Buying a SIM Card on Arrival in China 2026: A Visitor's Step-by-Step2026 在中国落地买 SIM 卡：游客分步指南

1 The short answer: should you buy a SIM card in China? 一句话结论：你该在中国买 SIM 卡吗？

Yes, for most visitors. A local SIM gives you a Chinese phone number, cheap mobile data, and a connection that works everywhere the moment you land, without leaning on hotel Wi-Fi or pricey roaming. If you already use an eSIM or your home carrier's roaming and it works for you, that is fine too, but a tourist SIM is the simplest fallback and often the cheapest per gigabyte.对大多数游客来说，该买。本地 SIM 给你一个中国手机号、便宜的流量，以及一落地就能到处用的连接，不必依赖酒店 Wi-Fi 或昂贵的漫游。如果你已经在用 eSIM 或本国运营商的漫游、且用着顺手，那也行；但旅游 SIM 是最简单的后备方案，往往每 GB 也最便宜。

This guide walks through what to bring, where the kiosks are, the three major carriers, how registration works, and how to choose between a SIM, an eSIM, and roaming. The goal is to land with a working phone, not to become a telecom expert.本指南会讲要带什么、柜台在哪、三大运营商、注册怎么弄，以及 SIM、eSIM、漫游之间怎么选。目标是让你落地就有一部能用的手机，而不是变成通信专家。

• Use a SIM for.用 SIM 卡的场景。 Cheap data, a local number for app sign-ups, and reliable coverage across cities.
• Use an eSIM for.用 eSIM 的场景。 The same data without swapping a physical card, if your phone supports it and you buy before flying.
• Use roaming for.用漫游的场景。 Short trips where you would rather pay more than shop for a SIM on arrival.

If you are still choosing how to get online, our eSIM vs SIM vs roaming guideeSIM、SIM 卡与漫游对比指南 breaks down every option, and the tool below matches one to your trip.如果你还在挑上网方式，我们的「eSIM、SIM 卡与漫游对比指南」会拆解每个选项，下方的工具则按你的行程配一个。

2 What you need before you go to the counter 去柜台前你要准备什么

Bring your passport. It is the only identity document accepted for SIM registration in China, and the clerk will scan it at the counter. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is not enough, so keep the physical passport with you when you buy. You also need an unlocked phone, one that is not tied to a single carrier, or a Chinese SIM simply will not connect.带上你的护照。在中国，它是 SIM 注册唯一接受的身份证件，店员会在柜台扫描它。复印或手机里的照片都不行，所以买卡时务必带着实体护照。你还需要一部「已解锁」的手机，也就是不被单一运营商绑死的那一种，否则中国 SIM 根本连不上网。

Know your phone model and its SIM size before you queue. Most modern phones take a nano-SIM, and every tourist SIM ships in that size, but if you carry an older or unusual device, check first. Write down the model name or keep it on screen so the clerk can confirm compatibility quickly.排队前先弄清你的手机型号和 SIM 卡尺寸。多数现代手机用 nano-SIM，每张旅游 SIM 也都是这个尺寸；但如果你用的是较老或冷门的机型，请先确认。把型号名写下来或留在屏幕上，店员就能快速核对是否兼容。

Top up with a payment app or cash at the counter. Many kiosks accept Alipay, WeChat Pay, or cash, and some airport desks take foreign cards, though that is less common. Our how-to-pay guide中国支付指南 explains which apps to set up before you fly so a top-up is never a puzzle.在柜台用支付 App 或现金充值。许多柜台收支付宝、微信支付或现金，部分机场柜台也收外卡，只是没那么普遍。我们的「中国支付指南」会讲出发前该装好哪些 App，好让充值永远不是个难题。

3 Where to buy a SIM card on arrival 落地后在哪里买 SIM 卡

The easiest place is the airport. Major hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou have carrier counters or kiosks in the arrival hall, sometimes before you even reach the taxi stand. Staff there are used to foreign passports and the whole process takes a few minutes, which is why we point first timers here instead of hunting for a shop in a tired, jet-lagged state.最方便的地方是机场。北京、上海、广州等主要枢纽的在到达大厅里就有运营商柜台或自助亭，有时在你走到出租车站之前就能看到。那里的店员见惯了外国护照，整个流程几分钟就能完成，所以我们建议首次到访者先在这儿买，而不是在又累又倒时满街找店。

