Plug Adapters for China/Hong Kong.

[emma7]

Hello,

I'm travelling to Hong Kong but I'm also going into mainland China for a while.

I've been looking around everywhere and am I right in thinking that Hong Kong uses the same plugs as the UK?

I've been looking around to find the type of plugs used in China but there doesn't seem to be a definite answer anywhere. I've got European plug and USA type plug adapters...will either of them work?

If someone could finally give me a definite answer on what adapter's I need to take or buy that would be great!

Thanks

[taylor04]

http://kropla.com/images/china_1.jpg

Thats an example, there very a little but I never had problems plugging in my laptop with a US plug in mainland China. You can also get them at any electronic market (in China) if needed. If you're going to have any problem, it will probably be with voltage. I don't know what voltage is like in the UK but I have heard of things shorting out because it was made for a different country and either got too much or too little power.

[889]

This seems accurate, "D" and "G" for Hong Kong ("D" is found in older buildings, I believe):

http://www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html

[skylee]

am I right in thinking that Hong Kong uses the same plugs as the UK?

Yes. I think it is quite unlikely that you will see any round-hole sockets in Hong Kong (well there is only one in my home and all the rest have been changed to the UK standard).

You need a universal adaptor. Get a few and you will not need to worry about this any more.

[abcdefg]

I'm travelling to Hong Kong but I'm also going into mainland China for a while....If someone could finally give me a definite answer on what adapter's I need to take or buy that would be great!

The above replies are fine, but I would add that you really don't need to bother lugging an actual converter to change 220 to 110. Most modern electric gadgets like laptop computers and camera battery chargers will handle the 220 you will find over here. As far as the plug design per se, what you will need in Hong Kong is different from what you will need on the mainland.

If you will be staying in hotels during your trip, housekeeping will supply an adapter for you free of charge. This saves you lugging extra things around in your suitcase. If worse comes to worse, you can buy one inexpensively at any general store or electronic market.

It's usually called a 插座 = chāzuò and most commonly will be an extension cord with a strip of three or four outlets. Print the name and print the picture and you'll be good to go.

Edited February 18, 2010 at 10:52 AM by abcdefg

[jobin]

I am staying these days in HK and need some electrical hook-ups. I tell you it is crazy here. Sometime recent they must have changed the rules of the game as the plugs and sockets and outlets are impossible to understand. Some are round, some square, some flat, some bent. Oh, sure if all is new, like new hotel or apartment, then no problem. But old houses, totally weird. I need a two pronged adapter for my computer, but impossible to find in the hardware store. i found one that is only 1 amp, with a fuse on the bottom meant only for electric shaver. No other two pronger available. Really, this is a rant with merit as china and HK are nowhere alike on this issue. Power strips are available but only to fit the local needs, never with a two prong outlet---NEVeR.

[skritterdoug]

I didn't have problems in Shanghai - found converters (220-->110) at the local Carrefore and for the laptop and other portable tools, the plugs and power were fine. If you're there visiting, you should have no worries; if you are there to live seek exactly what you need out locally once you get there.

[889]

Yes, the rules in Hong Kong were tightened maybe 10 years or so ago, and all sorts of convenient plug adaptors disappeared from the market. You can read the rules here in English:

http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/e_download/pps/elect/guidance/epr2007/c/c3-2.pdf

or better yet, in Chinese:

http://www.emsd.gov.hk/emsd/c_download/pps/elect/guidance/epr2007/c/c3-2.pdf

Sometimes, the only thing you can do is cut off the old plug and use a new one.