Women Travelers - Packing suggestions

While I am an experienced domestic traveler and have no trouble packing for those destinations, I am really in a quandary about what to pack for an upcoming 9-day trip to Shanghai and Beijing. I want to do my best to pack lightly and have clothing items that I can perhaps wear more than once with the help of washing some things out in the sink.

We will have 3 nights in Beijiing and then the rest of the trip is a different hotel each night.

I woud love to know of any products and/or clothing items that you experienced travelers just love and wouldn't travel without.

My purchases so far have been:

an Ann Mcalpine microfiber towel/blanket
a Longchamps La Pliage fold up shopping tote
some Eagle Creek packing cubes

After finding out our baggage limit inside China is 44 lbs, I am probably going to purchase a 25" Hovercraft 2 bag.

Any help and suggestions are more than welcome.

Thanks, and Happy Trails...

There is a world of great suggestions in a topic up the page called Travel Products. Don't buy any baggage until you look over that topic.

Magellans.com has Hovercraft in 25" on sale.

Beijing is really dusty so try to stick to items that can be easily and repeatedly washed several times and avoid suede or nubuck clothes & shoes. In addition to the dusty atmosphere many people chain smoke and indoor air is often grey with second-hand smoke. :td:

The airports are often zoo-like and confusing for those that don't understand the language as temporary signs are often only in Chinese or rarely squished up phonetic pinyin, so pack as light as you are comfortably able to. :(

However, they are both gorgeous cities with lots of history and things to do :)

While I am an experienced domestic traveler and have no trouble packing for those destinations, I am really in a quandary about what to pack for an upcoming 9-day trip to Shanghai and Beijing. I want to do my best to pack lightly and have clothing items that I can perhaps wear more than once with the help of washing some things out in the sink.

We will have 3 nights in Beijiing and then the rest of the trip is a different hotel each night.

I woud love to know of any products and/or clothing items that you experienced travelers just love and wouldn't travel without.

My purchases so far have been:

an Ann Mcalpine microfiber towel/blanket
a Longchamps La Pliage fold up shopping tote
some Eagle Creek packing cubes

After finding out our baggage limit inside China is 44 lbs, I am probably going to purchase a 25" Hovercraft 2 bag.

Any help and suggestions are more than welcome.

Thanks, and Happy Trails...

No offense, you are going to take a 9lb suitcase and 35lb of contents plus probably a personal item on a 9 day trip? Where's the problem?

Depending on what you wear and the season, all the clothes together of a woman's outfit often don't weigh more than 3-4lb. So theoretically you could bring a complete new outfit for every day of the trip.

Wearing something more than once is easy if you look at it rationally. The only reasons for not wearing an item again, besides you getting bored of it, are: it's dirty, it starts to smell, it is heavily wrinkled, it is somehow in ill repair.

Slight smell can be dealt with by airing it out and using Febreze. Dust or a little stain can be handled with a clothes brush and spot cleaning. Irons work great on wrinkles and to freshen up clothes with steam.

The only thing that could get you justifiably to 35lb of clothes is if you had a social calendar on your trip that requires you to being dresses and tailored suits for different occasions. Otherwise, packing light should be easy for a 9 day trip. The ladies here are experts and there are many threads on what to pack and how to combine things.

Here's what I'd recommend and it is already not a particularly light packing list:

- 6 tops (blouses, tank tops, what have you)
- 3 trousers (at least one should be a really practical, quick drying model with pockets, the heaviest should be worn on the flight)
- 1 skirt
- 1 dress (knits don't wrinkle so badly and can be worn several times)
- 1 fleece jacket or wool cardigan
- 1 light sweater
- 1 rain shell
- 1 pashmina or light scarf
- 3 pairs of shoes (1 for walking and/or sport, 1 heels, 1 flat)
- underwear as you see fit

If you put all these things together, they will fit into a 22" carry-on that won't weigh more than 25lb, especially considering that one set of clothes you will wear on the plane doesn't factor into the packed weight.

So I don't see how a 44lb 25" bag would be required. Or is that for two people (two people sharing one case) and I got it totally wrong?

Till

No offense taken. The problem is that I usually travel to Florida and know exactly what to take. I am not used to traveling out of the country, and just really don't know what to take, and since I am not familiar with the shopping there, I feel I need to have all I will need with me when I leave. As mentioned, I am not an experienced traveler, and that is why I was looking for help. Since I do normally travel to Florida, I don't have a lot of clothing items that are suitable for this kind of travel.

