. Chinese pharmacies stock alternatives, but they work differently.
Pepto-Bismol. This simply isn't sold in China. If your stomach knows and trusts the pink stuff, pack it.
Your preferred pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen). Available in China, but often in lower doses or combined with other ingredients you may not want.
Antihistamines (Claritin, Zyrtec, etc.). Available but brand names differ and dosing may be different.
Prescription Medications
Bring enough to last your entire trip plus an extra week.
Keep everything in original packaging with pharmacy labels.
Carry a doctor's letter (English + Chinese translation) listing each medication, dosage, and medical necessity. This is especially important if you carry:
ADHD medication (many are controlled substances in China)
Strong painkillers
Anxiety or sleep medications
Injectable medications (insulin, EpiPen — also bring a doctor's note)
Critical warning: Medications containing codeine are banned in China. Check every ingredient on every medication. Some cough syrups and painkillers that are OTC in your country contain codeine. Carrying them into China can result in detention. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, some cold medicines) is restricted — bring the prescription.
CBD products of any kind are illegal in China, regardless of their legal status in your home country. Do not bring CBD oil, gummies, creams, or vapes.
Clothing: What You'll Actually Wear
The Universal Rule: Comfortable Walking Shoes
This gets said in every packing list for every country, but China takes it to another level. The average tourist walks 15,000-25,000 steps per day — on concrete, marble, ancient stone streets, and endless subway corridors.
Leave the fashionable-but-painful shoes at home. Bring one pair of broken-in walking shoes or cushioned sneakers. If you're hiking the Great Wall, Zhangjiajie, or Tiger Leaping Gorge, you'll want trail shoes with ankle support — those steps are steep and uneven. But for 90% of China travel, a good pair of sneakers is all you need.
Pro tip: Shoes you can slip on and off easily are a genuine advantage. You'll remove your shoes at temples, some restaurants, and private homes. Lace-up boots at every doorway get old fast.
The Layering System
China's climate demands layers. A single city can swing 15°C between morning and evening in spring and autumn. Air conditioning in summer is aggressively cold — malls, trains, and restaurants set thermostats to 18-20°C while it's 38°C outside. Moving between indoors and outdoors means constant temperature whiplash.
Your basic system:
Base layer: T-shirt or lightweight top. Quick-dry fabric beats cotton in humidity.
Mid layer: Light sweater, fleece, or long-sleeve shirt. Your most-worn item in transit.
Outer layer: Windbreaker, light jacket, or packable down jacket depending on season.
Emergency AC layer: A thin cardigan or hoodie that lives in your day bag. You'll use this year-round in restaurants and trains, even in July.
Cotton is a mistake in summer. Humidity in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing hits 80-90%. Cotton absorbs moisture and never dries. Synthetic quick-dry fabrics or lightweight merino wool are genuinely better choices.
Seasonal Breakdown
Spring (March - May) Temperatures: 10-25°C. Variable. Rain increases through May, especially south of the Yangtze.
Light jacket or windbreaker
Layers you can peel off by midday
Waterproof shoes or at least water-resistant sneakers for the south
A packable umbrella (or buy one on the street for ¥10 when it inevitably rains)
KN95 mask if visiting Beijing or northern cities — spring dust storms from the Gobi Desert are real
Summer (June - August) Temperatures: 25-40°C with extreme humidity in central and southern China.
Lightweight, loose, breathable fabrics
Sun hat with a brim
Your own sunscreen (see toiletries section)
The "AC cardigan" is non-negotiable
A portable handheld fan — these are sold everywhere in China, but having one from day one helps
At least one outfit that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits
Quick-dry everything. Laundry hung in a humid hotel room may take two days to dry otherwise.
Autumn (September - November) Temperatures: 10-25°C. This is China's best season — crisp, dry, beautiful.
Same layering system as spring, slightly warmer on average
A medium-weight jacket for evenings
Scarf — surprisingly useful as temperatures drop after sunset
This is the season you can pack lightest and be most comfortable
Winter (December - February) This is where most foreign travelers get it wrong. There's a critical geographic divide:
North of the Huai River-Qin Mountains line (Beijing, Xi'an, Harbin, Shenyang): Indoor heating exists and is intense. Hotel rooms are often 25°C+. Outside it's -5°C to -25°C. The system: heavy coat, hat, gloves, scarf for outdoors — normal clothes underneath. You'll sweat inside if you overdress. Lip balm is essential — winter air is painfully dry.
