OXO cubes or powdered gravy is a good idea.

As for toiletries, I would personally take an extra large can or two of shaving foam. It is always more expensive or in smaller cans in China. That and vosene shampoo, again impossible to find for those with an itchy scalp.

fai zou mo(but don't know how to spell it) shaving foam in the right context. The trouble is as I am learning Mandarin I have to keep saying the same things to impress, so i have about twenty shaves a day ' zai chu qu yi qian wo dei gua huzi' (before I go out I must have shave) Feel free to correct me, I am just a beginner, ha ha ha. Good idea the foam, San Mig. What about the old-fashioned sticks of shaving soap and the badger brush, one can whip up a nice lathe with that and it is easier to take a years supply with you? Am I right or am i right?

Shampoo? got to be careful, liquids are heavy. You can get a baggage allowance of say 35k going to China and then change to an internal flight which just gives you only 20 allowance- out goes the Vosene.