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China uses different plugs and voltage than North America, Europe and Australia. Before you pack for Hangzhou, make sure your electronics will work and that you have the right adapters. This guide explains everything you need to know, from socket types to charging on trains and planes.
Plug Types in China
China officially uses three plug types, but you will mainly encounter two in Hangzhou:
Type A (most common): Two flat parallel pins, identical to the plugs used in the United States, Canada and Japan. This is the standard socket you will find in virtually every hotel room, apartment and public building in Hangzhou. If your device has a standard US two-prong plug, it will fit directly into Chinese Type A sockets without any adapter.
Type I (common in newer buildings): Three flat pins arranged in a triangle — two angled pins at the bottom and one vertical pin at the top. This is the same plug used in Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and China. You will find Type I sockets in hotels built after 2010, modern office buildings and the metro system. Most Type I wall sockets in China also accept Type A two-pin plugs, since the two angled pin slots are the same width as Type A pins.
Type C (less common): Two round pins, used in Europe. Some older buildings and imported appliances use this type, but it is not the standard. Do not assume Type C plugs will fit — bring an adapter.
What this means in practice: If you are coming from the US, Canada or Japan, your two-prong plugs will work without an adapter. Your three-prong grounded plugs (with the round grounding pin) will NOT fit — you need an adapter. If you are coming from the UK, Europe, Australia or most of Asia, you need an adapter for all plugs.
Voltage and Frequency
China uses 220V at 50Hz. This is the same standard as most of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. North America uses 110-120V at 60Hz, and Japan uses 100V at 50/60Hz.
The good news: almost all modern electronics are designed for 100-240V input and will work in China without a voltage converter. Check the small print on your charger — if it says "Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz," you are fine. This includes:
- Phone and tablet chargers (Apple, Samsung, etc.)
- Laptop power adapters (all major brands)
- Camera battery chargers
- Power bank chargers
- USB-C PD chargers
- Electric toothbrush chargers
Devices that will NOT work safely on 220V (need a voltage converter):
- Hair dryers from North America (unless labeled 100-240V) — plugging a 110V-only hair dryer into 220V will destroy it instantly and may cause a fire
- Curling irons and flat irons from North America (same danger)
- Some electric razors (check the label carefully)
- Japanese-market electronics designed for 100V only
Practical advice: Do not bring a 110V-only hair dryer to China. Use the one in your hotel room (all Hangzhou hotels provide them), or buy a local 220V hair dryer for 50-100 at any department store. A voltage converter weighs 1-2 kg and costs more than buying a local appliance.
Do You Need an Adapter?
| Coming From | Adapter Needed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USA/Canada (2-prong) | No | Fits Type A sockets directly |
| USA/Canada (3-prong grounded) | Yes | Round grounding pin does not fit |
| UK/Ireland/Hong Kong | Yes | Completely different plug type |
| Europe (Schuko/Type C) | Yes | Round pins do not fit Type A/I |
| Australia/New Zealand | No (Type I) | Plugs match Chinese Type I sockets |
| Japan (2-prong) | No | Same as Type A |
| India/South Africa | Yes | Completely different plug type |
Recommendation: Bring a universal travel adapter regardless. It costs $10-15 and handles every plug type. Look for one with at least two USB-A ports and one USB-C PD port — this lets you charge your phone and laptop from a single wall socket, which is valuable when hotel rooms have limited outlets.
Where to Buy Adapters in Hangzhou
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport: Convenience stores in both terminals sell universal adapters for 80-150. Expensive but available 24/7.
- Hangzhou East Railway Station: Electronics kiosks on the departure level, 50-100.
- Suning Electronics (苏宁易购): Reliable chain with locations at In77 Mall, Wulin Square and West Lake Cultural Square. Adapters 30-80, power banks 50-200.
- Convenience stores (FamilyMart, Lawson, 7-Eleven): Some carry basic adapters for 40-60, but stock is inconsistent.