So, what may seem obvious to you is not obvious to me. :confused:

Beijing is very dusty and China in general is very smelly for a Westener. (Second hand smoke, smog etc). Over the 6 months I lived there, I pretty much had to mop everyday otherwise I could see my own footprints in the apartment going from bed to bathroom in the morning - ugh!

You will need to bring enough to be comfortable, but Till is right in that you should try not to overpack. However, depending on your size, you may not find something there that would fit you unless you go to tourist traps selling knock-off "Tonmy Hllfiger" or "North Foce" ;) or to pricier malls selling genuine imported goods Tommy Hilfiger, and the North Face. Import duties are high so all imported goods are at retail+ Western sizes also sell out quickly in these high-end shops.

Bring comfy shoes and dress business casual. Like Europe, Asia (except in tourist resorts) is much more formal than N. America. Clean, non-ripped/non-frayed jeans are okay for a lot of places unless your tour guide tells you otherwise. Chinos/jeans and a long sleeved polo shirt during the day should be fine for both men and women. A darker pair for the evening is also a good option.

When exactly are you going? In the Fall months Shanghai can be a little damp, so bring a lightweight waterproof windbreaker. Beijing is almost always windy and dust storms often blow in from the desert. In November, the chill sets in Beijing, but government-subsidized heat doesn't kick in until last week of November in many public buildings. All tourist class hotels have their own heating system, just the museums will be a little chilly.

While Beijing can be considered as the blue-blood well-bred first wife, Shanghai is the charming and seductive mistress.

BTW, you mentioned that you would be only staying 1 day in each place around Shanghai - are you on the tour that does 3 days Beijing, then Shanghai, Suzhou, etc?

No offense taken. The problem is that I usually travel to Florida and know exactly what to take. I am not used to traveling out of the country, and just really don't know what to take, and since I am not familiar with the shopping there, I feel I need to have all I will need with me when I leave. As mentioned, I am not an experienced traveler, and that is why I was looking for help. Since I do normally travel to Florida, I don't have a lot of clothing items that are suitable for this kind of travel.

So, what may seem obvious to you is not obvious to me. :confused:

Thanks! Tcl's advice about sizes should definitely be heeded. My friend in Shanghai definitely complains about that. She would probably be a size 8 or 10 here in the US.

If it is that dusty it might also be a good idea to take clothes that are beige, creme, ecru, grey in color instead of bright colors or black. You will see the dust much less and thus look more put together.

With the list I have prepared, matched to your own style, you should be fine for most all situations. You can get a flexo-line and do a simple sink wash of some tops and a trouser or two midway through the trip. There might even be hotel laundry that delivers your items to you within just a few hours for relatively cheap (depends where you are staying). If you do sink wash, it is a good idea to choose the items you take beforehand and do a little test wash at home to see how fast they are drying. Wring them out (cotton can take some good wringing, wool not so much), then roll them in a towel to press the water from the garment into the towel like compressing a sleeping bag. Finally hang to dry. Stuff that takes longer than eight hours to dry indoors doesn't make the cut. You just have to plan a little ahead in terms of when you want to wash and whether you will have enough time at that location to dry the items. If it dries in five hours, it's great. That means you can wash it when you get home in the evening and it will still be ready for an early morning departure.

Again, with proper care of the clothes like airing out, brushing, steaming and given that it won't be so hot you might not even need to wash at all if you can wear certain items twice. Trousers should easily take three to four days before needing to be washed except maybe in dusty Beijing. But I bet the locals don't put on a freshly washed pair of trousers every day, either. I know I wouldn't. ;)

Given that you will travel much lighter and might not have to buy a new suitcase this is definitely worth the little extra work.

Till

Thank you both for the responses. Yes, we are on the 3 night Beijiing, etc. trip. We are going end of October/early November. I understand it can get quite cold when we head to The Great Wall (hats and gloves suggested) and then warmer as we head south. We have been told that jeans are acceptable for every location we will visit. I am "mature" enough that mine will not be torn, ripped in any way :).

