What to pack for China — a printable list

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Documents

Passport, with at least six months' validity if your own government still recommends that, and a blank page. A photo of the passport photo page, stored offline, and a paper photocopy in a different bag. If you need a visa, the visa itself. If you are visa-free, a clear idea of which rule you are using, and a screenshot of your onward ticket if it is the 240-hour transit. Travel insurance details and a copy of any prescription you will carry. Hotel address in Chinese characters, and a contact number.

Payments and a little cash

The foreign cards you already bound in Alipay and WeChat, plus a backup card for a UnionPay ATM. A modest amount of cash (yuan if you can get it cleanly, or a currency you can change at the airport). You do not need a thick envelope.

Connectivity

eSIM already installed, or a plan to buy a Chinese SIM with your passport. See the SIM versus eSIM guide. Offline maps and an offline translation pack. Alipay, WeChat, a map (Amap or Apple), and 12306 if you will take a train.

Clothes and comfort

Comfortable walking shoes. Shenzhen is a walking-and-metro city. A light layer for strong air-conditioning, and clothes for the season — see Shenzhen weather by month. We will not invent a 2026 forecast. Your usual medicines in original packaging, plus any prescription paperwork.

Leave at home, or think twice

A tourist drone is legally constrained in China (real-name registration, no surveying by foreign operators). If you cannot complete registration, leave it at home. See the photography and drone guide. Most toiletries, a power adaptor (China is 220V; outlets are commonly Type A, C and I), and a cheap raincoat can be bought after you land.