How can you get China SIM cards? And which China SIM card is best? While some travelers have the option to activate the international roaming on their home country phone plans, that’s either really expensive or not a good option for those who will be in China long-term. The best solution is to get your own Chinese SIM card. Here’s how.
Having traveled around Asia for over 15 years, I highly recommend traveling through China with a smartphone.
You can get map directions, pay for almost anything, use Chinese voice translators, use the popular WeChat app, book Chinese trains, and so much more. In short, your smart phone can take all the most common pains out of traveling so you can focus more on having a good time.
But to do all these things, you need network access for your phone, which often requires buying a local SIM card. A local SIM card is not only cost-efficient but also provides reliable connectivity, allowing easier access to essential services and applications widely used in China.
For those who may not know, a SIM card (short for “subscriber identity module”) is that little card that goes inside your phone that connects you to local service (phone, text, internet). You may not know it’s there…but it is.
Newer phones now have the option to use what’s known as an eSIM, which is a digital version of this small card. However, be aware that certain mobile networks, such as China Telecom, may not support many international phones, particularly those from Europe and North America, due to variations in frequency bands and technology standards.
Overall I recommend three ways to connect to China’s mobile network using your phone:
Before I go on about SIM cards, it’s worth noting that if all you need is internet access, you can always look into your options for getting reliable WiFi in China. There are drawbacks to this method, but in some ways it is easier than trying to get a China SIM card.
Table of Contents
In order to better understand how to use your mobile phone internationally or how China treats cellular customers, let’s start off with some basics of Chinese SIM cards.
Note: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use one of the services listed. I only recommend what I’ve personally used, and I appreciate your support!
When traveling to China, staying connected is essential for navigation, communication, and accessing important information. With the rise of mobile technology, China has become a hub for mobile innovation, offering a wide range of mobile options for tourists and locals alike. In this section, we will introduce you to the various China mobile options available, including prepaid SIM cards, eSIMs, and physical SIM cards.
Whether you’re a tourist or a business traveler, having reliable mobile data and internet access can make your trip smoother and more enjoyable. China mobile options are designed to cater to different needs, from short-term tourist SIM cards to long-term local prepaid SIM cards. These options provide flexibility and convenience, ensuring you stay connected throughout your journey.
Although using a SIM card with any phone is generally as easy as inserting it in your phone (or the 5-minute setup process for an eSIM), there are a couple basic -but incredibly important! – things you should know before buying one for China.
Let’s run through the most important ones. A prepaid Chinese SIM card is a convenient option, allowing you to have immediate connectivity upon arrival. These SIM cards can be purchased online before your trip, and you will need your passport for the necessary documentation. Understanding the specific coverage and functionality offered by different carriers is also crucial.
First thing to know is that your phone needs to be unlocked to use a China SIM card.
If you purchased your phone at a discount (e.g. AT&T or Verizon subsidized the phone or gave it to you “free”), or you currently lease your phone, it’s likely your phone is locked by your carrier. This means you won’t be able to take advantage of the cost efficiency and benefits of local SIM cards, such as stable high-speed connectivity and having a local contact number.
Unfortunately, if this is the case you can’t use a China SIM card.
Note on Locked Phones
This isn’t the case for phones that offer 2 SIM card slots or for eSIMs. In this case, you can still purchase a SIM or eSIM even if your phone is still locked to your home carrier.
Until you make a request to your carrier and in some cases pay off the balance of your phone entirely, that mobile phone will remain “locked” into that service provider.
Still not sure if your phone is unlocked?
If so, use one of the resources I list below to check if the phone is unlocked.
If it is, you can contact your phone carrier and explain you need the unlock code for your trip to China. As long as you don’t have any outstanding balances on your account, your wireless carrier generally will have zero objections to unlocking your phone.
Expect this process to take a few days, so plan ahead should your trip to China be coming up.
During my second trip to China, I was surprised to find out after landing that my previous phone plan no longer worked, despite having plenty of credit leftover from the previous trip.
This happened because Chinese phone providers cancel unused SIM cards after a certain amount of time (different for each carrier).
You’ll want to be careful not to buy your Chinese SIM card too far in advance.
Once you buy a prepaid China SIM card, it may only last 30 days upon activation. So time your purchase accordingly and request for your SIM card to activate on the day you land in China.
Remember to also only buy enough credit to last you for your trip. Even if you do revisit China, your leftover credit will likely be forfeited after 30 or 60 days.
Don’t worry, you can always top up your phone in China if you run out of credit.
The Chinese government requires real-name registration to activate a SIM card.
If you purchase a pre-paid Chinese SIM card before you leave (which I recommend), this means you usually have to provide a copy of your passport.
When buying a prepaid China SIM card, don’t be surprised when the company requires you to send in a photocopy of your passport. It’s an unavoidable part of the process to activate the SIM card.
