Travel essentials for China
Adapters, plugs, tap water, tipping and health basics.
Power & adapters
No adapter needed
Good news for Australians: China's Type I socket is the same shape as Australia's, so your plugs generally fit without an adapter. Sockets often accept multiple pin types. Voltage is 220V, close enough to Australia's 230V.
220V, 50Hz
Tap water
Not safe to drink
Don't drink the tap water. Boiled water is provided everywhere - hot water dispensers are standard in hotels, trains and airports.
Staying connected
Excellent everywhere, including on high-speed rail and in the metro.
This is the key decision for a China trip. A local SIM sits behind the Great Firewall. An international roaming eSIM usually routes your traffic through a gateway outside China, which means Google Maps, WhatsApp and Gmail keep working. Check the provider explicitly states this before you buy.
Compare China eSIMsHealth risks
- Air pollution in northern cities in winter
- Extreme summer heat
- Food and water-borne illness outside major restaurants
Emergency numbers in China
| All emergencies | 110 police / 120 ambulance |
|---|---|
| Police | 110 |
| Ambulance | 120 |
| Fire | 119 |
| Australian consulate | Australian Embassy Beijing - +86 10 5140 4111 |
Tipping and everyday costs
Not customary and sometimes refused. High-end hotels and tour guides catering to foreigners are the exception.
What screening will actually let you pack
Half of what goes in the bag is decided by someone else. What you can take on a plane sets out the Australian rules item by item - power banks, liquids, scissors, aerosols - and what has to be declared at the border on the way home.
More China essentials
Further reading: Power adapters by country: what Australians actually need to pack
How these comparisons are made
Plug types, voltages and frequencies come from the international electrotechnical standards data for each country, stated per destination with what that means for Australian appliances specifically - what needs an adapter, what needs a converter, and what should stay home. Read the full editorial policy.
China travel essentials FAQs
Do I need a power adapter for China?
Usually not. Chinese sockets commonly use the Type I plug, the same shape as Australia's, and often accept several pin types. Voltage is 220V, close enough to Australia's 230V.
Planning China?
We will send you the China guide as it grows - what to book before you go, which eSIM and travel card are worth it there, and what things actually cost in Australian dollars.