My immediate thoughts are:

one pair blue jeans
one pair black jeans
one pair dark khakis
black knit pants and jacket (mid-weight) for 13 hour flight
no dresses or skirts (not my style)


My issues come with finding easy-care tops, as I am not one for wearing tops more than once between washings. I think I need to revisit my local REI and Outdoor Provision Company now that Fall things are coming in. I did get a light weight turtle neck style layering "underwear" top to keep the neck warm. It should rinse out well and dry overnight.

My other dilemma is jackets. I have a light-weight quilted jacket from Orvis that will work great for layering, etc. in the cooler climate. I am struggling to find a light-weight fleece that I can put an over-sized windbreaker over for the warmer weather.

For shoes I have just purchased a pair of Merrell all-rounders in black and will have my regular New Balance walking shoes. Wide foot with high arch really limits my options in comfortable shoes, but I am truly open to suggestions.

Am I on the right track here with my approach in what I have done so far? I have three more weekends before leaving and making sure I have all my ducks in a row.

Thanks again for all recommendations and information. I am sure that you well-seasoned travelers see these basic questions all the time, but the answers are helpful to us newbies. :D

Although I have never been in China, I have lived in a very polluted city for most of my life. Here are a few "rules" of mine:
- never, ever wear anything white, not even socks or sneakers.
- spray saline nasal solution a couple of times a day, to "wash" your airways.
- take a shower in the evening, before bed. Wash your hair every day, if possible.
- when you hand wash your clothes, don't forget to "rub" them inside of the collars, hems and sleeves.
- you may have symptoms of allergy due to the pollution. If you are prone to those, bring some medication.

Fall is very much like fall in the North & NE US. Beijing is similar to Chicago windy but dusty and bone dry. Shanghai weather is like DC, Suzhou is wetter and a touch chillier than Shanghai..

What you're bringing sounds perfect! For lightweight non-bulky fleece for layering try LLBean's fitness fleece (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=53635&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr). Also, their long sleeve tees are great for layering and are easy to wash. Their knit pants (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=56777&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=505442&feat=505442-tn&cat4=504199) are okay too :) At a the risk of sounding like I work there, they really do have easy care items.

Not sure what your budget is, but Wintersilks (http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=3~600~&dept=Silk+for+Ladies-turtlenecks+mocks) makes silk knit tops in many different weights (lighter weight ones are quite sheer though) and are very light, pack small and are easy to handwash. True, you will see similar items in China (where over 98% of the world's silk is from) for much much cheaper, but sizing and fit really vary.

The Longchamps tote is an excellent buy and great for travel.

Bring an inexpensive and lightweight pair of travel slippers for use in the hotel.

For a ten day trip you could manage to squeeze everything into a 22" rolling carryon plus your personal bag, but if you're more comfy bringing more, it's no biggie. But you probably shouldn't be anywhere near 44lbs outbound! :eek: Just remember to pack a lightweight duffle to bring all your cool souvenirs home :)

You're on vacation, so you don't have to do laundry if you don't want to :)


@:-) Thanks MariaSF, I'm just jabbering on about "stuff" and completely forgot about all the truly helpful important points ^

Welcome to Flyertalk and I hope you have a great trip. You're on the right track to be inquiring here about packing. I've traveled a lot in Asia (but not to China) and I always dress in layers with quick-dry pants (or capris in summer), a sleeveless shell top, and shirt. To repeat, all clothing is quick-dry fabric.

In colder weather I like to take 1-2 lightweight fleece vests, a fleece jacket, and a one-size-up rain jacket (that can be a top layer with vest and/or jacket underneath). I always take an umbrella, both for rain and sun protection. And don't forget 1-2 hats, plus quick-dry socks.

I stick to clothing brands like REI, ExOfficio, Columbia, Royal Robbins, Lucy, etc. I used to wear these brands for travel only, now I wear them all the time at home, too.

While on a trip I wash my clothes every day, often in the hotel room sink. I carry a couple each of blow-up hangers, regular plastic tube hangers, and skirt/pants hangers. Wash and rinse the clothes, roll in a towel and press hard to get out the water, then hang on the shower rod. I use those clothespin/hanger combo thingies for bras and UW. Even in a really damp climate (Bali, jungle areas) everything will get dry overnight.