If you miss the airport, city carrier stores work just as well. Walk into any China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom shop in a shopping district, and ask for a tourist or data plan. In big cities you will also see SIM counters in some metro stations and convenience partnerships, though hours and stock vary, so the airport or a flagship store is the safer bet.如果你在机场错过了，市区的运营商门店一样能办。走进任何一家位于商圈的中国移动、中国联通或中国电信门店，说要旅游或流量套餐即可。大城市的部分地铁站和便利店合作点也有 SIM 柜台，只是营业时间和库存不定，所以机场或品牌旗舰店更稳妥。

Buy from the carrier, not from a stranger. You may be offered SIMs in the street or online at a discount, but only a carrier counter registers the card to your passport properly, which matters for keeping the line active and for any later top-up or help.只找运营商买，别找陌生人。路上或网上可能有人低价兜售 SIM，但只有运营商柜台才会把卡正确登记到你的护照上，这对保持号码可用、以及日后充值和求助都很重要。

4 The three major carriers and tourist plans 三大运营商与旅游套餐

China Mobile has the widest coverage, including rural areas and along high speed rail lines, which makes it the safe default if you will travel outside big cities. China Unicom is strong in urban areas and is a common pick for visitors because its network pairs well with many international phones. China Telecom rounds out the three with solid city coverage and good value in the south.中国移动的覆盖最广，包括农村地区和沿线高铁，如果你会去大城市之外，它是稳妥的默认选择。中国联通在城市里信号强，又因为和许多国际手机适配良好，常是游客的首选。中国电信则补上第三位，城市覆盖扎实，在南方性价比也不错。

The coverage is real: by the end of 2024, China had 1.108 billion internet users (78.6% of the population) and had built 4.19 million 5G base stations by November 2024, reaching "gigabit broadband in every county and 5G in every township" (CNNIC 55th Statistical Report, January 2025).覆盖是实打实的：截至 2024 年底，中国网民规模达 11.08 亿（普及率 78.6%）；截至 2024 年 11 月已建成 5G 基站 419.1 万座，实现"县县通千兆、乡乡通 5G"（CNNIC 第 55 次《中国互联网络发展状况统计报告》，2025 年 1 月）。

Tourist plans are built for short stays. They typically bundle a set amount of data with a local number valid for a fixed window, and you can usually choose the length to match your trip. Avoid signing up for a long monthly contract meant for residents, since those want a local bank account and a longer commitment you do not need.旅游套餐是为短居设计的。它们通常把一定量的流量和限时有效的本地号码打包，你一般能按行程时长来选。别去办面向本地居民的长期月租合约，那些需要本地银行账户和更长的绑定，你用不上。

• China Mobile.中国移动。 Best coverage overall, the safe pick for trips beyond the big cities.
• China Unicom.中国联通。 Strong in cities and friendly to many foreign phones, a common visitor choice.
• China Telecom.中国电信。 Solid urban coverage with good value, especially in southern China.

Ask the clerk to set the menu and any confirmation messages to English if the option exists. The data itself works the same regardless of language, but an English interface saves confusion when you check your balance later.如果界面有英文选项，请店员把菜单和确认短信设成英文。流量本身与语言无关，但英文界面能让你日后查余额时少些困惑。

5 How registration and activation work 注册与开通是怎么操作的

Registration is real name, by passport. At the counter the clerk scans your passport, sometimes takes a quick photo or fingerprint, and enters your details into the carrier system. This is the standard rule for every SIM sold in China, and it is why you cannot buy one anonymously. The good news is that for a visitor it is fast and the staff do it for you.注册是「实名制」、凭护照进行。在柜台，店员会扫描你的护照，有时顺手拍张照或采个指纹，再把信息录入运营商系统。这是中国每张 SIM 都遵循的规矩，所以你没法匿名买卡。好消息是，对游客来说这很快，而且全程是店员替你操作。

Activation is immediate. Once the SIM is in your phone and registered, the clerk tests a call or data page, sets the network for you, and hands you a slip with the number. Turn on mobile data and open a page to confirm before you leave the counter, so any settings snag is fixed on the spot rather than back at the hotel.开通是即时的。SIM 插好并注册后，店员会测一通电话或一个数据页面，替你设好网络，再把写有号码的小票交给你。离开柜台前就打开移动数据、开个网页确认一下，这样任何设置问题都能当场解决，而不是回酒店才发愁。

