Archive for the ‘Plan China Trip’ Category

Plugs and Sockets in China (Tips & Photos)

Tuesday, February 15th, 2022
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Dear Travellers,

We’d like to have the following travel guide to be always updated for the benefit of new visitors coming to Beijing and China.

If anybody having used the piece finds necessary updates, please leave a message or feedback. Thanks!

Before packing for your Beijing Tour or China Tour, it is necessary to have some basic knowledge of the electricity in China, its plug and socket system as well.

Kindly Reminder:
Now many of the small carry-on devices like cell phones, cameras, electric toothbrushes, hair dryers and electric razors are made with international standards using 110/220 (combining the two main standards for voltage and frequency in the world ) with two flat prong charger plugs. And you don’t have to use an adapter while travelling in China. In addition, you can use the two-pin sockets easily here in China with your two flat prong plugs.

Before leaving for China,  make sure your electric appliances use 110/220 volts and your plugs have two flat prongs.

By the way, most of the chargers for lap tops are made with three-prong plugs which may not fit into the three flat pin sockets here in China and you need to buy a portable plug adapter at your home country or here in China.

In addition, check out the Voltage for your lap tops to see if they fit into 220 V. If not, you need to use a converter also.

If you have some questions with your plugs, sockets, and Voltage while travelling China, please read the full article.

What Voltage is Used in China?

Basically there are two main standards for voltage and frequency in the world. One is the standard of 110-120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz (mostly used in USA), and the other is the standard of 220–240 volts at 50 Hz (mostly used in Europe).

But basically you don’t have to worry about the voltage since most of your electric appliances use a wide range of voltage covering the two major standards for the voltage used in the world. So please check your electric devices and find if they are within the range of the voltage used in the country you are going to visit.

China uses generally 220V, 50HZ, AC (Hong Kong is 220V; Taiwan is 110V).

Just list some of the countries with different Voltage Frequencies:

Argentina 220 V 50 HzArmenia 220 V 50 HzAustralia 240 V 50 Hz
Austria 230 V 50 HzBelgium 230 V 50 HzBrazil 110/220 V 60 Hz
Brunei 240 V 50 HzBulgaria 230 V 50 HzCanada 120 V 60 Hz
China, People’s Rep. of 220 V 50 HzChina (Hong Kong) 220 V 50 HzCzech Republic 230 V 50 Hz
Denmark 230 V 50 HzEngland (UK) 230 V 50 HzFinland 230 V 50 Hz
France 230 V 50 HzFrench Guiana 220 V 50 HzGermany 230 V 50 Hz
Great Britain (UK) 230 V 50 HzGreece 220 V 50 HzHolland (Netherlands) 230 V 50 Hz
Hong Kong (China) 220 V 50 HzHungary 230 V 50 HzIceland 220 V 50 Hz
India 230 V 50 HzIndonesia 127/230 V 50 HzIreland (Eire) 230 50 Hz
Israel 220 V 50 HzItaly 230 V 50 HzJapan 100 V 50/60 Hz
Korea, South 220 V 60 HzLuxembourg 220 V 50 HzMacau 220 V 50 Hz
Malaysia 240 V 50 HzMexico 127 V 60 HzNetherlands Antilles 127/220 V 50 Hz
New Zealand 230 V 50 HzNorthern Ireland 230 V 50 HzNorway 230 V 50 Hz
Philippines 220 V 60 HzPoland 230 V 50 HzPortugal 230 V 50 Hz
Romania 230 V 50 HzRussia 220 V 50 HzSaudi Arabia 127/220 V 60 Hz
South Africa 220/230 V 50 HzSpain 230 V 50 HzSwaziland 230 V 50 Hz
Sweden 230 V 50 HzSwitzerland 230 V 50 HzChina Taiwan 110 V 60 Hz
Thailand 220 V 50 HzTurkey 230 V 50 HzUnited Arab Emirates 220 V 50 Hz
UK (United Kingdom) 230 V 50 HzUS (United States) 120 V 60 HzVenezuela 120 V 60 Hz
Vietnam 127/220 V 50 Hz

Converters (Most laptops have international converters without any problem)
If you are from the countries where the standard of 110-120 volts at a frequency of 60 Hz is available, you need to have converters for your domestic electric devices to be used on your trip to China. You may prepare yourself a converter with a socket of your home country’s standard.

