How about fleece? It's warm but lightweight.

I have this one from Icebreaker. I like it, but wouldn't pay full price for it (got it on sale last spring). I often struggle with the zipper on mine. Other than that it is windproof, water resistant, and fairly warm. It has a detachable hood. I wear mine a lot walking the dog when it's windy. It folds or rolls up into nothing, and doesn't wrinkle, so it's great for packing. Besides the zipper my only other minor complaint is that I wish the sleeves had some sort of interior cuff.... the sleeves are wide and the wind blows up my arms.

https://nz.icebreaker.com/en/outerlayers/highline-3%2F4-jacket/100730.html?dwvar_100730_color=001

I bought this for a recent trip. I wasn't sure what the weather was going to be but I was warned to expect cold, blustery days with intermittent rain. However we happened to have a beautiful week with only one day of rain and temps above normal and I didn't need it. I wore it for the first time last week while we were in the mountains. The temp in the morning was low 30's and I was nicely warm while walking the dog.

This coat has a removable lining and removable hood and good pockets. I don't like the fact that the Eddie Bauer logo is in white - but a Sharpie easily managed to cover the print.

One of the reviewers wrote that the lining is nice enough to wear as a separate jacket . I have no idea where one might wear the lining - you'd have to ignore the large button holes.

When I was packing for my trip I placed the coat and lining in one of those large zip lock bags that have a one way valve and pressed all the air out of the bag. I was surprised that the bag stay sealed the entire trip. The one day that I thought I might need the coat I put it in the small travel tote that I carried with me and since it was compressed it packed easily and didn't take up too much space.

http://www.containerstore.com/s/travel/clothing-accessories-organizers/travel-space-bags-by-ziploc/12d?productId=10006747

Eddie Bauer often has it on sale and I paid $89 in September. I don't know if this link will work - I don't think I've ever seen one so long.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/women-39-s-girl-on-the-go-insulated-trench-coat/20612671//A-ebSku0067347818000050__20612671_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=111&color=100C1?$mainimageV2$&cm_mmc=GooglePLA--brand_PLA_Brand--Brand_All_Products-_-0067347100000050&cvosrc=cse.google.0067347100000050&cvo_campaign=brand_PLA_Brand&gclid=CNf-5NbBxNACFUdYDQodw14OGQ

I also have several quilted down jackets/coats in different lengths from LL Bean that I love - lightweight and easy to pack but you have to carefully read the description to determine if it's water resistant or water and wind proof.

Ooh, I like that Icebreaker and Eddie Bauer. HHI, highs will be 30's and 40's and 20's at night. Temps right now are actually mid-40's.

I would go with a trench with zip out liner which is also rain proof and a nice trench can be dressed up or casual. I have had my London fog trench for years and it's still in great shape and extremely warm with the faux fur zip out lining. Packs easily.

My current trench coat, which I bought in the 90's (LOL) is Lord & Taylor brand but I bet it was made by London Fog. It was extremely well made, beautiful double-breasted, and held up well but is finally wearing out at the sleeves (plus it's a little small for me now to put in the liner). I took it to Paris in 2001 over New Year's and it was great. I'd just like something other than a longer coat now.

These are all great. I like the Eddie Bauer, too! Nice choices.

Here's a London Fog I like.

http://www.londonfog.com/women/collections/fall-winter-outerwear/audrey-classic-double-breasted-trench-coat-detachable-hood-liner.html?p=2

Here's the LandsEnd which folds into its pocket for storage.

http://www.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-458598_A7.html

Try Lands End. I have a pack able jacket from them and it rolls up into a pocket. It's a short one but I see that it comes in a parka also. It is called the lightweight down pack able parka. It is $149 but their Black Friday deal is 50% off. My jacket is very light but warm. EBATES has a 7% rebate right now.Also check LL Bean. They have 20 % off now.

Must have been posting at the same time. That turquoise one was the one I was referring to. It does come in the longer length as a parka.

Hmm, the parka length in the LE looks really good, too. Thank you.

Wow, these are all excellent choices. Now I just have to decide! Great deals today.

I have this one from Eddie B. I love it because it is stylish and a bit warm but very light. The only drawback is that it doesn't have a hood.

http://www.eddiebauer.com/product/women--39-s-ketchum-down-parka/20612373//A-ebSku0065078236000050__20612373_catalog10002_en__US?showProducts=&backToCat=Parkas&previousPage=GNAV&tab=women&color=100

I have last years style of this coat. Wore it most of last year (Chgo winter). Folds down really tight; was great when I traveled to southern CA & Dallas, in Jan & Feb, was able to put it in a small side compartment of my suitcase. Great quality, washed several times, came out like new.

Forgot to mention, check out "PrimaLoft" coats for warmth that is incredibly lightweight. In addition to Patagonia, North Face, Columbia, Marmot, Eddie Bauer, LLBean, etc. use it.

