What should I pack for China in 2026?
Most packing lists you'll find online are from 2018 — they tell you to bring a VPN, paper maps, and fistfuls of cash. Here's what you actually need today, tuned to your trip.
The short version (if you skip the tool)
What changed since old packing lists: Visa rules relaxed (most travelers come in visa-free now), Alipay Tour Pass made foreign cards work everywhere, and roaming eSIMs activated before landing give you uncensored Google/WhatsApp/Maps without any VPN. Three big items just got crossed off the list.
The 5 things people forget but really need: a vacuum flask (hot water is everywhere), broken-in walking shoes (Shanghai is 20k-step territory), a power bank, a printed hotel address in Chinese, and Wise/Revolut linked to Alipay Tour Pass to dodge bank conversion fees.
The 5 things to leave at home: a VPN subscription, paper maps, ¥5000+ in cash, pepper spray (illegal and unnecessary), and four spare chargers (FamilyMart sells them for ¥30).
Other things people ask before they fly
- ToolDo I need a visa for China?
30-second visa helper — 30-day visa-free, 240-hour transit, L tourist visa, country-by-country.
- ToolHow do I pay in China as a foreigner?
Alipay Tour Pass vs WeChat vs foreign cards vs cash — personalized strategy.
- GuideWhy you don't need a VPN in China
How roaming eSIMs route around the Great Firewall — the honest, legal way to keep Google + WhatsApp.
- ToolPVG / Hongqiao to central Shanghai
Compare official taxi, Didi, metro, and pre-booked transfer — including the late-night gotchas.
Get the next guide before your trip
We write one short, useful email every couple weeks — the kind of practical China-travel detail blogs miss. Unsubscribe any time.
By subscribing you agree to receive the GetShanghai newsletter. One-click unsubscribe in every email.