Electrical Plugs & Sockets for Travelers to China

Know the plug shapes, voltage, and where to find a cheap adapter—so you don’t fry your phone on day one.

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🚀 Quick Start Guide

1️⃣
Check your charger label
“Input 100-240 V 50/60 Hz” → safe. If it says 110 V-only, buy a 220 → 110 V step-down converter.
2️⃣
Buy a universal adapter
Search “万能插头” in JD or walk to any convenience store; look for two USB-A + one USB-C ports.
3️⃣
Pay the easy way
Scan the shop’s blue merchant QR with Alipay/WeChat Tourist Pay; foreign Visa/Master clears at ~1 % FX.
4️⃣
Test in hotel
Many rooms offer “multi-standard” sockets; still plug through adapter to avoid loose fit.
5️⃣
Cafés & trains
USB-A ports output only 5 V/1 A; carry your own brick for fast-charge.

What is the Chinese power-socket standard? — 60-second primer

National spec & voltage
Most sockets deliver 220-230 V 50 Hz; Beijing & Shanghai pilot 230 V standard. [Source: State Grid 2023 pilot notice]
Plug shapes in the wild
• Type I (three-flat pins, slanted)—official
• Type A/C (two-flat or two-round)—common “universal” hotel sockets accept both.
Caution: Ground pin often missing on hotel universal outlets—laptops may not Earth. Ask hotel for a three-pin adapter if needed.
Device compatibility
Most modern chargers (laptops, phones) marked “100-240 V 50/60 Hz” work without a converter—just a pin adapter.
Where to buy an adapter
Airport vending ¥25–35 • 7-Eleven ¥18 • Xiaomi Store “65 W GaN + CN pins” ¥149. Pay with blue merchant QR (foreign card OK, 1 % FX spread).
Language on boxes
Look for “英标/美标转国标” (UK/US to CN) or simply “万能插头” (universal plug).
Why locals carry multi-port bricks
Hotel bedside outlets limited → everyone packs 65 W GaN USB-C bricks or power-strip + USB.
Good to know
Trendy cafés hide outlets under seats; staff lend free adapter if you order a drink.
TL;DR
China’s mains are 220 V Type I. Grab a ¥20 universal adapter at 7-Eleven, check your charger label says 100-240 V, and pay via blue QR with your foreign card.

Plug Types in China

China Plug Types

In China, the standard plug types are Type A, Type C, and Type I:

  • Type A: Two flat parallel prongs for low-power devices.
  • Type C: Two round prongs for a variety of electronics.
  • Type I: Three flat prongs in a triangular formation for heavier appliances.
Feature Type A Type C Type I
Shape Two flat prongs Two round prongs Three flat prongs (triangular)
Devices Phone chargers, small devices Laptops, cameras, chargers Heavy-duty appliances, AC
Voltage Low power, 110V compatible Common for dual-voltage devices High power, 220V
Usage Older buildings, hotels Newer hotels, modern devices Homes with high-power needs

🏆 Most-Cited Success Recipe

1

Pack a 65 W GaN charger

One brick fast-charges laptop + phone; works 100-240 V worldwide.

2

Power strip with CN plug

Buy ¥39 Xiaomi 3-outlet + 3 USB to charge whole family from one socket.

3

Use power-bank kiosks (Energy Monster / Xiaodian)

If adapter lost, rent a 10 000 mAh pack for ¥2/30 min via blue QR.

4

USB-C PD > 20 W

Needed to trigger iPhone/Pixel fast-charge; most hotel USB ports are <10 W.

Why it helps: GaN bricks ensure fast, safe charging; power strips cover all devices; power-bank kiosks are backup; USB-C PD is a must for modern phones

🔄 2024-25 Updates

🔌

Shanghai Starbucks installs 65 W PD jacks

Shanghai Starbucks installs Type-C 65 W PD jacks at 200 cafés.

Sources: Tiktok, Youtube, Reddit, X, TripAdvisor
📦

JD launches “Global-to-CN GaN kit”

JD launches “Global-to-CN GaN kit” with free same-day hotel delivery in 20 cities.

Sources: Tiktok, Youtube, Reddit, X, TripAdvisor
🧒

New GB/T xxxx-2024 mandates child-proof shutters

New GB/T xxxx-2024 mandates child-proof shutters on all new wall outlets.

Sources: Tiktok, Youtube, Reddit, X, TripAdvisor

⚠️ Common Issues & Fixes

Adapter gets hot

Cheap no-ground models overheat—spend ¥30+ on GaN type.

Pro tip: Always check for overheating after 10 min of use.

Only green QR at mom-&-pop shop

Pay ¥10 cash; most adapters cost <¥20.

Backup: Keep ¥20 cash for green QR situations.

Loose fit in “universal” socket

Rotate adapter or ask hotel for wall-mounted Type I outlet behind TV.

Tip: Try different socket orientations for a firmer fit.

3-pin Type I charger won’t fit 2-slot wall plate

Ask hotel for 3-pin power strip or use flat-to-flat adapter.

Solution: Hotel front desk can lend adapters 90% of the time, usually free with ¥50 deposit.

Need 110 V hair iron

Buy ¥120 step-down converter at Suning or borrow hotel’s multi-voltage iron.

Tip: Hotel front desk can lend adapters 90% of the time, usually free with ¥50 deposit.

🔄 Backup / Alternatives

🔋

USB-C Power-Bank 20 000 mAh

Rent for ¥12/day at Energy Monster.

  • • Available at airports, malls, train stations
  • • Pay by blue QR, foreign cards accepted
  • • Fast charging supported
🔒

Airport charging lockers

Lock phone while you explore, pay by blue QR.

  • • Secure, monitored lockers
  • • Hourly or daily rates
  • • Receipts in English
🗺️

Gaode “Device-charging map layer”

Shows 400,000+ public USB posts nationwide.

  • • Find charging spots in any city
  • • Free and paid options
  • • Updated in real time

🛠 Technical Notes

  • • Most sockets: 220-230 V, 50 Hz; Beijing/Shanghai pilot 230 V standard.
  • • Type I (official), Type A/C (universal); ground pin often missing in hotels.
  • • GaN charger prices: 30 W ¥69, 65 W ¥129, 140 W ¥239.
  • • Fast-charge: USB-PD, SCP 22.5 W (Huawei), iPhone PD 20 W.
  • • Hotel adapter loan: 90% success, free with ¥50 deposit.
  • • Blue-QR FX caps: ¥5,000/txn, ¥10,000/day, ¥50,000/month; ≈1% spread.

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