"He who would travel happily must travel light." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Lugging a heavy pack around for the entire time we are in Asia can be extremely tiresome for you, and for the rest of the group. You’ll want to have room to pack gifts to take back to the U.S. Seriously challenge yourself to pack light.
PLEASE NOTE: We strive to be model visitors and therefore ask that everyone bring clothing that is lightweight and durable, but that also covers the body well, and looks respectable. T-shirts sporting inappropriate phrases, cut-off jeans, clothing with rips or holes, tight fitting leggings, and tank tops are inappropriate as they show disrespect for local cultures.
BAGS
Internal Frame Backpack – Your main “suitcase” should be comfortable, durable, and as light as possible
Daypack – A book-bag size pack to use for daily excursions.
Duffel Bag – While you’ll want to be able to fit all of your things in a backpack and daypack, an extra duffel can be handy for the trip back to the U.S. This bag should be nylon and durable (you can instead buy a second light bag to bring back in China)
Stuff Sacks – Light-weight and compact, using stuff sacks to separate clothes, food, toiletries for example, will bring order to your pack and allow you to pack and repack as we travel- not essential, but handy
Ziploc Bags – Like stuff sacks, these can be invaluable for keeping things organized and dry.
GEAR
Passport – Valid for at least 6 months from the beginning of your program.
Money Belt – A very important item to wear daily, under your clothes, safely hiding your passport, money, etc.
Water Bottle – one-quart,Nalgene bottles can be found at local outdoor gear shops or stainless steel bottles are fine too
Head Lamp – Flashlights are okay, but headlamps are more convenient.
Alarm Clock/Watch – Travel-size, to catch early buses and trains.
Swiss Army Knife – Pack this in your checked luggage, not in your carry-on bag (or simple pocket knife)
CLOTHING
Rain Coat or light poncho - Sweater/Fleece light jacket
T-shirts – 3, in decent shape, but prepared for wear and tear.
Nice shirt – for meetings and special occasions.
Pants – 2, comfortable and not too tight fitting.
Socks & Underwear – 5 pairs each
Sleepwear.
Hiking Boots or Sneakers – Durable and comfortable, for daily wear.
(Students often wear hiking boots most days)Due to rainy season you might want more than one pair of comfortable shoes
Sandals/flipflops/crocs slip on shoes are good for the shower or for visits to religious sites where you take your shoes off a lot
Visor/Sunhat
Sunglasses
TOILETRIES (Just the basics! No hair driers, irons, etc.)
Toothbrush & paste
Hair brush/Comb
Shampoo
Chapstick
Sunscreen
Towel – Small and light (and ideally fast-drying).
Medications – That you take regularly. Keep pills in original containers to avoid head-aches with Customs. Global LAB leader will carry a separate first aid bag.
Glasses/Contacts/Contact Solution – if you wear them. (Extra pair of glasses is a good idea).
OTHERS
Camera You might want to bring an extra camera battery and memory card if using a digital camera.
Notebook/Journal
Pen/Pencil
Book – Ideally about the places we will visit (we can swap around to minimize weight).
Gifts – A few light items to share with new friends (post cards of your home state, a simple t-shirt, a small calendar or picture book)- a date book or calendar with pics from the US is a good gift for your homestay
family
Spending Money – This amount depends on your personal spending/shopping habits. Each person will likely want at least $200 but how many snacks, coffees or sodas and gifts you want to buy and how many long distance phone calls you'll make will impact this amount. If you want to bring home a lot of interesting souvenirs then you might want to bring $400 or so...Travelers checks are good to have though cards can work at ATMs in Beijing and Kunming. Travel cards (such as those available at AAA or credit/debit cards work best - the “cash gift cards” available at some banks at times do not work at ATMS or moneychangers. Bringing up to $100
in cash is okay.
OPTIONAL
Bandana – These can serve multiple purposes while traveling.
Insect Repellent
Playing Cards
Purell – A small bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel or anti-bacterial hand-wipes.
Weather considerations for June:
June is rainy season!
Beijing temperature range: 63- 89 F
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/beijing.htm
Kunming temperature range:62- 75 F
http://www.chinahighlights.com/kunming/weather.htm
Zhongdian: 59- 86 F
http://www.chinatravel.com/yunnan/zhongdian/weather.htm
