How to Get a SIM Card in China as a Foreigner (2026 Guide)
Last Updated: April 2026 | Reading Time: 8 min
Quick Summary: Foreigners can buy a Chinese SIM card with just a passport. The three main carriers are China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. A tourist SIM with 30 days of data costs ¥50–150 ($7–21). For short trips (under 3 weeks), an eSIM is easier and cheaper — no store visit required.
Chinese SIM Card vs. eSIM: Which Should You Get?
Before going to a carrier store, decide which option suits your trip:
| Chinese SIM Card | eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | In-person at carrier store | Online, activate from home |
| Documents needed | Passport (required) | None (paid online) |
| Time to activate | 30–60 minutes at store | 5 minutes |
| Phone calls | ✅ Yes (local number) | ❌ Data only (most plans) |
| Cost (7 days) | ¥50–100 | $10–30 |
| Cost (30 days) | ¥80–150 | $16–84 |
| Works before arrival | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Keep home number | ❌ No (replaces SIM) | ✅ Yes (dual SIM) |
| Best for | Long-term stays (1+ month) | Short trips, travelers |
Recommendation:
- Visiting for under 3 weeks → Get an eSIM before you leave home. Faster, cheaper, no paperwork.
- Staying 1+ month → Get a local SIM card. You’ll want a Chinese phone number for WeChat, apps, and delivery services.
See our eSIM for China guide for a full comparison of eSIM providers.
Getting a Chinese SIM Card: Step-by-Step
What You Need
- Passport (required by law — no exceptions)
- Cash or WeChat Pay / Alipay for payment
- Your phone (to test the SIM before you leave the store)
Step 1: Choose a Carrier
China has three state-owned carriers:
| Carrier | Coverage | Data Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Mobile (中国移动) | Best nationwide, strongest in rural areas | 4G/5G | Rural travel, widest coverage |
| China Unicom (中国联通) | Excellent in cities | 4G/5G | Urban expats, international roaming |
| China Telecom (中国电信) | Good urban coverage | 4G/5G | Value plans, some cities |
For most foreigners: China Unicom is the most expat-friendly — their international department staff often have some English, and their tourist SIM plans are well-designed for short-term visitors.
Step 2: Find a Carrier Store
Official carrier stores (not resellers) are the only places where foreigners can register a SIM card with a foreign passport. Avoid street vendors or non-official shops.
How to find official stores:
- Look for the carrier’s logo: 中国移动 (blue), 中国联通 (red), 中国电信 (blue/green)
- Ask your hotel to point you to the nearest official store
- At airports: all three carriers have counters in the arrivals hall
In Wuhan specifically:
- China Unicom flagship store: Jianghan Road pedestrian area (江汉路步行街)
- China Mobile flagship: Zhongnan Road (中南路) business district
- Airport counters: Tianhe Airport T2 arrivals — all three carriers
Step 3: Register at the Store
- Hand over your passport to the staff
- Tell them what you need: tourist SIM, data amount, duration
- Staff will scan your passport and register your information (required by law)
- Choose your plan and pay
- Staff insert the SIM and help you test it
- Get a receipt and keep the SIM packaging (has your number on it)
Time required: 20–45 minutes (can be longer if busy)
Language tip: Show this to store staff:
我需要一张外国人可以用的手机卡，我的护照在这里。我只需要数据流量，不需要打电话。（大约一个月）
(I need a SIM card for foreigners, here is my passport. I only need data, I don’t need to make calls. About one month.)
Step 4: Set Up Your Phone
After inserting the SIM:
- Restart your phone
- Check you have signal (look for 4G or 5G in the status bar)
- Test mobile data by opening a browser
- Note: you still need a VPN to access Google, WhatsApp, etc. — the SIM itself doesn’t bypass the Great Firewall
SIM Card Plans and Prices
China Unicom Tourist Plans (推荐外国人)
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short visit | 10 GB | 30 days | ¥50 ($7) | Quick trips |
| Standard | 30 GB | 30 days | ¥99 ($14) | Most visitors |
| Heavy user | 50 GB | 30 days | ¥139 ($20) | Long stays, streaming |
| Unlimited* | Unlimited* | 30 days | ¥198 ($28) | Heavy users |
*Unlimited plans typically throttle to 3G speeds after 30–50 GB of 4G usage.
