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Heritage Tours

What to Pack

China Travel

Look at us, planning a trip!
This is so exciting.
Can we take a moment? You’re about to travel back to China! That’s HUGE! A trip to China is a big deal, every time. You are amazing.
 
Okay, sentimentality over. Let’s get you packed!

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If you’re looking for a good book to help you logistically prepare for your trip to China, we really enjoyed this one!

Luggage
No matter which tour you’ve booked, all of our Heritage Tours move at quite a clip, which means  your luggage should be ready to keep up.
 
For best ease of travel, our recommended luggage combination is a backpack + carry-on roller case (22″ x 14″ x 9″). This combination is all-transportation-friendly, no matter if you’re taking a bus, train, or plane. However, if you need to pack in a larger suitcase (or multiple!), that is okay. Just be aware that you may need to be a little more creative with luggage storage on trains (our lovely tour guides are well-versed in this magic).
 
Rule of Thumb: Don’t pack more than you can comfortably maneuver around a busy train station 🙂
 
For your international flight, we recommend carrying on your luggage, if you have multiple connections. If you are checking your bags, make sure you pack a change of clothes and your valuables in your carry-on in case your luggage misses a connection and is a day or two behind you.
 
We know that some seasons and longer itineraries are harder to pack for. Just try your best. Our guides will never judge and are experts in helping families manage their multiple pieces of luggage. 
 
China airline luggage requirements: Most China airlines won’t let you carry on a bag that is more than 11 lbs (5 kg) so be prepared to check all of your larger items. For checked bags, China’s weight limit is 44 lbs.

Money

China is a predominantly cashless society. For tourists in China, cash and AliPay/WeChat Pay are the easiest ways to pay for things. Please refer to our Travel Resources page for more info on payment methods
 
We suggest bringing $20-40/person/day in cash with you to cover meals and personal spending. You are always welcome to bring more than this, but this is a good minimum, and more than enough if you are planning to use your AliPay/WeChat Pay for the majority of payments. 

Suggested Packing Lists

The packing lists below are based on a 12-day itinerary that takes you through multiple provinces around China. When planning your own packing, keep in mind that northern provinces tend to be cooler, drier, and (in winter) snowier, while southern provinces tend to be warmer and wetter, and (in winter) rarely snow.

Spring

Spring is our all-time favorite season to visit China with relatively lighter crowds, cheaper flights, and the country is still buzzing with post-Lunar New Year energy.

Download This Packing List

China’s spring temperatures, North to South, typically range from mid-50s to upper-70s. Northern provinces are dry and thawing out from their chilly winters. Southern provinces are more humid and springtime is the beginning of rainy season.

In most cases, washing your clothes by hand in your hotel room and air-drying them, if needed, is the best option. Keep in mind that you will need to be staying in a hotel for at least three days if you would like professional laundry services (hotels generally have a 24-hr turnaround on laundry, but it is frightfully expensive. Ask the guide if there is a local laundromat nearby). 

Keywords for spring: Comfortable layers

  • 4-5 short sleeve t-shirts
  • 2-3 long sleeve layering shirts (button-ups, cardigans)
  • 1-2 light sweaters (hoodies, crewnecks, knits)
  • Weatherproof jacket (hooded if you’re not a hat guy/gal, medium weight)
  • 2-3 pants (to match all of the above tops)
  • 1-2 nicer outfits (business casual) in case of special occasions (orphanage visits or fancy dinner)
  • Socks (we’ll be walking a lot, so choose your best ones)
  • Underwear
  • Pajamas
  • 1-2 pairs comfortable walking shoes, 1 pair of nicer shoes for special occasions
  • Baseball cap/sun hat/bucket hat/beanie (if you’re a hat guy/gal)
  • Sunglasses
  •  Passport
    • Take additional photocopies of the photo page of your passport (1-2 hardcopies, 1 digital saved on your phone and in the cloud)
    • If your travel visa is in an old passport, TAKE YOUR OLD PASSPORT WITH YOU
  • Copies of your Adoption Registration
    • 1-2 hardcopies and 1 digital copy saved on your phone and in the cloud
  • Driver’s License
  • Travel insurance card
  • Money pouch/belt
    • $250-$400/person cash in USD (airports accept credit cards so you will not need to exchange any cash until you arrive at your hotel in China)
    • ATM card
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Glasses/contact lenses & contact solution
  • Face wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion, sunscreen
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • *Note for Women* Feminine products are slightly different in China. Pads tend to be thicker, with no wings, and tampons are difficult to find, as are menstrual cups. Plan accordingly if you are particular about the products you use.
  • Kleenex (4-6 travel packets) or camping toilet paper rolls (Some public restrooms do not provide toilet paper)
  • These super handy soap sheets or these cute ones (many public restrooms do not have soap)
  • These super handy laundry detergent sheets (lightweight with no risk of bursting in your luggage)
  • First Aid kit
    • Personal medication
    • Variety of over-the-counter meds: Benadryl, Tums, DayQuil, NyQuil, throat lozenges, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Excedrin, Sudafed, Mucinex, Pepto Bismol, Immodium
    • Antibiotics for infections and traveler’s diarrhea (optional)
    • Anti-itch/anti-histamine cream (Benadryl, Allegra, etc.)
  • Mosquito repellant (Those pesky mosquitos love our Asian blood…They’re starting to wake up in the spring.)
  • Motion sickness medication/bands (if applicable)
  • Antibacterial hand sanitizer/wipes
  • Face masks (in case of poor air quality)
  • Some zip-lock bags (these are just always useful)
  • Water bottle
  • Snack foods in case you aren’t able to find enough food you like (Bring as much as you need, but don’t go overboard. Small snack bars, nuts, etc.)

