How to Get a SIM Card in China
There's one thing many travelers find out too late: without a Chinese phone number, many of the most essential apps in China simply don't work. WeChat needs SMS verification. So does Alipay. Didi, the shared bike apps, delivery services: they all ask for a local number at some point during sign-up.
Getting a Chinese SIM isn't complicated or expensive. It is, however, one of the first things you should do when you arrive.
In this article:
- Why a local SIM changes everything
- The three main carriers
- What you need and how to buy it
- Which carrier should you choose?
- The eSIM option
Why a Local SIM Changes Everything
You can get basic internet access several ways: your home carrier with roaming, a foreign eSIM, the hotel Wi-Fi. But a Chinese phone number is something different. It's the identifier China's digital ecosystem uses to verify identities and create accounts.
Without one, you may run into these barriers:
- WeChat: full registration requires SMS verification to a Chinese number (or help from a contact who already has a verified account)
- Alipay: it now accepts foreign numbers and cards, but some features and verifications are still easier with a local number
- Didi: signing up for the service needs a Chinese number for the verification SMS
- Many local services (delivery, booking platforms, medical services in apps) use a Chinese number as their main identifier
A local number isn't just for calls. It's your key into China's digital ecosystem.
The Three Main Carriers
China has three state-owned telecom carriers. All of them offer nationwide coverage, 4G and 5G networks and affordable plans for foreigners. The differences between them come down to the details:
中国移动 (Zhōngguó Yídòng): China Mobile
The largest carrier in the world by number of subscribers. It has the network with the widest national coverage, including rural areas and remote regions where the other two may have a weak signal. If you'll be traveling a lot in China beyond the major cities, China Mobile is the safest choice.
中国联通 (Zhōngguó Liántōng): China Unicom
Historically the most foreigner-friendly carrier. China Unicom has offered plans designed specifically for international visitors, with English interfaces at some stores and simplified registration. It's a solid option for stays in big cities.
中国电信 (Zhōngguó Diànxìn): China Telecom
The third major carrier, with a rapidly expanding 5G network and solid coverage in mid-sized and large cities. A competitive alternative to the other two, with data plans that are usually competitively priced.
What You Need and How to Buy It
Buying one is simple and takes less than half an hour at any official store.
Required documents
Your passport: it's the only document you need, and it's required by law. SIM registration in China requires official ID, and for foreigners the passport is the valid document. You can't buy a SIM without it.
Where to buy it
Official carrier stores: the most recommended option. Look for a store with the official China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom logo. The staff can help you register and make sure the SIM is activated properly.
Airport counters: every major international airport in China has sales points for all three carriers in the arrivals area. It's the most convenient option if you want to leave the airport already connected. The plans sold at airports are usually the ones designed for tourists and short-stay visitors.
Avoid unofficial sellers: buying a SIM outside official stores can mean cards that aren't activated properly, numbers that fail app verification, or contracts with hard-to-understand fine print.
Prices and plans
SIM plans for foreigners usually include:
- Data (from 5 GB to unlimited, depending on the plan)
- Local calls included
- Some plans include international SMS
The usual price range is 30 to 100 RMB a month, depending on the data allowance and the carrier. For a short stay, 30-day plans with plenty of data are the most practical option.
Payment
In stores you can pay in cash, with WeChat Pay or with Alipay. Keep in mind that if you've just arrived, your payment apps won't be set up yet, so bring some cash for your first SIM purchase.
Which Carrier Should You Choose?
For most foreigners arriving in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chengdu, the practical difference between the three carriers is minimal. Any of them covers urban areas well.
If you have to decide without much time to research:
- You'll travel a lot in rural areas or remote regions → China Mobile, for its superior national coverage
- You're staying in cities and want the easiest process → China Unicom, for its track record with foreigners
- You want the best price on data → compare all three carriers' current plans when you arrive, since promotions change often
The eSIM Option
If your phone supports eSIM (most models from 2019 onward), international eSIM services like Airalo or GigSky offer data coverage in China and can be activated before you arrive.
Advantages
- You activate them from home, ideal for being connected the moment you land
- They don't use a physical SIM slot, so you can keep your home SIM alongside the China eSIM
- A good option for short stays where the paperwork for a physical SIM isn't worth it
An important limitation
International eSIMs don't give you a Chinese phone number. They provide mobile data (you can browse, use apps you're already logged into, get online), but you won't receive verification texts to a Chinese number.
That means you won't be able to complete the initial sign-up for WeChat, Alipay or Didi if you don't already have accounts created with a local number. An eSIM works well as a bridge solution for the first few days, or for travelers who already have their Chinese accounts set up from previous stays.
For someone arriving in China for the first time who needs to set everything up from scratch, an eSIM alone isn't enough. Combine it with buying a physical SIM at the airport to cover both needs.
A Chinese phone number is one of those things that seems like a minor logistical detail until you try to set everything up without one. Sorting it out in the first thirty minutes after landing, before you even leave the airport, removes one of the most common obstacles of your first hours in China.
Getting ready to arrive in China and learning the language? Check out Chinese Flow's resources for Mandarin learners.