This section is intended to offer a detailed packing list to use as a checklist to decide what you would like to pack. For detailed discussion of specific items, see Equipment.
Please remember that you have a 20 kilograms/44 lbs weight limit on most flights around the world (with the exception of US-related flights) , and Tibet is not the place to make a fashion statement (though you will see plenty of fashion in Lhasa!). If you are just an ordinary visitor, focus on the practically useful!
Luggage can take three primary forms: suitcases, duffle bags, and large hiking backpacks. Which is most useful depends on the types of things you will be transporting, the kinds of activities you will be engaged in, and the places you will be visiting. If you will be doing any hiking, then backpacks are obviously the best choice since they can be carried on one’s back, leaving one able to walk for sustained periods of time. However, if you are on a tour from city to city with a tour company that takes care of you, or if you are doing professional things that require pressed clothes and equipment of various types, a hard shell suit case may be a better option for protection and organization of packing. Duffle bags can be useful if you will be in small cards with your luggage and space is at a premium since they only take up as much space as they have contents, unlike the fixed space which a suitcase takes up.
Suitcases: hard shell adds to the weight though you can get lightweight but sturdy shells. The great thing about hard shell suitcases is they provide protection for the contents when luggage is stacked on top of each other, or banging around a cargo hold or back of a truck. ABS is one type of commonly used hard shell that is light weight and very sturdy. Most suitcases have a back on the long side, which is ideal since when you have the suit case open against a wall in a hotel room, the length allows for more stability in the suitcase staying open. A few suitcases open up with the short side as the back, and these should be avoided at all costs – they are very clumsy to keep open and access the top half. In addition, some suitcases divide the two halves by giving a fully zippered cover for the top half. These are far better than the more common approach of a cover which only attaches at the top and is open on three sides otherwise. The latter is very frustrating since things will keep falling out of the top half as you use it in the hotel, or even pack up. A second set of zippers allowing for the hard shell to be expanded in size is useful as well. Finally, having wheels which roll in every direction can be suprisingly handy.
You may also want to consider using packing cubes or bags which allow you pack clothes or other items together and keep them from getting wrinkled or otherwise messed up. These come in a variety of forms, such as square zipped mesh bags, or even shrink wrapped bags that eliminate all air to create a partial vacuum.
Weight: the two main issues are of course ease of transport and excess baggage charges. It is important to keep in mind that the standard weigh limit for most carriers is 1 checked in bag of up to 20 kilograms (=44 pounds); it is only the US that has the far more liberal policy of 2 checked in bags of up to 50 pounds or so apiece. Usually all carriers allow you to take one carry-on sized bag, and a second smaller personal item, but there is a wide variety of regulations and practices at various airports. Some airports are quite liberal, while others can be very strict and insist a bag fit into a box designed to assess the maximum size, or even ask to weigh it and reject it if it exceeds weight limits. If you are flying to and from the US, and have a single ticket that includes domestic portions in Asia – such as flying into Beijing and then the next day flying from Beijing to Lhasa – if you keep your baggage tags and boarding cards, you can get the US baggage allowance to apply to the Beijing to Lhasa flight. You can also try that on the way back, but it is somewhat more difficult to negotiate in that context.
At any rate, keeping the weight down if at all possible is ideal since you will appreciate it at all points, though this has to be weighed against your desire to have as many items as possible available to you. A few specific suggestions:
If you have a large amount of equipment that is fragile – a large video recorder, etc. – you may want to invest in an equipment case such as a Pelican. These are not light, but provide superb protection so that you can even check in the cases without concerns, or toss them in the back of a ramshackle truck.
It is also very useful to bring a fanny pack which you can wear around your waist and carry essentials such as money, camera, and so forth in a way that is not distracting, prevents theft, and is easy to access.
The great challenge in Tibet is that the weather is extremely changeable and can shift from an extremely hot sun to a very cold hailstorm in a matter of minutes. Also the high altitude sun in Tibet is very hot, but the temperature can drop dramatically if you go in the shade or in the evening when the sun sets. In addition, because of the great variation in altitude, sites that are in proximity to each other can be very different in terms of temperature. This means that one needs to be prepared for both warm and cold weather, even in the summer. This can be a challenge both in terms of keeping the packing weight down of clothes, and also in terms of dressing each day. The best solution is to bring clothes that allow you dress in layers that can be easily added or taken off as the temperature requires. For example, pants which allow you to convert them into shorts by tearing off the lower legs; tshirts and long sleeve shirts with a warm but light jacket, and so forth. That also means its good to have a bag or backback of some type that is easy to carry which can be used to carry the extra clothes.
Clothes really add up in weight – avoid heavy and unnecessary items such as blue jeans; if you will be in areas where you have to wash and dry your clothes yourself, then buy technical fibers which are light, easy to wash, quick to dry, and wrinkle resistant so that you can be fine with a limited set of clothes.
In terms of shoes, if you are getting out of the main cities and definitely if you are doing any hiking, you should consider buying hiking shoes which will be invaluable in walking up and down mountain sides. Lightweight hiking shoes are best, both for packing, and also for coolness during the summer and lightness when exerting yourself. Goretex is a good choice to protect your feet from sudden rains and streams in the summer. Also note that the summers in Tibet often have quite a bit of rain, so come prepared! If you don’t like being in the rain, bring a small umbrella you can easily pack with you during the day. A nice Gortex rain jacket will also come in handy.
Even if you don’t usually wear hats, you will want to consider it in Tibet because of the extraordinarily powerful high altitude sun which actually causes your head to get uncomfortably warm.
In terms of Tibetan etiquette, it calls attention to yourself if you wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, or bare midriffs, especially around monasteries.
Clothing checklist:
Camping equipment can be rented or purchased in Lhasa. Please keep in mind just how cold it can get in high altitude areas, even in the summer, and get equipment that is appropriately rated:
Please be aware that your favorite tolietries may not be available even in the large cities, and will certainly not be in rural areas. In addition, there is a major problem with fake goods in China and so even if you find your favorite brand, it may not be what it appears to be:
Take any prescription medicines you need with you. Many common drugs are available in China over the counter without prescriptions, though there can be quality problems.
DVDs for flights or late night entertainment if you have a computer, or in case you stay in a hotel with a DVD player.
An Ipod or comparable player for listening to music during long car trips.
Books to read.
David Germano