Short answer: Pack your documents, medication, the right adapters and one season of clothes. Almost everything else — bedding, kitchen gear, toiletries, extra clothes — is cheap in China and delivered to campus within a few days via Taobao or a nearby supermarket.
Use this alongside the full China Exchange Checklist (documents, money, phone and first-week tasks).
Hand Luggage: Never Check These
- Passport (valid 6+ months) with your visa
- Admission letter and JW201/JW202 form (originals + copies)
- Printed and cloud copies of passport, visa, insurance and admission documents
- Passport photos with a white background (for residence permit and campus card)
- Your home bank card plus a backup card from a different bank
- Some RMB cash for the first day or two
- Prescription medicine in original packaging, with a doctor’s letter listing generic names
- Phone, charger, power bank (clearly marked capacity) and your travel eSIM already installed
Electronics
- Plug adapter — China uses types A, C and I at 220V
- Laptop and charger (check it accepts 220V)
- A short extension lead or multi-plug from home is optional — cheap to buy locally
- Headphones for libraries and trains
Clothes
Pack for the season you arrive in, plus layers. Climate varies hugely: northern cities have dry, freezing winters; the Yangtze River region (Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou) has hot, humid summers and cold, damp winters with limited indoor heating. Check your city guide for local weather.
- One to two weeks of everyday clothes
- A warm layer and a rain jacket (umbrellas are sold everywhere)
- Comfortable walking shoes — you will walk a lot
- One smarter outfit for university events or presentations
- Clothes and shoes in larger sizes if you are tall or have big feet — these can be harder to find
Health and Toiletries
- Any specific brands you rely on (contact-lens solution, certain deodorants and sunscreens can be harder to find or pricier)
- A small first-aid kit for the first week — pharmacies are everywhere after that
- Period products you prefer, if you have a strong brand preference
- Glasses or contact lenses plus your prescription
Leave at Home
- Bedding, pillows, hangers and towels — cheap near campus or online
- Kitchen appliances like rice cookers (and check dorm rules first)
- Large quantities of toiletries
- Hair dryers and straighteners from 110V countries — they will not work safely at 220V
Useful Small Extras
- A couple of padlocks for dorm lockers or luggage
- A reusable water bottle — hot and filtered water dispensers are common on campus
- Small gifts from your home country for a buddy, host family or teacher
- A card with your address and university name in Chinese characters
Printable version
The printable China Exchange Checklist (PDF) includes a packing section with tick boxes.
Explore Your City
Once the setup is done, the city guides cover what changes from place to place: neighbourhoods, local food, attractions, student areas and weekend trips.
Hangzhou — West Lake, tea villages, local food · All city guides (Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing coming next)
Related Guides
Last updated: September 2026. Airline and customs rules on batteries and medication vary — check them before you fly. Prices, opening hours and rules in China change often — treat costs as estimates and confirm anything important with the official source before you go.
Photos: Photo by Kindel Media on Pexels.com