Packing list for China, travel insurance for China, and taking your belongings

What to bring to China: highlighted

Featured items:

• Documents and money: passport valid for long enough (>6 months after your departure date), a copy of your passport is also useful, your visa if you need it and other travel confirmations.
• Money: cash yuan for the first few days is useful, especially if your debit card suddenly doesn't work. Alipay or WeChat are lifesavers!
• Care: if you don't want whitening stuff on your skin, it is useful to bring your own sunscreen. Face masks are nice if you want to protect yourself from smog or want to follow the local fashion.
• Outdoor and conveniences: if you go during the rainy season, don't forget a waterproof cover for your backpack or bag, and for yourself
• Clothing: fresh and sometimes even tropical clothing for the warm areas, but thick, warm clothing for the cold areas.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: a small first aid kit, hand sanitizer and your own medication, because this can be difficult to find in China.
• An impregnated mosquito net, if you are going to the south of China.
• Technique and equipment: in China they use type A and I, so it may be wise to take a travel plug.
• Women: tampons, because they are not available everywhere in all shapes and sizes.

What else can you take with you:

• A water bottle with filter.
• A Point-It booklet, because Wi-Fi is not available everywhere and it is sometimes more appropriate to keep your phone with you.
• Tissues, these are missing in many public toilets.

What knowledge is useful when you go to China?

• Knowledge of the hierarchical systems, etiquette, honor.
• How to use a squat toilet.
• Which apps you can and cannot use.
• The strict rules and what you should and should not say.

Are there mosquitoes in China?

• Mosquitoes are especially common in the southern provinces including Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and rural areas. There is a risk of diseases such as dengue and Japanese encephalitis here. Especially in the summer.
• Mosquitoes are most active near rivers and stagnant water and at sunrise and sunset.
• In urban areas, mosquitoes are usually not a problem.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in China?

• You can easily get mosquito spray in China. Usually the mosquito repellent is a natural spray that works reasonably well, instead of DEET and Picaridin. You can get these too, but it is more difficult.
• So when you want to use DEET or Picaridin, it is best to bring it yourself.
• Wearing light-colored and loose clothing also helps a lot.

Where can you get food and drinks in China?

• Street food is fantastic and notorious. Try dumplings, jianbing (Chinese crepe) and hotpot.
• Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Walmart, Aldi and local chains have a lot to offer. You can also have groceries delivered to your home.
• Local markets are perfect for vegetables, fruit and other fresh produce. Restaurants are everywhere, from fancy to dirt cheap.

Can you buy a joint or weed in China, or take it to China?

• Cannabis is far from legal and the penalties are severe.