As of November 2026, there are three ways to get online during a short trip to China: enable international roaming on your existing phone number; buy a China data eSIM from an overseas carrier before you leave; or, after landing, use your passport to get a short-term SIM card at a China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom store or airport counter. If you're only staying a few days and need Google and WhatsApp to work, go with the first two options. If you're staying longer, need lots of data, or need a Chinese number to receive verification codes, get a local SIM.
Readers in Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas often ask which China travel SIM to buy, whether foreigners can get a phone card in China, and how much a SIM costs at Pudong Airport. We'll cover all of that below. Carrier plans and prices change frequently, so this article only includes official information verified as of November 2026. For exact rates, check with the counter staff or the carrier's published pricing.
How to choose between the three options
International roaming: You don't need to change anything—just turn on your phone when you land and it works. Your original number still receives texts, making it the easiest option for bank verification and logging into apps. Roaming data from overseas carriers usually routes through an exit point outside mainland China, so services like Google, Gmail and WhatsApp generally work as normal. The downside is that some carriers charge high roaming fees, so confirm the daily rate for mainland China before you leave.
China data eSIM from an overseas carrier: Buy it online before your trip, scan the QR code to install it on your phone, and switch to it after landing. It's essentially roaming too, so common overseas services still work, and it's often cheaper than roaming on your home number. Your phone must support eSIM and not be locked by your home carrier. Most of these products provide data only, with no Chinese phone number, so keep your physical SIM in the phone to receive texts.
Local mainland China SIM card: Get one with your passport after landing. Data is cheap and speeds are stable, plus you'll have a Chinese phone number, which makes it easier to book restaurants, hail rides and receive deliveries. The downside is that it uses the local network, so overseas services like Google, WhatsApp and Instagram won't load—you'll need to switch to local apps like WeChat to stay in touch.
The most common setup: use roaming or an overseas eSIM as your main data connection and keep your home number active for verification codes. If your trip is long or you need a lot of data, add a local mainland SIM. Dual-SIM phones let you keep both cards in at once and switch between them as needed.
Can foreigners get a SIM card in China?
Yes. The 2026 edition of the Guide for Foreign Business Professionals Working and Living in China states: bring your passport or foreign permanent resident ID card to an official carrier store of China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Unicom to apply for a mobile SIM card and activate service. Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau can use their compatriot permits or home return permits. China requires real-name registration for phone numbers, so staff will check your ID and take a photo or run facial recognition on the spot. Someone else generally cannot do this for you.
Pay attention to the words "official carrier store." Street-side phone shops and authorized dealers may not be able to process foreign IDs, and they might sell you a long-term plan that doesn't suit your needs. Your safest bet is a store with the carrier's name on the signboard that handles all services—these are easy to find near major shopping areas and subway stations.
Before buying a SIM card, confirm two things: your phone isn't locked to your home carrier and can accept other SIM cards, and it supports the 4G and 5G bands used in mainland China. Most mainstream models from recent years work fine.
Get one right after landing at Pudong Airport: where are the counters?
Shanghai Pudong International Airport is the most convenient place in East China to buy a SIM card upon arrival. Here's the situation as of 2026:
Baggage claim area: According to information released by the Shanghai municipal government in April 2026, the baggage claim areas for international and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan arrivals have service counters where you can buy a SIM card, rent a portable Wi-Fi device, or exchange foreign currency—easy to handle while waiting for your luggage.
One-stop service center in the arrivals hall: The "International Services Shanghai" one-stop service center in the public arrivals area can issue China Telecom short-term SIM cards (7-day, 15-day, or 30-day) with your passport or other valid ID. It also offers help with payments, transportation, and travel inquiries.
China Mobile store at the T2 international arrivals exit: In 2024, China Mobile Shanghai opened a store near the Pudong T2 international arrivals exit. It offers international travelers trial SIM cards with 3GB of free data for one day, as well as 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day short-term cards. English service is available.
