Power Plugs & Voltage in China

China uses 220V electricity at 50Hz.

Common plug types include:

• Type A
• Type C
• Type I

Whether you need an adapter depends on the plug used by your device.

Whether you need a voltage converter is a different question.

For most modern:

• Phone chargers
• Laptop chargers
• Camera chargers
• Tablet chargers

you will probably need only a plug adapter, because many modern chargers already support 100–240V.

But always check the label first.

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What Voltage Does China Use?

Mainland China uses:

220 volts

at:

50Hz

for standard household electricity.

This is especially important if you are traveling from a country that normally uses lower voltage.

For example:

• United States: commonly 120V
• Canada: commonly 120V
• Japan: commonly 100V

A device designed only for 100V or 120V should not simply be plugged into a 220V Chinese outlet.

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What Plug Types Are Used in China?

You will commonly encounter three plug types.

Type A

Two flat parallel pins.

This looks similar to plugs commonly used in:

• United States
• Canada
• Japan

Some Chinese sockets accept this plug directly.

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Type C

Two round pins.

Common in much of continental Europe.

Many Chinese wall sockets and multi-standard sockets can accommodate this type.

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Type I

Two angled flat pins, sometimes with a third grounding pin.

This style is similar to plugs used in countries including:

• Australia
• New Zealand

Type I is one of the standard plug configurations you will commonly see in China.

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Do You Need a Plug Adapter?

You need a plug adapter if the shape of your plug does not fit the socket.

For example, travelers from the UK commonly use a Type G plug.

That plug will not normally fit a standard Chinese socket directly.

So a UK traveler will generally need:

UK Type G → China-compatible adapter

Travelers from countries already using Type A, C or I plugs may sometimes be able to plug devices in directly.

However, socket designs vary.

For an international trip, carrying a small universal adapter is still useful.

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Adapter vs Voltage Converter

These are not the same thing.

Plug adapter

Changes the shape of the plug.

It does not change the electrical voltage.

Voltage converter

Changes the voltage supplied to the device.

For example:

220V → 110V

If your device only accepts 110V, a plug adapter alone does not make it safe to use.

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How to Check Your Charger

Look at the tiny print on:

• Charger
• Power brick
• Device label

Find the word:

INPUT

You may see something like:

Input: 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz

If so, the charger is designed to work across that voltage range.

That means China's:

220V / 50Hz

is within its supported range.

You generally only need the correct plug shape.

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If It Says 100–240V

Good news.

You normally do not need a voltage converter.

You may only need:

• A plug adapter
• Or nothing, if the plug already fits safely

This is common for modern:

• iPhone chargers
• Android phone chargers
• MacBook chargers
• Laptop power supplies
• Camera battery chargers
• USB chargers

Still check the individual charger rather than assuming.

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If It Says Only 110V or 120V

Do not plug it directly into a Chinese 220V outlet.

The device may:

• Overheat
• Fail
• Blow a fuse
• Be permanently damaged
• Create a safety risk

You may need a proper voltage converter.

In many cases, especially for inexpensive appliances, it may be easier not to bring the device at all.

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Devices That Need Extra Attention

Be particularly careful with high-power appliances such as:

• Hair dryers
• Hair straighteners
• Curling irons
• Electric shavers
• Electric toothbrush chargers
• Small kitchen appliances

Some are dual-voltage.

Others are not.

Check the label.

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Hair Dryers Are a Common Problem

Travelers from 110–120V countries often assume a simple adapter is enough for a hair dryer.

It may not be.

A 120V-only hair dryer connected to 220V can be damaged very quickly.

Before bringing one, look for wording such as:

100–240V

or a dual-voltage selector.

If it is 120V only, use a suitable converter or leave it at home.

Most hotels in China provide a hair dryer anyway.

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What About Phones?

Modern smartphones charge through a separate power adapter or USB charger.

The phone itself is not normally the voltage issue.

The important part is the charger.

If the charger says:

100–240V

you can use it in China with an appropriate plug connection.

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What About Laptops?

Most modern laptop power supplies are designed for international voltage ranges.

A typical laptop charger may say:

100–240V, 50–60Hz

If yours does, it can accept China's electricity supply.

You may still need a plug adapter.

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What About USB-C Chargers?

Many modern USB-C chargers are designed for global voltage use.

But USB-C describes the connector and charging technology — not automatically the supported wall voltage.

Check the charger's input label.

Do not assume every USB-C power adapter is identical.

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Are Hotel Sockets Universal?

Sometimes.

Many hotels in China use multi-standard sockets that can accept several plug shapes.

