What to Pack for Qinzhou. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials

Summer Attire May-Oct

Bring lightweight, breathable clothing. Cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics are good choices. Pack shorts, t-shirts, light dresses, and skirts.

Essential Items

A lightweight waterproof jacket or a compact umbrella for frequent, heavy showers.
Comfortable sandals or flip-flops.
Loose-fitting, quick-dry clothing.

Winter Attire Dec-Feb

Layers are useful. Pack long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a light to medium-weight jacket. Thermal wear can be useful for colder days, especially when temperatures dip below 10°C.

Winter Items

Sweaters and light jackets.
Full-length trousers and warm socks.
Thermal layers for colder days.

Footwear Selections

Walking Comfort

Comfortable walking shoes are a requirement for seeing the sights and exploring cities.

City Exploration

Warm Weather

Sandals or flip-flops useful for warmer weather, beaches, and relaxation.

Beach & Relaxation

Rainy Season

Waterproof shoes or a waterproof coating on walking shoes for the rainy season.

Wet Weather Protection

Critical Travel Documents

Travel Documents Checklist

Secure your travel papers before departure. Organize both physical and digital copies.

Passport and Valid Chinese Visa: Originals, photocopies, digital copies.
Travel Insurance Policy: Policy number, emergency contacts.
Vaccination Records: Yellow Fever certificate (if needed) and personal record.
Prescription Medications: Doctor's note, generic names, allergy list.

Reservations: Hotel, flight, train tickets, pre-booked tours (digital and print).
Emergency Contacts: Family, friends, and embassy/consulate information.
IDs: Student/Senior/Press IDs for potential discounts.
No IDP for China: International Driving Permit not recognized in mainland China.

Tech and Connectivity

Power and Adapters

Stay powered up. China uses 220V, 50Hz electricity, and specific plug types. A universal adapter is smart.

Power Adapter and Voltage

China uses 220V, 50Hz electricity.
Plug types are A (two flat parallel pins), C (two round pins), and I (three flat pins in a triangular pattern).
A universal adapter with surge protection a smart choice.

Mobile Connectivity

Most unlocked smartphones work in China. SIM cards or eSIMs keep you connected during your travels.

Mobile Phone Compatibility and SIM Card Options

Most unlocked smartphones work in China, using GSM and CDMA networks.
Purchase local SIM cards (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) with your passport.
Consider using an eSIM for convenience, set up before arrival.

Data Backup and Security

Vpn

A VPN is absolutely for getting to international websites and apps. Install and test before you arrive.

Storage

Use cloud storage (via VPN for international services) or carry an external hard drive or USB flash drive for photos and documents.

Apps

Recommended apps include Baidu Maps, Pleco, WeChat, Alipay, and DiDi Chuxing. Set up payment apps before arrival.

Health and Personal Care

Medical and Hygiene Kit

A well-stocked personal health kit helps address minor ailments, from cuts to upset stomachs.

First Aid Essentials

Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (ibuprofen).
Anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium), motion sickness tablets, allergy medication.
Hydrocortisone cream for insect bites or rashes.

Medications and Protection

Carry personal medications and protection from the elements to stay healthy during your trip.

Medications & Protection

Prescription Medications: Sufficient supply in original packaging with a doctor's note.
Over-the-Counter Medications: Remedies for colds, stomach upset relief, rehydration salts.
Personal Hygiene Essentials: Bring your preferred brands of toiletries you prefer.

Insect Repellent and Sun Care

Insect Protection

High-DEET insect repellent is for visits to the Mangrove Forest and during evenings in summer.
Protection against mosquito-borne diseases.
Apply repellent diligently.

Sun Protection

Sunscreen (SPF 30+) protects from strong sun.
A wide-brimmed hat.
Sunglasses.

Gear for Your Adventures

Hiking Essentials

A small daypack for water, snacks, and a camera. Comfortable hiking shoes.

Small daypack
Comfortable hiking shoes
Water and snacks
Camera

Beach & Water Gear

Swimsuit, quick-dry towel. For snorkeling in nearby areas, consider your own snorkel mask and fins.

Swimsuit
Quick-dry towel
Snorkel set (optional)
Beachwear

Specialized Equipment

Binoculars for bird watching in the Mangrove Forest. Extra batteries and memory cards for photography.

Binoculars (bird watching)
Additional batteries for your camera
Memory cards
Camera protective gear

Rent vs. Bring Decision

Consider Renting

Bicycles: Easily rent locally through sharing programs.
Beach Equipment: Available for rent at popular beach areas.
Snorkeling Equipment: Rent at popular snorkeling spots (e.g., Weizhou Island), bring your own for hygiene.
Cars: Renting a chauffeured car is an option as self-driving for foreigners requires a temporary Chinese license.

Consider Bringing

Camera Gear: Your preferred digital camera, extra batteries, memory cards.
Portable Chargers: Highly for smartphones and other devices for long sightseeing days.
First Aid Kit: A small, custom kit with personal medications and remedies.
VPN-enabled Devices: VPN is for getting to international services.

Everyday Travel Essentials

Comfort and Security

These items improve your comfort, security, and convenience during your Qinzhou journey.

Travel Comfort

A support pillow for the neck, eye mask, and earplugs are for long train, bus, or flight journeys.
Luggage locks, a money belt, or a discreet pouch for valuables.
An RFID-blocking wallet for credit cards offers additional protection.
A small, portable fan provides comfort during Qinzhou's humid summers.

Reusable Items for Sustainable Travel

Embrace sustainable travel with reusable items, reducing your environmental footprint while on the go.

Sustainable Travel Items

A reusable water bottle: Refill it with filtered or boiled water to reduce plastic waste.
A reusable shopping bag: Helps reduce plastic bag usage for purchases.
Reusable utensils: For street food if you prefer.
Help protect local ecosystems.

Items Difficult to Purchase Locally

Sunscreen

Specific brands or high SPF ratings can be harder to find.

Insect Repellent

High-quality or preferred brands may be scarce.

Western Snacks

Familiar comfort foods might not be available.

First-Aid Items

Specialized or high-quality personal first-aid products.

Destination-Specific Items

Local Guides/Apps

Offline maps or navigation apps (Baidu Maps, Amap) with local language support.
A small phrasebook or translation app for Mandarin.
WeChat for interaction and payment.

Local Currency/Payment

Some small denominations of CNY cash for minor purchases.
Foreign bank cards connected to WeChat Pay or Alipay.
A secondary payment method for emergencies.

Baggage Restrictions

Double-check your airline's baggage restrictions for both checked and carry-on luggage.

This avoids unexpected fees or repacking at the airport. Weight and size limits vary by airline and ticket class.

What to Pack for Qinzhou