Baggage Restrictions and Packing Suggestions
Check with your airline for domestic and international baggage allowance. Generally, passengers are allowed to check two pieces of luggage of up to 50 pounds each, and bring one carry-on bag.
Try to pack lightly! You will need to carry your own luggage from the airport to your apartment or dorm room. This includes getting in and out of a bus or taxi, and up stairs or elevators. Most things you forget can be purchased in China. Also, you should leave some space in your suitcase to bring gifts or souvenirs home that you buy in China.
Climate
Beijing has a similar climate to New York, and Shanghai is similar to Washington DC. Be prepared for cold winters, and for some snow in Beijing. It almost never snows in Shanghai. In the summer, both cities are hot and humid. To see current weather conditions, you can visit www.weather.com before you depart.
Beijing and Shanghai both have a lot of clothing markets and department stores with many styles and sizes of clothing. Some larger sizes for both men and women (especially for shoes) may be harder to find, so you may wish to bring these with you from home. Many students like to have some clothes (especially suits) tailor-made. This is easy and inexpensive in China.
In generally, people in China dress very casually. You should bring casual, comfortable clothing that can be machine washed and line dried. Dry cleaning is also available at local stores. You may also want to bring one or two nicer outfits for banquets or going out. If you plan to participate on the internship program, you may need to dress professionally while there. Bring one or two professional outfits.
Carry-on luggage
Be sure to check with your airline for the most up-to-date information on security measures for carry-on bags, including what size toiletry items are permitted.
We recommend that you take the following items with you in your carry-on bag:
- Passport with valid visa to China (keep your passport handy, as you will need it to check in at the airport in the U.S. and as soon as you arrive in the airport in China)
- Credit/ATM cards
- Cash ($100 for emergency usage)
- TravelerŐs checks
- Plane ticket or e-ticket confirmation
- CISI Insurance card
- Alliance US and China office contact information
- Prescription Medicine
- Laptop computer/accessories/transformers & adaptors
- I-Pod/CD player
- Camera/film
- Eyeglasses
- Hand sanitizer
- Toilet paper or Kleenex
Checked luggage
Here are a few things you may want to include:
- Photocopy of the inside cover and the visa page of your passport
- Clothing (warm cloths for colder weather, especially in Beijing)
- Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers, hiking boots, dress shoes
- Small gifts for your Chinese roommates or language partners (t-shirts from your university, popular CDs, magazines, or calendars make nice gifts when you meet your roommate/language partner)
- Any favorite toiletry products that you canŐt live without, since not all brands are available in China
- Wool socks
- English language books for pleasure reading
Leave at home
- Leave a photocopy of your passport and visa at home with your family
