Female Packing List for China in Summer: June, July, August

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Planning a packing list for China in summer is pretty simple – bring as little as possible. Especially if you’re going to be carrying your bags around a lot, parts of China will swelter in summer. However planning what to wear in China wont be as difficult as planning how to dress in other Asian countries.

China has a few fashion similarities to the west, with short skirts and shorts not being taboo like they are in some other Asian countries. You can pack to pack a similar wardrobe to what you might wear at home in summer, with a few exceptions that I mention in the packing list for China below.

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What you’ll find in this China packing list:

• A little information on weather and seasons
• Advice on what to wear in China (and what else to pack)
• Tips for safety and health
• Popular day tours and where to stay suggestions

What to Wear in China in Summer

• Pants x 1: Unless you’re going to the far north of China you’re going to regret bringing jeans, or any other kind of heavy pant. I’d bring one pair of lightweight pants, but most stick to shorts and skirts. Ditch pants completely if you need to save space or feel the heat easily – stick to shorts or leggings.
• Shorts and skirts x3: Skirts are quite popular in China with many local Chinese girls wearing short skirts – so if that’s what you wear back home you wont feel out of place here.
• Tops x 3-4: If you’re here for a 3-4 week trip you might want to add a few more, but otherwise 5 tops will keep your pack light and give you enough variation. In China most girls wont show their shoulders, however it’s not considered taboo for foreigners. Although you’ll get more stares showing off your shoulders, you’re going to get stared at a lot anyway, so it doesn’t really matter. I’d easily choose a couple extra stares for a bit of extra breeze on my skin. Bare midriffs and cleavage may push the limits too far though. Bring atleast one top that covers shoulders in case you’re going into a temple which requires it (or to protect from sunburn).
• Dresses x3: Again, short dresses are fine here. Just be wary that Chinese prefer steps to escalators (often present, but powered off), so plan to be walking up steps a lot. Dresses are my top picks for a packing list for China in summer, they’re perfect in the heat.
• Cardigan x 1: Chances are you wont need it, but it’s worth packing just incase – especially if you’re visiting one of the cities not occupied by strong heat and humidity. Get a light one like this.
• Cover up or silk scarf x1: Helpful if going into certain temples and if you’re visiting the beach.
• Swimsuit x1: I very much doubt you’re going to China to visit a beach but if you are (or pick hotels with pools) you will do fine with just one swimsuit. Any type is fine but you may get stared at a little more in a bikini (but its not offensive at all to wear one).
• Sandals x 1-2 (or 1 Sandal, 1 enclosed shoe): Have I mentioned it’s going to be hot? Unless you’re doing something strenuous 1-2 pairs of sandals will be fine, and give your feet room to breathe. If you’re going to the Great Wall, enclosed shoes might be a good idea though. I personally wore sandals at two sections of the wall and was fine, but I think it’d be even better with enclosed shoes. If you can find sandals with foot cushioning even better!
• Underwear & Bras x 5-7: You can easily hand wash these in the sink if needed.
• Hat x 1-2: For sun protection and cute Instagram shots ;). Put your underwear inside the head part of the hat to help it keep it’s shape a bit more in your luggage. See some cute floppy hats here.
• Sunglasses x 1-2: As an added bonus this helps to draw less attention to yourself (although you’ll never truly blend it).

What to Pack for Summer in China

• Make up & Toiletries:
  • Don’t let the heat scare you off bringing make up but be aware that some of it might melt off. You’ll want a makeup bag that is affordable and compact, like this one.
  • Bring your basics such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant, but if you need to save space nearly every hotel in China gives you free toothbrushes and paste. Even the cheap ones, and if you by some small chance find a hotel that doesn’t, you can buy one at Walmart or the chemist cheaply.
  • A small medical kit with dehydration sachets and headache medicine is a good choice. You will regret not bringing western medicine if you get sick here – Chinese medicine is different. So Americans, pack your Toms and ibuprofen!
  • Tampons: these are hard to find in China (but pads are plentiful).
• Technology:
  • Camera + 1-2 batteries (I’d recommend 2). Plus your camera charger. I personally love the Sony a6500 + 19mm f2.8 (landscapes) or 35mm f1.8 (portraits) combination.
  •  2-3x eight or sixteen GB memory cards. It’s better to take multiple cards and spread your photos across them incase you damage or loose one of them. This way you don’t loose all your photos.
  • Note: Portable chargers will get confiscated on flights here (you may be fine flying in though). I’d suggest buying a cheap one and testing your luck coming in (should be fine), but expect it to be confiscated the next time you hop onto a flight. However as long as you get it into the country it will be helpful to charge your electronics on the go. Worst case scenario you spend $10 and it gets taken off you (there are no other consequences).
  • Ofcourse you’ll need to pack an international plug adapter for China to charge your devices.
  • Phone charger + phone
• All else:
  • Photocopies of important documents: leave one copy at home, and one with you but kept separate to your originals.
  • Atleast two bank cards. Please note that only certain brands of Chinese banks accept western cards, look out for the Mastercard or Visa symbol. You shouldn’t have too much trouble finding one, but just a warning not to get worried if the first 1-2 ATMs (bank tellers) you try don’t accept your card. Multiple bank cards also protects you if one card gets stolen, lost or damaged.
• Luggage:
  • Suitcases: Ah China, the land of escalators that aren’t powered on. I got pretty good at lugging a 20 kilo suitcase up and down flights of stairs. But seriously, if you’re using public transport you’ll probably have to carry it up and down stairs (don’t expect anyone to help you). See some options here.
  • Backpacks: Perhaps a better choice, however they’ll add extra heat to your body in the summer sun. Regardless of the type of luggage you choose, try to keep it under 15 kilos. I’d recommend a 65 litre like this one.
  • For trains in China you can store your luggage above your seats (Sometimes people were nice enough to put my 20k suitcase up there – so the shelves can carry a lot of weight).

