Packing for a luxury train journey in China is unlike packing for any other trip. You are not carrying your own luggage between hotels. The train and support vehicles handle it. But you do face extreme climate variation, sometimes within a single day, and a packing list must balance comfort, practicality and the occasional smart-casual evening. This guide is organised by route, because what you need for the Gobi in July is nothing like what you need for the Tibetan plateau in September.
Climate: Day 15-22 degree C, night can drop below freezing at altitude. Intense UV. Dry air.
Thermal base layers, a fleece or lightweight down jacket, a windproof shell, warm hat, sun hat, sunscreen, lip balm, UV-rated sunglasses, moisturiser, reusable water bottle, hand warmers and compact binoculars. Pack for the route profile and confirm any oxygen or medical arrangements with the operator.
Climate: Desert extremes. 30-40 degree C daytime in Turpan and the Gobi, cooler evenings. Dust and sand. Arid.
Lightweight long-sleeved shirts (sun protection), loose cotton or linen trousers, wide-brimmed hat, neck gaiter or scarf (for sand/dust), sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+, sandals or breathable shoes, lightweight jacket for desert evenings, camera dust-protection bag. A scarf also serves as a respectful cover for mosque visits in Kashgar.
Climate: Humid subtropical lowlands (Chengdu, 25-32 degree C), cool at Jiuzhaigou (3,100m, can drop to 5-10 degree C). Frequent rain from June to September.
Lightweight waterproof jacket, quick-dry trousers, comfortable walking shoes with good grip (slippery stone paths in Jiuzhaigou), mid-layer fleece for the mountain segment, insect repellent (summer), portable umbrella. Rain is part of Sichuan's character, embrace it, just pack for it.
Climate: Summer: 18-28 degree C, low humidity, cool nights. Winter (Jan-Feb): -25 to -35 degree C. Windy on the steppe year-round.
Summer: Light layers, windbreaker, sun hat, insect repellent. Winter (Ice & Snow Festival): Thermal base layers (top and bottom), heavy down parka, insulated snow boots, thermal gloves and socks (2 pairs), balaclava or thick scarf, chemical hand/foot warmers, moisturiser (extreme cold is very drying). The train is heated; the problem is outside.
Climate: Summer: 25-38 degree C in the basins, 15-25 degree C in the Tianshan. Cold desert nights. Low humidity. Very low light pollution.
Lightweight, breathable daytime clothing, warm fleece or jacket for evenings, sun hat and sunglasses, sunscreen SPF 50+, lip balm, moisturiser, sturdy walking shoes for grassland and mountain trails, daypack for excursions. If your route includes the stargazing deck, a star-gazing app on your phone is a wonderful addition.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Passport | Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date. At least 2 blank visa pages. |
| Chinese Tourist Visa | L (tourist) visa. Apply at your nearest Chinese embassy or visa centre. We provide an invitation letter and detailed itinerary as supporting documents. |
| Travel Insurance Certificate | Print a copy. Must show coverage for medical expenses, evacuation, cancellation and, for Tibet routes, altitude-related incidents. |
| Printed Itinerary & Contact Sheet | We provide this in your pre-departure pack. Contains emergency contacts, hotel addresses, assembly point details and guide phone numbers. |
| Digital Copies | Scan or photograph your passport, visa, insurance certificate and itinerary. Store in cloud storage and email to yourself. Invaluable if documents are lost. |
| Season | Routes Operating | Key Packing Difference |
|---|---|---|
| May-Jun | All routes | Variable. Layers essential across all routes. Tibet: cold at night. Silk Road: already warm. Sichuan: rain jacket. |
| Jul-Aug | All routes (peak) | Desert routes: lightest packing of the year. Tibet: warmest month, but still take a warm layer. Hulunbuir: peak grassland season, light layers and sun protection. |
| Sep-Oct | Tibet, Silk Road, Xinjiang, Sichuan (final departures) | Cold returns to Tibet and Xinjiang. Silk Road: pleasant daytime, cold nights. Hulunbuir: autumn colours, warmer layers needed. |
| Dec-Feb | Hulunbuir (winter only) | Extreme cold packing. Down parka, snow boots, thermal everything. The Ice & Snow Festival is worth every layer. |
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Editorial standards: This guide is researched from official operator documentation and medical guidelines for high-altitude travel. It was last verified July 2026. If you find an inaccuracy, tell us and we will correct it within 48 hours. This page is informational and does not replace advice from your doctor or travel clinic.