South of the line (Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Wuhan, Changsha, Guilin): This is the trap. Most buildings south of the line have no central heating. It's 5-10°C outside and often 8-12°C inside. The cold is damp, penetrating, and relentless. Hotels have individual AC/heater units, but restaurants, shops, and hallways may not. Pack:
Thermal underwear (top and bottom)
Wool socks
Warm sleepwear
A down jacket that actually works (not just a fashion piece)
Indoor slippers or thick socks for your hotel room
This southern winter experience — "warmer" temperatures but no heating — catches more visitors off guard than Harbin's -25°C ever does. The locals call the southern winter cold "魔法攻击" (magical attack) because it bypasses all your clothing defenses.
Regional Nuances
Tibet, Yunnan, Western Sichuan (high altitude) UV radiation is extreme even on cloudy days. Polarized sunglasses, wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and lip balm with SPF are all mandatory. The temperature swings are dramatic — from near-freezing at sunrise to 25°C by noon. Pack for all four seasons in one day.
Southern China (Guilin, Yangshuo, Hainan) Humidity is the defining feature. Everything you own will feel slightly damp. Quick-dry fabrics, minimal cotton, and sandals or ventilated shoes. Insect repellent is essential year-round.
Xinjiang, Gansu, Inner Mongolia (desert/steppe) Extreme dryness. Your skin and lips will crack without aggressive moisturizing. Temperature swings of 20°C+ in a single day are normal. Dust is pervasive — bring lens wipes for glasses and cameras, and consider a light scarf or buff for your face on windy days.
Temple & Religious Site Dress Code
Even in summer, you need one outfit that covers shoulders and knees. Buddhist, Taoist, and Islamic sites throughout China enforce this — some strictly, some loosely. A lightweight scarf or sarong in your day bag solves this without carrying a full outfit change. Temples in major tourist destinations sometimes sell wrap skirts at the entrance for ¥20-40 if you forget, but don't count on it in rural areas.
What You Don't Need to Bring
Formal wear: China dresses casually. Even business meetings are increasingly relaxed. Unless you have a specific formal event, leave the blazer and dress shoes.
Heavy books or guidebooks: Your phone does everything.
Excessive clothing: Laundry service in China is cheap (¥15-30 per load) and fast (same-day return at most hotels). Pack for 5-7 days max regardless of trip length.
Hiking poles: Unless you have specific medical need, buy these in China for ¥30-80. They're everywhere near major hiking destinations. Your airline might confiscate them from carry-on anyway.
Electronics & Gadgets
Power Bank (充电宝)
This is not optional. Your phone runs your entire trip — maps, payments, translation, ride-hailing, tickets. It dies, you're functionally stranded.
China has strict airport security rules about power banks:
Must be in carry-on luggage — never checked baggage
Capacity must be clearly labeled on the device
Maximum 20,000 mAh is safe for all domestic flights
20,000-27,000 mAh (up to 100 Wh) requires airline approval
Over 27,000 mAh is banned on domestic flights
You're limited to 2 power banks per person
Recommendation: Bring a 20,000 mAh model with the capacity clearly printed on it. Anker and Xiaomi power banks are excellent and cheap in China, but you can't buy one at the airport before your first domestic flight.
Plug Adapter
China uses 220V. Plug types are a mix:
Type A (two flat parallel prongs, same as US)
Type I (three flat prongs in triangular arrangement, same as Australia/New Zealand)
Some outlets accept both
A universal travel adapter covers all scenarios. Most phone and laptop chargers are dual-voltage (100-240V) — check yours. If it says "Input: 100-240V," you only need the physical adapter, not a voltage converter.
Cables
Bring at least two charging cables for your phone. They break, disappear, get left in hotel rooms. Replacement cables from convenience stores exist but are low quality and overpriced. A short cable for your power bank plus a long cable for bedside is the practical setup.
Laptop: Probably Skip It
Unless you're working remotely, leave the laptop. It's heavy, a theft target, and requires its own charging setup. Your phone handles everything a tourist needs to do. If you must bring one, keep it in your carry-on and don't leave it unattended.
Camera: Phone Is Probably Enough
Modern phone cameras are genuinely good enough for travel photography. Unless you're a serious photographer with specific needs, the bulk of a DSLR or mirrorless camera isn't worth it. If you do bring one, know that some museums and temples restrict tripod use and flash photography.
