Buying a Chinese SIM card at the airport or in town
Quick answer
Bring your passport to a China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom counter. Airport counters are convenient but cost a bit more than shops in town. Your phone needs a physical SIM slot and must be unlocked. Some apps from home, such as Google and WhatsApp, don't work on a Chinese SIM; a travel eSIM avoids that.
Before you go
- Check for a SIM slot. Some phones, including US-model iPhone 14 and newer, don't have one. See travel eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM.
- Check your phone is unlocked. Try a SIM from another carrier before you leave home.
- Dual SIM is ideal: one slot for the Chinese SIM, one for your home number.
Where to buy
- Airport counters: convenient, a little more expensive.
- Carrier shops in town: cheaper. Bring your passport; registration with your real name is required.
Staying online until you buy it
- Turn on one day of roaming with your home carrier. Some carriers need you to activate it before you leave.
- Use airport Wi-Fi. Foreign numbers often can't receive the Chinese text code, so get a Wi-Fi password from a self-service machine or the information desk. Sanya airport works this way.
- Have someone meet you at the airport.
Once you have it
- Use the Chinese SIM for data. Keep your home SIM in, with data roaming off, to receive bank codes.
- Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and some other apps from home won't work on a Chinese SIM. If you need them, use a travel eSIM for data instead.
- Chinese apps such as Alipay, WeChat and Amap work well on it.