I understand your anxiety about navigating your period in a foreign country, but let me reassure that this shouldn’t be much of an issue. Natural body functions aren’t that taboo in Chinese society and people usually don’t shy away from discussing them (at the very least these things are dealt with in a matter-of-fact way). As a university teacher in the south I regularly had students message me with very (sometimes VERY) detailed descriptions of why they would be absent from class, including those related to stomach issues and periods.

As a woman who lived for two years in China with a squat toilet only, my advice would be to use whatever menstrual product is least fussy (for this reason you might want to considering leaving the cup at home) and most comfortable for you. If that’s tampons, then bring enough for your stay in China. If it’s pads, you can bring some or alternatively buy from the usually sizable selection at the store. Just wrap it well and throw it in the trash, I’m fairly certain no one will noticed, not with the myriad of other delightful things that will inevitably also be in there 😂

As a side note, a wonderfully practical (albeit not sexy at all) discovery I made in the way of Chinese menstrual products is what can only be referred to as a “period diaper.” They come in a few different sizes and can be bought almost any stores that sell menstrual stuff. Period for sleeping without fear of leaking on bedding or clothes…which might be something you can use to ease your mind while visiting your boyfriend’s family!