Keep the number and a screenshot of the plan. You will need the number for app sign-ups, ride apps, and deliveries, and the plan details tell you how to top up. Our first 24 hours guide「抵达后 24 小时」指南 has the full arrival checklist for when you land.把号码和套餐截图存好。App 注册、打车、外卖都需要这个号码，而套餐详情则告诉你怎么充值。我们的「抵达后 24 小时」指南有落地那一刻起的完整清单。

6 SIM card vs eSIM vs roaming: which should you pick? SIM 卡、eSIM、漫游：该选哪个？

A physical SIM is the most straightforward for most visitors: you buy it on arrival, get a local number, and pay local rates for data. An eSIM gives you the same data without opening the phone tray, but you must buy and install it before you fly and your phone has to support eSIM. Roaming keeps your home number active and needs no setup, yet it is usually the priciest per gigabyte and can be slow abroad.对大多数游客来说，实体 SIM 最直接：落地就买、拿到本地号码、按本地价付流量。eSIM 给你同样的流量、却不用开卡槽，但你得在出发前买好装好，而且手机得支持 eSIM。漫游则让你的本国号码保持可用、且无需任何设置，但它通常每 GB 最贵，在境外还可能偏慢。

Our default advice is to use a local SIM or eSIM for daily data and keep roaming off or as a backup. The tool above matches a plan to your phone and trip length in a minute, so you do not have to read the fine print at the airport. If your phone is locked or very old, the SIM counter is still your friend, since eSIM may not be available to you.我们的默认建议是：日常流量用本地 SIM 或 eSIM，漫游关掉或只当后备。上方的工具能在一分钟内按你的手机和行程时长配一个方案，你不必在机场啃细则。如果你的手机被锁或很旧，SIM 柜台仍是你的朋友，因为 eSIM 可能对你不可用。

• Visa.签证。 Before anything else, confirm your China visa guide and arrival rules.
• Payments.支付。 Link a card to Alipay and WeChat Pay so you can top up and pay for things.
• Connectivity.联网。 Read our eSIM vs SIM vs roaming guide so your phone works on arrival.

Do these three at home and the rest of your trip runs on autopilot: scan to pay, tap to ride, and open your maps with local data. Our first 24 hours guide「抵达后 24 小时」指南 has the moment by moment checklist for when you land.这三件在家里搞定，剩下的行程就自动运转了：扫一下付钱、点一下乘车、用本地流量打开地图。我们的「抵达后 24 小时」指南有落地那一刻起的分步清单。

7 Common problems and how to avoid them 常见问题与应对

No service after insert usually means the phone is locked or the SIM was not seated. Make sure the tray clicks in, restart the phone, and confirm the carrier is chosen automatically in settings. If it still fails, return to the counter with your passport and the number slip, since a fresh SIM or a settings tweak fixes most cases in minutes.插卡后没信号，通常是手机被锁或 SIM 没插稳。确认卡槽咔哒一声到位、重启手机，并在设置里确认运营商是自动选择。若仍不行，带护照和号码小票回柜台，换张新卡或调一下设置，多数情况几分钟就能解决。

Top up before you run dry. When data runs out the line can stall, and some tourist plans stop rather than charge you extra, so add a top up a day early through the carrier app, Alipay, or at any carrier store. Keep the number handy because top up screens ask for it.在流量见底前就充值。流量用尽时线路可能就停了，部分旅游套餐会直接断而不是自动扣费，所以提前一天通过运营商 App、支付宝或任意门店加点流量。把号码存好，因为充值界面会要你输入。

• Unlock first.先解锁。 A carrier-locked phone will not accept a Chinese SIM, check before you fly.
• Test at counter.柜台先测。 Open a page with mobile data before leaving, so snags are fixed on the spot.
• Save the number.存好号码。 You need it for apps, deliveries, and every top up later.

If you lose the SIM, a carrier store can issue a replacement against your passport, though the number may change, so register key apps with an email as backup. For the bigger picture on staying online, our internet connectivity guide联网指南 covers data, firewalls, and backup options.如果 SIM 丢了，运营商门店可凭护照补卡，只是号码可能变，所以关键 App 最好也用邮箱作后备。关于保持在线的全貌，我们的「联网指南」会讲流量、防火墙与后备方案。

Frequently asked questions常见问题