Packing List of Hiking in Sichuan

Listed below is the most detailed packing list of a trekking tour in Sichuan. There are some definitely important items that maybe neglected including walking boots, waterproof and sunglasses. When planning a hiking trip in Sichuan, it's essential to have a comprehensive packing list to ensure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies for an enjoyable and safe experience.

To Keep Warm

Hikings and trekkings are often in western Sichuan where the landscape is amazing and also elevation is high. Most of the hikings in Sichuan are on the eastern part of Tibetan Plateau where elevation is at over 3000m or even 4000m that often has very changing weather and usually cold nights. Keeping warm is essential to make sure you don’t suffer from cold or low-temperature related symptons or altitude sickness in order to make sure you enjoy your hiking to its maximum.

To Keep Dry

It's also important to keep yourself and your gears dry while hiking. Rainproof and the dry bags are very useful and the rain cover over your pack is also necessary to keep things dry in possible wet conditions. A lot of the hiking places in Sichuan are located deep in the mountains where re-supplies are no always available. To keep yourself and your gears dry is to keep yourself healthy and your body in good condition in order to enjoy your hiking.

Be Prepared

When planning a trekking trip to Sichuan to Mt. Siguniang, Minya Konka, Yading, Kangding and around, you are recommended to read information on the general weather expectation, altitude information, hiking difficulty level, supplies, etc to get as much information as possible while preparing your packing. In different seasons the weather maybe different and therefore the gear requirement can be different. Sometimes you won’t even need to use some of the clothing/gears you packed because weather was good but one doesn’t take the chances of depending on the luck while doing packing. You are recommended to be well-prepared even though something may not be definately used but it’s critical if weather gets bad and you don’t have it. Be well-informed and don’t be lazy.

Clothing

Bring appropriate clothing for the weather. Layers are ideal for changing weather conditions. Don't forget to pack rain gear, including a rain jacket and pants. Wear comfortable and sturdy shoes suitable for the terrain and activities planned. Don't forget to pack extra socks.

Outdoor Jacket is necessary to protect you from strong wind, light rain, be it hard shell or soft shell. Normally in summer time or when your hiking trip will spend a lot of time at high elevation over 4500m we recommend hard shell jacket.

Fleece (or fleece-like layer) is necessary for warm-keeping. You wear a fleece under your jacket to keep up the body heat and use it as the outter wear when it gets warmer. Recommended to use flexible fleece and depending on the temerature you can choose to bring thinner one or thicker one.

Base Layer (or Quick-drying base layer) is necessary and you are recommended to prepare more than one base layers in case one gets wet from sweating or from other reasons. Most of the treks in Sichuan you will see dry conditions but in case you are not well-rainproofed when hiking in summer time, you will definately need extra base layer to change in order to keep yourself dry. Hiking in Mt. Emei and southern Sichuan will see very humid weather conditions that sweating is inevitable and you will also need extra base layers to change.

Down Jacket is necessary for warm-keeping. For longer trips or trips in winter you are recommended to bring a thicker down jackets while in summer time a lighter one will sufice. Down jacket needs to be the outdoor down jackets that are easy to be packed and can be packed to a very small size for better packing. One can bring a lighter one and a thicker one while hiking in cold seasons in Sichuan.

Other Clothes including base layers, underwears and any other personal wearings are not to be forgotten while packing. In general for hiking trips we recommend the clothing you use are light-weighted, easy to pack.

Gloves are necessary to protect your hands from the cold temperature especailly when you are doing hiking trips in winter time in Sichuan or some seasons in the morning. Keeping your hands and fingers warm are important and makes you feel more comfortable while hiking especially when you need to exposed your hands while walking for example when you use walking poles. For people who plans to do climbing trips you are recommended to pack more than one pair of gloves and wear them in terms while walking in the cold conditions.

Hairband is popular for outdoor activities. Hairband can be optional on your packing list. It’s helpful when walking in humid/hot conditions. It also provides protection from wind or cold for your head.

Warm Hat is also necessary to protect you from the wind and cold temperature. A warm hat is very useful when you are not moving and when the temperature drops. Warm hat can be critical for your hiking during cold seasons especailly for multi-day hikings.

Foot wears

Hiking Boots or hiking shoes are necessary for the hikings in Sichuan to protect your ankles and feet. For multi-day treking or long distance trekking the boots are better to be water proofing especially in summer when it is wet. A high-cut or middle-cut rim of hiking shoes are better than the low-cut rim shoes as they provide more protection for your ankels and usually have better water-proofing.

Extra Pair of Shoes or Campsite shoes are optional. For multi-day trekking we recommend you to have an extra pair of shoes be they light, comfortble to wear while at campsites or when the other ones by accident get wet and used as alternative hiking shoes.

Socks are necessary. We recommend socks to be strong and warm keeping if possible. Prepare extra pairs of socks when you do multi-day trekking in Sichuan. Strongly recommended to prepare extra pair of socks when you trek in summer time.

Sun-Proof & Rain-Proof

Sun Hat is necessary to protect you from the sun. Western Sichuan often has very strong sunlight when the weather is good despite the seasons. Make sure the string of your hat works so your hat not to be blown by wind.

Sunglasses are necessary to protect your eyes from the sun/snow. Sunglasses are essential item to be packed while doing trekking in Sichuan. Sunglasses are useful when it is sunny and when after snow. The consequence of not wearing sunglasses while walking in a sunny snowy conditions can damage your eyes.

Sun Cream and Lip Oil are also essential for trekking in Sichuan. Using sun cream and lip oil are recommended by our travel experts.

