This list is forever a work in progress as China and the needs of us foreign visitors evolve, so please comment to suggest what ought to be added or removed and why. I will give credit and happily link back to the blogs of any contributors.
Necessities:
- Money belt - a good idea to have for the purposes of safeguarding your money, passport, and important documents. I prefer the kind that clips inside your waistline rather than the kind on an elastic strap. These are alternatively called "clip wallets".
- Deodorant - this has yet to catch on in China and will be difficult or expensive to buy. Bring enough to last for your trip.
- Electronic translator/dictionary - unless you are fluent in Chinese, an electronic translator is likely to come in handy. Models that allow you to write in characters (such as PlecoDict for PDAs) are a huge help.
- ATM card - traveller's checkers were a nightmare when I was in China. Bringing a reasonable, lump some of cash to convert to RMB and then making periodic, large withdrawls from your home bank account worked best for me. Many financial providers charge a conversion fee (usually 1-3%) for withdrawing money in a foreign currency. Some, like Capital One, charge no fee. Consult this table for the rates of major providers. Also, check with your bank before leaving to see that your card will work in the PRC. In my experience, most Chinese ATMs accept foreign ATM cards, and only a minority of retailers accept foreign credit cards. If you plan to use a credit or ATM card, you'll likely have to call the company first and authorize charges from China (which will be flagged as suspicious otherwise). Be sure to also bring the customer service numbers for each card so you can cancel them should they get lost or stolen. Typically, there is a number you can call collect from overseas. Keep these numbers separate from your wallet or money belt.
Fun:
- Entertainment - bringing a few good books and DVDs, luggage space permitting, might be a good idea. You'll miss having a taste of the home culture from time to time, and English language bookstores and counterfeit DVD markets won't always produce what you want.
- American sports equipment - if you enjoy tossing around a frisbee or a game of catch with a baseball, bring these items. They'll be hard to come by in the PRC
- Souvenirs - not for you, but for the Chinese friends you'll make. This requires some creativity since so much is "Made in China" these days. Candy is one good answer, since Chinese sweets are not so great (i.e. terrible). The major foreign brands are sold in China, like M&Ms, but something more uncommon like Jelly Beans or rock candy might work well. Small denominations of American money will also be unique (by definition). Ask your bank if they have anything quirky on hand like $2 bills or 50 cent pieces.
Spirituality:
- Religious texts - If you're religious, don't hope on being able to buy your holy texts in China. Most of them have their printings limited, and it may be tough to find an English version as well. Don't try to bring large amounts in or they may be confiscated as smuggled items.
