Mainland China uses 220V electricity at 50Hz. Most phone, tablet, camera and laptop chargers accept it because their input label says 100–240V, 50/60Hz; those devices need only a plug-shape adapter when their pins do not fit. A device labelled only 110V or 120V is different: a plug adapter cannot lower the voltage, so it needs an appropriate converter or, more safely for many high-power appliances, a locally compatible replacement.
Adapter and converter answer two separate questions
| What you see | What it means | What to pack |
|---|---|---|
| INPUT 100–240V, 50/60Hz | The power supply accepts China's voltage and frequency | A shape adapter if its plug does not fit; no voltage converter |
| INPUT 220–240V, 50Hz | Electrically compatible with mainland supply | A shape adapter if needed |
| INPUT 110V or 120V only | Not compatible with 220V supply | A properly rated voltage converter or a different appliance |
| 220/240V switch on the appliance | It may be dual-voltage but requires a manual setting | Set it correctly while unplugged, then use a suitable adapter |
| Label missing, damaged or ambiguous | Compatibility cannot be established | Manufacturer confirmation or a replacement device |
Expect Type A, C and I—but do not plan around one hotel socket
Shanghai government guidance lists Type A, C and I plugs, while CAAC visitor guidance describes flat two-pin and angled three-pin sockets. In practice, hotels and transport hubs may use multi-standard outlets, USB outlets or a different mix. A North American or Japanese Type A plug may fit a flat two-pin socket, but physical fit says nothing about voltage. A European Type C charger is often straightforward, yet a heavy plug can sit loosely in a worn universal socket. Australian and New Zealand Type I plugs resemble the angled format, but a grounded appliance still needs secure contact and the correct rating.
Coming from Singapore or Malaysia with a Type G plug?
Pack an adapter that accepts your three rectangular Type G pins and fits the mainland Chinese socket you will use; do not rely on every hotel having a universal socket. Check the charger itself: INPUT 100–240V, 50/60Hz covers China’s supply, so a compatible charger needs only the shape adapter. The home country or a familiar-looking plug is not proof for every appliance. Preserve any required earth connection, stay within the adapter’s rating and do not force the pins.
How to read a charger without confusing input and output
- Unplug the device and find INPUT on the power brick, charger base or appliance plate. OUTPUT describes what the charger sends to the phone or laptop and does not prove that the charger accepts 220V.
- Read the entire range. A dash in 100–240V means the charger accepts values across that range; a label listing only 120V does not.
- Check frequency as well as voltage. 50/60Hz covers China's 50Hz supply. Equipment with motors, timers or frequency-dependent controls needs manufacturer confirmation even when voltage is handled.
- Check watts or amps on the appliance and the maximum rating of every adapter, converter and extension in the chain. The lowest-rated component is the limit.
- Look for the double-square symbol only as an indication of double insulation; do not treat a two-pin adapter as a way to remove a grounding requirement from a grounded appliance.
The device category changes the risk
| Equipment | Usual planning route | Extra check |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet, camera or laptop charger | Most modern models are wide-input, but verify the printed label | Use the original or reputable charger and keep ventilation around multi-port units |
| USB-C multi-port charger | One compatible charger can reduce adapter stacking | Its total wattage must cover the devices connected at the same time |
| Hair dryer, straightener, curling iron or kettle | Prefer a verified dual-voltage model or use the hotel's/local appliance | Heating devices draw high power; many compact converters are not suitable |
| Electric shaver or toothbrush | Check the charging base as well as the handset | A bathroom outlet marked for shavers may have use or power limits |
| CPAP, medical device or professional equipment | Get written manufacturer input requirements and accommodation confirmation | Plan a spare adapter and power-outage response; do not improvise grounding |
When a voltage converter is genuinely required
A converter must accept roughly 220V input and provide the voltage the appliance requires. Its continuous wattage rating must exceed the appliance's actual demand, with additional margin for equipment that draws more at startup. Some travel converters are intended only for short use with a narrow class of heating devices; others are transformer-based and heavy. Neither automatically changes 50Hz to 60Hz. Match the exact appliance and use case to the converter manufacturer's instructions rather than buying by plug picture alone.
Build one stable charging station in the room
- Bring one reputable, correctly rated adapter rather than several anonymous plug cubes. If you need more ports, use a wide-input USB charger that is designed to power the devices together.
- Keep adapters and chargers on a hard, uncovered surface. Do not charge under bedding, behind curtains or where water can reach the connection.
- Do not daisy-chain travel adapters, power strips and converters. Each extra joint creates leverage, heat and another rating that can be exceeded.
- If bringing an extension lead, confirm it is rated for at least 220V and the intended current, and that grounding continues through the whole chain where required.
- Put the adapter and one charging cable in carry-on. A delayed checked bag should not leave the phone, authentication codes and transport bookings without power.
If charging fails after arrival
| Symptom | Safe next step | Do not do |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing powers on | Disconnect, test the outlet with hotel staff or a known low-power wide-input charger, then test the adapter separately | Force the pins or repeatedly cycle a suspect outlet |
| Adapter or charger becomes unusually hot | Unplug immediately and let it cool on a non-flammable surface | Cover it, keep charging overnight or assume heat is normal |
| Plug is loose | Use another outlet or a different correctly fitting adapter | Hold it in place with tape, furniture or an object |
| Breaker trips | Disconnect the whole chain and ask the accommodation for help | Reset repeatedly or reconnect the same high-power load |
| Device works slowly | Check charger output, cable and shared wattage after confirming input compatibility | Buy a voltage converter when the actual issue is USB power allocation |
A final packing audit
- Photograph each device's input label and save the exact model specification offline.
- Separate wide-input chargers from single-voltage appliances.
- Choose adapters that fit the plug, preserve required grounding and exceed the load rating.
- Ask the first hotel about outlets or medical-equipment support when power is mission-critical.
- Pack one backup cable and distribute essential charging equipment between responsible adults, not checked bags.
- Recheck any converter instructions before use and stop at the first sign of damage or overheating.
Plug and voltage questions answered
What voltage and plug type does China use?
Mainland China uses 220V at 50Hz. Shanghai government guidance lists Type A, C and I plugs, and hotels often have multi-standard or USB outlets, but do not plan around one particular hotel socket.
Do I need a voltage converter for China?
Only for a device whose INPUT label says 110V or 120V alone. A charger marked 100–240V, 50/60Hz accepts China's supply and needs just a plug-shape adapter; a plug adapter never lowers the voltage.
Will my phone or laptop charger work in China?
Most modern phone, tablet, camera and laptop chargers are wide-input (100–240V), so they work with a plug adapter. Read the INPUT line on each charger to confirm; if there is no readable label, check the exact model with the manufacturer rather than guessing.
Can I bring a Type G plug from Singapore or Malaysia?
Yes, with an adapter that accepts the three rectangular Type G pins and fits the mainland socket you will use. If the charger's INPUT covers 220V, the shape adapter is all you need; preserve any required earth connection, stay within the adapter's rating and do not force the pins.
Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in China?
Prefer a verified dual-voltage model or the hotel's appliance. A 110V-only high-power tool needs a converter rated above its actual wattage, and for one trip replacing the appliance is often the cleaner answer than carrying a converter.
Official sources reviewed(3)
- Electricity in ChinaCivil Aviation Administration of China
- Beijing pre-departure travel tipsBeijing Municipal Government
- Shanghai packing guidance listing Type A, C and I plugsShanghai Municipal Government