What to Pack for Shanghai Trip

Deciding what to pack is not always easy. You don’t have to pack too many things, better not to exceed the luggage weight that the airline specifies. Normally, you are allowed to carry one bag with the baggage allowance no more than 20 kilogram/44 pounds and two carry-on bags with each weighing up to 5 kilogram/ 11 pounds for the airlines in China.

Identifications

Passport and Chinese Visa: Never forget your original passport and Chinese Visa. Besides, firmly recommend to back up your passport and visa in digital forms or print more copies for some emergency uses.

Bank Cards and Enough Cash: Cashes can be withdrawn everywhere in China, but it’s better to prepare some in advance.

Clothes

Spring (March-May)

In Spring, the average temperature is about 2 °C to 19 °C. Flowers bloom in spring, decorating the city with natural colors. The best outfit are suits, jackets, windbreakers, thin sweaters and travel shoes.

Summer (June-Aug.)

In Summer, the average temperature is about 16 °C to 35 °C. The outfit for summer in Shanghai are T-shirt, short sleeves, blouse, maxiskit , sandals, cap, etc.

Comfy shoes or closed-toe shoes are highly recommended. Don't be fooled by the Chinese girls who wear high heels all day. They are tiny and lightweight on their feet compared to most foreign travelers.

Autumn (Sept.-Oct.)

Autumn in Shanghai normally starts from September till the end of October. In Autumn, the average temperature is about 19 °C to 33 °C. Recommended clothing are sportswear, suites, jackets, jeans and travel shoes.

Winter (Nov.-Feb.)

Between November and February, the outfit for winter is overcoat, thick woolen sweaters, lined coats, wind coat, warm underwear, heavy socks and warm boots. In Winter, the average temperature is about 0 °C to 20 °C. Shanghai is continental maritime climate. Although the temperature is not low in winter, it still snows every year.

Bag

A large backpack and a smaller one: The smaller one (satchel) can be carried with daily activities and be put into the large backpack when necessary.

A waist bag to put important documents and property.

Camera and Digital Gears

Camera or video camera: Don’t forget to put a camera into your bag and document the stunning beauty on the road.

Tripod: To get a satisfactory photo or shoot the starry night, you need to prepare a light but steady tripod which can be fixed firmly and deal with the wind.

Standby batteries: Ensure the constant power supply of your digital equipment;

Camera memory cards: An extra memory card leaves you much room for documenting sceneries.

Phone international roaming service: Get your phone international roaming enabled, for some Wi-Fi provided at attraction accommodations are unavailable. If you want to share anything of your tour in Shanghai simultaneously with your family or friends, you are recommended to do so.

Voltage converter or adapter: Here in China, we are using 220V, 2-hole and 3-hole socket.

Portable charger: Due to the unstable power supply, a portable charger is indispensable wherever you travel in Shanghai.

Notice: Drone is not allowed at most areas in the city for safety reasons. Please do not try as your drone will be confiscated and you will also get trouble for this. If you are using DJ drone, it will notify you when in forbidden area. If you are outside of the forbidden area, then you can set it free!

Daily Items

Moisture and sunscreen: When traveling in summer, moisture and sunscreen can effectively keep you from UV radiation and effectively keep you from the sunburnt.

Sunhat and sunglasses: No matter a city-tour or the trekking exploration, Sunhat and sunglass are the necessary items to keep you from sun-scotching if you are touring in summer.

Umbrella and raincoat: During the rainy season (July and August), it’s better to bring umbrella or raincoat with you just in case.

Medicines

Medicine to prevent and lessen High Altitude Sickness, such as Diamox if you are doing the trekking tour in remote areas.

Medicine for cold, headache, stomachache, diarrhea, nausea, insect bite, etc. such as Aspirin, Diphenoxylate, and Prochlorperazine.

Band-aids or other wound dressings.

Nasal ointment, nasal sprays and throat lozenges if you are sensitive to dry, chilly or freezing weather conditions.

Multivitamins.

App

In China, apps that can help you solve many problems.For example,you can use Alipay or WeChat when you buy something. Most people in China nowadays don't need to carry cash thanks to the 2 apps. Even the vendors on the street accept Wechat Pay and Alipay. Translation app like Youdao can be used when communication is difficult, etc. So we recommend you download some apps which you need.

Recommend Shanghai tours:

Shanghai City Sightseeing One Day Tour

One Day Tour to Zhujiajia Water Town with Night View

Shanghai and Zhujiajiao Water Town 4 Days Tour