There is no way on earth I would take jeans on a trip, unless horse or mule riding was involved in the itinerary. Jeans are heavy and bulky to pack, cannot be washed in the sink, etc. Once you're on the one-night-per-hotel routine, you won't be able to send clothing to a laundry, there won't be time. I take detergent in a 4-oz. bottle, wrapped in a small ziplock and stowed in the checked bag.

One pretty good website for hints on packing is packinglight.com. For dusty Beijing, I would suggest bandanas which can be worn for fashion and also used to filter the dust, bandit style.

Way back in the archives here at Flyertalk Women Travelers there are discussions about two-gallon ziplock bags for packing. I use the Eagle Creek cubes for socks, camera items, and such. But, thanks to what I learned here, I pack items of clothing in ziplocks, press out the air, then put in the suitcase. The cubes and ziplocks are an absolute godsend on trips where you're packing and unpacking all the time. I usually put one complete outfit per bag (shell, pants, shirt, bra, UW). Keeping organized and unpacking/packing is a complete breeze when I travel.

You can fit more in the suitcase by packing very flat and pressing the air out of each ziplock. Don't even consider the "rolled method" for packing for your itinerary. You would spend an hour a day rolling and unrolling all your stuff!

I'm not one of the carryon-or-else crowd. I take a 25-inch wheeled duffle or suitcase on overseas trips. You're on the right track to minimize your shoes, they take up the most room and weigh a lot. Don't forget your nightwear (I always take 2-3 sets for a 3-week trip), a lightweight robe, and good-quality thong sandals (like Tevas with thick soles) for bedroom slippers.

Bon voyage!

Dianne47, you are so wise!

The only thing I would add to the packing list is shower shoes. I always take some unless I am going to Japan where they are provided. I do not take them off when I shower. I've kept my feet healthy doing that.

Thank you both for the responses. Yes, we are on the 3 night Beijiing, etc. trip. We are going end of Octoober/early November. I understand it can get quite cold when we head to The Great Wall (hats and gloves suggested) and then warmer as we head south. We have been told that jeans are acceptable for every location we will visit. I am "mature" enough that mine will not be torn, ripped in any way :).

My immediate thoughts are:

one pair blue jeans
one pair black jeans
one pair dark khakis
black knit pants and jacket (mid-weight) for 13 hour flight
no dresses or skirts (not my style)


My issues come with finding easy-care tops, as I am not one for wearing tops more than once between washings. I think I need to revisit my local REI and Outdoor Provision Company now that Fall things are coming in. I did get a light weight turtle neck style layering "underwear" top to keep the neck warm. It should rinse out well and dry overnight.

My other dilemma is jackets. I have a light-weight quilted jacket from Orvis that will work great for layering, etc. in the cooler climate. I am struggling to find a light-weight fleece that I can put an over-sized windbreaker over for the warmer weather.

For shoes I have just purchased a pair of Merrell all-rounders in black and will have my regular New Balance walking shoes. Wide foot with high arch really limits my options in comfortable shoes, but I am truly open to suggestions.

Am I on the right track here with my approach in what I have done so far? I have three more weekends before leaving and making sure I have all my ducks in a row.

Thanks again for all recommendations and information. I am sure that you well-seasoned travelers see these basic questions all the time, but the answers are helpful to us newbies. :D

Let's see. First some comments on TCL's post without quoting. I only have two things I'd do differently. I wouldn't bring the Longchamps Tote. WHile it is small and seems practical it might not be needed. If you have a small backpack or messenger satchel as your personal bag and daypack, why would you walk around with an additional shopping tote. These things easily weigh half a pound. If you do buy an item that does not fit into your daypack, they will certainly give you a plastic bag to carry it. Not as stylish but a much more "local" and space/weight effective solution.
I would also not take an extra bag for purchases made there. You can probably (certainly) buy a super cheap nylon duffel there if you really need one. No need to encumber yourself with one already on the way there. If you still want to do that, choose one of the super lightweight designs from Totes or Kiva that hardly weigh 2oz.

Three pairs of real pants and one pair of knit pants are a good measure. The only thing is that none of your pants are quick drying at all. Well, if you do wear them twice or thrice each you can still make the trip without washing. But since you say you will wash the tops anyway it would be good to make at least two of those pairs easily washable. Also, a pair of jeans or khakis weighs almost double of what a nylon pair weighs.

