You‘ve landed in Shanghai. You’ve cleared customs. You‘re standing in the arrivals hall, jet-lagged, staring at your phone, and it says “No Service.”
That’s the moment you realize: you need a Chinese SIM card. And you need it now.
It‘s not complicated. But there are a few things you should know before you walk into the first China Mobile shop you see. This guide covers the three major carriers – China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom – their latest 2026 plans, and the practical stuff nobody tells you (like why you shouldn’t buy a SIM at the airport).
Quick Facts (2026)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Major Carriers | China Mobile (中国移动), China Unicom (中国联通), China Telecom (中国电信) |
| Network Technology | 5G in central Shanghai; 4G LTE as fallback |
| ID Required | Passport (original, not a photo) |
| Registration | Real-name registration required by law |
| Typical Cost | 29 – 199 RMB/month for postpaid plans |
| Where to Buy | Carrier stores, airport, convenience stores (basic prepaid), online |
| Contract Length | Month-to-month or 12/24 months |
| International Roaming | Available but expensive – use an eSIM or local roaming add-on |
Important: You cannot buy a SIM card without showing your passport. No exceptions. The staff will scan it, take a photo of you, and register your details with the government. This is normal. It takes about 10 minutes.
The Three Carriers – Which One Should You Choose?
1. China Mobile (中国移动) – Best Overall Coverage
China Mobile is the largest carrier in China. They have the most towers, the widest coverage, and the best signal in basements and elevators. If you travel outside Shanghai (to smaller cities, rural areas, or mountains), China Mobile is your safest bet.
Strengths:
- Best coverage nationwide
- Strong signal in buildings and underground
- Largest selection of plans
Weaknesses:
- Customer service English support is limited
- Some plans are more expensive than competitors
Latest 2026 Plans (Shanghai):
| Plan Name | Monthly Cost | Data | Voice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 移动青春卡 | 29 RMB | 30 GB | 100 mins | Basic plan, good for light users |
| 移动畅享卡 | 59 RMB | 80 GB | 200 mins | Popular with students and young professionals |
| 移动全家享 | 99 RMB | 150 GB | 300 mins | Includes home broadband |
| 移动5G极速 | 199 RMB | 300 GB | 1000 mins | Heavy data users, includes international roaming |
Where to buy: Any China Mobile shop. There‘s one at Jing’an Temple, one near West Nanjing Road, and several in the FFC.
English support: Limited. Bring a Chinese-speaking friend or use the app with Google Translate. Some larger stores have English-speaking staff, but don‘t count on it.
2. China Unicom (中国联通) – Best for Expats & International Roaming
China Unicom has a reputation for being more foreigner-friendly. Their app has better English support, and their customer service hotline has an English option (10010, press 2). They also have the best international roaming packages if you travel back home frequently.
Strengths:
- Best English support among the three
- Good international roaming options
- Popular with iPhone users (they were the first to support eSIM)
Weaknesses:
- Slightly weaker coverage in rural areas
- Some buildings have worse signal than China Mobile
Latest 2026 Plans (Shanghai):
| Plan Name | Monthly Cost | Data | Voice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 联通冰激凌 | 39 RMB | 40 GB | 100 mins | Solid starter plan |
| 联通5G畅爽 | 69 RMB | 100 GB | 200 mins | Best value for moderate users |
| 联通全家桶 | 129 RMB | 200 GB | 500 mins | Includes home broadband and streaming |
| 联通国际版 | 159 RMB | 150 GB | 300 mins + roaming | Includes roaming in 50+ countries |
Where to buy: China Unicom shops. The flagship store near People‘s Square has English-speaking staff. There’s also a shop inside Jing‘an Kerry Centre.
English support: Best among the three. Some stores have dedicated foreigner service counters.
3. China Telecom (中国电信) – Best for Home Internet Bundles
China Telecom is strong on home internet, and if you’re getting fiber broadband at home, bundling your mobile plan with it saves money. Their mobile coverage is good in cities but weaker than China Mobile in rural areas.
