Packing for China

Comparing China & Mexico, Fall & Winter 2000-01

Figuring out what to bring on our trip will be one of your most difficult tasks. We will be traveling through very different kinds of weather as we move from mid-China to northern China to the South:

Shanghai and Suzhou will be in the high 50's and 60's, and chilly at night.
Beijing in December will be like Washington DC at the same period--sometimes quite chilly, often windy, occasionally dusty-even a slight possibility of a dusting of snow;
Hong Kong will be warmer-probably in the balmy 70's.

Luggage: Some General Rules

International flights will limit you to two check-in pieces and will also limit you (sometimes) to a combined luggage weight of no more than 44 pounds. As well, you can carry on two SMALL pieces and the airlines can sometimes be very sticky about the size of these pieces.
For domestic traveling IN China we will be subject to some pretty strict weight limitations-if we go over that weight, a hefty fine is levied on the spot.

The absolutely very important not-to-be-forgotten necessities:

Plastic Nalgene water bottle(s), capable of holding both boiling hot and cold water;

Prescription drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter remedies;

Long underwear (skier's);

2 pair of shoes;

Swim suit;

Extra eyeglasses;

One good "dress up" outfit(i.e. slacks, shirt and tie, sweater for men);

Coat w/ lining, capable of wind/rain resistance;

Traveler's checks;

Swiss army knife;

Kleenex packs;

Small inflatable travel pillow;

Insurance information;

Passport;

Photocopies of first page of your passport

Maintained by Tricia Peterson (tpeterso@carleton.edu)
Last modified Nov. 15, 2000