Packing for Your Trip

First and foremost, check what your luggage allowance weight is, as it can vary either 20kg or 30kg depending on the airline. At most, you can bring an additional carry on luggage (maximum 22 cm x 35 cm x 50 cm) and a standard backpack.

All electronics with batteries must be in your carry on luggage, which includes a laptop, cellphone, camera, power bank etc. All liquid such as perfume, shampoo, medication etc. must be in your check-in luggage (otherwise you will lose them).

All valuables should be in your carry on luggage and not in your check-in luggage. You should lock your check-in luggage as things tend to get stolen from check-in luggage at the airport.

Documents

The following is a list of the original documents you must bring:

Passport
Notarized and authenticated degree certificate
ID and drivers licence
TEFL certificate
Police clearance
Signed medical check document
Contact information of your employer

Ideally, store these documents in a hardcover folder, and put them in your carry on luggage. You should make authenticated copies of all of the above documents and store them in your check-in luggage.

Medication

If you take medication then it's advisable to try to get a 12-month supply, with an accompanying doctor's note. If this is not possible, take at least a few months' supplies and arrange a prescription showing dosage and other key details. Most medications can be found in international clinics. It’s also a good idea to pack standard painkillers, cough medicine, band-aids etc.

Cloth

China has a huge diversity of climate for different regions. You need to look up what the weather will be like at different times of the year in the city you'll be heading to, and pack suitable clothes.

Try not to overpack, since you can readily buy new cloth if you need. However, do take in mind that generally, the sizes of the cloth in China are smaller in their sizes in comparison to South Africa.

Regarding work wears, you need to confirm with the employer first. Some institutes provide uniforms, while others prefer more casual or more professional. In general, the clothing should be more conservative, and if you have tattoos, you will need clothing that covers them.

Mobile Phone

Make sure your phone is unlocked so you can use a Chinese SIM. You can visit your local service provider to verify whether your phone can use a foreign sim card or not.

To access apps for services like Whatapp, Youtube, Facebook, Gmail, Instagram and Twitter, you have to have VPN software installed on your mobile phone. You will find tons of VPN apps on your app stores. You will need to subscribe and use the paid version of the VPN software. Free versions are very slow and unreliable.

A Piece Of Home

Bring a souvenir that reminds you of home and your loved ones. It will help you feel homely and settle in quicker. Just be aware of the limitation of your luggage space.

Avoiding Unnecessary Weight

First up on this list would be a towel, as you can pick one up immediately on arrival. Another point would be toiletries. You should only pack your favourites and ideally travel sized ones, most of the leading brand shampoo, shower gel and soap can be bought very cheaply in China.