Travel Guide

What to Pack and Electrical Sockets

What to Pack

Visiting Beijing and Shanghai in May means you’ll experience Late Spring weather. Here’s a recommendation of what to pack for each location:

Beijing

Beijing in late May is bright, sunny, and quite dry. It can feel hot in the middle of the day, especially with all the walking.

What to wear:

Morning: light jacket or long-sleeve layer
Day: T-shirts, breathable fabrics
Evening: light layer again (it cools slightly but not “cold”)

👉 You won’t be shivering, but you’ll appreciate a layer in the early morning or after sunset.

Shanghai

Shanghai is like stepping into a warm, slightly steamy greenhouse. Not unbearable, but noticeably more humid than Beijing.

What to wear:

Light, breathable clothing (cotton, linen)
A light jacket or wrap for air-conditioned malls/restaurants
Small umbrella or rain layer (very handy)

👉 It doesn’t get cold, but aircon indoors can feel icy compared to the humidity outside.

So are layers recommended?

Yes, but think “easy peel-off layers,” not winter layering:

Light jacket / cardigan
T-shirts / breathable tops
Comfortable walking shoes
Optional scarf or wrap (great for flights + aircon)

Gala Dinner Dress Code Ideas

Electrical Sockets

In China, the power plugs and sockets used are Type A (two flat parallel pins), Type C (two round pins) and Type I (three flat pins in a triangular shape). The Voltage is 220V, It is recommended to bring a universal travel adapter.

Weather Forecast

In late May, Beijing experiences late Spring tipping into early Summer, making it a pleasant time to visit. Here’s what you can expect:

Temperature: ~15°C in the morning → 28–32°C in the afternoon
Humidity: Low to moderate (dry heat)
Rain: Minimal, mostly clear skies

In late May, Shanghai also experiences late Spring tipping into early Summer with an added touch of humidity, making temperatures seem higher than they are. Here’s an overview of the typical weather conditions:

Temperature: ~18°C → 27–30°C
Humidity: High (this is the key difference)
Rain: Increasing chance of showers (start of rainy season)

Money matters

In China, the official currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY/RMB).

Exchange rate (approx.):
1 USD – 7 RMB
1 GBP – 9.2 RMB
1 ZAR – 0.35 RMB

Tips for Tourists:

China is largely cashless (WeChat Pay / Alipay)
International cards accepted at hotels and major venues
Carry some cash for small vendors.

Average costs of items:

Beijing – Domestic Beer ¥10 – ¥25 Shanghai – Domestic Beer ¥15 – ¥35
Beijing – Glass of wine ¥40 – ¥80 Shanghai – Glass of wine ¥60 – ¥120
Beijing – Cup of coff ¥20 – ¥40 Shanghai – Cup of coffee ¥25 – ¥50

Transport

In China, you have a variety of transportation options to explore the city efficiently. Here’s a breakdown of the different modes of transport

Best Options

Private group transfers (arranged)
Hotel-arranged taxis
Official taxi ranks

Ride Apps

Uber is not widely used
Local equivalent: DiDi

click here to download the Didi app: DiDi China: Ride Hailing app

Tips

Always carry hotel name in writing
Use hotel business cards for directions
Avoid unmarked taxis

Food and Language

Food

Popular Cuisine

Peking Duck
Dumplings & noodles
Hot pot
Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
Regional shared dishes

Dining Etiquette

Meals are shared
Wait for host before starting
Do not stick chopsticks upright in rice
Tea is often poured for you
Light tapping on table = thank you

Language

Did you know Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world

Here’s a list of common Mandarin Chinese words and phrases that will help you get around in China:

⁠Useful Phrases

English	Chinese	Pronunciation	Sound
Hello	Nǐ hǎo (你好)	nee how	🔊
Thank you	Xiè xiè (谢谢)	shyeh shyeh	🔊
Please	Qǐng (请)	ching	🔊
Yes	Shì (是)	shir	🔊
No	Bù shì (不是)	boo shir	🔊
Excuse me	Láojià (劳驾)	laow-jyah	🔊
Where is the hotel?	Jiǔdiàn zài nǎlǐ? (酒店在哪里?)	jyoh-dyen nah-lee	🔊
How much?	Duō shǎo qián? (多少钱？)	dwor shaow	🔊
I don’t understand	Wǒ bù dǒng (我不懂)	waw boo dong	🔊
Can you help me?	Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? (你能帮我吗？)	nee neng bahng waw	🔊
Police	Jǐng chá (警察)	jing chaa	🔊
Hospital	Yī yuàn(医院)	ee-ywen	🔊