No matter if you're coming to China for a short or long term, getting a local SIM card will save you a lot of time, money, and energy. Not only it will provide you with more affordable mobile data packages — but it will also be much easier to register on local apps!

Before You Come to China

1. Make sure your phone is unlocked (or no Chinese SIM card will work in it).

2. Check with your mobile service provider that your phone will work with the 3G and 4G networks in China.

After You Come to China

Step 01. Search

Search for the nearest 营业厅 (yíng yè tīng) in your area.

营业厅

yíng yè tīng

store/business hall

China's 3 most popular providers are:

中国移动

Zhōng guó yí dòng

China Mobile

中国联通

Zhōng guó lián tōng

China Unicom

中国电信

Zhōng guó diàn xìn

China Telecom

NOTE

China Unicom is probably the most suitable for foreign tourists (its network is compatible with more foreign phones).

It might be better to choose a store downtown, as they will most likely support registration with foreign passports.

Step 02. Prepare the Documents

The Chinese government requires real-name registration for anyone activating a SIM card, so make sure to bring your passport (or photocopy) with you.

护照

hù zhào

passport

6个月以上有效期

liù gè yuè yǐ shàng yǒu xiào qī

validity for 6+ months

Step 03. Visit the Store

Come to the store, explain what you want (possibly with the help of a translator tool), and get in line.

取号排队

qǔ hào pái duì

to get a number and wait in line

Step 04. Get the SIM

Once it's your turn, come to the counter and say:

我要办SIM卡。

Wǒ yào bàn SIM kǎ.

I'd like to sign up for a sim card.

(lit. "I-to want-to manage-SIM-card").

You might be asked to choose a package – 套餐 (tào cān):

你需要什么样的套餐？

Nǐ xū yào shén me yàng de tào cān？

What kind of plan are you looking for?

(lit. "you-to require-what kind of-package").

NOTE

套餐 (tào cān) includes a combination of services such as data, talk time, text messages, and other features. Here's some useful vocabulary to choose a package:

套餐 (tào cān) ∙ package / plan

语音 (yǔ yīn) ∙ calls

流量 (liú liàng) ∙ data / traffic

超出套餐 (chāo chū tào cān) ∙ to exceed the plan

费用 (fèi yong) ∙ price

Step 05. Get the SIM

Once you've chosen a plan, the staff will help you activate the SIM card and complete the registration process.

GOOD TO KNOW

It's quite common for providers to offer the customers a chance to choose their mobile phone number.

In Chinese culture, some numbers are considered lucky while others are believed to bring bad luck based on their pronunciation. So, if you already have a number that brings you luck, you can also choose the one that suits you best.