Rainproof is necessary while doing trekking in most part of Sichuan. Whether it's a raincoat or an umbrella, it is good to protect you from the rain. A raincoat is better under windy conditions while an umbrella is more convenient to use when you are not walking and when you are in between walkings.

Dry Bags are necessary to be used for things inside your packs to keep things inside your pack dry especially your warm-keeping clothing, your sleeping bags, etc. even if your pack is already rain-proof the dry bags provide double protection. Some use strong plastic bags as alternative of dry bags. Please keep reading more details of how to stay dry while hiking/camping in Sichuan.

Hiking-related

Day Pack is necessary. While hiking you will need to bring some basic items with you that you need or may need during your hiking. Items include your valuable possessions such as cash and passport, drinking water for yourself, snacks or lunch for yourself and rainproofs, etc.

Water Bottle or Flask are necessary. We often recommend the ones that keep warm other than the ones that don’t. Although both are fine. Bottles are better to be at least 1L to hold enough drinking water for your hiking and for your overnight use when camping. If you drink more you can prepare 1 or 2 extra flasks.

Walking Poles are necessary to protect your knees while walking in the snow or in steep parts of trail. Remember to make the poles longer while walking down.

Knee-protector is optional to pack for hiking trips in Sichuan. If you have a bad knee or have had injuries before then you are recommended to use knee protectors while hiking especially when some of the hikings involve long or steep descending.

Gaitors are also necessary when doing packing for trekking trips to western Sichuan especailly when you are hiking in summer time or going over higher elevation with snow-covered places. Using gaitors cankeep your shoes, feet lower part of pants dry dry in wet conditions and in snow. Some also use gaitors as an protection against very muddy trails to avoid getting your pants and socks muddy.

Camping-related

Sleeping Tent: A good quality tent is essential for camping, make sure to bring one that is suitable for the number of people in your group. Normally in a multiday trekking trip in Sichuan we recommend a 3-season tent that is strong enough to survive the windy and sometimes rainy nights.

Sleeping Bag is necessarycritical: we recommend its comfort temperature between -5 to -15. Down sleeping bags are lighter and warmer but usually more expensive and don’t last for year. Synthetic sleeping bags are usually heavier but last longer and more durable. If you rent a sleeping bag you are recommended to bring a liner for yourself. Please note sleeping bag is very personal gear. You are recommended to be fully-prepared on this if you don’t have much experience on camping.

Sleeping mattress is necessary to add up the warm and make your sleeping more comfortable. Sleeping matress can be either foam or air-pumped. The foam ones are cheaper and more durable but it’s usually bulky. Inflatable air matress can be very light and can be packed into small size but it takes more effort to inflate while using. Some cheap inflated air matress are also questionable on quality.

Cooking Wares such as pots, untensils, knife are necessary for multiday trekking trips in Sichuan. You'll need pots, pans (optional), utensils, and other cookware to prepare and serve yourself meals.

Camp Stove and Fuel are necessary. You'll need a reliable camp stove to cook your meals or to make hot water.,The fuel we usually use are propane gas canisters that are available in the gear shops in Chengdu, Kangding and Siguniang.

Lighting are necessary for multiday trekking in Sichuan. We recommend fully-charged head torch or the ones that use batteries. A headlamp provides hands-free lighting, which is more convenient that using a flashlight.

Waterproof and durable Duffel Bag or Pack is necessary for all your gears. We recommend this pack or duffel bag to be at least 60L to take all your items you carry while hiking. In an arranged trek you may pack things in this pack and leave it to your porter. In a self-supported trek you are recommended to bring a big backpack instead of a duffel bag. If your duffel bag is not water-proof, try use one or two rain cover to cover it well.

Food and drinks: Plan your meals in advance and bring enough food and drinks to last the entire camping trip. Bring non-perishable food items, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Don't forget snacks, condiments, and spices. Always pack enough water for the entire camping trip, and consider bringing a water filter or purification tablets to ensure you have access to clean water. Please continue reading on Camping and Accommodation.

For arranged trekking tours, many of the camping-related gears will be provided such as camping tent and mat, cooking-related wares and equipment.

Other Items

Lunches are necessary and recommended to be high energy and healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, nuts, dried meat, chocolate, energy bars, etc

Personal Medicines are recommended to be packed as one of the must-pack things in general when you travel.

Personal care items: Bring personal care items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and towels. Consider bringing insect repellent and a first aid kit.

Entertainment: Plan for some downtime by bringing games, books, or other forms of entertainment, preferably light-weighted.

Navigation tools: Bring a map, compass, or GPS device to help you navigate the hiking and surrounding area.

Emergency supplies: In addition to a first aid kit, bring emergency supplies such as a whistle, satellite phone, and emergency blanket. Always be prepared for unexpected situations.

Trash bags: Leave no trace by packing trash bags to properly dispose of all waste generated during the camping trip.

We make recommendations based on our years of experiences hiking in western Sichuan. Although this is only a suggested list. If you are not certain whether you should bring something you are welcome to email us to ask for our advice.

Gear Shops in Chengdu

Gears above are also available in the gear shops in Chengdu. There are plenty places you can find outdoor gear shops, a main one location is close to Wuhou Shrine. They have outdoor gears from stoves, gas canisters to tents and sleeping bags to climbing gears. There are also a couple of Decathlons outlets in Chengdu where you can find reliable gears.

Gear Rental

Camping tents and mattresses can be provided by Sichuan Travel Guide. We can also buy gears for you according to your request. Sichuan Travel Guide also provide Gear Rental service.