China Plugs, Voltage and Power Banks: What Travelers Need to Pack
Last checked: 5 September 2026
Charging in China is easy once you separate three questions: whether your device accepts China’s voltage, whether its plug physically fits, and whether a power bank is permitted on the next flight or train. This guide gives first-time international visitors a packing decision they can make before leaving home.
Pack this, in one minute
- A compact travel adapter suitable for Chinese sockets.
- A charger whose label says Input 100–240V, 50/60Hz.
- Short charging cables plus one spare.
- If flying within China, a power bank with a clearly visible Chinese CCC/3C mark and capacity label—or plan to travel without one.
If your trip depends on a phone for payments and navigation, finish the setup in our China phone setup guide before departure.
Adapter or voltage converter?
| Read on the device | What you need |
|---|---|
| Input 100–240V, 50/60Hz | A plug adapter only; this covers most modern phone, camera and laptop chargers. |
| Only 110V or 120V | A proper voltage converter, or leave the appliance at home. |
| Label missing or unreadable | Do not guess. Check the manufacturer’s specifications. |
China’s supply is 220V/50Hz. A plug adapter changes the shape of the plug; it does not change voltage. High-heat appliances such as hair dryers and straighteners are the devices most likely to be single-voltage. A hotel-provided appliance is usually the simpler choice.
Which plug adapter works?
Chinese outlets commonly accept two flat parallel pins, two round pins, or the angled three-pin pattern, but the exact faceplate varies. Do not assume every hotel desk has a “universal” socket. Bring one well-made adapter and a multi-port USB charger so one wall outlet can charge several low-power devices. Avoid loose, cracked or ungrounded adapters, and never force a plug into a socket.
Power banks on domestic flights in China
Since 28 June 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) prohibits passengers on domestic flights from carrying power banks that lack a clear CCC mark, have an unreadable CCC mark, or belong to a recalled model or batch. This is stricter than simply meeting a watt-hour limit. Many power banks bought outside mainland China do not carry the Chinese CCC mark, so inspect yours before building a trip around it.
- Look for the CCC/3C logo printed on the bank itself—not only on packaging.
- Confirm the capacity and voltage are legible; watt-hours are calculated as volts × amp-hours.
- Check the manufacturer’s recall information before flying.
- Carry the bank in cabin baggage, protect its terminals, and do not use a swollen or damaged unit.
Security staff make the final decision, and airline restrictions can be more specific. Recheck your operating airline shortly before travel; our China domestic flight guide explains the rest of the airport process.
Power banks on trains
The National Railway Administration’s passenger rules allow clearly labelled power banks and lithium batteries up to 100Wh per item. Keep the label visible and the device protected from short circuits. Station screening may reject an item whose specifications cannot be read. For booking and boarding with your passport, use our foreign-passport high-speed rail guide.
A practical charging routine
Charge overnight from a sound wall socket, unplug high-power devices when leaving the room, and keep the power bank out of heat. On transfer days, top up before leaving the hotel: outlets on trains, aircraft and stations are amenities, not a guarantee. Pack chargers and batteries where security staff can inspect their labels without unpacking the whole suitcase.
For a broader pre-departure check, combine this with our China packing guidance.
Official sources checked
Rules were checked against the Civil Aviation Administration of China’s 26 June 2025 power-bank notice and lithium-battery passenger guidance, and the National Railway Administration’s current restricted-items catalogue. Recheck before travel because battery and security rules can change.
