Communication Guide to China
Before departure, it is recommended to confirm with your home-country carrier whether international roaming services have already been activated. International roaming allows your phone to continue using your original number upon arrival in China, including making calls, sending and receiving text messages, and accessing mobile data.
The biggest advantage of international roaming is that you can connect to the internet immediately upon arrival, especially useful when you first arrive in China—for example, for receiving verification codes, contacting hotels, using map navigation, or binding payment apps. Some foreign carriers also support 5G networks within China.
However, international roaming charges are usually high, particularly for mobile data. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase an international data package in advance and disable automatic background updates to avoid excessive fees.
If you are only visiting China for a short period, international roaming should generally meet your needs; if you plan to stay longer, it is more recommended to obtain a local Chinese SIM card.
In China, foreigners can use their passports to register and obtain a mobile phone card.
Common carriers include:
- China Mobile
- China Unicom
- China Telecom
You can typically apply at airport service centers, carrier stores, or some convenience stores.
When applying, you will generally need:
- Original passport
- Entry information
- A Chinese address or hotel information
A Chinese mobile number is very important in daily life, as many services require SMS verification, such as:
- Registering payment apps
- Booking high-speed rail tickets
- Ordering food delivery and hailing taxis
- Hotel check-in
- Opening a bank account
You can usually choose between data plans, voice call packages, or short-term tourist SIM cards. For long-term residents, monthly subscription plans are more cost-effective.
Most public places in China offer free Wi-Fi, including:
- Airports
- Hotels
- Cafes
- Shopping malls
- Restaurants
- High-speed rail stations
The connection process is generally as follows:
- Select the Wi-Fi network;
- Enter your mobile phone number;
- Receive an SMS verification code;
- Complete the login.
Some venues also support authentication via passport or by logging in through WeChat or Alipay.
Although public Wi-Fi is convenient, its speed and stability may vary, so it is not recommended to perform online banking transactions or enter sensitive passwords on public networks. It is advised to keep mobile data enabled as a backup connection.