Strengths:
- Best home internet + mobile bundles
- Good 5G speeds in Shanghai
- Solid coverage in the FFC and Jing‘an
Weaknesses:
- English support is weak
- Fewer retail locations than China Mobile
Latest 2026 Plans (Shanghai):
| Plan Name | Monthly Cost | Data | Voice | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 电信天翼 | 49 RMB | 50 GB | 100 mins | Basic plan |
| 电信5G畅享 | 79 RMB | 100 GB | 200 mins | Popular with families |
| 电信全家桶 | 129 RMB | 200 GB | 500 mins + broadband | Best if you also need home internet |
Where to buy: China Telecom shops. The store on Huaihai Road near Changshu Road has some English support.
English support: Limited. Same as China Mobile – bring help or use a translation app.
Prepaid vs. Postpaid – Which Is Better for New Arrivals?
| Prepaid (预付费) | Postpaid (后付费) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Top up credit, then use | Pay monthly bill after using |
| Contract | None. Month to month | 12 or 24 months |
| ID required | Passport | Passport + sometimes proof of residence |
| Credit check | No | Yes (sometimes) |
| Best for | Short-term stays, students, first month | Long-term residents, families |
Recommendation for new arrivals: Start with a prepaid plan. You can walk in, show your passport, pay cash, and walk out with a working SIM in 15 minutes. After you‘ve settled in (got a lease, maybe a bank account), you can switch to a postpaid plan if you want. Switching carriers is easy – you can keep your phone number.
Where to Buy Your SIM Card
Option 1: Airport (Convenient, but More Expensive)
Both Pudong and Hongqiao airports have China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom counters in the arrivals halls. They‘re open during flight hours.
Pros: You leave the airport with a working phone.
Cons: Plans are more expensive (think 100-150 RMB/month for basic data), and they only offer tourist-focused prepaid plans.
Verdict: Fine if you need service immediately. But you’ll switch to a better plan later anyway.
Option 2: Carrier Stores in the City (Best for Long-Term)
Wait until you‘re settled. Go to an official carrier store in Jing‘an, the FFC, or Xintiandi. The staff have access to all plans, and you can sign up for a proper 12-month plan with better rates.
Where to go in Jing‘an:
- China Mobile: 1568 West Nanjing Road (near Jing’an Temple)
- China Unicom: Inside Jing‘an Kerry Centre, B1 level
- China Telecom: 525 Huaihai Middle Road (near Changshu Road)
Verdict: Worth waiting 1-2 days. Better plans, better prices.
Option 3: Online (Cheapest, but Requires Chinese Reading Ability)
You can order a SIM card through the carrier‘s app or Tmall store. They‘ll deliver it to your address. But the entire process is in Chinese, and you‘ll need to upload photos of your passport.
Verdict: Only if you read Chinese or have a local friend helping.
Option 4: Convenience Stores (Basic Prepaid)
FamilyMart, Lawson, and 7-Eleven sell basic prepaid SIM cards. They‘re meant for tourists – limited data, short validity. Fine for your first week, not for long-term use.
Verdict: Emergency only.
The Real-Name Registration Process (What to Expect)
Chinese law requires every SIM card to be registered to a real person. Here‘s what happens when you buy a SIM:
- You hand over your passport.
- The staff scans it.
- They take a photo of your face.
- They enter your name, passport number, and address (if you have one yet).
- You sign a short form.
- They activate the SIM. Takes 10-15 minutes total.
If you don‘t have a permanent address yet: Use your hotel address or your company’s address. You can update it later.
If you‘re on a tourist visa: You can still get a prepaid SIM. Valid for as long as your passport is valid.
If you’re on a work or resident permit: You can get a postpaid plan with a 12 or 24 month contract.
eSIM Options for New Arrivals
If your phone supports eSIM (iPhone XS or newer, recent Android flagships), you have another option – especially for your first few days.
