You’re getting ready for that trip to China, but you are unsure what to pack in your suitcase. You may be going for a two-week vacation or a long-term study abroad program. What should you take with you and what should you leave behind?

Here are our top five common-sense packing tips:

1. Don’t bring everything ‘and the kitchen sink’ with you to China. Most of what you will need during your time in China is available for purchase in China. If you forget something, it’s not a big deal.

2. Casual dress is preferred. Most of the Chinese that you will be interacting with will be dressed a bit more casual than dressy. You will want to bring one nicer, respectable outfit for special occasions, but do not plan to wear a three-piece suit (men) or high heels and pencil skirts (ladies) on a daily basis.

3. Pack high-quality shoes. Do bring your favorite two or three pairs of shoes. You will most likely be doing a lot more walking and bicycling around the city. We’d recommend bringing a pair of athletic shoes, a pair of comfortable sandals and a pair of shoes that are comfortable but dressy.

4. Bring a light jacket. You never know when you’ll need your favorite jacket, so bring one that does not take up too much space in your luggage but will protect you from the elements. A great jacket can also come in handy while traveling around town, going to the airport or while out sightseeing.

5. Do not bring valuables with you. Leave any of your expensive jewelry or prized possessions at home. It’s better not to worry about them while you’re living abroad.

Here is a short list of what many of our Next Step China students, teachers and volunteers bring:

  • Alarm clock
  • Extra pair of eyewear or prescription lenses
  • Your favorite sunglasses
  • Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones (if city noise bothers you)
  • Eye mask (if too much city light bothers you when trying to sleep)
  • Baseball hat
  • Your favorite body care products (as they may not be easy to find in China)
  • Travel coffee mug and/or French Press—for tea or to brew coffee.
  • Laptop or iPad or iPod
  • Copies of passport and other important travel documents. It’s also smart to save these to your computer or hard drive.
  • Cell phone
  • Small backpack or fanny pack (if you like them)
  • Hand sanitizers (if you are germ-phobic)
  • Your favorite sunscreen

There you have it. A checklist of items to get you started packing for your next trip to China. Remember, even if you do forget something important, you will most likely be able to do without it or replace it while in China. Learning how to be flexible is a crucial part of the going abroad experience.

Anything else we should add to this checklist? Shoot me an email to [email protected] to let me know!