A converter is an implement that converts the input from 220V to 110V or 120V for your device.

Most laptops have international converters without any problem.

Power Plugs and Sockets in China

At present, there is no global standard for plugs and sockets. Traditionally the plugs and sockets are classified into several regional standards in the world like American standard, European standard, British standard, South African standard and Chinese standard.

The standard for Chinese plugs and sockets is set out in GB 2099.1–2008 and GB 1002–2008. Chinese power plugs and power sockets are similar to those in Australia.

A Chinese power plug may fit loosely in an Australian socket, but thick pins of an Australian plug may not fit easily in a Chinese power socket. In China, the sockets are installed upside-down compared to Australian ones.

A standard socket on a wall in China has two flat pins ( which also matches a two-round-pin plug for the devices used in Europe or elsewhere) on the upper part and earthed three flat pins on the lower part.

 

Chinese Standard Socket on a wall – Two Pins ( both for flat & round) and Three flat Pins

You may buy a portable power plug adapter at your home country or here in China. Most of your hotels in China offer free use of plug adapters.

A Chinese standard portable socket

A Chinese three flat prong Plug

A Chinese three flat prong Plug

A Chinese two-prong plug

A Chinese two flat prong plug

Plugs and Sockets in use

Plugs and Sockets in use

Sockets and plugs in use

Sockets and plugs in use

As you see, in China, some locally made electric devices have two flat prong plugs ( also suitable for two round pins for devices used in Europe and elsewhere) and three flat prong plugs.

If your devices cannot fit into the two-prong ( flat or round) or three-flat-prong plugs, you need to prepare yourself for a plug adapter or a converter with a socket of your country’s standard.

Kindly Reminder again:
Now many of the small carry-on devices like cell phones, cameras, electric toothbrushes, hair dryers and electric razors are made with international standards using 110/220 (combining the two main standards for voltage and frequency in the world ) with two flat or round prong charger plugs. And you don’t have to use an adapter while travelling in China. So, you can use the two flat pin sockets easily here in China with your two flat or round prong plugs.

Before leaving for China, make sure your electric devices use 110/220 volts and your plugs have two prongs.

By the way, most of the chargers for lap tops are made with three-prong plugs which may not fit into the three-pin sockets here in China and you need to buy a portable plug adapter at your home country or here in China. In addition, check out the Voltage for your lap tops to see if they fit into 220 V. If not, you need to use a converter also.

Further Readings


Top China Tours
Top 10 Places in China
10 Fascinating facts about China
Chinese Phrases for Travellers
Plugs and sockets in China
What to Bring for China Trip
How to recognize Chinese currency
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
How to get a Chinese Visa

Any questions, just drop a line.

How to give a tip in China

Monday, January 24th, 2022
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Plan your China tour? Are you thinking of the tipping policy in China? To tip or not to tip in China is a question which has confused many foreign visitors.

Those against tipping in China argue that China has no tradition of tipping; those for tipping in China think that China is changing and tipping has become more and more popular as a kind of etiquette as well as bonuses for service providers like that in the west.

There are plentiful reasons to disagree or agree with the tipping in China. So it is advisable to avoid meaningless argument over the tipping policy in China. Let’s focus on the present tipping practices existing in China (seeking truth from facts), then regulate our way to deal with the tipping issue properly in China.

Do I have to tip in China?

You don’t have to tip in China even though in some cases you are expected to give a tip.

You have your own choice of giving or not giving since tipping is a personal matter.