Drone: Not Worth the Headache
Drones require registration with the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Major cities, airports, military zones, and most tourist sites are no-fly zones. Your drone may be confiscated at entry points or site security. Unless you have a specific, permitted shoot planned, it's more trouble than it's worth.
Toiletries: Bring vs. Buy Locally
Bring From Home
Deodorant / antiperspirant — Extremely limited selection in China. Import stores in Shanghai and Beijing carry a few brands, but at 3-5× the price you'd pay at home. If you have a brand you like, bring enough for the whole trip.
Tampons — Convenience stores rarely stock them. Large supermarkets in major cities might carry one brand. Pads are widely available everywhere.
Non-whitening sunscreen — The vast majority of Chinese sunscreens contain skin-brightening or whitening agents. If your skin is sensitive or you prefer a basic sunscreen, bring your own.
Your specific skincare products — If you follow a skincare routine with particular brands and formulations, bring them. Chinese equivalents exist but may not match what your skin is accustomed to.
Contact lens solution (if you use a specific brand) — Available in China but formulations may differ from what your eyes tolerate.
Insect repellent with DEET — Available in China but with different active ingredients and concentrations. If DEET is what works for you, pack it from home.
Buy in China (Save Luggage Space)
Toothpaste and toothbrush — Any supermarket, ¥10-30
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash — Supermarket, Watsons, or Mannings, ¥20-60
Disposable razors — Any convenience store, ¥10-20
Shaving cream — Supermarket or Watsons, ¥20-40
Pocket tissues — Any convenience store, ¥1-3 per pack. Stock up on arrival.
Wet wipes — Any convenience store, ¥5-15
Basic pain relievers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) — Any pharmacy (药店), ¥10-30
Umbrella — Street vendors appear magically the moment it rains, ¥10-20
Flip-flops or slippers — Any market or supermarket, ¥15-40
Basic T-shirts, socks, underwear — Uniqlo, Miniso, or local markets, ¥30-100
Where to Shop
Watsons and Mannings (屈臣氏 / 万宁) are drugstore chains with Western toiletries. Found in every shopping area.
Miniso (名创优品) and Muji (无印良品) for basic travel accessories, storage, and simple clothing.
Uniqlo (优衣库) for affordable, good-quality basics if you need to supplement your clothing.
7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson convenience stores are everywhere in cities and stock essentials 24/7. Chinese convenience stores are genuinely good — hot food, cold drinks, basic toiletries, phone charging.
What NOT to Bring
Some things aren't just unnecessary — they can get you in trouble.
Banned or Restricted Items
Codeine-containing medication: BANNED. This is the most serious one. Many cough syrups and painkillers sold over the counter in Western countries contain codeine — and bringing them into China can result in detention. Check every ingredient on every medication in your bag.
CBD products (oils, gummies, creams, vapes): BANNED. Illegal regardless of their legal status in your home country. No exceptions, no "medical use" defense.
Fresh fruit, meat, dairy: BANNED. Will be confiscated at customs. Processed snacks in sealed packaging are fine.
Political or religious materials in bulk: RESTRICTED. A personal Bible, Quran, or prayer book is fine. Stacks of pamphlets, flyers, or materials intended for distribution are not.
Large knives or multitools with blades: RESTRICTED in public. Will be confiscated at subway and train station security checks — which you go through constantly.
Walkie-talkies (certain frequencies): RESTRICTED. Some frequency bands are reserved for government use and carrying equipment on those bands can lead to confiscation.
Over ¥20,000 in undeclared cash: MUST DECLARE. Failure to declare can result in confiscation.
Unregistered drone: RESTRICTED. Requires registration with the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Most cities and tourist sites are no-fly zones anyway.
Just Don't Bother
Excessive cash: ¥1,000 is plenty for emergencies. Everything else is QR payment.
Traveler's checks: These stopped being useful in China about 15 years ago.
Chromecast, Google Home, Alexa: Don't work behind the firewall.
Heavy guidebook: Your phone replaces Lonely Planet. Offline maps + translation + reviews = everything a book does, lighter.
VPN router / travel router: More trouble than they're worth. Phone-based VPN is sufficient.
Formal dress shoes: Unless you have a wedding or diplomatic function, you won't wear them.
