China Travel Checklist for Senior Travelers

It is always wise to travel light and give up on all needless items, but packing is indeed a hard part when planning a long journey to a foreign country. As for senior travelers, not only do they need to carry all the daily necessities, they also should take safety and health condition into considerations. The checklist below helps you to have the most important travel essentials to ensure a safe, smooth and comfortable China trip.

Passport, visa and credit card are three most important items that should be included in your checklist. Make sure you capture photocopies of passport and ID or get a backup in your email in case of loss. Meanwhile, prepare contact lists of your China travel agency and your families if any emergencies occur. If you have not traveled since a long time, please check if your passport is valid, and remember to renew it about half a year before it expires.

Travel insurance is a requisite especially for senior tourists with pre-existing medical conditions, as they are kind of more vulnerable than average young adult when encountering new medical emergencies caused by different climate and food experiences in China. The insurance for medical coverage could prevent unexpected huge medical costs from ruining your holiday. On the other hand, coping with the cancellation or delay of a prepaid China trip, the travel insurance could also shield you from most financial losses.

Medications are most important items to pack especially for senior travelers. Before you travel to China, take enough medications according to the length of your trip plus a few extra days' worth. Not only do you need to prepare medicines for your existing health problems such as allergies, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and chronic bronchitis, but also you need to put the extra medications into your checklist for unexpected diseases including cold, pain and diarrheal.

If your China trip covers highlands like Tibet and Qinghai, medications for altitude sickness should also be prepared. Besides, your first aid kit should include prescriptions for each medicine you take and a list of chemical names of the medications since they might have different names in China.

Check the weather forecast for clothes preparation before your departure. Our travel consultant will also offer the weather information for you before you come. Three layers always work the best both for easy adding and removing. You could pack several jeans, tank tops, T-shirts, but limit your sweater and seasonal coat to one piece that could be well matched with all other layers.

If traveling in summer from June to August, two changes of T-shirts and shorts are enough cope with all activities. Do take some breathable loose leisurewear, and smart casual might be necessary if you are going to take a Yangtze River Cruise in China.

A pair of comfortable shoes could take you anywhere, while painful shoes could ruin any trips. Although our tour is slow-paced and physically moderate, sometimes medium-level activities may involve several hours' walking on steps, such as the Great Wall hiking and onshore excursions of Yangtze Cruise. Surely a pair of lightweight and sturdy running shoes will help you work out in a easeful way. One pair is enough, and do pack a bulk of socks for change. Meanwhile, avoid new shoes that may cause discomfort.

Beside packing cellphone, camera, earphone, USB wires, and chargers, you also need to carry a power convert and a plug adapter to charge your electronics and appliances. The electricity voltage varies in countries, and it is at 220 volts in China. Meanwhile, differently-shaped electrical outlets are used in China, so a plug adapter is also necessary. However, it doesn't matter if you forget to pack the converter and adapter, as they could usually be borrowed from the hotel.

If you want to contact with your families or friends home daily, you need to get an international SIM card that enables you to use your phone in China. In addition, for senior with hearing problems, the hearing aid and battery spares should be in their checklist.

During a tour involving outdoor sightseeing, you need to take measures to keep your skin burn-free, particularly in summer days. It is wise to pack a broad spectrum sunscreen, as it is the best way to protect against various types of sun rays. Wearing a hat and a pair of sunglasses is not only stylish, but can also protect your cheek and eyes from a possible sun exposure.

You need to take enough daily skin care and cosmetics products according to your stay in China but avoid over packed stuff. Try a smarter way by splitting them in smaller bottles in case of any liquid security check issues at the airport. Meanwhile, you need note that packed toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitizers are must-have essentials when you leave the hotel, as lots of public restrooms in China do not provide them.

• Carry a money belt tucked under your clothing to store your cash, phones, credit card and passport safe from the pickpocket.
• Pack an eye blinder and earplugs for a nap time when traveling on train or bus transfer.
• Take a small Chinese language manual for better interactions with locals and whiling away time on board.
• Tag a luggage label with your names and contacts in case of any baggage loss in the airport transfers.

• Bring along a small carry-on bag with your essentials such as travel documents medications and valuables.
• Get a suitcase with universal wheels for energy-saving during transfers.
• Keep your original documents and copies separately in case of loss.
• Scrolling your clothes will help save a lot of space and keep your wears tight.
• Medications should be stored in the original pill bottles with the prescription label.
• Place your most used items at your fingertips, such as glasses, medicines and phones.
• The best way of packing electronics is to place them in original boxes to ensure they are safely packed.