What do you all suggest to carry while touring? Backpack or smaller? Purse not advisable? I assume money pouch is best to protect against pickpocketers?

Backpack is good, as you can carry a good qty of stuff, and you can switch it around to the front if you're in a crowded place where you might be nervous about thieves. Many sizes to chose from. Shoulder bags aren't as good security wise as a simple "slash" of the webbing can separate you from the bag. There are some newer versions that incorporate a steel cable to help with this problem.

Just how paranoid are you when you start talking about pouches/backbacks that incorporate a steel cable?

How sad is that?

Carry passport and valuables in a money belt if you are staying somewhere where you can't leave them in the hotel safe - or are on the road.

Carry a small backpack with sun factor, loo roll, water bottle, book, etc, as well.

Should suffice unless you are heading off on a 12 hour plus bus journey (which I doubt very much) - in which case I would make it a large water bottle; add some cleansing wipes; and pantie liners if you are female.

And some bikkies to eat.

When push comes to shove - the big things are loo roll and water bottle.
Unless you are a smoker - in which case,hey, pack an extra lighrer.

Are you talking about in China? You can carry what you use while touring in the U.S. What do you use in NY city to protect against pickpocketing? Also remember the large coastal cities are quite fashion forward, quickly catching up with NYC.

I have a smaller version of a messenger bag, strong, light weight, lots of pockets for water bottle, cell phone ... and it can switch around front, side or back, and switch shoulders. The strap is wide and sturdy, no steel cable, the bottom unzips if you want to stuff in a laptop ( I don't).

As fuzzylogic said, pull 1/2 a roll of t.p. from your hotel bathroom, it can double as kleenex and napkins in a pinch. Purrel or wipes. Little snacks like nuts, dried fruit, energy bar, beef jerky or baked "goldfish". I don't chew gum, carry a small tin of french fruit-flavored hard candy bonbons. China sells Wrigley breathmints. And I buy an umbrella or rain poncho there if needed.

I would not recommend a backpack. Just too much risk in crowded places, and you'll be in lots of crowded places.

You don't need anything with steel cables.

All this info-good to know!!
Shanghainese-where do you buy this messenger you mentioned?

It was a gift, the factory is near Shanghai, brand is Parisun, there is a website but I don't know where they sell in the US, and my version is not on the website. I am sure you can find something similar in NYC, I like it with zippers, not a big flap you have to unbuckle. Try
www.timbuk2.com

Check out Eagle Creek. They are in the industry leader in travel gear.

www.eaglecreek.com

Thanks, Shanghainese!

We carried a knapsack in China but made sure the zippers had pull tabs that could handle baby locks. They wouldn't stop a real thief, but they do stop someone from unknowingly unzipping your knapsack and grabbing your stuff. The little locks were the combination not key type and it was no real big deal to undo them when we wanted something inside.