Travel Essentials To Buy On Taobao During Alibaba’s 11.11 Global Shopping Festival Before Your Next Holiday

It’s been almost three years since the Covid-19 outbreak has deprived us of the chance to travel. Thankfully, that has finally changed as borders have reopened and restrictions have been lifted.

After booking those flights and crafting a super detailed itinerary on Excel, the next thing to do is to pack those suitcases. But after such a lengthy holiday hiatus, you may find yourself at a loss when it comes to what to pack, and most importantly, where to get them.

Now that Alibaba’s annual 11.11 Global Shopping Festival is back, you don’t need to look any further. Taobao and Tmall, Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms, offer literally millions of products across pretty much any category you can think of. Since your bank account will probably be taking quite a hit thanks to your getaway, you’ll be happy to know that you can enjoy savings now.

With easier delivery and return services, tons of promotions on top of already amazing deals, and the fact that you can get just about everything you need in one place, this is probably the best place — and time — to shop.

Nothing in life is perfect, and the same goes for online shopping. Sometimes, you may end up getting a wrong order, or you may change your mind and decide you don’t want it after all.

Simply request to return your faulty product in-app, pick your preferred time slot for a doorstep pickup, and the item will be sent to a local warehouse for free. This means you’ll get reimbursed a lot quicker, but do note that this only applies to listings tagged “本地退” (ie. “local returns”).

Speaking of local, there are plenty of Singapore-exclusive promos during this 11.11 sale, and most of them have to do with a beloved four-letter F-word: food.

With Taobao Rewards, you can redeem the following perks:

Oct 25-Dec 31: Coupons for a sliced beef dish at Chuan Yang Ji lamb soup pot restaurant
Oct 31-Nov 30: A free side dish with every set lunch purchase at Tanyu grilled fish restaurant
Nov 1-11: 1-for-1 bubble tea vouchers at Coucou Hotpot‧Brew Tea

Now that you know what to expect in terms of the logistics, read on for 11 travel essentials you should be adding to your cart during the Alibaba 11.11 Global Shopping Festival.

#1: Modular suitcase for easier organisation

Most of us tend to dump all our belongings into our luggage without proper organisation, which can make it difficult to locate smaller items.

A chic modular suitcase like this one solves the problem with its extra side compartment that lets you neatly store your stuff in a way that’s a lot more convenient to take out later.

#2: Travel backpack for shorter getaways

If you’re holidaying in a nearby country for just a few days or having a staycation right here in Singapore, then lugging a massive suitcase along probably won’t be necessary.

Instead, opt for a travel backpack — like this one or this one — that’s compact yet has enough room for all your necessities and is even compartmentalised for more orderly packing. It’ll make for a great gym bag on regular weekends too.

#3: Cute clothes for the perfect #OOTD

Did you really go on holiday if you didn’t take a million shots of yourself standing in front of a famous landmark or picturesque scenery? Make sure you’re dressed to impress before striking your best pose.

Taobao is where you can find clothes from more affordable brands like Urban Revivo as well as designer labels like Prada and Valentino so you can build the wardrobe you’ve always wanted.

#4: Camera to capture the best moments

While smartphone cameras can produce great photos, nothing beats the amazing snapshots taken with an actual camera. And since you’ll be on holiday, it only makes sense to ensure that your photos are of the best quality.

Whether you’re on Team Sony, Team Nikon, or something else, you’ll be sure to find something you’ll love on the site.

#5: Tripod stand for steadier shots

This is a must-have for anyone who wishes to deliver top-notch live-streaming quality to their TikTok or Instagram followers. This tripod stand comes with space for multiple devices — gotta capture all those angles — and a ring light for when it gets too dark. You also won’t need to trouble random strangers to help you take a pic.

P.S. Don’t worry about it being a hassle to carry around as it’s actually very compact and light once you fold it up, making it super easy to bring wherever you go.

#6: Portable clothes dryer for laundry days

This is definitely something that we never knew we needed until now. If you’ve decided to wash and re-wear a piece of clothing but don’t want to pay the hefty hotel laundry fees, soak it in the tub or sink before hanging it on this nifty device and it’ll be dry in a jiffy.

It’s also super handy if you need to dry off damp towels, shoes, and raincoats.

#7: Winter sports gear for that snowy getaway

If your holiday includes an escape to a winter wonderland (lucky you!), then you’ll definitely need to get the right gear to protect yourself from the freezing cold.

If skiing or snowboarding’s on the itinerary, check out the items from Copozz, which has everything from suits to goggles to protective gear. With all the discounts and stacked deals, you’ll be able to save a lot more compared to shopping at most winterwear stores.

#8: Travel first-aid kit… just in case

As careful as you can try to be, accidents can happen and people can sometimes get hurt (touch wood). When that strikes, you’d be glad you brought along a first-aid kit to tend to any minor injuries.

Better safe than sorry, it pays to be prepared… you get the picture.

#9: Snacks for long road trips

In Singapore, it’s easy to find somewhere to eat no matter where you are, but in some countries, you could drive for miles and miles without seeing a single place to buy food. This is why it would be wise to bring some easy-to-stash snacks in your bag in case you suddenly feel peckish two hours away from the next rest stop.

If you often find yourself craving familiar fare whenever you’re far away from home, you’ll be happy to know that many local food brands are joining the 11.11 celebrations through Tmall Global. This includes Tasty Singapore, the parent company of well-known and beloved F&B names like Ya Kun, IRVINS, and Prima Taste.

#10: Portable mini cooker for easy hot meals

Eating out in some cities can be pretty pricy, so some travellers opt to cook their own dishes every now and then. It’s also a good way to satisfy any hankerings for anything that might not necessarily be available overseas.

If your place of accommodation doesn’t come with a fully equipped kitchen, then this mini cooker will be all you need to whip up a simple but hearty hot meal, whether it’s porridge, instant noodles, or soup. Bon appetit!

#11: Masks, because Covid-19 is still around

Yes, mask mandates have been dropped in many countries, but that doesn’t mean we should let our guard down. After all, like it or not, the pesky virus is still spreading, and the last thing you want is for you or your travel buddies to catch it in the middle of the trip.

Taobao is home to an extensive selection of masks, so click here and spend some time browsing for whatever suits your preferences and/or budget.

Save even more with these deals

There are a lot more ways to stretch your dollar during the Alibaba 11.11 Global Shopping Festival, from free cross-border sea shipping to the ability to stack cross-shop discounts.

There are also 100 yuan (S$19.50) hongbaos up for grabs at noon during the add-to-cart and checkout period, one-for-one deals with local Taobao sellers, and 3 per cent fee waiver vouchers to offset your purchases.

Have a debit or credit card from DBS, POSB, OCBC, Citibank, HSBC, UOB, or Maybank? It’ll get you another S$12 off, which you can use on top of all the other promos on this list.

Last but certainly not least, follow Taobao Singapore on Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram for even more promo codes to offset your purchases, leaving you with extra funds to spend on your holiday.

We know you’re itching to get started, so get those credit cards ready and head over to Taobao or download the app on the App Store or Google Play. Happy shopping and safe travels!

(All photos from Taobao listing pages unless specified)