Job Discussion Forums

[Asialiner]

I'm going to Hainan Island in 10 days. Naturally, I'm more then a little freaked out about what to pack. What should I bring in two suitcases for a whole year?

[davis]

Books

[shenyanggerry]

Asialiner, If you like cheese, bring some. Deoderant is sometimes hard to find. A laptop is nice if you have one. It could be difficult to get English versions of software you want in China.

[kimo]

Hainan's a fairly big island. Where will you be? Haikou has some decent places to shop so most things you need are there except for good socks and a style of summer shorts/bermudas that you like. Johnson's Medicated Baby Powder is an effective deodorant which doesn't stain your clothes. A bottle will last a year. Other than that I'd only suggest you bring a Teflon suit if it's your first time in China.

[Crippler]

Peanut, Peanut Butter

[Roger]

What are your special needs, matey?
If you bring cheese, make sure yourflat is going to be equipped with a fridge - it's warm or hot all year round!

Medication: Bring a whole year's supply of your regular needs! Don't trust local phramacies!
Reading materials too - the Xinhua bookstores are Potemkin villages!
Clothes: If you are normal or large-sized, bring along sufficient underwar and good shoes!
If too tight, garments can cause prickly skin, and that's a lot of hassles to get rid of in this climate!
Swimsuit! Hainan is surrounded by China's cleanest seawater!

[killian]

i used to work in haikou. even four years ago it most of the necessities. on trips to HK i only had to fetch back cheese and "proper" tea for my fellow foreigners.

yes, the water is cleaner than elsewhere in china. most folks swim at night to avoid the sun. don't drown as lifeguards can neither see nor hear you. they can't hear you because the loudspeakers play music.

some pretty nice shops in haikou. bring big enough clothes, books.

[naturegirl321]

real chocolate bars, like herseys. Send yourself a care package with some of your favorite things, ship it by sea, so that you get it after being there a couple of months. Deodorant, and socks can also be hard to find.

[oprah]

Hello: I arrived in Hainan and living in Haikou on Xmas day. I have been here for Dec, Jan, Feb, but have not seen summer yet. From the short time I have been here, bring some warm clothes, maybe one or two outfits.. it has been rainy and damp here . You can buy deodorant at Avon here. I wish I had brought some stain remover for washing clothes. Tea here is expensive and the food here more expensive than Hunan province where I was before.

[clomper]

Ive never been to Hainan but we're just 5 hours away.. a little bit north of Hainan.. the edge of Guangdong province.

If you're up to the cold weather about 9 degrees Celsius.. then feel free to bring shorts.. otherwise, bring warm clothes. It's still cold nowadays.

However, come summer or spring.. it's going to be warm. bring your own medicines, dental floss, reading materials and some teaching materials as you might have a hard time purchasing it here.

[ChadwickKent]

If you bring a good attitude and remain flexible, nothing else will really matter.

[Asialiner]

What a great place!

[Nicky]

Hi Asialiner,

I'm heading off to Beihai (just north of Hainan island) in a couple of weeks - is there anything you forgot that I might be well advised to bring? I guess lots of deoderant - I think the weather will be fairly similar there, v. sunny I hope... I'm currently shivering in minus two!

Hope your job's going well,

Nicky

[Kapt. Krunch]

Unless you're a BIG woman with very specific tastes in clothes and shoes, don't bring to much clothing. I made that mistake, now I have a wardrobe of nice business wear that will never be used again. They have everything else you'll need right here in Haikou.
Bring sunscreen for the summer...
See you when you get here.

The King of Haikou