As for the frequently searched "Pudong Airport SIM card prices": when China Telecom Shanghai launched short-term cards for foreigners and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan residents in March 2024, the published prices were ¥85 for 7 days, ¥125 for 15 days, and ¥195 for 30 days. Those were the launch prices—for current plans and pricing, check what's posted at the counter. Before buying, ask how much data and talk time are included and whether the line is automatically deactivated when the plan expires.
Before you get a SIM card, you can connect to Pudong Airport's free Wi-Fi by scanning your passport's information page on the login screen. No Chinese phone number is required, and it's enough to contact your driver or book a ride.
How to get a SIM card at a carrier store
Getting a SIM card at a carrier store or airport counter usually goes like this: take a queue number, tell the staff you want a "short-term card" or "tourist card," and let them know how many days you're staying. They'll suggest a few plans, and you confirm the data, talk time, validity period, and total price. Hand over your passport for an on-site photo or facial verification. After signing, you'll receive the card—the staff will usually insert it, activate it, and make a test call for you. The whole process typically takes 20 to 30 minutes, not including wait time.
When choosing a plan, clarify four things: first, whether your speed is throttled or you're charged extra once the data runs out; second, whether the number is automatically deactivated upon expiration or converts to a monthly plan; third, whether you can enable a hotspot to share with family members traveling with you; and fourth, whether any international calling minutes are included. Have these details written on the receipt and take a photo to keep on file.
How much data do you need
Data needs vary by person, but you can roughly estimate based on your habits: using maps for navigation, hailing rides, scanning QR codes to pay, browsing social media and sending photos daily counts as moderate usage; frequent video calls, streaming videos on the go, or syncing full-resolution photos to the cloud will multiply that several times over. Hotels, malls, coffee shops and high-speed rail stations in East China cities usually have Wi-Fi, so save large files for when you're connected.
If you're traveling as a family, not everyone needs their own SIM card or eSIM. One person can buy a higher-data plan and share it via a mobile hotspot, letting older family members scan QR codes and make video calls—saving both hassle and money. Just remember that hotspot use drains the battery quickly, so bring a power bank. When you split up, the others' phones still need independent internet access, so at least one other person should keep roaming enabled.
What to do at Hongqiao, Hangzhou, Nanjing and downtown
If you arrive via Shanghai Hongqiao, Hangzhou Xiaoshan or Nanjing Lukou airport, or by high-speed rail, and haven't sorted it out yet, just visit an official carrier store once you're in the city. According to 2024 information from the Shanghai municipal government, China Telecom Shanghai had over 20 locations across the city's 16 districts where foreign nationals and residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan could apply for short-term SIM cards.
The situation in Hangzhou and Nanjing is similar. Carrier stores from all three major providers are easy to find in the Hubin and Wulin areas of Hangzhou, and around the Xinjiekou and Confucius Temple shopping districts in Nanjing. If you're staying near a scenic area, you can stop by one on your way out for the day—just search the carrier's name plus "business hall" on your map app.
We recommend getting it done on the day you arrive or the next morning, as stores may have shorter hours in the evenings and on Sundays, and lines tend to be longer. Before you go, save the store's location in your map app, bring your passport, and make sure your phone is fully charged.
If you need a Chinese number before your trip—for example, to book attraction tickets or reserve restaurants in advance—you can usually complete the process with your home number and email address, or ask friends or family in China to help. Many attraction booking mini programs accept passports or travel permits, so a mainland phone number isn't always required.
Mainland carrier eSIMs: not very traveler-friendly yet
The 2026 edition of the official guidelines added a line: "Some carriers now support eSIM (embedded SIM cards); check with the relevant carrier for specific requirements." In reality, mobile eSIM services from the three major mainland carriers are still in their early stages. They mainly work with phones sold for the Chinese market, and initial activation usually requires an in-person visit to a carrier-owned store. Phones purchased overseas or in Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan generally cannot activate a mainland carrier eSIM.
