Packing for a Shaolin retreat is not like packing for a beach holiday or a city break. You are training close to four hours a day outdoors, sleeping early, and living out of one bag for twelve days in Dengfeng. This is the honest packing list, built around our own 12-day China retreat at Shaolin Yongzhi Academy, so you can pack once, pack light, and stop worrying about it.
Pack for training, layer for the weather, and travel light
Bring several sets of breathable training clothes, broken in trainers, a warm layer for cool mornings, shower sandals, personal medication, and a small amount of cash. Accommodation, meals, training and transfers are already covered inside the $2,500 all-inclusive retreat fee, so this list is really just what fits in one bag.
What to wear and train in
Most of your twelve days revolve around roughly four hours of Kung Fu training a day: a morning run and Qi Gong session, form work, then an afternoon of conditioning, stances and sparring drills. Bring clothes built for that, not for sightseeing.
- Training tops and bottoms. Loose, breathable, moisture wicking if you have it: t-shirts, joggers or track pants, shorts for warmer afternoons. Four to five sets is realistic for twelve days, since washing options at the academy are not guaranteed.
- Broken in trainers. You will run, kick and drill outdoors on uneven ground, so bring shoes you already trust, not new ones. Some students also like a pair of flat soled cloth Kung Fu shoes for stance and form work, but ordinary trainers are completely fine.
- Shower sandals. For the hotel bathroom and moving between your room and the training hall.
- A warm layer. Mornings start cool at Shaolin Yongzhi Academy, and the 7:00 am run and Qi Gong session happens before the day warms up.
What the weather is actually like in April
The retreat runs 21 April to 2 May, spring in Dengfeng, Henan Province. Regional climate data puts the average April daytime high around 20 to 23°C (68 to 74°F) and the average low around 8 to 9°C (46 to 48°F), with modest rainfall of roughly 47 mm (1.9 in) across the month. In plain terms: warm enough to train in a t-shirt by midday, cool enough at 7:00 am that you will want a layer, and occasional rain is worth planning for rather than expecting daily.
That swing is exactly why layering beats packing for one temperature. A light waterproof or windproof jacket earns its space in the bag far more often than a second pair of jeans will.
The complete packing checklist
Here is everything in one place, grouped the way you will actually pack it.
| Category | Bring |
|---|---|
| Training | 4 to 5 sets of training clothes, broken in trainers, optional flat Kung Fu shoes, a light warm layer, a compact rain or wind jacket, a reusable water bottle |
| Everyday clothes | Comfortable clothes for the two sightseeing days and evenings (Shaolin Temple and Luoyang's Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple), a warm layer for the evening, sleepwear |
| Toiletries and health | Basic toiletries, sunscreen, insect repellent, any personal or prescription medication in original packaging, a small first aid kit for blisters and muscle soreness |
| Documents and money | Passport (check its expiry date well before you fly), visa or visa-free entry confirmation, travel insurance details, a printed or saved copy of your retreat confirmation, some cash to change on arrival |
| Tech and extras | Phone and charger, a universal power adapter, a portable battery pack, earplugs for early nights, a notebook for form corrections and cultural sessions |
What is already provided (do not overpack these)
The $2,500 all-inclusive fee genuinely covers most of what you need day to day, so resist the urge to pack for every contingency. Inside the price:
- Accommodation. Hotel rooms near the academy, shared or private options, for all twelve days.
- All meals. Three traditional Chinese meals a day, shared with the group.
- Training and internal practice. Daily Kung Fu, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, breathing work and meditation, guided by lineage masters.
- Cultural immersion and sightseeing. Calligraphy, tea ceremony, a day at the Shaolin Temple, and a day trip to Luoyang.
- Airport transfers. Group pickup and drop off at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO).
- A detailed itinerary. Sent to every confirmed student about two weeks before the retreat begins, with specific timing and any last minute packing notes.
Documents, money and tech
Check your passport's expiry date early: most airlines and border checks want at least six months of validity remaining. Many nationalities, including the UK, most of Europe, Canada, Australia and Japan, can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, which comfortably covers the retreat; see our full visa-free entry guide for the current country list. If your passport is not on that list, our visa guide walks through the standard tourist route.
China's power sockets are typically Type A, C or I, running 220V, so a universal travel adapter covers you regardless of which nationality's plug you normally use. Mobile payment (Alipay and WeChat Pay) is dominant in China, but a small amount of cash is still worth carrying to convert on arrival for markets, snacks and anything outside the group's shared arrangements. Beyond that, the retreat is genuinely pocket money territory: training, meals, accommodation and transfers are already paid for.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring my own Kung Fu uniform?
You do not need a formal uniform. Ordinary training clothes, loose and breathable, are what you will actually train in. Some returning martial artists prefer flat soled cloth Kung Fu shoes for stance work, but that is a preference, not a requirement.
How many training outfits should I pack?
Four to five sets is a comfortable amount for twelve days, since laundry access at the academy is not guaranteed. Quick drying fabrics make hand washing a set overnight much easier if you want to pack lighter.
Do I need a visa to attend the retreat?
It depends on your passport. Many nationalities can currently enter China visa-free for up to 30 days, which covers the 12-day retreat comfortably. Check our visa-free country list first, and our visa guide if you need the standard route.
What is the weather like during the retreat?
Late April in Dengfeng typically runs from a cool 8 to 9°C (46 to 48°F) in the early morning up to a mild 20 to 23°C (68 to 74°F) by afternoon, with light rainfall possible. Pack layers rather than one heavy jacket.
What if I forget something?
The academy is close to Dengfeng, a working town with shops for everyday basics. That said, pack medication, prescriptions and anything specialised in advance, since those are not guaranteed to be available locally.
Ready to book your spot
Our next 12-day China retreat runs 21 April to 2 May 2027 at Shaolin Yongzhi Academy in Dengfeng, minutes from the Shaolin Temple. A $500 deposit secures your place, with the remaining balance due before the retreat begins.
21 April to 2 May 2027 · $2,500 all-inclusive · apply free→ Join the retreat interest list
Be first to hear about new dates and locations→ See the full cost breakdown
What a retreat or a long term stay actually costs→
Still deciding what to bring, or which retreat dates work for you? Get in touch and we will help you plan it.
English
German
Hindi
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
Leave a comment