If you purchase the SIM card within China, this could mean providing bio-metric data such as a face scan and fingerprints in addition to your passport.
Whether you’re purchasing a prepaid China SIM card before you arrive or you’ve decided to purchase a SIM card from within China at a local telecom office, it helps to know what’s available and which are the offers for the best China SIM card plan.
I’m always an advocate for things that make traveling in China easy. So my top pick for the best SIM card for China is one that can be easily purchased online prior to your arrival and that works with pretty many any phone that you might have. There are also specialised SIM card packages tailored specifically for tourists, offered by providers like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. These packages ensure reliable and cost-effective mobile connectivity throughout your travels.
Airalo is a popular eSIM provider that offers a range of data plans for China. Their eSIM solution is easy to set up and offers fast 4G speeds. With Airalo, you can choose from various data plans, including 1GB, 2GB, and 5GB options. Their eSIM is compatible with most devices, including iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones.
The Airalo China eSIM is perfect for travelers who prioritize data over voice calls. It provides seamless internet access across mainland China, allowing you to stay connected without the need for a physical SIM card. The setup process is quick and straightforward, making it an excellent choice for those who want to hit the ground running upon arrival.
For most people, having a phone number isn’t necessary when traveling. The only thing that matters is DATA. That’s why the Airalo China eSIM is such a good option.
There are multiple eSIMs to choose from, which include various options for validity (7 days, 15 days, or 30 days) as well as data limits (1GB up to 20GB).
Every Airalo eSIM offers coverage across every part of China and works immediately once you land in country. Unlimited data plans provide seamless internet access without the hassle of physical SIM cards, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity while traveling. Best of all, setting up an eSIM takes only about 10 minutes from the moment you click “purchase” to the moment when the eSIM is available to use.
Still, you’re going to want to get this set up prior to your visit to China, as well as downloading a good VPN for China
There are three major cellular providers in China:
Unfortunately, China Telecom SIM cards don’t work with phones purchased outside of China, so even though you’ll see plenty of China Telecom stores in China, you’ll want to stick with either China Unicom or China Mobile.
While China Mobile is the market leader in China and generally has the best nationwide coverage, China Unicom is compatible with more foreign phones, allowing them to access both 3G and 4G service. That being said, I’ve used both services and had good experiences either way, so it’s hard to go wrong!
If you’re going to purchase a SIM card in China, here are my recommendations for the best China SIM card plan for each carrier. Prepaid SIMs are a great option as they typically include voice minutes alongside data, making them advantageous over eSIMs for travelers.
When visiting a China Unicom store, I’d go with the “Nationwide Data King” plan (全国流量王/ Quánguó liúliàng wáng). Here are the details for the plan:
Most foreign phones won’t work with China Mobile’s 3G network, so you’ll be pushed to their 4G coverage where available (2G where not available). Here are the details for their best phone plan plan:
In general, if you’re using a foreign phone, I recommend China Unicom over China Mobile.
Why?
China Unicom is most compatible with foreign phones and you can use both 4G and 3G service. I’ve also never experienced any real problems in service in major Chinese cities and their plans are really cheap for what you get!
China Mobile ranks #1 in coverage throughout China, but since their 3G service generally isn’t compatible with phones purchased outside of China, anywhere where there isn’t 4G coverage you’ll automatically get bumped down to the painfully slow 2G service.
DISCOUNTS: As with any business, you’ll often run into special promotions or discounts being offered in-store at both China Mobile and China Unicom. Sometimes these can be really good deals if you plan to be in China for a long while, but if your need of a China SIM card is short-term, it’s best to stick with the above recommended plans.
It’s quite possible that you encounter a point where they use up all your phone or data credit and cannot make outgoing calls, text messages, and lose the ability to access the Internet.
There are several ways for “topping up” your China SIM card when you run out of credit.
I personally prefer topping up using Alipay or WeChat pay.
Finally, to maximize the use of your China SIM card or if you want to consider alternatives to buying a China phone plan entirely, I’ve got 6 crucial tips for you:
Using a Chinese SIM card can be a cost-effective and convenient way to stay connected while traveling in China. Before you decide whether to use a Chinese SIM card or to pre-purchase an eSIM from something like Airalo, consider some of the benefits and drawbacks:
China has strict internet regulations, and some websites and apps may be blocked. To access unrestricted internet, you may need to use a VPN. Here are some things to consider:
As a seasoned traveler in China, I definitely think it’s worth having a local phone plan for your trip to China. Overall, I find buying one online easiest (especially a prepaid China SIM card) and there are many ways to top off your plan should you run out of credit.
If getting a SIM card is something you truly don’t want to do, then I would settle for global WiFi as a reliable and affordable alternative for accessing the Internet.
Don’t forget to also get yourself a VPN before you leave so you can access blocked websites and apps like Facebook and Instagram. There are many good VPN providers out there, but I personally prefer ExpressVPN.
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