This page provides you packing for China Travel Tips. For visits to the People’s Republic of China, just as to other parts of the world, a simple rule applies: bring twice as much money as might reasonably be needed and half as many clothes.

The Chinese are an informal people, eliminating the need to pack formal clothing, several changes in wardrobe, or any “special” items for a special occasion. Since the early 1980s, however, dress codes, as with many other things in China, have undergone subtle changes. For business occasions, suits or dresses have become the norm for Westerners, while T-shirts, jeans, and tennis shoes are deemed indecorous for events such as receptions, formal gatherings, or visits with ranking officials.

In most instances, however, women will find pantsuits, everyday dresses, and other casual clothing appropriate. They should minimize flamboyance in makeup and jewelry-such adornments will seem out of place in China. Shorts, halter tops, or other revealing clothes are frowned upon (sometimes \iterally). Men should choose a wardrobe of conservative color. For most visitors there is still no need to take anything more formal than one suit or sports jacket and, perhaps, one tie. On most occasions, shorts are acceptable for men in summer, as are jeans for men and women.

Only a few changes of clothing need be brought along. Laundry and dry cleaning services are excellent in China and are performed overnight in most hotels. Comfortable walking shoes or sandals are a must, perhaps with a dressier pair reserved for dinners or special occasions (women should avoid high heels).

The seasons must be taken into account, of course, and in cool weather it is better to wear several layers than to rely on bulky outer garments. In the winter, warm socks, thermal underwear, and headgear are recommended for both men and women. A sweater is appropriate for almost any time of year, as is a light raincoat. Cottons are most comfort-able for hot weather.

Other practical items to include are:
Toiletries. Western brands of facial tissues, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, and razor blades are not available, although Max Factor cosmetics and a few European sundries are now being sold at hotels in the larger cities. Inexpensive Chinese brands of mixed quality are available for some of these commodities. (As most Western brands can be replenished in Hong Kong and Tokyo, quantities carried in can be kept to a minimum.) Hotel rooms are amply supplied with soap and toilet tissue.

Pharmaceuticals. Bring prescription medicines, vitamins, aspirin, and other health and first-aid remedies as required on a regular basis.
Women should bring along sanitary napkins and tampons, which are not generally available in China. As a precaution, cold and digestive medicines might be included. Mosquito repellent, tanning oil, and skin cream are optional.

Reading Materials. There are no longer significant restrictions on bringing Western magazines, books, and maps into China. Furthermore, since late 1979, periodicals such as Time, Newsweek, Reader’s Digest, and the International Herald-Tribune have been offered for sale to foreigners in China’s larger hotels.

Liquor and Tobacco. Since late 1978, Western spirits, wine, and cigarettes have been made available at a steadily increasing number of tourist locations (hotels, Friendship Stores, etc.) throughout China. They may be purchased with Foreign Exchange Certificates. Prices have been kept comparable to those in’ the West (indeed, a fifth of Johnnie Walker” Red Label” or a carton of Winston cigarettes could be purchased in Beijing at prices well below those in New York or London).

Cameras and Film. The rule about film in China seems to be that one can never have enough. Kodak and Fuji film have been on sale in China since 1979, although all types and sizes are not yet available and venues are as yet limited to hotels or other tourist byways in the larger cities. Time considerations usually do not permit developing, although one-day service for Ektachrome (but not Kodachrome) slides is now available from a few outlets in Beijing. An ample supply of batteries, flashbulbs, and, for the fastidious, replacement parts should also be brought along. Electrical Appliances. Travelers who will not go out in public until they’ve shaved with an electric razor or have blow-dried their hair should take these and any other personal-care items along. Electric current in China is being standardized at 220v, 50 cycles, so travelers from North America with l10v equipment should bring a transformer and an assortment of adaptors (including an adaptor for rounded three-prong sockets).Even thus equipped, appliances with moving parts, such as shavers and tape recorders, will operate at about 80% of their normal speed if they have not been internally converted from 60 to 50 cycles. Battery-run equipment is of course not affected by these considerations. Transistor radios will pick up local stations. Voice of America and BBC news broad-casts can be picked up during the early morning hours on short wave radios supplied in many hotel rooms.

Coffee, Tea, and Milk. Many people find the Chinese variety of instant coffee quite palatable. Nescafe instant along with some Brazilian and Japanese varieties (including canned brewed coffee) are being sold in larger cities. But those who are particular or are in frequent need should bring their own supply. And, ludicrous as it may sound, many travelers may prefer to bring their own tea, as the “black” varieties familiar to most Western palates (today produced mainly in India and Sri Lanka)are not readily obtainable throughout China. Fresh milk is available inmost hotel ,dining rooms, but powdered creamers (in smaller than 50.lb.sacks) are nor:. Powdered milk (usually goat’s) is sold throughout the country.

What not to pack
“street” drugs, pornography, firearm, inflammatory political or evangelical literature, and contraband are all absolutely forbidden.