Summer

Summer is the busiest tour season for China and every part of the country is brimming with activity!

Download This Packing List

Summers in China are hot and humid, so consider packing light, breathable items. Summer temperatures typically fall in the high-70s to upper-90s. With humidity, this feels more like a pleasant sauna as AC is typically only used in commercial facilities (cold air is believed to negatively affect the body’s chi).

In most cases, washing your clothes by hand in your hotel room and air-drying them, if needed, is the best option. Keep in mind that you will need to be staying in a hotel for at least three days if you would like professional laundry services (hotels generally have a 24-hr turnaround on laundry, but it is frightfully expensive. Ask the guide if there is a local laundromat nearby). 

Keywords for summer: Quick-dry, Breathable, Sweat-wicking

  • Short sleeve t-shirts and tanks
  • 1-2 light longsleeves (hoodie, cardigan, long-sleeved shirt)
  • Shorts and capris
  • 1-2 pairs of lightweight pants, if desired
  • Lightweight, weatherproof jacket in case of rain (hooded if you’re not a hat guy/gal)
  • 1-2 nicer outfits in case of special occasions (orphanage visits or fancy dinner)
  • Socks (we’ll be walking a lot, so choose your best ones, sweat-wicking, non-chaffing)
  • 1 pair of comfortable sandals
  • 1 pair comfortable tennis shoes
  • 1 pair of nicer shoes for special occasions
  • Underwear
  • Pajamas
  • Swimsuit & swim cap (some hotels require swim caps to be worn)
  • Baseball cap/sun hat/bucket hat/beanie (if you’re a hat guy/gal)
  • Sunglasses
  • Passport
    • Take additional photocopies of the photo page of your passport (1-2 hardcopies, 1 digital saved on your phone and in the cloud)
      • If your travel visa is in an old passport, TAKE YOUR OLD PASSPORT WITH YOU
  • Copies of your Adoption Registration
    • 1-2 hardcopies and 1 digital copy saved on your phone and in the cloud
  • Driver’s License
  • Travel insurance card
  • Money pouch/belt
    • $250-$400/person cash in USD (airports accept credit cards so you will not need to exchange any cash until you arrive at your hotel in China)
    • ATM card
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Glasses/contact lenses & contact solution
  • Face wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion, sunscreen
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • *Note for Women* Feminine products are slightly different in China. Pads tend to be thicker, with no wings, and tampons are difficult to find, as are menstrual cups. Plan accordingly if you are particular about the products you use.
  • Kleenex (4-6 travel packets) or camping toilet paper rolls (Some public restrooms do not provide toilet paper)
  • These super handy soap sheets or these cute ones (many public restrooms do not have soap)
  • These super handy laundry detergent sheets (lightweight with no risk of bursting in your luggage)
  • First Aid kit
    • Personal medication
    • Variety of over-the-counter meds: Benadryl, Tums, DayQuil, NyQuil, throat lozenges, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Excedrin, Sudafed, Mucinex, Pepto Bismol, Immodium
    • Antibiotics for infections and traveler’s diarrhea (optional)
    • Anti-itch/anti-histamine cream (Benadryl, Allegra, etc.)
  • Mosquito repellant (Those pesky mosquitos really love our Asian blood… They are alive and well in the summer.)
  • Motion sickness medication/bands (if applicable)
  • Antibacterial hand sanitizer/wipes
  • Face masks (in case of poor air quality)
  • Some zip-lock bags (these are just always useful)
  • Water bottle
  • Snack foods in case you aren’t able to find enough food you like (Bring as much as you need, but don’t go overboard. Small snack bars, nuts, etc.)