I'd stay with the knit pair for the flight and one pair of blue jeans. Instead of the Khakis I'd go with a travel trouser in beige or grey from one of the brands Dianne listed. Instead of the black jeans I'd bring a nice black pair of wool pants for when you want to go out in the evening.

You are also doing good on wanting to bring only two pairs of shoes. However, if you have your universal Merrels, why do you need another pair of walking shoes? I'd rather bring something light and flat like ballerinas for around the hotel and for going out.

A bit of long sleeve high neck underwear goes a very long way in keeping you warm and minimizes the need for big, bulky, heavy outer layers.

If I understand correctly you intend to bring four jackets: one knit, one fleece, one windbreaker, one big quilted. That is not really necessary, not for looks and not for temperature, if you choose the right jacket. The windbreaker WITH HOOD is a must. Now, if you choose the fleece wisely you will be able to leave the knit jacket and big quilted jacket at home. That should save you at least four pounds right there. For the fleece I'd shell out the big bucks and go to Patagonia. Their quality and design is second to none and you will find styles that look quite simple instead of looking like you just hiked the Appalachian trail. I'd go either for the super nice R4 jacket or the slightly lighter R3. There are reviews of people saying they have worn the R4 in temperatures around 30 degrees F with nothing but a T underneath and were completely fine. On the other hand, if you leave the zip open and the side pockets open (they connect with aerating mesh to the inside of the jacket), you will be so well ventilated that you can wear it even a 65-70F. The look and feel of that piece are quite wonderful. Patagonia's warranty is no joke, either. I recently brought them my 12 year old Torre Alpine jacket where some of the sealed seams were peeling. They took it in for free repair and asked if I wanted a new jacket in case they couldn't repair this one. So a good fleece and a windbreaker with hood and you're good.

Otherwise you are definitely on the right track. I'd possibly take something like a kerchief to cover your hair from dust. I am a bit jealous women have that possibility. It is so practical and personally I find a nice shawl or kerchief (Grace Kelly style) looks wonderful.

Till

Thanks to all for the responses and great suggestions. I have some things to think about, and you all have been most helpful to me.

Wondering where I shop for shower shoes? Are they simple flip flops or something even more lightweight and compact?

http://www.wdrake.com/WalterDrake/Shopping/ProductDetail.aspx?CID=Apparel&SCID=Shoes,+Slippers+%26+Hosiery&CollectionID=DC0000095&SourceCode=20509000001&mr:trackingCode=EC21E407-C781-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

Voila for shower shoes!

Don't know if they help against fungus. Probably keeping the feet clean and dry is more important. But sometimes it just feels better wearing shower shoes especially in communal showers.

As a man I use something like the cult "Adilette" in a fancier version; mine has a velcro closure and is made so the water can evacuate through holes in the soles (couldn't find a picture of them):
http://www.amazon.com/adidas-Originals-adilette-Slide-Black/dp/B001N0E0OI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=shoes&qid=1254280673&sr=1-1

I like mine. They are actually comfortable enough to walk in all day but I wouldn't leave the house or pool side with them.

Till

Although I have never been in China, I have lived in a very polluted city for most of my life. Here are a few "rules" of mine:
- never, ever wear anything white, not even socks or sneakers.
- spray saline nasal solution a couple of times a day, to "wash" your airways.
- take a shower in the evening, before bed. Wash your hair every day, if possible.
- when you hand wash your clothes, don't forget to "rub" them inside of the collars, hems and sleeves.
- you may have symptoms of allergy due to the pollution. If you are prone to those, bring some medication.

Thanks so much for these suggestions. I would not have thought of using the spray saline daily, but I certainly will and I will definitely take my allergy stuff, too. Looks like I will be showering in the evening and morning since my morning shower is "my coffee" and what gets me going. Thanks again.

Let's see. First some comments on TCL's post without quoting. I only have two things I'd do differently. I wouldn't bring the Longchamps Tote. WHile it is small and seems practical it might not be needed. If you have a small backpack or messenger satchel as your personal bag and daypack, why would you walk around with an additional shopping tote. These things easily weigh half a pound.

