Yes, you need a plug adapter, but you very likely do not need a voltage converter. Malaysian Type G plugs do not fit Chinese sockets, so an adapter is needed, and most phone and laptop chargers marked 100-240V need no voltage converter[1].
A flat phone in a new city is stressful, and a hotel room with the wrong socket makes it worse. One adapter packed at home solves it.
Which plugs does China use?
Chinese sockets mostly take Type A, Type C and Type I plugs[2]. Hotels can have a mix on the same wall, so a universal adapter is safer than a single-type one.
China’s mains electricity is 220 V at 50 Hz[3]. That is a travel-guide figure, so read your own charger label rather than relying on anyone’s word, including ours.
How do you read a charger label?
Look for the line that starts with “Input”. If it says a range such as 100-240V, the charger copes with Chinese voltage. If it names only one voltage, do not plug it in without checking.
Phone chargers, laptop chargers and camera chargers almost always carry the wider range, so one adapter per charger is all a normal family needs. Hair dryers, kettles and shavers may not, so leave them at home and use the hotel’s.
What should you pack?
Make a short list and pack it in hand luggage.
- One universal adapter for each person who charges at the bedside.
- A short charging cable for each device.
- A travel-safe multi-socket strip if you are a group.
- A power bank, which has its own rules on flights and trains.
The power bank point matters, so read the power bank rules for flights and trains before you pack one.
How do you keep devices charged all day?
Charge at night and top up in the hotel before you leave. Carry a cable and a power bank for the days you are out. Navigation and translation apps drain batteries, so download offline maps before you fly.
If you are travelling by rail, charge fully before boarding. Our guide to booking high-speed rail tickets covers the rest of train day.
Hotel Wi-Fi quirks can also interrupt a charging routine. See hotel Wi-Fi and SMS problems, and browse the preparation topic page for the whole checklist.