Winter

Winter in China is quieter with slightly smaller crowds. If you’re lucky, you might be able to catch some ice sculptures on display in Beijing!

Download This Packing List

Winters in China are cold and snowy up north and wet and chilly down south. In northern China, temperatures typically fall in the mid-20s to upper-40s. Further south, temperatures are closer to low-40s to mid-60s. If you make it down to Guangdong or Hong Kong, you may even catch some balmy 70s!

In most cases, washing your clothes by hand in your hotel room and air-drying them, if needed, is the best option. Keep in mind that you will need to be staying in a hotel for at least three days if you would like professional laundry services (hotels generally have a 24-hr turnaround on laundry, but it is frightfully expensive. Ask the guide if there is a local laundromat nearby). 

Keywords for winter: Comfortable, warm layers

  • 1-2 short sleeves (just in case)
  • 3-4 long sleeves
  • 3-4 sweaters (hoodies, crewnecks, knits)
  • Thermal layers (optional)
  • 2-3 pants (heavier)
  • 1-2 nicer outfits (business casual) in case of special occasions (orphanage visits or fancy dinner)
  • Weatherproof winter coat (hooded if you’re not a hat guy/gal, heavy weight)
  • Socks (we’ll be walking a lot, so choose your best ones. Some thicker, some regular.)
  • Underwear
  • Pajamas
  • 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes
  • 1 pair of weatherproof hiking boots
  • 1 pair of nicer shoes for special occasions
  • Warm beanie (if you’re a hat guy/gal)
  • Earmuffs
  • Scarf/Wind buff
  • Gloves/mittens
  • Sunglasses
  • Passport
    • Take additional photocopies of the photo page of your passport (1-2 hardcopies, 1 digital saved on your phone and in the cloud)
      • If your travel visa is in an old passport, TAKE YOUR OLD PASSPORT WITH YOU
  • Copies of your Adoption Registration
    • 1-2 hardcopies and 1 digital copy saved on your phone and in the cloud
  • Driver’s License
  • Travel insurance card
  • Money pouch/belt
    • $250-$400/person cash in USD (airports accept credit cards so you will not need to exchange any cash until you arrive at your hotel in China)
    • ATM card
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
  • Glasses/contact lenses & contact solution
  • Face wipes
  • Deodorant
  • Lotion, sunscreen
  • Chapstick
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • *Note for Women* Feminine products are slightly different in China. Pads tend to be thicker, with no wings, and tampons are difficult to find, as are menstrual cups. Plan accordingly if you are particular about the products you use.
  • Kleenex (4-6 travel packets) or camping toilet paper rolls (Some public restrooms do not provide toilet paper)
  • These super handy soap sheets or these cute ones (many public restrooms do not have soap)
  • These super handy laundry detergent sheets (lightweight with no risk of bursting in your luggage)
  • First Aid kit
    • Personal medication
    • Variety of over-the-counter meds: Benadryl, Tums, DayQuil, NyQuil, throat lozenges, Advil, Aleve, Tylenol, Excedrin, Sudafed, Mucinex, Pepto Bismol, Immodium
    • Antibiotics for infections and traveler’s diarrhea (optional)
    • Anti-itch/anti-histamine cream (Benadryl, Allegra, etc.)
  • Motion sickness medication/bands (if applicable)
  • Antibacterial hand sanitizer/wipes
  • Face masks (in case of poor air quality)
  • Some zip-lock bags (these are just always useful)
  • Water bottle
  • Hand warmers
  • Snack foods in case you aren’t able to find enough food you like (Bring as much as you need, but don’t go overboard. Small snack bars, nuts, etc.)

Tour Resources

What to Pack

The right outfits take time

Packing Lists

Visa Information

Everything you need to know about that pesky little piece of paper

Let's get a Visa

Travel Tips

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