China & Hong Kong Converters/Adaptors
 

Hello Everyone!

I will be traveling throughout China and visiting Hong Kong in May through a Study Abroad trip. I will be staying at 3 or 4 star hotels. I have the following questions, any opinions/advice will be greatly appreciated!

1. What converter/adaptor would you recommend if I want to use a hair straightening iron or a blowdryer? (Other things I will charge are a cell phone, camera battery, and computer)

2. What's been your experience with converters/adaptors in China?

3. Would it be better for me to purchase one here in the U.S. , or while in China?

Convertors and adaptors are entirely different things. Electronics that you charge such as laptops, camera batteries and cell phones come with a convertor. For these you just need an adaptor, which your hotel will no doubt be able to lend you.

Things like hairdryers and straightening irons, unless they are dual voltage, will work very poorly even with a convertor. Your hotels will have hairdryers in your room. Your best bet for your hair straightening iron would be to buy one once you get there.

Like Kathie says, either have dual-voltage hair iron and hair dryer, or buy there. Don't take a 110V iron/dryer and a voltage converter. Won't work, or work poorly.

Plug adaptors are easy and cheap to get here in the US or in Hong Kong. For Hong Kong, they use the UK type plugs with three big square pegs. For China, they use two types - two prong flats (which will accept unpolarized US plugs that have both prongs the same length) and the Australian type angled grounded prongs.

Here's a typical wall plate you'll find in Chinese hotels:

http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p67944091/e1f4787d4

The adapter used in Hong Kong is the big 3-prong version used in the UK.

Is the wall plate shown the same all over China? I am heading to the Silk Road and am not sure what I need to bring.

Will my Iphone work in China as it is dual voltage or do I need to buy that type of Australian adaptor?

Many thanks.

HappyTrvlr - That plate is very common. Or you may find the two sockets on separate plates.

flgirl0817 - Do you think your iPhone's plug will fit in either the top or the bottom?

rkkwan - I took a look at the pic and I'm not really sure if my IPhone will fit. When I was in Vietnam the adapter that I used was the type that you use in France and Italy. Not sure about China, though.

I am not an iPhone user, but is this what you have?

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB...co=MTM3NTI1NDU

If so, then you don't need anything, as those two prongs are the same size.

rkkwan - that is exactly what I have. Thanks so much for answering my question.