So this page has links to all of my posts about moving to China, or at least all of the big ones. For example, I have links to posts about apartment hunting and transferring money. There are other things throughout my posts that I also mention because living in China is a big part of my everyday life right now 😉 And soon it will be yours too! Aren’t you excited?! Does it feel real yet? Anyway, here are some tips of the trade. Hopefully, they’ll help you at least a little bit. The biggest one, of course, is the packing list, so I have that as the main portion of this page. Also, other people who are reading my blogs really don’t care what I pack for this trip.
First, though, I want to give you two pieces of advice that really helped me when I was preparing to leave.
1. It’s okay to cry: As I said in my first post on this blog, it is a perfectly natural, healthy, and understandable reaction. You are literally moving to the other side of the world. That is a huge change and it can sometimes get overwhelming or scary. You have to let it run its course. Just remember, you have people who love you and support your decision. Lean on them and trust your heart.
2. You don’t have to be perfect: This one is really tough for me. I have a bit of a perfectionist problem. I hate being wrong or not knowing what’s going on. That doesn’t fly in China. You’re going to feel a little lost and like a chicken with your head cut off. That’s normal for expats here. You’ll get used to it and learn as you go. And always be willing to ask for help. Sure, you’ll look a bit stupid, but Chinese people expect that of foreigners 😉
So here are the links to my most relevant blog posts:
Getting Ready: Preparing to leave can be a little tough. — Here’s what you can expect before you leave (Link)
Recover: This isn’t really something specific to China, but remember to not overwork yourself and take a break. — Give yourself time to relax, adjust, and get used to your surroundings (Link)
Homesickness: It’s okay to miss home. They say that it takes between 2-3 months for the “honeymoon stage” of living in a foreign country to wear off. That’s when culture shock and homesickness will start. You’re not alone in crying yourself to sleep some nights. — Don’t be afraid to talk about what you miss. Remember, cry, and then move forward (Link)
Apartments and Living: Hunting for an apartment is a bit of a journey in China, especially since you don’t speak the language and the demand is so extreme. There are also some things that make living here a bit different than in the USA. Hopefully these will help. — A quick intro to apartment hunting (Link) — What you need to know about apartment hunting (Link) — When stuff goes wrong, you have to deal with it (Link) — A little about how apartments works (Link) — Central heating is a lifesaver (Link) — Toilet, cleaning and laundry need-to-knows (Link)
Money: Obviously, this is an important topic. Here’s somethings you need to know about money in China. — A bit about money transferring and paying for an apartment (Link) — Here’s some money terminology and the budget I’ve set up and am trying to live by, it also helps to explain how expensive/inexpensive living in Beijing is (Link)
Commuting in China: There are a lot of people in China. Commuting and moving around the city can be a little insane. — A few vlog videos that describe and show some of what life is like in China, specifically what commuting and walking the streets looks like in China (Link) — A bit about taxis here in Beijing in the 3rd paragraph (Link)
Pollution: Pollution is a big problem here in Beijing. Be prepared for wearing a mask (I promise, you don’t look half as stupid as you think you do). — A short couple of paragraphs about the smog in Beijing (Link) — A much longer post about Red Alerts in Beijing (Link)
Superstitions: China is a very superstitious country — Numbers factor into a large number of luck superstitions in China (Link)
Holidays: It’s hard when you’re not with family, but there are ways to deal and get by. Here are a few of my solutions. — Celebrate with friends (Link) — FaceTime is a miracle (Link (Thanksgiving) and Link (Christmas/New Years)) — Have fun and celebrate in little ways (Link) — Enjoy the little things you see (Link) — Try to get to ch–ch for a Christmas service (Link)
Shopping: Sometimes shopping is just like in America (like at big malls), but other times it’s certainly not. You’ll get good at haggling. — A couple of posts about street markets in China (Link and Link)
Below is my packing list. I’ll make changes as I go and realize things I didn’t need or should have brought. But do remember that I left in mid-autumn, so I didn’t need a lot of warm stuff. My suggestions for packing are:
1. Make a list and check it twice. Get all your stuff together a few days in advance, that way you can see what you’re missing and if anything else comes to mind. I packed 3 days before I left and weighed my bags. I then got the rest of what I needed, unpacked and checked everything with my list, and then repacked.
