What Luggage to Prepare for Travel in China

1. Travel Documents

Please make sure to bring your valid passport and visa (click here for China visa application process; click here to check if you qualify for China's visa-free policy), along with any required permits. To prepare for unexpected situations such as loss of original documents, we recommend storing electronic copies of important documents on your phone, or bringing additional printed copies.

Additionally, ensure you have photos or printed copies of your flight itinerary, hotel reservations, train tickets, flight tickets, activity bookings, and other confirmation documents.

2. Daily Necessities and Health Essentials

In China's major cities and popular tourist areas, most public restrooms have partitioned urinals, but some places may not provide toilet paper or hand sanitizer. Although these items can be purchased upon arrival, we recommend bringing travel-sized portable hand sanitizer and a pack of tissues or toilet paper to ensure you have them immediately after landing.

Female travelers should note that tampons are less common in China, while sanitary pads are more readily available, so it's recommended to bring your preferred hygiene products. Additionally, deodorants can be difficult to find locally with limited reliable product choices, so be sure to prepare them in advance.

Sunscreen (SPF 30+) is essential even in winter, especially when traveling to high-altitude areas like Yunnan and Tibet. Due to the thinner atmosphere in high-altitude regions, there is weaker UV ray protection, requiring enhanced sun protection.

Air quality remains a concern in many major cities in China, especially in northern regions during winter (November - February); pollen season typically occurs from March to April. For most tourists, occasional exposure to smog or pollen generally does not cause serious health problems, but elderly people, young children, asthma patients, and other vulnerable groups should plan ahead.

It's recommended to bring masks to protect against smog and airborne viruses. While masks can be purchased locally in China, we still recommend bringing your own. Disposable masks are suitable for short trips; brands like 3M N95 and N99 are widely recognized for their protective effects and are suitable for long-term or high-demand situations.

You can check current and future air quality forecasts for Chinese cities here.

3. Plug Adapters and Power Converters

China primarily uses Type A and Type I sockets with a rated voltage of 220V and frequency of 50Hz, which differs from the 110V, 60Hz standard used in the United States and Canada. Common power socket styles in China are shown below:

If you're bringing electronic devices from the United States or Europe, you may need a universal travel adapter plug. Some hotels offer adapter rental services, but for convenience, we recommend preparing your own.

Most modern electronic devices (such as phone chargers and laptop chargers) support dual voltage (100–240 V, 50/60 Hz), so they typically only require a simple plug adapter. Check the device label before packing (marked "Input: 100–240 V" indicates a dual-voltage device).

However, older or single-voltage-only appliances (such as hair dryers, curling irons, and some electric shavers) may only be suitable for 110V. If you plan to bring such appliances, you'll need a voltage converter or transformer to adjust the voltage up or down to ensure proper device operation.

4. Appropriate Clothing

China has a vast territory with significant climate differences across regions. If you plan to visit multiple destinations with different climates, packing clothing may present certain challenges. Be sure to check the climate conditions of each destination before traveling to prepare appropriate clothing.

In general, it's recommended to bring lightweight, comfortable, quick-drying clothing, especially when traveling during warm seasons. Due to the large temperature fluctuations within a day in some areas, packing layering clothes is crucial for flexible adjustment according to temperature changes.

Considering there may be a lot of outdoor activities during your trip, it's recommended to bring sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes and head from direct sunlight. Most importantly, prepare a pair of comfortable shoes — some attractions in China are quite large, requiring long walks to fully explore, and comfortable shoes can effectively reduce travel fatigue.

Raincoats or umbrellas are bulky and usually available at low prices locally, so unless you still have ample space in your luggage, there's no need to specifically pack them.

Additionally, most hotels offer laundry services, which can be fully considered when packing for long trips to appropriately reduce the amount of clothing you bring.

5. Domestic Flight Luggage Allowances

After packing your luggage, are you eager to start your journey in China? Please first note: if your itinerary includes domestic flights, be sure to confirm whether your luggage meets the allowed limits set by Chinese airlines.

Different Chinese airlines may have varying luggage policies, but following these general guidelines will usually ensure a smooth boarding experience for most domestic flights:

6. Train Luggage Regulations

On China's high-speed trains, each adult passenger can carry luggage for free with a maximum weight of 20 kg, and each child can carry luggage for free with a maximum weight of 10 kg. The sum of length, width, and height of each piece of luggage must not exceed 130 cm, and the weight of a single piece must not exceed 20 kg.

According to official regulations, luggage that exceeds the free carry-on limit, is overweight, or oversized needs to be checked in and an additional fee paid. However, in practice, railway staff usually do not weigh or measure luggage, so most suitcases can be brought directly onto the train. Only when luggage is obviously too large or heavy may it need to be checked in according to regulations.

7. Prohibited Items on Planes and Trains

When traveling by plane or train in China, it is strictly forbidden to carry dangerous items such as bicycles, live animals, explosive materials, compressed gases, flammable liquids, knives, and sharp objects. All luggage must pass through X-ray security checks when entering airports or railway stations.

When traveling by plane, it is prohibited to carry liquid items exceeding 100 ml. Additionally, only portable chargers (power banks) with clear Chinese Compulsory Certification (3C or CCC) marks are allowed, and their capacity must not exceed 100 Wh.