I seem to remember seeing this somewhere but I have forgotten.
For the flights within China (I'm not sure as to which airline), what are the weight restrictions on checked luggage?
I know that carry-ons can weigh no more that 11lbs. I hope that the checked baggage is not less than 50lbs.

Within China it's the same weight restriction as the rest of the world (except for the US): 20 kg, approx 44 lbs.

Well that really stinks. I'm leaving in 2 weeks and brought up my luggage into the "packing" room. That sucker weighs 16lbs empty!! I wasn't too worried about the flight over to China but now I absolutely must revise my clothing/equipment list.

Maybe what you need is new luggage! My checked bag usually weighs in at less than 25 lbs packed, I'm quite sure it doesn't start at 16 lbs.

Maybe that's what I'll do this weekend - shop for new luggage. My old stuff is fairly new - just a few years and in really good shape. I really hate to not use it - I'm so used to it. Besides, it comes with all these companion matching pieces.

How about taking just your 16 lb-er with as little as possible packed in, and buy another lighter one in China?

My wife and I aren't fanatical light packers but we've never exceeded 40 kg in checked baggage between us - that includes 3 weeks in China and as long as 7 weeks elsewhere. As Kathie mentions, the rest of the world manages to get by on 20 kg pp.

We usually have the 50lb restriction and have never exceeded it but now with the China intraflights I was concerned. I just came back from the store and bought 2 25" rolling duffle bags weighing 10lbs each. This has saved me a total of 13 lbs which will allow plenty of room and weight for the overseas treasuresI have yet to buy. The bags are roomy and will do the trick just fine. Thanks everyone.

Surely the 11 pound weight limit on carry-ons is a typo? Has this changed drastically the last few years? I thought that carry-ons are usually limited by size (dimensions) rather than weight?

Carryons weights are not enforced.

If you have more than 20kg/44lb of checked bags, you can pay the extra fees. Or fly first or business.

lolo - that's one bag each for two people, right? Your checked bag limit is one 20 kg bag.

We have made several flights within China. On every occassion we were well over the limit....it was never a problem. No excess charge...No interrogation....simply.....No problem.

Most internal flights in China are with China Airlines.....we have found them to be most accomodating. They are certainly no worse than 'the best of the west'.

Just 'go with the flow'......if you have to pay extra for excess baggage....then so be it. Alternatively....cut down on your baggage......SIMPLE!

LTC - I think you mean Air China.

Yes, I did mean Air China....sorry.

thursdaysd - yes, I know the limit is 20kg each, about 44lbs.
rkkwan - actually I am flying business, but only on the international flights, not within China.
I will be on a tour and the info I have received is that the weight restrictions are strictly enforced, especially the 5kg carry-on limitation.
I think I will be ok now with the duffles and our lighter weight carry-on bags.
We leave in less than 2 weeks and are getting excited.
Tonight is the closing ceremonies from Beijing - also farewell to seeing the city on TV every night!!

Since you're on a tour, a little overweight for the checked bags definitely won't be a problem, because the whole group will be using grouped check-in and some bags will weigh more, some will weigh less.

But you have to look where the tour company is coming from. They have to tell you to keep it under 20kg/44lb, or else everybody will be "going a little over". And for carryon, the less people take, the faster the group can go. And the tour leader doesn't have to help 35 people haul their 30lb carryons onto the overhead bins.

Lolo12 -- If it's not too personal, would you share what kind of 25" rolling duffle you bought? Does the handle come out of the short side or long side of the duffle?

Is this for real?

'Does the handle come out of the short side or long side of the duffle?'

Sorry, I just don't get it!

The brand I bought is Athalon. And the handle comes out of the short side. I have never seen nor heard of a handle coming out of the long side. It would seem to be rather cumbersome to handle.
It has lots of pockets, can zip open completely to allow for easier packing and looks to be pretty user-friendly. On sale from $150 to $90.