Packing & what to wear in China
Season-by-season packing for a country with a 40°C north-south temperature spread.
What everyone needs to know
- China spans tropical Hainan to Siberian-border Heilongjiang — packing depends far more on the city than the country.
- Northern winters are dry and heated indoors, so layers beat one heavy coat.
- Southern summers are humid; quick-dry fabrics matter more than light ones.
- Universal power adapters work; sockets are type A/C/I with 220 V.
The numbers
| Item | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Harbin January | −25°C to −10°C |
| Sanya January | 20°C to 27°C |
| Shanghai July | 27°C to 36°C, humid |
| Socket | 220 V, type A/C/I |
Do it in this order
- Check the city’s monthly range, not the country average.
- For winter north: thermal base layer, fleece, windproof shell, hat, gloves, and shoes with grip.
- For summer south: quick-dry shirts, sun hat, mosquito repellent, and a small umbrella for sudden storms.
- Pack a power bank — you will scan QR codes for payment and transit all day.
Mistakes to avoid
- Packing for "China" rather than for one city.
- Forgetting that indoor heating in the north is strong — you will overheat in a heavy coat.
- Skipping a power bank and running out of phone charge at a ticket gate.
Sources
Packing & what to wear city by city
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Xi'an
- Chengdu
- Chongqing
- Guilin
- Zhangjiajie
- Hangzhou
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Harbin
- Sanya
- Lijiang
- Kunming
- Suzhou
- Xiamen
- Zhengzhou
- Taiyuan
- Guiyang
- Fuzhou
- Yiwu
- Tianjin
- Nanjing
- Wuhan
- Changsha
- Qingdao
- Jinan
- Shenyang
- Dalian
- Changchun
- Hohhot
- Urumqi
- Lhasa
- Xining
- Lanzhou
- Yinchuan
- Dunhuang
- Luoyang
- Kaifeng
- Datong
- Pingyao
- Qufu
- Tai'an
- Huangshan
- Hefei
- Nanchang
- Wenzhou
- Ningbo
- Wuxi
- Yangzhou
- Shaoxing
- Zhuhai
- Foshan
- Dongguan
- Haikou
- Nanning
- Yangshuo
- Dali
- Shangri-La
- Xishuangbanna