Advice from the China Tour Experts

Travelers to China should plan to bring specific items depending on the destination and the current weather conditions. In general, pack lightly and bring some casual clothes plus a sturdy and comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Layers are always useful when traveling. Pack shirts, sweaters, and jackets that can be put on or taken off depending on the weather on a given day. A nice suit or dress for special occasions may also be necessary, especially for dining out. Shorts are fine for summer months at many of the regular tourist attractions; however, they are not recommended when visiting religious shrines.

Basic Checklist

The following is a list of items you should at least consider, although it is not exhaustive:

Electrical converter and adapter plugs (China’s electrical system operates at 220 volts)
Travel alarm clock
Common toiletries, razors, hygiene products, etc.
Cold and digestive medications,
lip balm
sanitary napkins and any necessary over-the-counter medicines
Chewing gum, mints or throat lozenges to keep your mouth moist
Guidebooks on the places you will see
Reading materials for long travel periods
Sunscreen and sunglasses
A light raincoat or an umbrella during the rainy season
Camera, film, and extra batteries
A notebook or recording device to keep track of all your experiences

Rules for Carry-on Baggage

Any carry-on luggage for flights within China must weigh 11 pounds (5 kilograms) or less. Carry-ons must be smaller than 7.5 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches (20 x 40 x 55 centimeters.) Travelers who are riding in first class will be allowed up to two bags, while business and economy-class passengers will be restricted to one. No liquids of any kind or volume are allowed. Of course, the usual restrictions on dangerous materials will apply.

Rules for Checked Baggage

Travelers should familiarize themselves with airline restrictions for baggage size, weight, and number prior to packing. A brief list of rules is noted below.

Free checked luggage is restricted to one bag that cannot exceed 44 pounds for economy class passengers. Baggage in excess of 44 pounds will incur additional charges. The maximum weight allowance is 110 pounds (50 kilograms).

The dimensions of each piece of checked baggage cannot exceed 39 x 23 x 15 inches (100 x 60 x 40 cm). Larger bags will need to be shipped as freight. In addition, any checked baggage must not weigh less than two kg (4.4 pounds) and its dimensions must be more than 30x20x10 cm (or 11x7x4 inches). Be sure to contact your travel agent or ChinaTour.com for more information about baggage allowances.

Safe Packing for Checked Baggage

Many problems with luggage and packing can be avoided with careful planning. For instance, your baggage must be able to withstand loss of air pressure as well as handling by the airline crew. To keep your luggage safe and secure, it should meet the following conditions:

All suitcases and bags should be securely locked to avoid the loss of articles
Do not bundle packages together as one piece, no matter how many bags or cases you have
Do not attach extra items to the baggage
You may not use plastic bags, string bags, baskets, or straw bags to wrap the luggage
Clearly indicate the name, full address, and contact number of the passenger on the outside of the baggage

Items Not Allowed in Checked Baggage

Certain hard-to-replace items that could be damaged or lost in transit should never be put in checked baggage. They include: cash securities, jewelry or precious metals and stones, computers or other personal electronics, fragile or delicate items, perishables, lithium batteries, important documents and personal materials, and personal medication.

Be sure to contact your travel agent or ChinaTour.com for more information about baggage allowances.

What Counts as Luggage?

In addition to standard suitcases, airlines may consider the following items as baggage:

Sleeping bags and bedrolls
Snowboarding and skiing equipment
Golf equipment
Duffle bags, backpacks, knapsacks, etc
Surfboards, wakeboards, water skis
Bicycles
Fishing equipment
Musical instruments that don’t exceed 100 centimeter (39 inches)