Baggage Restrictions and Packing

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. Restrictions and fees can vary greatly from airline to airline.

Pack lightly: there is no such thing as taking too little but there is such a thing as packing too much! Most things you forget or leave behind can be purchased in China!

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. Even with luggage restrictions of two pieces of luggage and one carry-on, this is still a lot to manage on your own. Large, hard-sided suitcases are tough to carry and even more difficult to store. Use duffel bags with wheels or a good, internal frame backpack. The backpack can also be used for weekend trips and vacation (larger backpacks will count as one piece of luggage as they're too large to carry on).

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. Xi'an is hot and wet in summer, dry and seldom snowy in winter and is prone to extended spells of rain in spring and autumn. To see current weather conditions in China, please visit www.weather.com.

Beijing and Shanghai have a lot of clothing markets and department stores with many styles and sizes of clothing. Xi'an is a smaller city and therefore offers fewer market options.  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. For example, women's shoe sizes 9 or larger and men's shoes sizes 11 or larger may be more difficult to find in China. Many students like to have some clothes (especially suits) tailor-made. For example a tailor-made shirt would cost about $13. This is easy and inexpensive in China.

In general, people in China dress very casually. You should bring casual, comfortable clothing that can be machine washed and line dried. Clothes dryers are not common. Dry cleaning is also available at local stores. If you plan carefully so that all articles of clothing mix and match, you can create plenty of different outfits from a minimum number of items. Also remember that the weather can vary quite a bit throughout the day. Choose clothes that are good for layering. 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. 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)
• Travelers checks
• Plane ticket or e-ticket confirmation
• HTH Insurance card
• Alliance US and China office contact information
• Prescription medication and a copy of all written prescriptions
• Laptop computer/accessories
• Transformers & adapters
• Camera/film
• Eyeglasses
• Toilet paper or Kleenex

Your carry-on bag should contain all the necessities to live for one or two days in the event the airline loses your luggage, including extra clothes and a change of socks and underwear.

Checked luggage

Here are a few things you may want to include. Let practicality be your guide!

For all terms:

• Photocopy of the inside cover and the visa page of your passport
• Photocopy of the front and back of all major credit and ID cards you will be taking along
• A couple of cotton sweaters
• Underwear and socks (you'll probably want to pack two to three weeks' worth)
• Several pairs of jeans
• One or two dressy outfits (shoes, accessories, trousers, dress/skirt/blouse)
• Pajamas
• Two or three pairs of comfortable walking shoes. Sturdy, lace-up shoes are a good choice for field trips. A couple of pairs of casual shoes for skirts and trousers. Some former students thought they could buy cheap shoes after arriving in China, but real Nike shoes cost over $100 in most large cities and larger shoe sizes are harder to find. You will be doing lots of walking, so comfortable shoes are a MUST.
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Travel or “camping size” rolls of toilet paper (you may need some while using public bathrooms in China)
• Hand sanitizer (difficult to find in China)
• A safety pouch to carry your passport, money and other important small items (like wallets and credit cards). This can be worn under your coat or sweater as a safety precaution.
• Any favorite toiletry products or brands that you can't live without, since not all are available in China. (Please note, certain feminine toiletries are very difficult to find in China.)
• Basic over-the-counter drugs such as cold medicine, Tylenol, Advil
• Digestive aids such as Pepto-Bismol and Tums
• A stain remover (such as Tide to Go)
• Ear plugs (useful during long trips by bus & train)
• Small gifts for your Chinese friends, roommates or language partners (t-shirts from your university, popular CDs, key chains, posters or calendars make nice gifts)
• A small, battery operated travel alarm clock
• A voltage converter (if necessary) and plug adapters
• English language books for pleasure reading

• Heavier coat
• A lighter weight jacket, windbreaker
• Cotton t-shirts, long and short sleeve, for layering
• One or two wool sweaters
• Long underwear
• Some warm, thick socks
• Gloves, hats, scarves
• A sweatshirt and sweatpants
• Flu & cold medicine

• Several cotton t-shirts
• Shorts
• A hat
• A light jacket or sweater
• A swimsuit
• An umbrella and/or a raincoat
• Insect repellent

Remember to leave some space in your suitcase to bring home the gifts and souvenirs you buy in China!

Leave at home

• Leave a photocopy of your passport and visa at home with your family
• Expensive hair dryers and other small electronic appliances (these can be easily found in China!)
• Good jewelry
• Anything valuable that you don't want to lose!