Luggage limit - isn't China's limit crazy?
 

i'm traveling economy class. the limit is 45 lbs for a check in bag. i just don't understand how i can possibly buy anything on the trip with this limitation. my bag alone now is 45 lbs, maybe even over in which case i'm going to have to try and take some stuff out (i'm staying 2 weeks). any advice?!!

20kg/44lb is the standard for everywhere in the world except US/Canada.

BTW, you can always take the train. All the spots you want to cover have decent train service.

Also the luggage limit doesn't apply to flight to/from the US.

Or just pay the overage. It's not THAT expensive.

Also, first class airfare isn't that expensive either.

Unless you have diving, ski or surfing gear, 20 kg is sufficient even for those who shop. You may wish to repack and bring only essentials.

Really? I guess I am spoiled. I feel like I need to bring a lot for 2 weeks. Hopefully, the hotels will have decent laundry facilities. How do you all pack for two weeks? I'm just curious -- how may pants, shirts, jackets? My past travels have always been in the summer when it's hot and humid so I can't re-wear my clothes because they are dirty and stinky. Thanks again everyone! By the way, does anyone know what the overage cost is?

sorry - one more question - to the poster who suggested a warm jacket... are you suggesting a parka/down jacket or will a sweatshirt do? thanks again!

We get our jackets from mountain climbing shops so are generally not bulky. Assuming you will be there during autumn/fall and not when it's freezing, you should have a lightweight jacket that's windproof and waterproof. Underneath that you wear a jumper/sweatshirt and beneath that a tee or polo shirt. We wash our smalls and t-shirts as we travel so you won't need to cart along more than 5 of the latter. Less if you intend to shop (recommend department stores as opposed to markets). You may wish to bring an extra sweatshirt. Can't see why you would need to pack more than 2 extra pair of pants.
For ladies, I suggest packing clothes which can mix and match and maybe two colour themes at the most. Almost all the hotels we stayed in China provided a huge range of toiletries including combs and toothbrushes. Hair conditioners are not so common but they can be purchased locally. You must carry enough contact lens paraphernalia for the whole trip though. We often travel with medication to cover emergencies like eye infections etc.

When I hit China, I take one sport coat (only if you are doing some business meetings or going to nice dinners), one dress slacks, one casual lightweight pants worn on the plane,(REI/Magellans type stuff), 2 casual dress shirts, 2 quick dry underwear and t shirts (if you don't mind hand washing them yourself). Cool max type will dry overnight, and a sweater since it will be chilly where you are going at night. There will always be good laundry service, but it might cost a bit more than you expect. All of this weighs less than 10 lbs and fits in a small roller carry on which will weigh less than 10 lbs also.

For two weeks:
Wear on plane, slacks, shirt, lightweight sweater, windbreaker, walking shoes.

For suitcase: two pairs of slacks (lightweight travel ones) or if it's summer, one pair of slacks, one pair of capris. One casual blouse, two-three casual cotton/knit tops. Four underwear, four socks. One pair sandals. Toiletry kit - minimum amount.

For carryon: Camera, extra batteries. Novel. Travel documents. Wallet.

wow, sounds like everyone packs SO lightly! it sounds like all of your must do several loads of laundry while you are there then, right? i am staying for 2 weeks. i also plan to bring a blowdryer or do most hotels have that?

No matter how long I am travelling, which is usually 3 weeks, I take no more than 1 week of clothing. I have it laundered along the way, and tend to stick to basic colors, so i have lots of outfit options. It was hard to do this at first, as I used to overpack, but this works very well for me. And if I find I need a particular item of clothing while I'm travelling, I'll just buy it there.
On the way back, just pay the overage. That's what I do. I won't miss out on a must have purchase!

Regardless of trip length I figure two or three day outfits plus one evening (long skirt or sarong) which I can wear to dinner while my day clothes drip dry. Add one each shorts, swimsuit, cardigan and lightweight jacket. Thermal underwear if I think it will be cold. These days my luggage is weighing in at 25 pounds including my day bag and all electronics (and pharmaceuticals). I do travel with a small dual voltage hairdryer, but if you're staying in upmarket hotels you won't need one. My packing list is at wilhelmswords.com/faq/ Don't forget to account for the weight of the bag itself.

Nicer hotels have hair dryers, sure. Call/check their website if this is an absolute requirement. If you can get by for a day without one then you could buy a hair dryer when you are there.

I take a maximum of a week's worth of clothing.

Watch it on the shoes, too. They can be relatively heavy for the space they take. Lightweight casual pants instead of (heavy) jeans.

thank you all so much again! the list was so helpful!

rkkwan: Is it 2 bags of 44 lbs each, or only one bag?

You need to check the website for the airline. Most allow 2 checked bags, but the weight allowance is for the <b>total</b> of the two. Not 44lb each.

Thanks, rkkwan. I pack light, as to my friends, that's another story.

I always pack a set of silk long-johns for every trip and every type of weather. No coldest I have ever been was a 5-star hotel in May in China. It was very hot outside, and extemely cold in all the rooms. There was no way to adjust or turn the air-conditioner off, and the windows did not open.

Heating is not allowed at certain times of the year. China determines the use of heating and cooling by the calendar. The weather is not the determining factor, and it doesn't make any difference how hot or cold it gets. They still have to follow the dates. You might check and see which months China allows heating and keep that in mind when you pack.

It may be different now, but only time our luggage weight was checked was when we left the country. They did charge for the extra weight, but it was not much. Our suitcases were never weighed for the domestic flights.

15/33 on economy AerolineasArgentinas.
M

After years of taking everything I thought I'd ever need, I learned a tip from Rick Steves that makes travel much easier: If you're going to be gone for a week or more, take three of everything.

I wear one outfit and take two more tops, pants, underwear, pair of shoes, etc...and either wash them twice a week or if absolutely necessary, have something dry-cleaned.

I rarely take a coat, hat, gloves, scarf, umbrella, blow dryer, toiletries or electrical converter since you can buy these items cheap in China (and most hotels will supply an adapter for appliances or computers).

I also pack a lightweight nylon gym bag that folds up to 6&quot;x6&quot;. That way, I can pack my clothes in it on the flight home and use the space in my suitcase for all the new stuff I bought.

Pack light and enjoy your trip!