A Very Shanghai Packing List

It may seem like a strange way to start a packing list, but there are a few key items that many travelers to our fair city find they wish they had brought along. Sanitary items you’ll want while in Shanghai that you’d be much safer bringing from home include T.P, lotion, hair gel and toothpaste. For starters, bring along some packets of tissue paper, portable sized. No public bathrooms provide T.P so unless you have planned ahead you might have quite a mess on your hands. Along the same line, women may want to bring their sanitary items from home, as selection is limited in Shanghai—extremely limited. For men, you’d be surprised how hard it is to come by shaving cream or even a razor, so if you have a special brand you love then throw it in the suitcase ahead of time. A scandal involving toothpaste made in China a few years ago has many visitors paranoid about the local options, if you are a hypochondriac this information may be enough to have you buy yours before you embark. Finally, many travelers to Shanghai find it hard to locate coffee they enjoy to brew at their hotel or apartment. While Starbucks abound in Shanghai, if you have a craving for something else you’d better toss that in the bag as well.

Despite the heat and humidity outside in the summer, many establishments over air condition. Shopping centers are notorious for this. Even on the hottest days it is advisable to bring a sweater, so plan ahead by packing a few cold weather items. It rains quite frequently in this coastal city, so an umbrella is always a bonus. Many locals wear plastic ponchos, which you can buy once you arrive if you feel like fitting in.

You’ll want to bring the traditional milieu of clothing, but keep in mind that in Shanghai people dress extremely well. You’ll find women in sun dresses or business dresses on a daily basis. Even casual clothing consists of slacks and a nice shirt. Jeans are a bit rare on adults, and sweatshirts and shorts are more commonly reserved for sleeping in. With this in mind, perhaps packing a bit more on the fancy side would help you to blend in once you arrive.

A typical Shanghai local would have a few additional items in their bag that you might want to consider acquiring for your Shanghai adventures. Many locals find the pollution in Shanghai not only annoying, but hazardous, and to combat this they carry and often wear a small face mask. You might also find locals always carrying a small notepad and pen, as with different dialects across China only one thing is constant—written script. Because of the sheer number of people on the subway, buses and entering every building you will also enter you should carry hand sanitizer. This practice is becoming more popular locally, and should help to keep of any bug you might pick up on your journey. A bit of Echinacea thrown in the suitcase just in case you feel a sickness coming on would be useful. Finally, many first time visitors to Shanghai report having minor to severe food poisoning. More accurately, this is just your body’s way of dealing with new bacteria. Bring along a probiotic or charcoal pills to keep your stomach happy, and you’ll enjoy your trip a great deal more.