What Should I Bring—and Not Bring—to China?

Pack the things that keep the trip functioning

For China, the most important items are not special outdoor gear or a huge toiletry kit.

They are the items that keep your identity, phone and payment systems working.

Put these in your carry-on

• passport;
• visa or supporting entry documents if applicable;
• phone;
• charging cable;
• wall charger;
• physical bank card;
• backup bank card;
• essential medication;
• first hotel address in Chinese;
• flight and first-night booking details.

Do not put the only copy of your critical documents or medication in checked luggage.

Bring a small amount of backup cash

Mobile payment is widely used.

That does not mean cash is useless.

A small RMB reserve can help when:

• your phone battery dies;
• a card link fails;
• mobile data is temporarily unavailable;
• your bank blocks a transaction.

Avoid carrying more cash than you are comfortable securing.

If you enter or leave China with amounts above declaration thresholds, follow current customs declaration rules.

Bring the physical card even if you use mobile payment

Your international bank card may be the funding source behind Alipay or WeChat Pay, but the physical card is still a backup.

If possible, bring two cards from different issuers.

Store them separately.

A lost wallet should not remove every payment method.

Bring a universal plug adapter

China uses 220V power.

Most modern laptop and phone power supplies are dual-voltage, but read the input label.

If the charger says something like 100–240V, voltage conversion is normally not needed.

You may still need a plug adapter.

A small universal adapter is easier than trying to predict every socket you will encounter.

Be careful with power banks

This deserves special attention if you will take domestic flights.

Since June 28, 2025, China’s civil aviation authority has prohibited passengers from carrying power banks on domestic flights if they:

• do not have a CCC mark;
• have an unclear CCC mark;
• are from recalled models or batches.

Many power banks sold overseas do not have a Chinese CCC mark.

Check before you build a domestic flight itinerary around a favorite large battery pack.

Also follow normal airline lithium-battery rules.

Bring medication in a boring, obvious form

For ordinary personal medication:

• keep it in original labeled packaging;
• bring only a reasonable amount for the trip;
• carry the prescription;
• carry a doctor’s letter for important or controlled medication when appropriate.

Do not combine pills into an unmarked plastic bag if you can avoid it.

For controlled drugs, injectable products or unusual medical items, check official customs and consular guidance specifically.

Bring comfortable walking shoes

Even a city-focused China trip can involve a lot of walking.

Large stations, historical sites, metro transfers and old neighborhoods add steps quickly.

A shoe you already know is comfortable is better than a new “travel shoe” purchased the day before departure.

Pack clothing for the actual regions

China has a large range of climates.

The weather in:

• Beijing;
• Shanghai;
• Chengdu;
• Guilin;
• Harbin;
• Yunnan;

can be completely different on the same date.

Check the forecast for every city in your route, not just “China weather.”

Use layers if you are crossing climate zones.

Bring tissues and hand sanitizer

Public facilities vary.

A small tissue pack is useful.

Do not assume every restroom will supply toilet paper inside the stall.

This is a low-cost item that earns its space.

Bring an offline copy of important information

This is not technically luggage, but it belongs on the packing list.

Save:

• hotel addresses;
• train bookings;
• flight details;
• insurance;
• passport copy;
• emergency contacts.

If your phone has a secure files app, use it.

A small paper note with your first hotel address is also reasonable.

What not to bring: unnecessary agricultural and food items

Customs rules restrict or prohibit various animal and plant products.

Be cautious with:

• fresh fruit;
• meat;
• homemade meat snacks;
• seeds;
• live plants;
• soil;
• certain animal products.

The safest rule is simple: if the item is fresh, biological or agricultural and you do not need it, leave it at home.

If you do need it, check the exact customs rule first.

Do not bring prohibited weapons, drugs or dangerous goods

China Customs lists categories of prohibited inbound goods including weapons, ammunition, explosives, certain poisons and narcotic drugs.

This is not an area for assumptions.

If an item could reasonably be considered a weapon, controlled substance or hazardous material, verify before packing it.

Do not overpack toiletries

In major cities, daily essentials are easy to buy.

You do not need to bring two weeks of bottled water, shampoo and snacks.

Pack special personal products you cannot easily replace, then buy ordinary consumables locally.

This keeps luggage manageable on trains.

Do not pack your trip around one giant suitcase

High-speed rail is much easier with luggage you can handle yourself.

You may need to:

• walk through a large station;
• use escalators;
• lift a bag;
• fit luggage into storage areas;
• transfer to metro or taxi.

A slightly smaller bag improves every city transfer.

The practical packing test

Before closing the suitcase, ask:

If my checked bag disappears for 24 hours, can I still enter China, reach my hotel, pay, communicate and take my medication?

If the answer is yes, your carry-on is packed correctly.