- Taobao (淘宝): Order through the app and get next-day delivery to your hotel. Search "转换插头" (adapter plug). Prices 15-50. Requires Alipay and a Chinese delivery address.
USB Charging in Hotels
Most hotels built after 2015 have USB charging ports built into the nightstand, desk or wall outlets. International chain hotels (Hyatt, Shangri-La, Marriott, InterContinental) almost always have both USB-A and USB-C ports. Budget hotels and older properties may only have standard wall outlets.
Do not rely solely on hotel USB ports. They are often slow (5W, barely enough to maintain a phone's charge while you sleep), and some are worn out from years of use. Always bring your own wall charger for reliable, fast charging.
Tips
- Bring at least two adapters if you have multiple devices — hotel rooms often have only 2-3 accessible outlets, and one is usually behind the bed.
- A multi-port USB charger (65W+ GaN charger) is the single most useful piece of electronics to bring. It charges a laptop, phone and tablet simultaneously from one wall socket.
- A portable power bank (20,000mAh) is essential for long sightseeing days when you are using your phone for navigation, payment and photos all day.
- Check hotel room photos on Trip.com to see if outlets are conveniently located — some boutique hotels have outlets only at the desk but not at the bed.
Charging in Specific Situations
On High-Speed Trains
All G-class (high-speed) and D-class trains have power outlets. On newer Fuxing trains, you will find: a Type A + USB-A port under each seat; a Type A outlet between rows (shared between two seats); USB-C ports in business class. On older Hexie trains, outlets are between rows only. First class and business class have more outlets per passenger.
Outlet type: Type A (Chinese standard) | Voltage: 220V
Tip: Outlets can be hard to find — check under your seat near the floor, or between your seat and the window. They are often partially hidden. Bring a multi-port charger so you can charge your phone and power bank simultaneously from the single outlet.
At Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Charging stations are available throughout both terminals:
- Near departure gates — free USB-A ports and standard Type A outlets in seating areas
- VIP lounges — standard outlets and USB ports at every seat
- Convenience stores sell portable chargers and power banks (50-100)
- Shared power bank rental stations (租借充电宝) — scan the QR code with Alipay, borrow a power bank, return it at any station. Cost: approximately 3-5/hour. Extremely convenient if you just need a quick top-up.
In Hotels
Most hotels built after 2010 have universal outlets that accept Type A, Type C and Type I plugs. Older hotels and budget guesthouses may only have Type A sockets. Check your room before unpacking all your chargers.
Tip: Higher-end hotels often have USB-A and USB-C ports built into the nightstand. The desk lamp sometimes has a hidden outlet at its base. If you cannot find enough outlets, ask the front desk for a power strip — most hotels have them available to loan.
In Coffee Shops and Cafes
Most Starbucks, Luckin Coffee, and independent cafes have outlets for customers. Look near the walls and in booth seating. Ask "有插座吗？" (Is there an outlet?) — staff will point you to the nearest one. Shared power bank rental stations are also common in cafes and restaurants.
On the Metro
No charging facilities on Hangzhou Metro trains. Some station concourses have shared power bank rental stations. Charge your phone before long rides, or carry a power bank.
On Domestic Flights
Most domestic flights in China do not have in-seat power. Some premium cabins on wide-body aircraft (A330, B787) have USB ports. Charge all devices before boarding.