The tipping practices existing in China

No matter you agree or disagree with the present tipping practices common in China, they do exist in China, especially in the following sectors:

  1. Tipping waiters and maids in high-level western restaurants
  2. Tipping bellboys who take your luggage to the room at your luxury hotel
  3. Tipping tour guides and drivers on an organized private or group tour
  4. Tipping the staff on the Yangtze River Cruise

Non-tipping sectors in China

Though tipping has become more and more popular in China, there are still many places where you don’t need to give a tip.  

1. Taxi 2. Street side restaurants 3. Normal Chinese restaurants 4. Restaurant chains like Pizza Hut, McDonald’s… 5. Pubs and bars 6. Massage studios  

How much should I tip?

Though traditionally there is no tipping (except Hong Kong and Macau). However, hotels may allow tipping. Tour guides and  drivers expect tipping.

Then how much for the common tipping practices in Beijing China? Below is just for your reference:  

1. For the tour guide and the driver: RMB 20 -80 a day per person    
2. For the bellboys or waiters at high end hotels and western restaurants: RMB 5-30 per person

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Drives in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful old towns in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China

How to use ATM in China (Tips & Notices)

Saturday, January 15th, 2022
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Plan your China tour? Generally speaking, China is a very ATM friendly country, especially in the large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hongkong, Macao and the list can be much longer.

How to use ATMs in China?

Most of the local ATMs machines accept Visa and Master. CITIBANK card and HSBC are also very popular in China because Citibank and HSBC have an agreement with UnionPay.

For other cards, you may check the ATMs you are going to use and see if they have the logos and signs for your credit cards.

These are some useful ideas and tips when you are thinking of using ATM in China.

Cash your money through ATMs

It is a good idea to get most of cash you are going to use in China through ATMs by using your credit card or debit cards, and don’t be bothered with great amount of cash before your departure carrying from your home country.

Inform your credit card company

Don’t forget to inform your credit card company that you’ll be visiting China or oversea so they don’t block your purchases.

Keep copies of your cards

Scan your cards (front and back), keep emergency numbers separately in case you lose your credit cards.

Take some home-currency cash with you

You ought to take some home-currency cash with you to exchange at the airport or your hotel upon arrival for taxis or other small expenses, mainly in case that ATMs don’t work or run out of money. Takes one ATM card and possibly a back-up.

Major ATMs of the local banks in China

The major ATMs of the local banks in China include Bank of China, Merchants Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Construction Bank and China Agriculture Bank.

VISA and MasterCard debit cards

VISA and MasterCard debit cards work in most Bank of China ATMs. For the ATMs of the other major banks, please look for a network symbol on the machine that matches a network symbol on the back of your card.

CITIBANK card and HSBC card can work in most ATM in China because Citibank and HSBC have an agreement with UnionPay.

Most Atms distribute the foreign languages

6. Most Atms distribute the foreign languages including Chinese(simplified), Chinese(traditional), English, French, Spanish, Portuguese…

Chinese Currency

Most Chinese banks distribute 100 yuan note(You can withdraw 100 yuan minimum.). Check out “How to recognize Chinese currency?“.

Transaction fees may be different

Most ATM cards issued by major networks can be used in China, transaction fees may be different though, most charge around RMB20 or RMB30 for a one time transaction of RMB2500.

ATM Debit card & Credit Card

If you are using an ATM Debit card, usually the charges are comparable to drawing money in your own country. If you are using a Credit Card, it can be extremely expensive depending on your bank and how long you take to pay back the money.

Keep your ATM receipts

Keep your ATM receipts so you can re-exchange your Chinese currency back for your home currency on your way out.

China is safe

Basically taking cash out of the ATMs in China is very safe. But still be vigilant.

Further Readings


Top 10 Places to Visit in China
How to Pack for your China Trip
Plugs and Sockets in China
China Tour Packages
Learning Useful Chinese Phrases for Travellers 
How to Recognise Chinese Currency

Top 10 Travel Experiences in China
10 Most Scenic Drives in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Mountains in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Lakes in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Grasslands in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Rivers in China
Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in China
Top 10 Places to See Autumn Leaves in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful old towns in China
Top 10 Most Beautiful Museums in China
Top 10 China Tourist Scams
Top 10 Souvenirs in China