What to carry?
N95 mask
usual FAK
ExStream Purifier as my water bottle
Passport, visa, papers etc in front pocket


Can you carry a pocketknife in China as a tourist? I was planning on carrying a SAK, nothing offensive in most areas, but China??????

Let me guess: Made in China?? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I was in Taipei once and got terribly lost and disoriented in the downtown area. I was tired (jet lag), the streets didn't run straight (N-S or E-W) and the signs were all in red & green and I don't read Chinese so they looked similar.

Next time I will most certainly bring a small GPS (I've since bought a Garmin Geko 201) and a small global compass so I can at least find me way back to my hotel (pre-set as a waypoint).

i carry my delica/endura/leatherman tool while in China. never had a problem or even second looks.

SAKs, good to carry, non-threatening, and makes good gifts if you decide to not bring it back.

I had no problems carrying a SWK in Bejing, Lanzhou, Foshan, or Guangzhou back in 2004. It travelled in my checked luggage during flights but the security guards never commented on it when they searched my bags. There were knives and swords for sale everywhere in the tourist shops, including Victrinox & Wenger SWK's. I bought a sword in Lanzhou and carried it back ten blocks to the hotel without raising any alarms. I think you'll be okay with a pocketknife.

-Blast

I doubt you'll have any problem carrying a Swiss army knife or leatherman type tool, they sell cheap replica knives like that all over the place, so it's a pretty common sight. I've also carried a sword around the streets of hong kong, nobody gives it a second look.

I would definitely recommend a small button compass or something similar, just because it is really confusing in the city when you get off a subway. I would skip the water purifier, it's probably not necessary unless you plan on going camping, you'll find bottled water all over the place. Both cities are very modernized, so the stuff you carry should probably be more focused for an urban environment, you probably won't need the wilderness survival gear while you're there.

How about adding

• photocopies of passport, visa, and other important papers. Also include contact information for nearest consolate or embassy. Just in case you run into trouble that requies your government's help.
• small phrase book if you don't speak the langauge or local dialect. Even if you can't say the words, you can point to them if necessary.
• contact info for the hotel where you will be staying (name, address, phone) on a small business card size piece of paper. (Once at the hotel, of course just pick up their business cards. This is in case you need it before you get to the hotel, for example when taking a taxi from the airport.)
• contact info for your guides or whoever you are meeting.
• small amount of local currency, especially if you have short connections before you will be able to change money.
• maps of the areas where you will be
• Knowledge of any scams common at the airports that you will be using. For example, official looking people that strap your luggage and then demand money, even thoug it is not necessary. For example, helpful looking people who will help you change money but who end up giving you a horrible exchange rate.
• knowledge of how to phone home using the local phone system.
• your best manners

And don't forget what to leave behind (complete itenary, contact info for you, etc.)


-Kuovonne

I would recommend against planning on using SAKs as gifts, unless you know in advance that the person really wants that particular knife.
Giving knives, scissors, or cutting utensils of any type symbolizes cutting the relationship. I've heard of this in multipe cultures, including Chinese, and the Chinese people tend to read a bit more into symbols that Americans.

-Kuovonne

I agree with what Kuovonne has to say.. There are cultural differnces between the east and the west. When I was in Taiwan, it is customary when exchanging business cards, money and other monetary items to give and receive with both hands. It is their way of expressing gratitude for the business/relationships.. Knives and other sharp objects are rarely given as gifts.

SAK no problem .carried that and a Military for five weeks all over China be discrete
http://www.urbanrail.net/as/shan/shanghai.htm
http://de.geocities.com/m_hong_kong/hong-kong.htm
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/world_cities/hongkong.jpg
CG tel#s 852 2841 2323,2523,9011 write down, e mail engrave on forehead you Are Not In The USA.
If you have go to the CG be their before 9 am ! Be prepared to be searched.
Scan and send to yourself as e-mail all important papers, if you have an old passport give it to someone to hold and send to the CG or as they direct.
You can backtrack these links for more info,http://www.infohub.com/