The Longchamps bag is to leave on our small tour bus each day. I have a small fold up tote (Kiva) to attach to my Bagallini while walking around, but the La Pliage will be left on the bus to put each stops purchases until we get back to the hotel. It also may contain some back-up "extras" like the TP and wipes for the squatty potty :)

If you do buy an item that does not fit into your daypack, they will certainly give you a plastic bag to carry it. Not as stylish but a much more "local" and space/weight effective solution.
I would also not take an extra bag for purchases made there. You can probably (certainly) buy a super cheap nylon duffel there if you really need one. No need to encumber yourself with one already on the way there. If you still want to do that, choose one of the super lightweight designs from Totes or Kiva that hardly weigh 2oz.

Three pairs of real pants and one pair of knit pants are a good measure. The only thing is that none of your pants are quick drying at all. Well, if you do wear them twice or thrice each you can still make the trip without washing. But since you say you will wash the tops anyway it would be good to make at least two of those pairs easily washable. Also, a pair of jeans or khakis weighs almost double of what a nylon pair weighs.

I'd stay with the knit pair for the flight and one pair of blue jeans. Instead of the Khakis I'd go with a travel trouser in beige or grey from one of the brands Dianne listed. Instead of the black jeans I'd bring a nice black pair of wool pants for when you want to go out in the evening.

You are also doing good on wanting to bring only two pairs of shoes. However, if you have your universal Merrels, why do you need another pair of walking shoes? I'd rather bring something light and flat like ballerinas for around the hotel and for going out. I need a LOT of arch support and most ballerinas do not provide that for me, so two pair with really good support will keep my feet functioning, no matter what the shoes look like.

A bit of long sleeve high neck underwear goes a very long way in keeping you warm and minimizes the need for big, bulky, heavy outer layers.

If I understand correctly you intend to bring four jackets: one knit, one fleece, one windbreaker, one big quilted. That is not really necessary, not for looks and not for temperature, if you choose the right jacket. The windbreaker WITH HOOD is a must. Now, if you choose the fleece wisely you will be able to leave the knit jacket and big quilted jacket at home. not a big quailted jacket, not heavy, and will also double as a pillow on the flight the knit jacket goes with the knit pants and folds up to nothing and while I thought it great for the flight, after wearing it for 13 hours on the plane, I may not wear it again until the return, or I may want to burn it :) That should save you at least four pounds right there. For the fleece I'd shell out the big bucks and go to Patagonia. Their quality and design is second to none and you will find styles that look quite simple instead of looking like you just hiked the Appalachian trail. I'd go either for the super nice R4 jacket or the slightly lighter R3. There are reviews of people saying they have worn the R4 in temperatures around 30 degrees F with nothing but a T underneath and were completely fine. On the other hand, if you leave the zip open and the side pockets open (they connect with aerating mesh to the inside of the jacket), you will be so well ventilated that you can wear it even a 65-70F. The look and feel of that piece are quite wonderful. Patagonia's warranty is no joke, either. I recently brought them my 12 year old Torre Alpine jacket where some of the sealed seams were peeling. They took it in for free repair and asked if I wanted a new jacket in case they couldn't repair this one. So a good fleece and a windbreaker with hood and you're good.

Otherwise you are definitely on the right track. I'd possibly take something like a kerchief to cover your hair from dust. I am a bit jealous women have that possibility. It is so practical and personally I find a nice shawl or kerchief (Grace Kelly style) looks wonderful.

Till

Thanks for all of your insight, it is obvrious that you give your packing and planning a good deal of thought.

Wondering where I shop for shower shoes? Are they simple flip flops or something even more lightweight and compact?

I usually bring Havaianas (Style: Top $14) to function as shower shoes, slippers and a flip flop all-in-one. They are heavier (and more comfy for walking) than your usual run-of-the-mill flip flop so if I'm not planning on doing any walking in them, the lighter weight inexpensive Walmart/dollar store variety would be my first choice. Plus, if cheap enough, you can toss them out at the end of your trip.

^ Kiva tote

However, I would caution against using your La Pliage as a bus-bag. It is often used as a handbag and is desirable enough to tempt those who commit crimes of opportunity.

If you like the Baggallini brand, have you tried their shopping totes (http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/zip_out_shopping_tote_bagg_large_rip_stop_nylon/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=18648)? They work great as a bus-bag, as your spare nylon tote to bring souvenirs home, and as a backup carryon bag.

