Plug adapter for China from the United Kingdom
What travellers from the United Kingdom need to charge and power their devices in China: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Types A and I adapter (or a universal one that covers both).
Voltage
Same band
The United Kingdom 230 V → China 220 V. No converter needed.
Frequency
Same
50 Hz → 50 Hz.
Your plug, their socket
does not fit
In China: Type I (angled flat pins) and Type A sockets are standard. Older combined sockets also accept Europlugs (Type C), but they are no longer installed.
Your devices in China
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In China |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Works with the adapter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Works with the adapter |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Works with the adapter |
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- China is 8 h ahead of the United Kingdom right now (UTC+8 vs UTC+0, capitals).
- Money
- The Chinese Yuan (CNY): 1 GBP = 8.91 CNY (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 52% of the United Kingdom's.
- Driving
- Switch sides: China drives on the right (the United Kingdom drives on the left). Look left first when crossing.
- Advisories
- US: Level 2 Exercise increased caution. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 1 Jan New Year's Day · 5 Feb Chinese New Year's Eve · 6 Feb Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) All 19
- Calling code
- +86