China Seasonal Packing Lists

All you really need to know about what to wear in China in summer is that it’s HOT. Oh, and humid. There are a few places in the country where the heat isn’t as bad, such as Jiuzhaigou National park and the Tibetan Planes, but in general expect to sweat at most major tourist attractions.

Seasons in China

1. What to wear in winter in China:  Winter varies across the country with some places having snowfall and others having mildly cold weather (such as Sanya). Read our article ‘What to pack for winter in China’ for more details. Visit the winter packing list for China.
2. What to wear in Autumn in China: Autumn is a great time to visit China. You can expect warmish weather early on in the season, leading onto colder weather as you near the end of Autumn. Bring a jacket if visiting near the end of Autumn, and a cardigan if visiting at the start. View the fall packing list for China.
3. What to wear in Summer in China: Light colours and lightweight clothing is a good choice for summer in China. Do as the Chinese do and bring an umbrella to protect you from the pesky sun. Grab a portable fan (like this one here) to help blow the sweat away while sightseeing. Keep reading for more information.
4. What to wear in Spring in China: Another great time for visiting China as this is cherry blossom season. At the beginning of spring some lingering cold may be present from winter, but generally the weather should be pleasant. Bring a cardigan, and a jacket if visiting in the first month of Spring. See the Spring China packing list here.

Where to Stay in China

Beijing

• Budget: For a pretty cheap double or single room, I recommend the Kaidehua International Hotel which is close to the Temple of Heaven, and a short taxi ride away from the bus station to Jinshanling Great Wall.
• Midrange: For a middle range hotel the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing is a good choice with stylish looking rooms with a hairdressors, beauty center and a few restaurants on site.
• Luxury: Luxury hotels in Beijing are quite good in general, but I’m going to recommend either the New World Beijing Hotel or the Wanda Vista Beijing. Both offer stylish rooms and swimming pools.

Shanghai

• Budget: Featuring some really cute dorm bed stairs, The Phoenix Hostel Shanghai-LaoShan is my choice for backpackers or budget travelers looking for a hostel.
• Midrange: Near the popular shopping street Nanjing Road, Campanile Hotel Shanghai Natural History Museum (that’s a mouthful) is in the main part of the city. There may be two branches of this hotel in the city so make sure you get the address for your taxi driver!
• Luxury: With a super intriguing swimming pool (I’m not quite sure how to describe it) and excellent views of the surrounding city, Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai is a great choice if you can afford it.

Chengdu

• Budget: Dreams Travel International Youth Hotel is a good choice for backpackers looking for a dorm. It’s in the city centre and hass air conditioning (vital if you’re visiting in summer). Dorms beds start from $7 a night.
• Midrange: The Grand Dorsett Chengdu is a nice hotel which gives lots of value for the cost. The hotel offers breakfast and a sauna.
• Luxury: For those with a bigger budget look towards The Temple House or Niccolo Chengdu. Both hotels have a fresh vibe to them and an indoor pool.

All other cities:

• Check out the Booking.com website for more ideas for hotels.

Popular Day Tours

• Shanghai:
  • Visit two nearby water towns (day trip): If you’re into photography, or staring at pretty scenery and Chinese architecture you’ll want, you’ll want to see the traditional water towns near Shanghai. You can find more details here.
  • A private full day city tour: See more details and see prices here.
  • Day trip to Hangzhou: Hop on this day trip to beautiful Hangzhou to see the tea plantation, experience a tea tasting ceremony and cruise along the famous West Lake. Find more information here.
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• Beijing:
  • The Great Wall sections can be a little hard to get to on your own as transport can be unreliable. If you want the ease of a tour the following day tours take you to Badaling (see tour details), Jinshanling (see more info) and Mutianyu (see latest prices). I’ve been to the first two and preferred Jinshanling which seemed less touristy, but both were awesome.
• Chengdu:
  • Giant Panda & Leshan Giant Buddha Statue Day Tour: See more information here.
• Guilin:
  • Yangshuo and Xingping town with (watching) cormorant fishing. If you love photography you’ll want to see the cormorant fishers in XingPing. Find more details by clicking here.
  • Li River cruise and Yangshuo day tour: Easy trip from Guilin to see all the major sites in the area. See more information here

Want to see some travel vlogs of China?

See the entire China playlist by clicking here.

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