I usually bring Havaianas (Style: Top $14) to function as shower shoes, slippers and a flip flop all-in-one. They are heavier (and more comfy for walking) than your usual run-of-the-mill flip flop so if I'm not planning on doing any walking in them, the lighter weight inexpensive Walmart/dollar store variety would be my first choice. Plus, if cheap enough, you can toss them out at the end of your trip.

^ Kiva tote

However, I would caution against using your La Pliage as a bus-bag. It is often used as a handbag and is desirable enough to tempt those who commit crimes of opportunity.

If you like the Baggallini brand, have you tried their shopping totes (http://www.ebags.com/baggallini/zip_out_shopping_tote_bagg_large_rip_stop_nylon/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=18648)? They work great as a bus-bag, as your spare nylon tote to bring souvenirs home, and as a backup carryon bag.


We have been told that we can leave items on the bus--jackets, etc., as our bus will be locked while we are not on it, so I was thinking all would be safe. All the people on the bus we are assigned to are family, friends and acquaintances, so I wasn't worried about my fellow travelers. Still not a good idea? I like it because it is so durable and folds up flat, and I also felt it could be used as my "cabin" bag on the flight.

We have been told that we can leave items on the bus--jackets, etc., as our bus will be locked while we are not on it, so I was thinking all would be safe. All the people on the bus we are assigned to are family, friends and acquaintances, so I wasn't worried about my fellow travelers. Still not a good idea? I like it because it is so durable and folds up flat, and I also felt it could be used as my "cabin" bag on the flight.

I'm sure the bus driver, the tour guide and your fellow passengers are trustworthy. The bus may not always be locked when it should be - the bus driver may step out for a chat and a smoke with other drivers while you're in a museum, or run quickly across the road to buy a drink. It takes just an instant for something to happen. If anyone was to take anything, it would be the item that looks the most expensive or most likely to contain something of value. The Longchamp bag could be mistaken for a handbag. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Fall is very much like fall in the North & NE US. Beijing is similar to Chicago windy but dusty and bone dry. Shanghai weather is like DC, Suzhou is wetter and a touch chillier than Shanghai..

What you're bringing sounds perfect! For lightweight non-bulky fleece for layering try LLBean's fitness fleece (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=53635&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&from=SR&feat=sr). Also, their long sleeve tees are great for layering and are easy to wash. Their knit pants (http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?categoryId=56777&storeId=1&catalogId=1&langId=-1&parentCategory=505442&feat=505442-tn&cat4=504199) are okay too :) At a the risk of sounding like I work there, they really do have easy care items.

Not sure what your budget is, but Wintersilks (http://www.wintersilks.com/products.aspx?BRANCH=3~600~&dept=Silk+for+Ladies-turtlenecks+mocks) makes silk knit tops in many different weights (lighter weight ones are quite sheer though) and are very light, pack small and are easy to handwash. True, you will see similar items in China (where over 98% of the world's silk is from) for much much cheaper, but sizing and fit really vary.

The Longchamps tote is an excellent buy and great for travel.

Bring an inexpensive and lightweight pair of travel slippers for use in the hotel.

For a ten day trip you could manage to squeeze everything into a 22" rolling carryon plus your personal bag, but if you're more comfy bringing more, it's no biggie. But you probably shouldn't be anywhere near 44lbs outbound! :eek: Just remember to pack a lightweight duffle to bring all your cool souvenirs home :)

You're on vacation, so you don't have to do laundry if you don't want to :)


@:-) Thanks MariaSF, I'm just jabbering on about "stuff" and completely forgot about all the truly helpful important points ^

I just wanted to say thanks for the tip on the LL Bean fitness fleece. I bought one as well as the matching thinsulate vest. They came today, and I am thrilled with them. The fit is great and I think they will serve me well on this trip. Thanks again.

Our trip is only a little over a week away and we are getting very excited and yet anxious at the same time.

Thanks again.

I usually bring Havaianas (Style: Top $14) to function as shower shoes, slippers and a flip flop all-in-one. They are heavier (and more comfy for walking) than your usual run-of-the-mill flip flop so if I'm not planning on doing any walking in them, the lighter weight inexpensive Walmart/dollar store variety would be my first choice. Plus, if cheap enough, you can toss them out at the end of your trip.

I just noticed Havaianas are on sale at Rue La La from $20 (for the "High Look" Wedge) to...cough...$119 for the "Crystal Mesh." Here's the invite:

http://www.ruelala.com/invite/moci2mr6