Packing Checklist for Electronics
| Item | Bring? | Buy in Hangzhou? |
|---|---|---|
| Universal adapter | Yes | 30-80 at electronics stores, 80-150 at airport |
| 65W+ GaN multi-port charger | Highly recommended | 80-200 at Suning |
| USB-C cable | Yes | 15-40 everywhere |
| Power bank (20,000mAh) | Yes | 50-150 at electronics stores |
| Voltage converter | Only for 110V-only devices | 100-200 |
| Short extension cord / power strip | Optional | 30-60 |
Power Bank Regulations
China has strict rules about carrying power banks on flights and trains:
On flights (CAAC regulations):
- Power banks up to 100Wh (approximately 27,000mAh at 3.7V) can be carried in hand luggage — no approval needed
- Power banks between 100Wh and 160Wh (approximately 27,000-43,000mAh) require airline approval before boarding
- Power banks over 160Wh are prohibited on all flights
- All power banks must be carried in hand luggage — never in checked baggage
- Each passenger may carry a maximum of 2 power banks
- Power banks without clear capacity labels may be confiscated at security
On high-speed trains:
- Power banks up to 160Wh are allowed in carry-on luggage
- No limit on the number of power banks
- Do not use power banks to charge other devices while on the train (technically prohibited but rarely enforced)
Label check: Before traveling, verify your power bank has a clearly printed capacity label showing the Wh or mAh rating. If the label has worn off, put a piece of tape on it and write the capacity with a marker — security staff will confiscate unlabeled power banks.
Laptop Charging Notes
All modern laptop chargers support 100-240V input and work in China without a voltage converter. However, there are a few things to know:
- Laptop chargers draw significant power (45-100W). Some hotel outlets, especially in older buildings, may not deliver stable voltage under heavy load. If your laptop charger makes a buzzing noise or the laptop charges slowly, try a different outlet.
- Three-prong grounded US laptop plugs (with the round grounding pin) need an adapter for Chinese Type A sockets. The grounding pin is for safety — your laptop will still charge without it, but you lose the ground connection.
- If you use a USB-C PD charger for your laptop, make sure it is rated for at least 65W (for most laptops) or 100W (for larger models). Lower-wattage chargers will not provide enough power and may drain the battery even while plugged in.
Multi-Device Charging Strategy
If you are charging phone, tablet, laptop, camera and power bank, you need a plan:
- Best solution: A 65W+ GaN charger with 2-3 USB ports (1 USB-C PD + 2 USB-A). This charges a laptop and two phones simultaneously from one wall socket. Brands like Anker, Baseus and Ugreen are available on Taobao for 80-200.
- Budget solution: A 4-port USB-A charger (30-60) for phones, tablets and power banks, plus your laptop's original charger in a second wall socket.
- Overnight routine: Plug in your power bank and laptop before bed. In the morning, use the fully charged power bank to top up your phone and camera battery during the day.
- Shared power bank rental: If you do not want to carry a power bank, use the rental stations everywhere in Hangzhou (cafes, malls, metro stations, even some temples). Scan QR code with Alipay, borrow for 3-5/hour, return at any station. The power banks have built-in cables for both Lightning and USB-C.
Solar and Portable Charging
If you are doing a lot of outdoor activities (hiking, tea village visits), consider:
- Solar charger — works well on sunny days (80-200). Best for multi-day hiking trips where you have no access to outlets.
- High-capacity power bank — 20,000mAh can charge a phone 4-5 times. This is sufficient for most travelers.
- Hand-crank charger — emergency backup only, not practical for daily use.
FAQ
Can I use my American hair dryer in Hangzhou?
Only if the label says 100-240V. Most US hair dryers are 110V-only and will be destroyed if plugged into 220V. Use the hotel hair dryer instead — all Hangzhou hotels provide them.
Are outlets different in hotels?
Most hotels built after 2010 have universal outlets that accept multiple plug types. International chain hotels almost always have both Type A and universal sockets. Older budget hotels may only have Type A.
Do I need a voltage converter?
Only for devices that do not support 220V. Check the label on each device — if it says "100-240V," no converter needed. Phone chargers, laptop adapters and camera chargers almost all support 220V.
Can I bring a 20,000mAh power bank on a plane?
Yes. A 20,000mAh power bank at 3.7V equals 74Wh, well under the 100Wh limit. Carry it in your hand luggage, not checked bags. Make sure the capacity label is clearly visible.
What if my power bank has no label?
Airport security may confiscate it. Write the capacity on a piece of tape and stick it to the power bank before traveling, or buy a new one with a clear label.