China Travel Forum

[James]

I am travelling in China in April and May and I am starting to do some practice packs of my rucksack.. and I am looking for some advice.
But what is a reasonable weight to carry around for 8wks.? I am thinking 20kg ?? any input on this?
I am also bemused by the array of travel gadgets at rediculous prices, which are useful? which are just ripping of travellers?
In particular..
Waterproof cover for a rucksack, is it easier to pack things inside in plastic instead?
Security for rucksack, there seems to be a huge array of wire messhing, through to alarms.. I would personally not bother, but I am being nieve? It just looks like extra weight, and add the magpie effect of shiney things look valuable...
Suncream.. ok I am going to need it, but is there any special compact stuff?? As the regular off the shelf stuff seems a bulky item to take
Clothes.. I am thinking less is more..

[Alfred]

That's a lot. I was unhappy I still had 10k when I left last year.
I'd say skip all the pack-safe stuff and any snazzy travel "convenience" type gear. It will just get lost or ruined and you will feel compelled to keep lugging it around even though you never use it. Ditto with any of the expensive travel clothing. Just bring thin lightweight stuff.
I did find my cheap plastic pack cover to be useful because there can be loads of dust and dirt on buses/trains which was prevented from getting on my pack and in through the cracks, where as with plastic bags inside, the dust still gets in. A sleepsheet was useful too, get a compact silk one.
As for things specific to China... bring books. English books are hard to find, and often when you do find them, they are super expensive.
Essential items i found useful and would suggest:
1. Travel towel - small, light and dry superquick. Definitely worth investing in one of these.
2. Lock and chain - for long sleeper train journeys etc. No need to splash out on wire mesh things.
3. Lightweight sleeping bag - these pack really small and again, definitely worth investing in.
4. Swiss army knife - everything you could need - knife, tweezers, bottle opener, scissors all in one gadget
5. Head light - forget the maglite, they are so passe! Head lamps are tiny and you've got your hands free for other stuff. Useful in remote areas if you're trekking for example where elctricity is scarce.
6. Plastic bags - great to have a spare 1 or 2 for all kinds of unexpected things, ie, leaky shower gel.
7. Zip off trousers/shorts - 2 in 1 and are usually lightweight.
I would avoid hipster cycling shorts for China. Anything that can be doubled as undies is best avoided. Although they would NEVER say anything to you (bad form), I'm willing to bet that any Chinese would be embarassed by it. Also, you'd never get into temples/ monasteries with them on. Go for knee length shorts.