What to pack?

What is necessary to pack when going to China in September and October? It all depends on how long your stay will be.  Everyone says to pack light and sometimes we don't listen.  I should have listen.  I over packed.  When you sit and think, what if I need this or that, your packing turns from light to too much.

Tip 1: Don't say what if.  Only pack needed items to pack.  If you can't lift your bags, repack it and put less in. 

Step 1:  Determine the time of your stay, the season and weather of the places you are staying, and the type of occasions you will be there for.  You should also do research on what clothing items would be appropriate.

When I went to China, I was going to cities close to Shanghai and the weather was warmer than what I am used to in Minnesota that time of year.  I asked Yu what the weather would be like and he said that it will get cold.  While I was there it went from 80 degrees to 60 degrees so having warmer clothes was a must.  Don't pack a lot of shorts and no sleeve shirts because you will hear "are you cold?" or "You should put more on."

Step 2: Look at the required limits of your luggage.  Each airline has different requirements such as size and weight.  Also take note of the number of luggage you can check too.  If you are on a budget make sure to keep your luggage within your fee budget.  Most airlines will let you check one or two bags for free.

Since this was my first trip out of the country and my first air travel trip, I did research on what type of luggage would hold up to travel abuse. I decided to use a hard case luggage with four wheels on them.  I ended up taking all three bags and a backpack.  This was not a good idea because it was very difficult to take those bags through the subway.  Keep that in mind when you are packing.  Transportation is a factor as well.  I also picked a color that was unique.  I wanted to be able to see it from far away so I can quickly get to my bags from the belt.

Travelers' Polo and Racquet 3 piece set.  28", 24", and 20"

I used the 20" as my carry on and I did find that there were troubles using such a bag because of space issues in the overhead compartment.  I noticed that people tend to not really follow the simple rules and that sometimes trying to fit the bag up there would be very difficult because it is a hard case. If I had not packed items that can break easily I would have checked it.  There are always good sides and bad sides to each bag you pick.
 

Tip 2: If you pack a carry-on bag, you might have to check it at the gate due to space issues.  No one has figured out how to solve this issue so that everyone can have a carry-on on the fight.  The boarding group will determine if you have the possibility of taking your bag on. If your group boards first then you have no problem.  If it boards last then you might not be able to take the bag with you. 

Step 3: Make a list of things to bring.  Include any gifts you my have to bring.  Keep in mind you should also have space for anything you want to take back with you.  Keep in mind that scales also differ so make sure it is under the weight limit by about a few pounds so that there is some wiggle room for difference in scales.

I packed too much.  I didn't use half of what I brought.  Even though I was packing for the what-ifs, I suggest packing less still.  You can always wash clothes.  In China, hand-washing clothes is very common.  A washing machine is not a common appliance in homes and apartments. Yu's apartment came with a washing machine but it was not hooked up to use, so hand-washing clothes and bedding was a must.  When I did find a washing machine, it was a little different and smaller than the ones in the USA.  I'm glad my mother-in-law showed me how to operate one because I do not read Chinese at all so it was nice to learn which knob to use.

At hotels if you find a place that has laundry service or the ability to use a machine that is great but you can always do laundry in the hotel by hand too.  I recommend if you are staying with someone, you should use their laundry soaps unless you have a skin condition or allergies to some soaps.  If you are staying at a hotel and you do not feel like buying soap when you get to China, take a little with you.  A little soap goes along way with washing clothes. 

My recommended packing list for a month's stay:

• Pants -- 3 or 4 pairs depending on your choice and occasion. 
• Dress -- 1 or 2 dresses 
• Shirts -- 3 or 4 
• 1 dressy 
• 1 long sleeve for colder nights (yes it can get cold)
• 1-2 short sleeve t-shirts
• Pajamas -- 1 or 2 pairs
• 1 warm weather pajamas
• 1 cold weather pajamas due to the change in temps. 
• Underwear --  4 or 5 (you do laundry often, almost every day ;) ) 
• Bras -- at least 3 (professional opinion because I do work at a bra shop).  You need at least three because you want to rest one bra, wear one bra, and then have one in the wash.  When you pack your bras do them carefully.  Unlined bras are much more easy to pack in your luggage. 
• Shoes -- 2 pairs  (Note: Do not pack white shoes)
• 1 dressy
• 1 casual 
• Socks -- 3 pairs 
• 2 Sweaters -- you will need them.  I have  heard many lectures of wearing the sweater even though it was 70 degrees out.  In Minnesota, that is spring weather and no need for a sweater.  Where I was in China the air is more damp and not as dry as where I am from.  My body was not used to it so I got sick.  
• 1 coat -- a "fall" coat or a sweatshirt thickness.
• Medications -- any prescriptions and over the counter medication including vitamins.  I would suggest a fiber supplement too.  (I forgot to bring fiber with me and I was constipated for the whole time. Celiac Disease makes it more difficult to find a fiber supplement)  Also note that you can buy some medications when you are there too. 
• Any personal care products -- lotion, soaps, tooth care can all be found in China.   What I noticed is that shaving cream and deodorant is not very common.  Yu didn't even know what they were. 
• Entertainment for the flight -- a book or electronic device. 
• Camera -- you won't regret taking this.
• Passport, ID, Medical papers, Papers of where you will stay and where you will be going. 
• Cash, cash, cash.  You hardly find places to use a credit card.  Cash is the main way to pay for things.  My $40 USD was not enough, as I thought taking a card was more safe.  No matter where you go, cash is a must.  

Tip 3: Know how to pack your bags to make it more efficient and organized.  

I went to China for meeting my future family and getting married.  I find that using the list above is a better and realistic list of things to pack.  It gives you variety in clothes.  I wore the same sweater most of the time.  My mother-in-law had me wear one of hers some of the time too.

If you have Celiac Disease, do not bring a lot of food with you.  Some snacks would be fine but don't worry too much.  There are many foods you can eat.  My husband was able to talk with the cooking staff and was able to find things for me to eat.  I could even eat at some fast food places, what a shocker mainly because I am unable to do that in the USA. 

Tip 4:  Take things that can double up.  If you can make a shirt be pajamas and a top to go out of the house in, then do that.  Love the double duty garments. 

Step 4:  Pack your bags in a way you know where things are.  Organizing is key.  Also keep space for things you buy when you are on your trip.  Always put a tag on your bag.  When you are at the airport they will give you a tag with a tracking number but you should also have your own tag too.  The airport I went to had some tags for you to put on your bag too but they were not the best quality.  You don't want to have them fall off.  Weigh your bag too.  Make sure the bag is less than the weight limit.

Tip 5:  You can bring a water bottle that is empty on the flight.  This is true in China as well.  When I was leaving China, they were going to take my bottle away and I told them it was empty so it was okay then.  Liquids are not allowed on the air craft when you get on.  The water bottle I took with me had a filter which was nice when I didn't want to boil water or buy bottled water (this is how water is made more clean).

Step 5: Enjoy your trip.  Don't keep repacking and unpacking and so forth.  You should relax after packing and remember why you are going on your trip.