Why a Local SIM?
- Speed: 5G/4G speeds, way faster than roaming or eSIM in most cases
- Price: ¥50–100 for a week of unlimited-ish data vs $10+/day for roaming
- Reliability: Works everywhere including subways, rural areas, and buildings
- Apps: Some Chinese apps (Didi, Meituan) work better with a local number
1 Which Carrier to Choose?
China has 3 major carriers. All are available at major airport arrivals halls.
Our Recommendation
China Unicom for most tourists. Best English support, fastest 5G in cities, and their app has an English interface. If you are heading to rural areas or smaller cities, China Mobile has the widest coverage.
2 Step-by-Step: Buying at the Airport
Find the Counter
中国移动 / 中国联通
After exiting customs and collecting your bags, look for carrier counters in the arrivals hall. They usually have large signs with the carrier logo. At smaller airports, look for "SIM Card" signs in English.
Show Your Passport
请办一张电话卡 (qǐng bàn yī zhāng diànhuà kǎ)
Hand over your passport. Staff will scan it — this is required by Chinese law for all SIM card activations. The process takes 5–10 minutes.
Choose a Plan
我要一个旅游套餐 (wǒ yào yī gè lǚyóu tàocān)
Ask for a "tourist package" (旅游套餐). Most airports offer 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans. For a 10-day trip, the 15-day plan is safest. Make sure to confirm: data amount, calls included, and whether it works nationwide.
Pay & Activate
可以用现金吗？(kěyǐ yòng xiànjīn ma?)
Pay with cash (RMB), Visa/Mastercard, or sometimes Alipay/WeChat. Staff will insert the SIM into your phone and test it. Wait for data to connect — this may take 1–2 minutes.
Test Everything
Before leaving the counter: open a web page, try WeChat or WhatsApp, and confirm you have signal. If using a VPN, test it NOW while you still have the staff nearby to troubleshoot.
3 What You Need to Bring
Required
- Passport — original, not a copy
- Cash (RMB) — ¥100–200 is enough
- Your phone — must be unlocked for other carriers
Good to Have
- SIM eject tool — or a paperclip
- Credit card — Visa/Mastercard accepted at most counters
- Hotel address — staff sometimes ask where you are staying
Is Your Phone Unlocked?
If you bought your phone through a carrier (AT&T, Verizon, EE, etc.), it may be carrier-locked . A locked phone will NOT accept a Chinese SIM card.
Check before you fly: Call your carrier and ask them to unlock your phone. This is usually free and takes 24–48 hours. If your phone is locked, your only option in China is eSIM or WiFi.
4 Useful Phrases at the Counter
| Situation | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| I want a SIM card | 我要办电话卡 | wǒ yào bàn diànhuà kǎ |
| Tourist package | 旅游套餐 | lǚyóu tàocān |
| How much data? | 有多少流量？ | yǒu duōshao liúliàng? |
| 7 days / 15 days | 七天 / 十五天 | qī tiān / shíwǔ tiān |
| Can I pay with card? | 可以刷卡吗？ | kěyǐ shuā kǎ ma? |
| No signal | 没有信号 | méi yǒu xìnhào |
| Please help me set it up | 请帮我设置 | qǐng bāng wǒ shèzhì |
5 eSIM vs Physical SIM
| Physical SIM (recommended) | eSIM (backup option) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ¥50–100 for 7–15 days of data | $5–20 for 7–30 days (2–3x more expensive) |
| Speed | Native 5G/4G, fastest available | Decent (MVNO), usually slower than local SIM |
| Coverage | Everywhere: subways, rural areas, buildings | Same as physical (uses same carrier networks) |
| Phone number | Yes — a real Chinese mobile number | No Chinese number (keeps your home number) |
| Setup | Buy at airport counter, 5–10 min | Buy online before you fly, activate on arrival |
| Phone compatibility | Any unlocked phone | iPhone XR+, Pixel 3+, Samsung S20+, newer Androids |
| Home SIM | Replaced (your home number goes offline) | Stays active (dual-SIM or eSIM + physical) |
| Best for | Most tourists — cheapest, fastest, most reliable | Short trips where you want zero hassle |
VPN reminder: A Chinese SIM card connects you to the Chinese internet, which means Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked. Install and test your VPN before you arrive. See our Internet & VPN guide for setup instructions.
With a local SIM card you get fast internet, a Chinese phone number for apps like Didi and Meituan, and reliable coverage everywhere. It is the single purchase that makes everything else in China noticeably easier.