SIM Card Guides

China SIM card: All you need to know to stay connected on your trip

A China SIM card for tourists allows you to stay connected when traveling the country. Learn about the best SIMs, their pricing, and where to buy them.

A SIM card for China keeps you online as you travel. It’s a simple and reliable way to keep in touch with home and navigate a new environment.

Follow along as we cover all there is to know about China SIM cards, including if you can get one as a foreigner, where to buy your SIM, and which to choose. We also introduce Holafly’s eSIM for China, a digital alternative with a VPN included.

In this article

Can I get a SIM card in China as a foreigner?

Yes, you can get a SIM card in China as a foreigner. To get yours, simply visit a telecom retailer anywhere in China and choose a card that suits your needs. Keep in mind that you will need to provide your passport and fill out a registration form in order to register your SIM card.

Where can I buy a SIM card for China?

You can get a SIM card for China either online or directly from local stores. They won’t be hard to come by, as most Chinese cell providers have stands in all international airports. You’ll also find local Chinese SIM cards in most cities and towns.

There are three major telecommunication companies in China that are accountable for most tourist SIM cards sold in the country. That said, there are also options for buying a SIM online or getting a travel eSIM instead, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. Let’s take a look at specific locations where you can buy a China SIM card:

Buy an international SIM card before you travel

You can get your SIM card when planning your trip to China instead of having to wait until you arrive in the country. Some popular online retailers include Amazon, Nihao Mobile, and Simify, though there are other options available.

Simply buy your SIM card from an online retailer and have it delivered to your door at home or to your hotel in China. Just make sure to leave some time for the card to be delivered, which can take up to a week.

Just like local SIM cards, international travel China data SIM cards connect you to local networks, ensuring reliable connections during your trip.

Buying your tourist SIM card in China

You can also buy your SIM card once you arrive in China. Look for dedicated, official shops by China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom — the three main telecom providers in China. You’ll find their stands in all international airports, as well as customer centers spread throughout the country.

Make sure to have your passport handy, as you’ll be required to provide a photo ID when buying a SIM card in China as a tourist.

Buy an eSIM card

eSIMs are a completely digital alternative to physical SIM cards, allowing you to buy, set up, and activate your eSIM online. The whole process only takes a few minutes, and you can get mobile internet in China almost instantly.

This means you don’t have to look for a China travel SIM card stand at the airport or wait for a physical card to be delivered. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone, which shouldn’t be an issue, as most modern phones support eSIM technology nowadays.

Holafly eSIM: Unlimited data for hassle-free travels

Holafly’s eSIM offers a hassle-free solution for staying connected in China. With unlimited data and no international China roaming charges, you can enjoy uninterrupted internet access without the stress of complicated purchase processes or limited data usage.

Get your eSIM for China for as cheap as $1.55/day, with the shortest validity plan costing $6.90. All Holafly eSIM plans include unlimited data, so you won’t have to worry about monitoring your data usage or losing connection at the worst time.

On top of that, the Holafly eSIM for China comes with a built-in VPN, providing you free internet access in the country. This helps you overcome the Great Firewall of China and access social media and news websites just as you would at home.

If you’re a digital nomad on the move or an expat settling into life in China, there’s Holafly Plans — a monthly eSIM subscription service that offers coverage in 170+ destinations with a single plan.

Choose between three plans (Unlimited data for $64.90/month, 25 GB for $49.90/month, or 10 GB for $39.90/month) and stay connected in 170+ global destinations. The subscription moves with you, and you’ll still get access to a VPN during your stay in China.

Best China SIM cards for tourists: How much do they cost?

Most tourist SIM cards for China are sold by China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom.

The cost generally falls within $3 to $20 USD, depending on how much data you need. It’s worth noting that the prices below are what’s on offer online, and you may be able to find more affordable options by shopping in physical stores.

China Mobile

China Mobile is the country’s largest telecom provider. It offers a range of prepaid China Mobile SIM cards with 5G coverage in most major cities – as well as plans for surrounding areas like Macau and Hong Kong.

SIM card costs: ~$5 (2 GB over 30 days) to ~$40 (25 GB over 365 days)

China Unicom

China’s second-largest telecom provider, you’ll also find wide coverage and 5G with China Unicom. However, expect slower speeds in rural areas. It operates on the GSM/WCDMA/4G/LTE network, meaning international phones will work in China with China Unicom.

Alongside the data allowance, China Unicom prepaid SIM cards come with a Chinese phone number, granting 75 minutes of local calls.

SIM card costs: ~$28 (5 GB over 7 days) to ~$60 (30 GB for 30 days)

China Telecom

China Telecom works on a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network instead of the more common Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The upside of this is efficient connections in areas with lots of people.

The downside? Not all phones are compatible. Make sure yours is before buying a China Telecom SIM card by contacting your carrier.

SIM card costs: ~$3 (1 GB) to ~$20 (10 GB)

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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