You may find sockets that accept combinations of:

• Flat two-pin plugs
• Round two-pin plugs
• Chinese/Australian-style angled plugs

Beijing's official visitor guidance notes that many outlets can accommodate multiple plug types.

But do not rely on every:

• Hotel
• Guesthouse
• Hostel
• Apartment

having universal sockets.

Bring an adapter if your plug type is different.

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Do Hotels Have USB Ports?

Many newer hotels provide:

• USB-A ports
• USB-C ports
• Bedside charging sockets

But this is not guaranteed.

Older hotels and smaller guesthouses may only provide wall outlets.

Bring your normal charger.

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Should You Bring a Universal Travel Adapter?

For most international travelers, yes.

A compact universal adapter is useful not only in China but for future trips.

Look for one that:

• Supports your home plug
• Works with Chinese sockets
• Has secure pins
• Is correctly rated for your devices

Remember:

A universal adapter does not automatically convert voltage.

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Can You Buy an Adapter in China?

Yes.

Adapters and chargers are widely available from:

• Electronics shops
• Convenience stores
• Shopping malls
• Mobile-phone stores
• Online delivery platforms

If you forget one, it is usually easy to replace.

But buying one before departure is more convenient than discovering the problem with 5% battery after arrival.

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What About Power Banks?

A power bank is extremely useful in China.

Your phone may be used constantly for:

• Alipay
• WeChat
• Didi
• Maps
• Metro QR codes
• Train tickets
• Translation

So battery life matters more than on many ordinary trips.

Keep a charged power bank with you during long sightseeing days.

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Flying With a Power Bank

Power banks are lithium-battery devices and are subject to aviation safety rules.

They normally need to be carried in hand luggage rather than checked baggage.

Airline and Chinese aviation rules can also impose capacity and labeling requirements.

Check the current requirements before flying.

Do not pack an unmarked or damaged power bank.

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Should You Bring a Power Strip?

For couples, families or travelers carrying many electronics, a small travel power strip can be useful.

For example, you may need to charge:

• Two phones
• Laptop
• Camera
• Power bank
• Watch

But check that the power strip itself is rated for:

220V / 50Hz

Do not bring a 120V-only electrical accessory simply because your individual chargers support 220V.

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United States and Canada

If you are traveling from the US or Canada:

Your two-flat-pin Type A plugs may physically fit some Chinese outlets.

But voltage is the important difference.

China uses:

220V

while the US and Canada commonly use:

120V.

Check every device.

Modern electronics often support both.

High-power appliances may not.

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Japan

Japan commonly uses Type A plugs, so many Japanese plugs can physically fit Chinese sockets.

But Japan uses approximately:

100V

while China uses:

220V.

This is a major voltage difference.

Check the device label carefully.

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United Kingdom

UK Type G plugs normally require an adapter.

China uses 220V and the UK commonly uses approximately 230V, so many UK electrical devices are already designed for a similar voltage.

Still check the label.

In most cases, the issue will be:

plug shape

rather than voltage.

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Continental Europe

Many continental European countries use approximately 230V and Type C-compatible plugs.

Some two-round-pin plugs may work directly with compatible Chinese sockets.

Voltage is usually less of a problem than for travelers from North America or Japan.

Still check your individual device and bring an adapter if necessary.

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Australia and New Zealand

China commonly uses Type I-style sockets similar to Australia and New Zealand.

Both regions also use similar household voltage ranges.

Many devices may therefore work without much adjustment.

However, socket design can still vary, so check your equipment and accommodation.

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Quick Compatibility Checklist

Before packing any electrical device:

Check the charger

Look for:

INPUT: 100–240V, 50/60Hz

If yes:

• Voltage is compatible
• Check whether the plug fits

If no:

• Confirm supported voltage
• Consider a voltage converter
• Consider leaving the device at home

Check the plug

China commonly uses:

• Type A
• Type C
• Type I

If yours is different:

• Bring a plug adapter

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What We Recommend

For most travelers, the simplest setup is:

1 universal travel adapter + your normal modern chargers + a power bank

Before leaving home, spend 30 seconds checking every charger for:

100–240V

If it says that, you generally do not need to worry about voltage conversion.

If it says only:

100V / 110V / 120V

do not assume a cheap plug adapter makes it safe.

The key distinction is simple:

Wrong plug shape → adapter

Wrong voltage → converter or different device

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Official Sources

This guide was checked against information published by:

• National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China
• Shanghai Municipal Government
• Beijing Municipal Government
• Chinese national standards information on household plugs and sockets

Electrical standards and individual device requirements can vary. Always check the rating printed on your own electrical equipment before connecting it to a Chinese outlet.