Departure Checklist & Packing Guide
Step-by-step checklist from 1 month before departure to hand luggage carry-on essentials with local auto-save.
Departure Readiness
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1 Month Before Departure
Passport validity, visa requirements, and preliminary bookings
Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from your planned entry date with blank visa pages.
Verify if your nationality qualifies for 30-day visa-free entry, 144h transit without visa (TWOV), or requires an advance visa.
Reserve international flights and first nights of accommodation via Trip.com or official booking portals.
Obtain travel health insurance that covers emergency hospitalization and evacuation in mainland China.
Digital & Payment Setup
Essential apps, mobile payments, and communication preparations
Download Alipay (TourPass / International version), complete passport real-name identity verification, and link your Visa/Mastercard.
Download WeChat, complete registration, and link international card under WeChat Pay / Weixin Pay wallet.
Get an eSIM with data roaming (Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly) to bypass the Great Firewall without needing a separate VPN.
Google Maps does not work reliably in mainland China. Install AMap for navigation and Baidu Translate for photo & voice translation.
Setup Trip.com or China Railway 12306 app for booking bullet train tickets and attraction reservations.
Save embassy contacts, hotel Chinese addresses, and bookmark China Survival Kit offline.
1 Week Before Departure
Bank notifications, bookings confirmation, and medicine check
Inform your credit/debit card issuers that you will be traveling to China to prevent fraud transaction blocks on Alipay/WeChat.
Take screenshots or print out Chinese addresses and phone numbers of all reserved hotels for taxi drivers.
China is 99% cashless, but keeping 300-500 RMB cash in small denominations is useful as an emergency backup.
Bring sufficient prescription meds in original labeled boxes along with a doctor's English prescription note.
Carry-On Hand Luggage
Crucial documents and electronics kept with you at all times
Physical passport, printed return flight tickets, and hotel reservation confirmations.
Chinese airport security strictly forbids power banks over 100Wh or with faded/missing capacity labels in checked baggage. Keep in carry-on.
China uses 220V with standard 2-prong flat and 3-prong angled sockets.
Carry a black/blue pen to fill out the border entry/exit card on the flight.
Checked Baggage Packing
Comfortable apparel, walking shoes, and personal amenities
Expect 15,000 - 25,000 steps per day exploring attractions, metro stations, and historical sites.
Many public restrooms do not provide toilet paper or hand soap. Always carry pocket tissues and sanitizer.
Check city weather forecasts for north/south climate differences (freezing winters up north, humid summers down south).
China Public Holiday Peak Calendar (2026)
Plan ahead to avoid extreme crowds during statutory Golden Weeks
New Year's Day
MediumExpect mild tourist crowds at city malls and entertainment venues.
Chinese Spring Festival (Lunar New Year)
Extremely High (Peak Rush)Massive nationwide travel rush (Chunyun). Book trains and flights weeks in advance. Many small shops close for 5-7 days.
Qingming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival
HighPopular short-trip weekend. Parks and scenic mountain areas are packed.
Labor Day Holiday (Golden Week)
Extremely HighMajor domestic holiday. Top attractions like Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Terracotta Warriors sell out days prior.
Dragon Boat Festival
Medium-HighWatch traditional dragon boat races on rivers in southern cities.
Mid-Autumn Festival & National Day Golden Week
Extremely High (Super Golden Week)One of the busiest travel periods of the year across all transportation and attractions.