China's three major telecom carriers are China Mobile (中国移动), China Unicom (中国联通), and China Telecom (中国电信). All three sell prepaid (预付) SIM cards to foreigners.
What to Prepare
- Original passport — Service centers do not accept copies; you must bring the original.
- Phone — Staff will install the SIM card and activate it on the spot.
- Payment method — Have WeChat Pay (微信支付) or Alipay (支付宝) ready. Some stores also accept cash.
Step-by-Step Process
| Step | What to Do | What to Say In-Store |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find an official carrier service center (营业厅) | I'd like to get a SIM card. — wǒ xiǎng bàn yī zhāng shǒujī kǎ — 我想办一张手机卡。 |
| 2 | Show your passport | Here's my passport. — zhè shì wǒ de hùzhào — 这是我的护照。 |
| 3 | Choose a prepaid plan | Do you have any cheap monthly plans? — yǒu méiyǒu yuèzū piányi de tàocān? — 有没有月租便宜的套餐？ |
| 4 | Sign and activate the SIM card | Please help me activate it. — máfan bāng wǒ jīhuó yīxià — 麻烦帮我激活一下。 |
Practical Tips
- Avoid carrier stores in shopping malls on weekends; queues can exceed 30 minutes. Stores near residential areas are usually faster.
- Prepaid plans with calls and data typically start from 30–60 yuan (元) per month.
- SIM cards are registered to your passport. If you lose the card, bring your original passport to the service center for a replacement.
Daily Use
For foreigners new to China, getting a local phone number is usually the first task. Bank account opening, food delivery, and using various apps all typically require a local number.
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Yes, airport carrier counters exist, but prices are higher and plan options are limited. For long-term stays, it's better to buy one in the city.
Can I keep using my home country SIM card?
International roaming works for short trips, but costs add up quickly. A local SIM is much cheaper, and most Chinese apps require a domestic phone number for registration.