Living in China
How to Get a SIM Card in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
By the 17Talk teaching team - certified Mandarin teachers, 8+ years of classroom experience, 3,500+ students in 40 countries
Last updated:
Quick answer
Buy a Chinese SIM at an official carrier store (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) — not from a street vendor. You need your passport, and the staff will register it on the spot. Expect to pay roughly 50–150 RMB for the card plus a monthly data plan. Airports are convenient but charge more than city stores.
Why you want a local number
A Chinese number is not just cheap data. It is what lets you receive the SMS codes that Alipay, WeChat, trains and hotels all rely on. Without it, some apps simply cannot be set up.
Where to buy
Go to an official carrier shop — look for the brand on the signboard. Airport counters are the easiest but pricier. Bring your passport; the registration is done by the staff and takes a few minutes. Street stalls selling SIMs without registration are not worth the risk.
What it costs
Roughly 50–150 RMB for the SIM and first month, then a monthly plan in the tens of RMB for generous data. Prices change, so check the plan board in-store. Ask for 数据流量 (shùjù liúliàng) — mobile data.
The mainland internet reality
Many overseas services are not reachable on a normal mainland connection. Plan for that before you fly: decide what you need, and arrange it in advance. Do not expect to sort it out from a hotel lobby after arrival.
The three carriers, in plain terms
| Carrier | Reputation | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| China Mobile | Widest coverage, especially outside cities | Travel beyond the big cities |
| China Unicom | Good city coverage, often the best data deals | Staying in one city and using a lot of data |
| China Telecom | Solid coverage, strong broadband bundles | Longer stays where you also want home internet |
eSIM and roaming: when to skip the SIM card entirely
If your trip is shorter than two weeks and your phone supports eSIM, a travel eSIM bought before you fly is often less hassle than a Chinese SIM: you keep your own number, you avoid the registration queue, and data works the moment you land.
The trade-off is that a travel eSIM usually gives you data only - no Chinese phone number. That matters if you need to receive verification codes for Chinese apps, book a train ticket as a local, or give a number to a delivery driver. For a two-week tourist trip, data-only is normally fine; for anything longer, get a real Chinese number.
Common questions
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Yes, and it is the most convenient option, but prices are higher than city stores. Bring your passport for registration.
Do I need a passport?
Yes. Chinese SIM cards must be registered to an identity document, and for visitors that means a passport.
Can I use my home SIM instead?
Roaming works but is expensive for data. A local SIM is far cheaper for anything longer than a couple of days.
Read next
- How to Use Alipay in China as a Foreigner (2026 Setup & Fees)
- How to Take China's High-Speed Train as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
Sources
- Passport registration is a legal requirement for every Chinese mobile number - carriers cannot sell you a SIM without it.
- Carrier pricing changes frequently by city and promotion; treat any figure you read online (including here) as a rough guide.
- 17Talk teaching team: compared plans with students arriving in China through 2025-2026.
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