This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by Ondřej Kadlec
Sockets and voltage in China
Type ANEMA 1-15No earth
Type IAS/NZS 3112Earthed
Voltage
220 V
Frequency
50 Hz
Earthed sockets
Type I
Sockets that took a Europlug were dropped from the national standard in 2021; new buildings have Type A and I only.
What you need, by where you are coming from
Arriving from the United States or CanadaThe plug fits, and the voltage does not: anything not marked 100-240 V needs a converter, not an adapter.
Arriving from the UK or IrelandA plug adapter is enough - the voltage is the same as at home.
Arriving from most of continental EuropeA plug adapter is enough - the voltage is the same as at home.
Arriving from Australia or New ZealandPlugs go straight in and the voltage matches. Nothing to pack.
Socket types, voltage and frequency are the nominal domestic supply as published in IEC/TR 60083 and the national standards it lists.
Chinese sockets are Type and at 220 V, and the Europlug outlets that used to be everywhere were dropped from the standard in 2021.
Sockets in China are Type and at 220 V, 50 Hz - flat American pins and the angled Australian-style three-pin, usually in the same double outlet.
The Type socket has been phased out. Since the 2021 revision of the national standard, hybrid outlets that took a Europlug may no longer be made or installed, though older buildings are still full of them.
Chinese Type is the same shape as the Australian plug. A 10 A Australian or New Zealand plug fits a Chinese socket, and vice versa.
220 V, so European and Australian appliances only need the right shape. American 120 V-only equipment needs a converter.
Hotels aimed at foreign guests usually fit universal sockets that take anything; anywhere else, bring an adapter.
Many sockets only open when the earth pin goes in first, so a two-pin plug in a three-pin socket sometimes simply refuses to enter.
Comments
No comments yet. Share the first one.
Share a tip
Sign in to continue.