China Mobile Tourist Plans
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | 5 GB | 15 days | ¥50 ($7) |
| Standard | 20 GB | 30 days | ¥88 ($12) |
| Extended | 40 GB | 60 days | ¥138 ($19) |
Long-Term Plans (for Expats)
If you’re staying 3+ months, standard monthly plans offer better value:
| Plan Type | Monthly Cost | Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ¥29–49 ($4–7) | 5–10 GB | Calls included |
| Standard | ¥69–99 ($10–14) | 30–50 GB | Calls + SMS |
| Unlimited | ¥128–198 ($18–28) | Unlimited* | Best value for heavy users |
At the Airport: Quick SIM Options
If you land and need connectivity immediately, all major Chinese airports have carrier counters in the arrivals hall.
Pros of airport SIM counters:
- Open during most arrival times
- Staff are used to helping foreigners
- Some English available
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than city stores
- Limited plan selection
- Can have queues during peak arrival times
Alternative: Buy an eSIM before your flight and activate it upon landing — no queue, no paperwork.
Can You Top Up / Add Data?
Yes. Options for topping up:
- WeChat Pay — Search for your carrier’s mini-program (e.g., 中国联通) and top up directly
- Alipay — Same process via Alipay app
- Carrier app — Download the official app (中国联通/中国移动/中国电信)
- Convenience stores — 7-Eleven, FamilyMart sell top-up cards
- Carrier store — In person with cash
Top-up amounts: Usually in multiples of ¥10, ¥30, ¥50, ¥100
Important Rules and Registration
Real-Name Registration (实名制)
China requires real-name registration for all SIM cards. As a foreigner, this means:
- Your passport details are linked to your SIM number
- This is mandatory — no way around it
- Your information is stored by the carrier
This is standard across China and is required by law. It does not affect your ability to use a VPN for personal use.
One Passport, Multiple SIMs?
Foreigners are typically limited to 3 SIM cards per passport across all carriers. This is rarely an issue for tourists.
SIM Card Expiry
Prepaid tourist SIMs expire after the validity period. If you don’t use or top up within a grace period (usually 90 days after expiry), the number is cancelled. Your remaining balance is not refunded.
Troubleshooting
“No Service” After Inserting SIM
- Restart your phone completely
- Check phone is unlocked (contact your home carrier if unsure)
- Go to Settings → Mobile Data → Network Selection → Select manually → choose your carrier
- Check APN settings (ask store staff or look up your carrier’s APN online)
Can’t Access Foreign Websites
Your SIM gives you data access in China — but Google, WhatsApp, Facebook etc. are blocked by the Great Firewall. You need a VPN. Set it up before arriving in China as VPN websites are also blocked.
See our VPN for China guide for which VPNs work in 2026.
WeChat Won’t Let Me Register
WeChat registration requires a phone number. With a Chinese SIM you’ll get a local number, but new WeChat accounts also require verification by an existing WeChat user. Ask a friend or colleague with WeChat to help verify your new account.
SIM Card vs. eSIM vs. Pocket WiFi: Full Comparison
| Option | Cost | Convenience | Calls | Sharing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese SIM | ¥50–200/month | Medium (store visit) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Long-term expats |
| eSIM | $10–84/month | High (online) | ❌ Usually no | ❌ No | Short-term visitors |
| Pocket WiFi | ¥35–70/week | Low (carry device) | ❌ No | ✅ Multiple devices | Groups, families |
| International Roaming | $50–200+/week | High (no setup) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Very short stays |
FAQ
Can I use my phone’s existing SIM in China?
International roaming works, but is expensive ($5–15/day from most carriers). If you’re staying more than 2–3 days, a local SIM or eSIM is more cost-effective.
Do I need to unlock my phone first?
Yes, if you’re buying a physical Chinese SIM. Most phones bought directly (not from a carrier) are already unlocked. Contact your home carrier to unlock if needed.
Can I buy a SIM card online before I go?
Some services sell “China SIM cards” internationally (Amazon, etc.), but these often use roaming agreements and aren’t true local SIMs. For the best value and reliability, get a SIM at a Chinese carrier store or airport after arrival. For pre-arrival connectivity, use an eSIM instead.
What happens to my SIM when I leave China?
Your SIM number stays active as long as you have balance and the subscription is valid. If you return to China within the validity period, you can use the same number. After expiry, the number may be reassigned.
Can foreigners get a postpaid (contract) plan?
Yes, but it requires a Chinese bank account, which itself requires a residence permit (居留许可). For most expats, prepaid plans are simpler. Once you have a residence permit and bank account, you can switch to a postpaid plan for better rates.
Related Guides
- eSIM for China: Best Options 2026 — Best for short-term visitors
- VPN for China 2026 — Essential for accessing blocked sites
- How to Pay in China — Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay
- First Week in China Checklist — Everything to set up on arrival
Last Updated: April 8, 2026