Adaptor Plug for Beijing & Shanghai
 

I normally just use Magellan's guide to figure out which adaptor plug(s) I need; however, Magellan's lists 12 different ones for China -- 6 grounded and 6 2 plug. Can anyone tell me what I need for the hotels in these two cities. I'm not sure if it makes a difference but we're at the Penninsula in Beijing and the Hyatt Shangri La in Shanghai.

Any newer 3* hotels and above should have this type of wall plate:

www.kropla.com/china_power.htm (top right photo)

If your US plugs have non-polarized, non-grounded equal length blades, you don't need an adapter at all.

But if you're worried, then bring a multiple-plug world-wide set.

Peninsula and Shangri La caliber hotels will undoubtedly have universal plug adapters available. If you plan on plugging in at Starbucks or similar locales, however, the outlets rkkwan mentioned predominate.

The two Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf outlets I used in Shanghai had adapters available on request. Good coffee, too; along with free wi-fi. :)

Your plugs will fit in the holes (even in a really bad hotel). The key question is whether or not your devices can handle ~220v. IME, computers always can and cell phones, most of the time. For shavers, you'll be taking a (minimal) risk. Apart from these items, I can't fathom what kinds of electronic items you're planning on bringing to China that would cause any need for worry.

Thanks for the replies. They are very helpful. I just want to plug in a battery charger for the video camera and digital cameras. The video camera doesn't present a problem as it's a good charger. The digital camera, however, just uses one of those cheapy rechargeable-battery chargers. I'm concerned about not being able to charge it. Because the intra-Chinese flights are so weight-limited, I don't really want to drag along a zillion AA batteries.

I would expect the video camera to handle 240v--check the powerpack to be sure.

I've got a little AA charger that's meant for travel and does handle 240v. I've plugged it in in China many times.

I used to have another charger that wasn't designed for travel--a little transformer was required. My father-in-law plugged it in without the transformer, no more charger.