The Daily Carry: What Goes in Your Day Bag
Every day you leave the hotel, your small day bag should contain:
Phone (charged to 100%)
Power bank (charged, with cable)
Passport photocopy (or keep a photo on your phone — leave the actual passport in the hotel safe when possible)
Tissues (at least one pack)
Hand sanitizer
Cash (¥200-300 in mixed small notes)
Sunscreen (reapply during the day)
Water bottle (refill at your hotel or buy bottled water — tap water is not potable)
The "AC layer" (cardigan, hoodie, or scarf)
Hotel business card (the one with the address in Chinese characters. Grab one from the front desk on day one)
Optional but smart:
Wet wipes (for sticky hands after street food)
A sealed plastic bag (protect your phone in sudden rain)
A small snack (nuts, granola bar — some highway rest stops have limited options)
Seasonal Quick-Pack Summaries
Spring Trip (Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai)
Light waterproof jacket
3-4 short-sleeve tops
2 long-sleeve shirts
2 pairs comfortable pants/jeans
1 pair walking sneakers
Sunglasses
Lip balm
KN95 masks (northern cities, dust storms)
Summer Trip (Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Chongqing)
The lightest clothes you own
Sun hat with full brim
2 pairs quick-dry shorts / skirts
4-5 quick-dry tops (you'll change mid-day in humidity)
Sunscreen (your own, not local whitening)
Insect repellent
Portable fan (buy locally day one if not packed)
The AC cardigan
Temple-safe outfit (shoulders + knees covered)
Sandals + walking sneakers
Umbrella (afternoon thunderstorms are common)
Autumn Trip (Beijing, Xi'an, Zhangjiajie, Yunnan)
Light jacket or fleece
3-4 tops for layering
2 pairs comfortable pants
Scarf
Walking sneakers (or light hiking shoes for mountain areas)
Sunglasses
This is the easiest season to pack for
Winter Trip (Northern: Beijing, Harbin)
Heavy down coat or parka
Thermal underwear (top + bottom)
Wool sweater or thick fleece
3 pairs wool socks
Insulated waterproof boots
Gloves (touchscreen-compatible is a bonus)
Hat that covers ears
Scarf or neck gaiter
Lip balm × 2 (you'll lose one)
Heavy moisturizer
Winter Trip (Southern: Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Guilin)
Medium down jacket or warm coat
Thermal underwear (critical — it's for indoors too)
2 sweaters or fleeces
3 pairs wool socks
Warm sleepwear (hotel rooms may be cold)
Comfortable walking shoes (insulated if possible)
Gloves
Scarf
Hot water bottle is available locally, great for cold hotel beds
Pre-Flight Checklist
The morning of your departure, verify:
Digital (do NOT skip these):
VPN installed and tested — connects successfully at home
Alipay set up with foreign card — one successful test transaction
WeChat installed and logged in
Baidu Maps or Amap downloaded
Google Translate offline Chinese pack downloaded
Didi installed and linked to Alipay
All booking confirmations saved offline (screenshots or notes app)
Hotel address in Chinese characters screenshotted
Phone fully charged + power bank fully charged in carry-on
Documents:
Passport (6+ months validity confirmed)
Visa or visa-free confirmation
Printed hotel confirmations
Printed flight itinerary (especially for transit without visa)
Insurance documents
2 spare passport photos
Doctor's letter for prescription medications (if applicable)
Physical:
¥500-1,000 in mixed small notes
International credit/debit cards
All prescription medications (original packaging, enough + extra week)
Tissues in carry-on (you'll want them before you reach a convenience store)
Universal power adapter and cables in carry-on
Empty water bottle (fill after security)
What to wear on the plane:
Your bulkiest shoes (saves luggage weight)
Layers — planes are cold, your destination may be hot
The heaviest jacket if traveling in winter
The Bottom Line
Packing for China is less about what goes in your suitcase and more about what's set up on your phone before you board. The single biggest mistake first-time visitors make isn't forgetting a particular clothing item — it's landing in Beijing with no VPN, no Alipay, and no offline maps, then trying to figure it out on airport Wi-Fi.
Get the phone right first. Then pack light on everything else. China has excellent shopping, cheap laundry, and convenience stores on every corner. The things you genuinely can't find locally — specific toiletries, specific medications, and tissues for the moment you need them — should live in your carry-on.
The rest? You can buy it when you get there. Probably for less than you'd pay at home.
This guide was compiled from official sources (National Immigration Administration, Civil Aviation Administration of China), firsthand accounts from foreign travelers on TripAdvisor and Reddit (r/travelchina), experienced China travel bloggers with 10+ years in the country, and cross-referenced with Xiaohongshu (RED) posts from inbound tourists. Updated June 2026.