So for short-term visitors, "eSIM" in practice usually refers to a China data eSIM sold by overseas carriers or travel eSIM providers, rather than one activated at a mainland carrier store. If you really need a mainland number and want to use an eSIM, take your phone to a carrier store first to confirm whether your model is supported—don't just order one online.
Common options for readers in Taiwan and Hong Kong
For Hong Kong readers, the most common choice is buying a cross-border data SIM or a daily roaming plan from a local carrier. Many plans include a mainland number that switches automatically after crossing the border, which is ideal for frequent travelers heading north. Readers in Taiwan mostly activate daily roaming through their telecom provider or buy a data SIM or eSIM that works in mainland China. If you need to receive verification codes on the mainland, getting a local SIM card with your Taiwan Compatriot Permit is the most straightforward option.
If you're an overseas Chinese visiting family back home and still have your old mainland phone number, there's no need to get a new SIM card. Just make sure the number hasn't been suspended for unpaid bills before you leave.
Tips to keep in mind
Keep your original number. When linking an overseas bank card to Alipay or WeChat, the issuing bank often sends a verification code to your original number. Many apps also rely on it for login. After switching to a mainland SIM, don't throw away your old one — ideally, use a dual-SIM phone to keep both active.
Which number to use when signing up for payment and ride-hailing apps. Alipay and WeChat accounts registered with a foreign phone number will still work after you swap your SIM card. Ride-hailing apps like DiDi also support registration with foreign phone numbers—see How to get a taxi in China.
Short-term SIM expiration. Once a short-term SIM expires, the number is deactivated and recycled, so it can't be kept long term. If you need to hold onto a number permanently, sign up for a regular plan according to the carrier's rules.
High-speed train tickets and attraction reservations. You can register on the English version of 12306 with just an email address — no Chinese phone number required. Most attraction reservations accept passports, but some mini programs send verification codes via SMS, so having a mainland number makes things much easier.
Public Wi-Fi. Hotels, coffee shops, airports, and high-speed rail stations usually offer free Wi-Fi, though some require a phone number or ID to log in. Avoid handling sensitive tasks like banking over public networks.
For other preparations after landing, you can refer to the checklist in What to prepare for your first trip to China. If you'd rather not look for counters or taxis yourself after arrival, you can book a Shanghai airport transfer in advance, and the driver will wait for you at the arrivals hall.
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FAQs
Can foreigners buy a SIM card in China?
Yes. Bring your passport or foreign permanent resident ID card to an official store of China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Union to register under your real name with on-site verification. Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau should use their Taiwan Compatriot Permit or Home Return Permit.
Where can I buy a SIM card at Pudong Airport, and how much does it cost?
You can get one at the "International Service Shanghai" one-stop service center in either the international arrivals baggage claim area or the public arrivals hall. The latter offers China Telecom short-term cards for 7, 15, and 30 days. When launched in 2024, the announced prices were ¥85, ¥125, and ¥195; current prices are as posted at the counter.
SIM card or eSIM for traveling in China?
If you're staying just a few days and need Google and WhatsApp, use roaming on your home number or a China data eSIM from an overseas carrier. If you're staying longer, using lots of data, or need a Chinese phone number, buy a local SIM when you land. Mainland carriers' eSIMs currently work mainly with phones sold in China, so they're hard for visitors to get.
Where to buy an internet or SIM card in Shanghai?
You can buy one at the one-stop service centers in the international arrivals baggage claim area and arrivals hall at Pudong Airport, or at the China Mobile store near the T2 international arrivals exit. Once downtown, visit official stores of China Telecom, China Mobile, or China Unicom. Bring your passport, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, or Home Return Permit.
What documents do I need to get a Chinese SIM card?
Foreign nationals need a passport or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card. Residents of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau need a Taiwan Compatriot Permit or Home Return Permit. You must apply in person under real-name registration. Your visa page or entry record may also be checked, so carry the original documents with you.
Can I access Google with a Chinese SIM card?
Mainland China SIM cards use local networks, so apps like Google, Gmail, and WhatsApp usually won't work. If you need these services, roam with your home number or use a data eSIM from an overseas carrier.