A friend planning to travel to China with us this Spring just asked what I’d suggest she add to her Christmas list in anticipation of her first China trip. Since Mark is currently in flight to China as I type and packing is very much fresh in my mind, here are a few ideas I came up with that would be good additions under the tree for a happy-China-traveler-to-be.

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Mark got me a set of packing cubes for my birthday one year right before a trip to China. After using them once, I honestly can’t imagine traveling without them. They aren’t much money and work so well for organizing my stuff as well as allowing me to pack way more than I think will fit in my luggage which is always important.
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A luggage scale is a must have because that 50 lb. limit comes fast and the 44 lb. limit for a domestic flight in China comes even faster. At least one luggage scale for someone on a team of travelers is essential for packing and repacking in China. Here is one of our favorites.

 

I love Timbuk2 bags in general. I have several. And, this Q laptop backpack (in a funky martini olive color) is my favorite China carry-on bag. I use it on the flight, and I use it at the pearl market, and I use it daily at the orphanage and school. All that several times over, and it still looks essentially brand new.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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China travelers need a passport holder, preferably one that can hold an envelope of crisp, brand-new-looking $100 bills without them having to be folded. This one for cards, passport, travel documents, and even phone is awesome. I don’t have this one myself, but I really like that it zips shut, has the wristlet thing, and comes in some pretty fun colors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, these tags are obnoxiously bright. But, that’s the point. Baggage claim is way easier with a couple obnoxiously bright luggage tags. These colors and the grippy texture are perfect.
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When traveling to China, you really only need a plug adapter (not an electric converter) for your computer, phone, iPad, and camera charger. They can handle the voltage and just need the right type of plug.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have never brought a hair dryer to China and had success. Even with the plug adapter, it just doesn’t work. I just went to a convenience store there and bought a cheap one that I take back and forth. But, I did invest in a flat iron that works very well both here and there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know this TRTL travel pillow is kind of odd. But, what travel pillow doesn’t look a bit odd? And, when you are on a flight for 13 odd hours, odd is just fine. Whatever works. And, this one does. I should be getting freebies from this company for how many I’ve promoted and sold. I like that it is cozy and that it isn’t some big fluffy thing that I wear around the airport or have to tie onto my bag that gets filthy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have a pair of cabin socks I always put in my carryon for when I want to get a bit more comfortable on that forever long flight. These slipper socks are thick and cozy and have lots of color options.

 

 

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Always a welcome stocking stuffer. A Starbucks gift card is great for the airport before departing and when you only have one more flight to go before home. That decaf caramel macchiato or green tea latte just tastes even sweeter then.
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Bathrooms in China often have sinks but no soap. This mini container has teeny tissue-like sheets of soap that are perfect for such situations when using hand sanitizer just isn’t what you want.

 

 

 

This is also a handy stocking stuffer for the China traveler–travel sized, concentrated laundry soap. Then you can wash clothes to rewear what you need to and spot clean the spots you get from eating with chopsticks.
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I love clever travel solutions. Every China traveler needs something to bring order to plug adapters, iPad chargers, phone charges, headphones, etc. There are lots of them out there. But, this one from Bagsmart looks like a good one to me because I like bold colors so you can spot it easily in the depth of your suitcase or carryon.
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A toiletry bag is essential, and I prefer hanging ones to keep them from sitting in icky water on a bathroom counter. Grab this inexpensive one from NeatPack in a fun color.

 

 

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Sometimes you just get tired of drinking bottled water and room temperature Coke. Having a couple of these Crystal Light liquid things in your bag for such occasions makes staying hydrated a bit more tolerable.

 

 

 

Melatonin is your friend. And, it will make a good stocking stuffer that someone thanks you for later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You need a travel journal that will inspire you and give you plenty of room for thoughts and doodles as you go and go deeper. I don’t have this one, but I kind of love the look of it and may be asking for it myself.

 

 

 

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Okay, so these are super expensive. I know. And, likely nobody’s buying these noise-canceling headphones as a gift since they have a high price tag. But, I had to share them because we were able to get a pair using frequent flyer miles that were expiring, and they are LIFE CHANGING. Seriously. If you have $250 to spare, get these. You’re welcome.
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Please don’t buy this for your China trip. It’s a post-China trip need. Every hotel room has an electric kettle to heat and clean water (no tea needed, just hot water). And, after China, you’re going to want one of your own. We have this one by Oster in our kitchen, and the blue light is so nice in the wee hours of the morning.
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Another gift idea I’d suggest would be books about China travel, culture, adoption if that’s why you are traveling….

Check these out:

• • • China in Ten Words
    • Age of Ambition
    • Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother: Stories of Loss and Love
    • Wish You Happy Forever: What China’s Orphans Taught Me About Moving Mountains
    • Eating Bitterness: Stories from the Front Lines of China’s Great Urban Migration
    • One Child
    • China’s Hidden Children
    • The Good Women of China
    • Dreaming in Chinese
    • Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son

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