China Power Plug and Socket Types: Adapters and Voltage

OneVoyagerOct 16, 2026

Contents

What Plug Type Does China Use?
- China's three plug types
China Voltage and Frequency: Do You Need a Converter?
- Will your chargers work in China?
- When you need a voltage converter
Where to Charge Your Devices in China
- Where to find a socket in China
What to Pack Before You Fly to China
- China power packing checklist

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If you are flying to China, the accessory that decides whether your phone survives the trip is a China power plug adapter. Mainland China uses Type A, Type C and Type I sockets at 220-230V/50Hz, and none of them accept the Type G plugs used in the UK, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Here is what to pack, whether you need a voltage converter, and where you can actually charge your devices once you land.

The short version: buy a Type G to Type I travel adapter before you leave, and check the voltage printed on anything you pack that is not a phone or laptop charger.

Mainland China uses three plug types. The national standard socket is a hybrid socket that takes both Type I and Type A flat-pin plugs, while the older Type C round-pin socket is still common in hotels and older buildings.

Type I - three flat pins, two of them angled in a V shape plus an earth pin. This is China's standard plug and the socket you will meet in most hotels, airports and train stations.

Type A - two flat parallel pins. Still common in older hotels, and the plug used in Japan, the United States, Hong Kong and Taiwan, but no longer the mainland standard on its own.

Type C - two round pins, the same plug used across most of Europe. Found in older buildings and in some hotel rooms.

Diagram of China's Type A, C and I plugs

Source: Trip.com

Two details are worth knowing before you buy: Chinese sockets usually place the earth contact at the top, and a multi-plug extension lead from home is not a substitute for a proper travel adapter.

No Chinese socket accepts a Type G plug - the three rectangular pins simply do not fit - so a charger bought in the UK, Singapore or Malaysia will not go straight into a wall socket in Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu. For a socket-by-socket breakdown, see Trip.com's China plug types guide.

China runs at 220V/50Hz, and the UK, Singapore and Malaysia run at 230V/50Hz. The two are close enough that voltage is rarely a problem for visitors, and because they all use 50Hz there is no frequency mismatch either. The one thing that does cause trouble is a device built for 110V only.

Phones, tablets, laptops and camera chargers are almost always dual voltage. Look for "100-240V" on the charger brick: with an adapter in front of it, it will charge normally on China's supply.

Hair dryers, straighteners and electric shavers are the usual problem. If the label says 110V only, the device needs a voltage converter rather than a plug adapter.

Anything with a motor or a clock - older hair dryers, travel alarm clocks - can also be affected by frequency, though the UK, Singapore and China all run at 50Hz.

An adapter changes the shape of the plug, not the voltage. If the label reads 110V only, leave the device at home or bring a converter.

Appliances sold in the UK, Singapore and Malaysia are rated for 220-240V, so they work on China's supply. Check the small print on the plug or the base of the device before you pack it, and put everything you plan to charge in one pouch so nothing gets left behind in the hotel.

Power strip with USB ports and a plug adapter

Photo: Sóc Năng Động via Pexels

Hotel rooms - every room has sockets, and newer international hotels add USB-A and USB-C ports at the desk and bedside. If you have forgotten your adapter, ask the front desk: many hotels keep a box of spares to lend guests.

Airports - charging counters and wall sockets are common in departure halls and near the gates, and they fill up fast on evening flights. Bring your own cable, because some points offer USB-A only.

High-speed trains - most seats on China's G and D trains have a power socket under or between the seats, and newer Fuxing trains add USB ports. It is not guaranteed at every seat, so keep a charged power bank for long journeys.

Cafes and restaurants - chain coffee shops in the big cities usually have sockets or USB points at the tables. Ask before you sit down, especially at peak hours.

Shared power bank stations - rental cabinets sit in malls, metro stations and convenience stores, and you can borrow one for a few yuan an hour. Renting needs a Chinese payment app, so set up Alipay before you land. WeChat Pay works the same way: our guide to WeChat Pay in China shows the setup step by step.

One more habit that pays off: Chinese hotel rooms often have only one or two reachable sockets, sometimes hidden behind a bedside table or under the desk. A small power strip plugged into your adapter turns that single socket into three or four, which is enough for a family or a couple travelling with several devices.

Source: Trip.com

Two Type G to Type I adapters, plus a universal adapter if you already own one and have space.

A multi-port USB charger with one cable per device, so a single socket can charge everything overnight.

A power bank under 100Wh with a clear 3C mark if your plans include a domestic flight.

A voltage check - confirm every appliance that is not a phone or laptop charger is marked 220-240V or 100-240V.

A China eSIM or roaming plan so you can translate addresses, book rides and pay for things without hunting for Wi-Fi; China eSIM plans can be installed before you board.

Mainland China 5G eSIM | Day Pass/Total Data Package | ChatGPT Available | 24-Hour Billing | 1-365 Days | QR Code

The right phone apps - payments, maps, translation and transport all run through a handful of apps in China; our guide to the apps you need covers the setup order.