Power Plugs / Sockets in China

Voltage in China is 220V/50HZ

Sockets in China
Sockets & Plugs

In Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, the common power voltage is 220 Volt 50 Hz AC, but in Taiwan, electronic devices often work with the electricity supply voltage of 110V/60HZ.
 

Is Outlet Adaptor Needed in China?

As the shapes of sockets and voltage vary among countries, a portable plug adaptor is usually necessary. It can be purchased in your local country from stores like Franzus or electronics stores such as RadioShack and Best Buy. Also you can buy it in China.

Chargers of most electronic devices like cell phones, tablets, and cameras can function normally in the wide power voltage of 110~240V. Most hotels ranking above 3 stars in China provide electrical outlets of both 110V and 220V in the bathrooms, though in guest rooms usually only 220V sockets are available.
 

What Power Sockets are Used in China?

There are two kinds of sockets widely used in Mainland China: type A and type I. The type A can also accept plugs of type C or F, which are commonly seen in most European countries.

Socket in China In China, this kind of outlets has two holes of the same shape and size. Plugs that match this socket are commonly used in US, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Philippines, Colombia, Thailand, Vietnam, Panama… But you should notice that there is a kind of two-blade plug with one end larger than the other. They can't be used in China without an adaptor.
Socket and Plug in China Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and Fiji use electronic devices of this plug shape. Sometimes, the blade at the top is missed, but it can still function safely in Mainland China.
Socket in Europe This kind of socket is widely seen in most European countries, like Russia, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Finland, France, Sweden, and Spain, as well as South Korea.
 

Sockets in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan use different socket types from the Mainland China. In Hong Kong, British Standard outlets, also known as type G, are widely used. People coming from countries like UK, Ireland, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Nigeria, and Uganda can charge most of their electronic devices without an adaptor in Hong Kong. Type C or F is the universal socket in Macau while the plug shapes of type B can be well compatible with the outlets in Taiwan.

Socket in Hong Kong
Type G used in Hong Kong
Socket in Macau
Type C & F used in Macau
Socket in Taiwan
Type B used in Taiwan
 

Electricity Voltage around the World

Over 30 countries including those in North America use a voltage of 110V~130V, while another 120 countries including most of Europe use a voltage of 220V~230V. The following list shows electricity voltage of countries around the world for your reference:

Argentina 220V/50HZ Australia 240V/50HZ
Belgium 230V/50HZ Brazil 110-220V/60HZ
Britain 230V/50HZ Burma 230V/50HZ
Canada 120V/60HZ Cuba 120V/60HZ
Denmark 230V/50HZ Egypt 220V/50HZ
Finland 230V/50HZ France 230V/50HZ
Germany 230V/50HZ Greece 230V/50HZ
Hungary 230V/50HZ India 230V/50HZ
Indonesia 220V/50HZ Italy 230V/50HZ
Japan 100V/50-60HZ Malaysia 240V/50HZ
Mexico 127V/60HZ Netherlands 230V/50HZ
New Zealand 240V/50HZ Portugal 230V/50HZ
Russia 220V/50HZ Saudi Arabia 127V-220V/60HZ
Singapore 230V/50HZ South Africa 220V/50HZ
South Korea 220V/60HZ Spain 230V/50HZ
Sri Lanka 230V/50HZ Sweden 230V/50HZ
Switzerland 230V/50HZ Thailand 220V/50HZ
Turkey 220V/50HZ Vietnam 220V/50HZ
U.S.A. 120V/60HZ
- Last updated on Aug. 29, 2022 -
Questions & Answers on Power Plugs / Sockets in China
Asked by Christine from SCOTLAND | Oct. 08, 2020 09:31Reply
What adaptor do I need
I. Bought a hair straightener from China it has 2 pins what do I need to get to use in G B
Answers (2)
Answered by Madison | Oct. 11, 2020 22:57
00Reply


Yes, you need to prepare Type C & F.
Answered by CC | Mar. 20, 2021 23:00
00Reply


You need an adapter to convert your 2 pin plug into the 3 blade Type-G plug, see the Type-G diagram for Hong Kong above. Type-G is what they use in GB, 2 horizontal blades on the bottom and 1 vertical blade at the top.
Asked by Hamza from MOROCCO | Oct. 28, 2019 11:11Reply
From Morocco to shanghai
i have my laptop with a EU plug. Do i need to buy an adapter ?
Answers (3)
Answered by Deborah from GERMANY | Oct. 29, 2019 00:48
00Reply


Yes, you need to buy an adapter.
Answered by Hamza from MOROCCO | Oct. 29, 2019 02:44
00Reply


But you said and i quote "The type A can also accept plugs of type C or F, which are commonly seen in most European countries." can you clarify ?
Answered by Deborah | Oct. 29, 2019 18:41
00Reply


If you use the European Type Power Sockets, then you don't need to buy an adapter.
Asked by Surendra Mohan from INDIA | Oct. 25, 2019 02:15Reply
I shall be traveling to China from India. Do I need adopter for charging mobile?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lincoln from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 27, 2019 23:37
00Reply


Yes, you need to prepare an adopter.
Asked by Francis from PHILIPPINES | Oct. 06, 2019 07:27Reply
I'll be travelling to Taiyuan, China this month from the Philippines.
Hello,

I'll be travelling from the Philippines to Taiyuan. What kind of adapter do I need to bring? How many sockets? What type of Power Socket is there in Taiyuan?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 07, 2019 19:00
00Reply


As I know, you don't need to bring adapter and sockets.
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