2. Pack only what you need. Remember, you’re not going to another planet; you can buy stuff when you get here. If you can, save room for a few personal items, like I brought my teddy bear. With clothes, bring enough to get you through 2 weeks and items you can layer. With shoes, bring what you need. It’s hard to find shoes if you have feet bigger than a size 6.
China Packing List 2016 Italics are things I wish I would have brought or notes that I made after I got here.
Checked Luggage (1 large bag and 1 medium):
Clothing
Socks (x9)
Underwear (x12)
Sports Bra (x5)
Bra (x2 tan, x1 black)
Jeans (x2)
Khakis (x3) For work
T-shirt (x5)
Shirt (x4)
Blouse (x5)
Shorts (x2)
Dress (x4)
Sweater (x2)
Sweatshirt (x2)
Jacket (x2)
Pajamas (x3)
Leggings (x3)
Yoga pants
Tank Top (x7)
Cami (x6)
Onesie Brought for pajamas and as a halloween costume
Electronics
USB wall adapter
Computer charger adapter For Mac
DVD player
Kindle
Kindle charger
Camera
Camera charger
USB external battery
External hard drive (x2)
Adapters (x4) A lot of Chinese outlets have switched to accommodate multiple plug styles. With some apartments may still need to use these, but I don’t in mine. Also, you can find these everywhere in Beijing.
Medicine and Toiletries
Loratadine Or other allergy medication
Iron supplement Yay anemia
Multi-vitamins Get some strong ones from the US and I mean the expensive kind
Probiotics Same as the vitamins
Cold sore medicine
Aunt Kim’s medical kit I’ll tell you guys what’s in there eventually
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body wash
Face wash (x2)
Face lotion (x2)
Lotion (x2) Most lotion in China has a whitening agent, so bring a lot from home
Disposable razors (x12) They have them here, but I didn’t want to worry about it
Deodorant (x6) I have yet to see any here in China
Toothbrushes (x4)
Toothpaste (x2) It’s here but they have some weird flavors, like green tea
Floss
Hair brush
Comb
Hairspray
Contacts (year supply)
Contact case (x12)
Contact solution (x2)
Glasses
Glasses case
Ultra Tampons (1 box)
Super Tampons (1 box) They don’t have tampons with applicators here, so I brought these. But I don’t use many tampons because I use a menstrual cup [see carry on luggage section]
Pads (2 packs) Pads are readily available, but still bring some so you don’t find yourself in an awkward situation
Shoes
Boots
Rain/Winter boots I bought Bogs
Sneakers
Flip flops
Food
Peanut Butter Skippy and Jiff are surprisingly available over here
Grape Jelly
Ranch mix
Italian dressing mix
Onion soup mix
Vanilla extract This is hard to find outside of the US
Pringles
Miscellaneous
Pens
Sharpies
Knitting supplies
Carry-on Luggage (1 bag and 1 backpack):
Clothes/Shoes
Shirt 1 you could wear both to work and casually
Khakis
Jeans
Underwear (x2)
Sports bra
Bra
Socks
Slipper socks
Flats
Wearing: leggings, tank top, sweatshirt, underwear, socks, sports bra, ked-like shoes I should have brought 2 pairs of these ked-like shoes because these are AWESOME!
Electronics
Smart phone An unlocked iPhone is a good choice so all you will need is a Chinese SIM card
Lightning cord (x2)
Computer
Computer case
Computer charger
Headphones (x3)
Passport Wallet (travel/finances)
Debit Card
Cash I took about 400 USD (to deposit in my bank account; this will be about 2500 RMB) and 500 RMB (to live on until I got my bank account)
Passport
Passport copy (x2)
ID
ID copy (x2)
Plane Tickets
Toiletry Bag
Travel shampoo
Travel conditioner
Travel body wash
Travel face wash
Hairbrush
Comb
Travel toothbrush
Travel toothpaste
Floss
Makeup wipes
Makeup bag
Bobby pins
Jewelry: 1 silver necklace, 1 gold necklace, 1 pair of silver hoops, 1 pair of gold earrings, 1 charm bracelet
Diva Cup (x2)
Food
Tim and Kara were nice enough to bring me treats when I left. And I’m so glad they did because these have been lifesavers
Individual packs of Peanut M&Ms
Individually packed Twizzlers
White cheddar popcorn
Other
Travel Pillow
Blanket
Teddy bear
Notebook
Books
Devotional/Bible/Journal
Pen
Knitting