Well, I've ordered the Eddie Bauer, London Fog, and Lands End, so we'll see how these fit when they get here.

I ordered a parka from LE a few years back. It was everything I wanted in a jacket! However, the two way zipper ( plastic) was a royal pain! It took about 20 tries to zip the jacket. I sent it back and got a replacement. It was the EXACT same way, I threw it out. I have not ordered any thing else from them since. Be sure to check the zipper.

Last February we went to the Caribbean and I needed a packable down jacket to keep warm to/from the airport. This one fit the bill and I like it so much I wear it often. It packs down to nothing yet is very warm:

Packable Down Jacket

Yeah, unfortunately, Lands End is not what it used to be. I order my bathing suit separates from them, and they are not as durable anymore. The only thing is I know what sizes of theirs fit me, so at least I can feel confident on that.

bonnie_ann, thanks for the heads up on Macy's. Hmm, maybe I will order that one, too.

You can always buy coats in China if you love shopping. :-) Which city are you going to? It's very cold up north near Russia, none of the coats mentioned above would work but fur coats.

I also have the Patagonia nano puff jacket. IIRC, Patagonia made a longer version at one time that was similar. I love the jacket. I also have a 3/4 length North Face with a hood that I love for rainy cold weather. It is similar to this:

http://www.backcountry.com/the-north-face-w-temescal-trench?skid=TNF02OX-X004-Y001&ti=UExQIEJyYW5kOlRoZSBOb3J0aCBGYWNlIFdvbWVucyBKYWNrZXRzICYgQ29hdHM6MjoyMjo4OF9iY3NDYXQyMTAwMDQ=

There are some other choices by TNF also in this length.

I don't have it, but I crave this Ex Officio packable trench

Oops, I see that it's out of stock on the Ex Officio site, but still available on Amazon.

Oh wow, that Ex Officio looks great, too. There are potentially some locally. The online reviews say it may not work for you if you are short. There is no petite version.

I think my friend/colleague who is organizing this trip has a North Face.

I was in Costco today and they have several light weight down jackets,

Update: I could not get the Ex Officio in the stores. I went to one of the stores and called another, and they do not carry the Ex Officio outerwear but do carry other items in their line.

The LandsEnd, London Fog, and Eddie Bauer arrived. They all fit, yay. As far as the trip is concerned, the LandsEnd is by far the least bulky and lightest, and the small size to pack it is pretty amazing. The zipper seems to be fine.

This one?

I got the slightly longer one. I wanted something to cover my behind. The petite sizing is perfect for me.

http://www.landsend.com/products/womens-lightweight-down-packable-parka/id_302575?sku_0=::28S

Have a great time on your adventure! You will be such a cute chick in your new jacket.

It looks like one city will be high in the 50's, lows in the 30's, and then the other will be highs in the 40's and lows in the 20's.

I also ordered a pollution mask that will arrive tomorrow. My friend said to bring travel TP as well. The hotels will have it, but other places will likely not.

Very cute!

Now I just have to decide which of the other two coats I will keep. I like them both! But the LandsEnd will make the trip for sure.

Now I'm also thinking about a Microsoft Surface vs. taking my old slow bulky laptop.

Hope it's warm enough for you, but I don't think so. Northern China gets the cold wind from Mongolia and Russia, it's really cold, it goes straight to your bones, like millions of needles.......when you are shivering in the cold wind, remember I warned you. :-) But don't worry, they have everything there.... there is one thing you have to pack-tampons. They sell so many American products there, from tires, cars to makeups, clothing.......just cost more than here. Have a nice trip! :-)

LOL, I am done with TOM. That is one of the few benefits of getting older. I'm only 2 days in Beijing, so I will have to manage it. I'll have turtlenecks and layers. I live where it's warmer now, but I grew up in Buffalo and visited Canada frequently, so I know cold all too well. I'm just not used to it anymore.

Just bought some football bowl tickets, so I'll get some other good use out of the coat.

You grew up in Buffalo?! You'd need to dress really well for The Great Wall, I guess everyone goes there, strong wind in the mountains. I'd walk behind someone who is big and tall, block some wind. Have fun! :-)

A few years ago I started traveling with my ipad w/ a clamcase keyboard, instead of a laptop. The first trip I was quite anxious about not having a laptop. No more, it's great I generally carry it with me all day long. I also don't have to worry about it being stolen from the hotel room. However, if you need an excuse to splurge, go for it!

I was there around this time of year. I was in parts of China where I didn't need a warm coat and then in Beijing where I did. So I brought many layers. Even with everything on it was very cold for activities like seeing the Great Wall. I could have used full outdoor winter clothing that I wear in the depths of winter in Minnesota. Worst case, you're cold and cut your outdoor time short which is what I did with my Great Wall outing. There were very few people out there so no big bodies to block the wind for me.

As far as TP and such matters, you are probably also aware that if you get very far from western oriented areas you will not only not find TP, you will not find western style toilets. You will instead find a hole in the floor that you squat over.