China travel checklist

A checklist of the most important things you need to do and pack before your trip to China:

To do

• Passport: Is it up to date? It must have at least six months' validity.
• Visa: Have you secured your Chinese visa?
• Vaccinations: Have you checked which shots you may need?
• Travel insurance: Are you covered?
• Safety: Have you registered your travel plans with smartraveller and checked the latest safety advice on the region you're travelling to?
• Money: Have you told your bank you're going overseas and do you know how you'll be paying for things in China?
• Booking: Have you booked accommodation?
• Transport: Do you know how you'll get from the airport to your accommodation?
• Getting around: Do you know how you'll get around China, and do you need to pre-book any tickets?
• Phone: Have you switched off data roaming and voicemail? If you're planning to use a local or travel SIM, is your phone unlocked?
• Apps: Have you downloaded offline maps, travel apps, or the CHOICE China travel guide onto your mobile?
• Medication: If you're travelling with prescription medication, do you have the original prescriptions and a letter of explanation from your doctor?

To pack

• Tickets
• Money (cash and cards)
• Passport
• A copy of your travel insurance details
• A list of emergency contacts at home and in China
• Your hotel address written in Chinese characters (and any other important information such as food allergies)
• Chargers and a power adapter
• Mosquito repellent and mosquito-proof clothing if travelling to sub-tropical areas
• Any regular medication (in original packaging, with prescriptions and doctor's letter)

Tip: You can bring medication into China as long as it's a "reasonable amount for personal use". No matter where you travel, you should carry all medications (even vitamins) in their original packaging, along with their original prescription. It's also a good idea to carry a letter from your doctor explaining what the medications are (using generic names), what they're for and dosage instructions.