Luggage Allowance

International flights will limit you to two check-in pieces and will also limit you (sometimes) to a combined luggage weight of no more than 44 pounds.Therefore, you are advised to bring only one piece of luggage to China. You can buy another piece of luggage when you reach your last stop in China and then you will be able to check two pieces of luggage home.If you have extra luggage when traveling within China, you may have to pay an excess baggage charge at each airport.

Note that all checked luggage should be lockable.

For domestic traveling in China, there is a weight restriction of 20 kilos per person for checked luggage. You can carry up to 150 kilos, but you will be charged extra (not a lot) for the overage.

Overall Strategy and Packing Tips:

(a) Remember light is better.Lightweight (canvas or nylon) luggage is the most practical.Make certain that you can carry all your luggage at once.in train stations where you will climb up stairs and then down, at airports where it is a long walk from customs gates to bus pickup points, at our hotels in Thailand and Vietnam where there may be a lot of stairs.
Above all, do not pack anything fragile, valuable, or perishable in the luggage that you intend to check. Valuables of any kind--money, jewelry, important documents, prescription drugs--as well as matches or cigarette lighters should be placed in your carry-on luggage. Leave all expensive jewelry and furs at home in safe storage--and enjoy peace of mind in your travels.

(b) Washable clothing is a must. Remember, cotton takes a long time to dry and washing machines will not be available when you are on the road. For women and men, things like synthetic/silk underwear is best, bathing suits that will dry quickly an absolute necessity.

(c) A coat is necessary.Both to get to the airport in Minnesota and for the first weeks in Beijing. Wear the coat onto the airplane when you depart (it saves packing room).

Figuring out what to bring on our trip will be one of your most difficult tasks. We will be traveling through very different kinds of weather:

• Beijing in March will be like Washington DC at the same period—sometimes quite chilly, often windy, occasionally dusty--then warmer by late April, and in the 90’s by May;
• On our travels in mid-China, we will hit cool to warm weather (and very cold if we climb a mountain);
• Shanghai and Hong Kong in May/June will be in the high 90’s, with humidity to match.

Packing Checklist

We have created the following packing checklist for your convenience:

Miscellaneous:
Battery-operated or electrical (with converter/adapter) appliances
Face cloth and soap
Extra set of luggage keys
Travel alarm clock
Sewing kit
Moist towelettes in packages
Language dictionary and phrase book
Photocopies of important documents
Small notepad to log purchases for customs officials (both Chinese and American)
Diary or journal to record your trip
Copy (not original) of your address book (with room to include addresses of the new friends you will make during the course of your trip)
Lightweight raincoat and fold-up umbrella Bathing suit
Sunscreen lotion

Not-to-be-forgotten necessities:
Nalgene water bottle(s) capable of holding both boiling hot and cold water
Prescription drugs, vitamins, over-the-counter remedies
Long underwear (skier's, synthetic material)
Extra eyeglasses
One good "dress up" outfit
Swiss army knife
Kleenex packs
Small inflatable travel pillow
Photocopies of first page of your passport AND your visas
Blank notebook/diary for your journal
A small stuffed animal that reminds you of home (absolutely required)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies:
Kleenex and anti-bacterial wipes. For restroom use. A must take.
Rx's for Lomotil and Cipro in case contracting a stomach bug,it was comforting to have along.
Pepto Bismol tablets and take one every morning and every evening as a preventative measure.
Aspirin or aspirin substitute
Cold tablets
Vitamins
Antacids
Bowel regulators
Spray anesthetic
Bandage strips
Antiseptic spray/wipes
Your usual antibiotic
Copy of your medical history, prescription duplicates, extra eyeglasses and dentures etc.
An elastic bandage
Dental supplies:
Baking soda
Orabase with benzocaine
Medicated pads
Cotton swabs
Tea bags
Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
Ice bag
Sterile cotton balls

Carry-on items:
Comforts for air flight: sweater,slip-on socks, gum or candy to alleviate ear pressure
Neck pillow or inflatable pillow
Camera and plenty of film or remember to take enough memory cards for your digital camera.
Passport and visas

Clothing:
Be sure to include a pair of comfortable walking shoes with nonskid soles.
Pack some old clothes.