International eSIM providers (before you arrive):
- Airalo: 1 GB for 7 days, about $4.50 USD
- Nomad: Similar pricing
- Holafly: Unlimited plans, more expensive
These work as soon as you land. You install the eSIM before you leave home, and it activates when you arrive. No passport needed. No trip to a carrier store.
Chinese carrier eSIM (after you arrive):
China Unicom supports eSIM for postpaid plans. China Mobile and China Telecom are catching up. You‘ll need to visit a store to set it up.
Recommendation: Use an international eSIM for your first 1-3 days. Then go to a carrier store to get a proper local SIM with a Chinese phone number.
What About International Roaming on Your Home SIM?
If you‘re only staying for a few weeks, roaming might be fine. But for anyone staying longer than a month, get a local SIM.
Why:
- Cost: Local data is cheap (less than 1 RMB per GB on some plans). Roaming is expensive.
- Convenience: You‘ll need a Chinese phone number for Didi, Meituan, food delivery apps, and WeChat Pay verification.
- Speed: Local 5G is faster than roaming.
Keep your home SIM active for 2FA texts and bank notifications. Most modern phones support dual SIMs (one physical, one eSIM).
Tips & Tricks
Tip 1: Don‘t buy a SIM at the airport unless you absolutely need to. The plans are tourist traps. Wait until you‘re in the city.
Tip 2: Bring a Chinese-speaking friend if possible. The staff at carrier stores are helpful, but English is limited. If you don‘t have a friend, use Google Translate or Baidu Translate. It’s fine – they‘re used to foreigners.
Tip 3: Download the carrier‘s app. After you get your SIM, download the app (China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom). You‘ll need it to check data usage, top up, and change plans. The apps are in Chinese, but you can use translate.
Tip 4: WeChat Pay and Alipay need a Chinese number. You can‘t fully activate these apps without a local phone number. Get your SIM first, then set up payments.
Tip 5: Keep your passport handy for the first few weeks. Some shops and services will ask for your phone number and then send a verification code. That‘s fine. But if you go to a carrier store to change plans, they‘ll ask for your passport again.
Tip 6: If you lose your phone, go to the carrier store immediately. They can freeze your SIM and issue a replacement. You‘ll need your passport.
Tip 7: Check your data usage regularly. Chinese plans advertise “unlimited” data, but there‘s always a fair usage cap. After you hit it, speeds drop to 1 Mbps. Still usable for WeChat and maps, but not for video streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my phone number if I switch carriers?
Yes. China has a policy called “number portability” (携号转网). You can switch from China Mobile to China Unicom (or any carrier) and keep your number. You‘ll need to go to the new carrier‘s store and fill out a form.
Can I use my foreign phone with a Chinese SIM?
Yes – if your phone is unlocked. Most phones sold outside China work fine. One exception: some U.S. carrier-locked phones won‘t accept Chinese SIMs. Check before you leave.
Do I need a 5G plan?
5G coverage is excellent in central Shanghai. If you have a 5G phone, get a 5G plan. The price difference is small (10-20 RMB/month). Your apps, maps, and video calls will be faster.
What‘s the best plan for someone who works from home?
Get a 100+ GB plan (around 79-99 RMB/month). You‘ll use more data than you think – WeChat video calls, file downloads, streaming music while you work. Don‘t cheap out.
What‘s the best plan for students?
The 39-59 RMB plans (China Unicom‘s冰激凌 or China Mobile‘s畅享卡) are fine. 40-80 GB is plenty. Most university campuses have good WiFi.
What‘s the best plan for families?
China Telecom‘s family plan (129 RMB/month) includes 200 GB shared data, 500 minutes, and home broadband. Or get individual plans for each family member – China Mobile‘s 59-79 RMB plans are solid.
Summary Table – Quick Comparison
| China Mobile | China Unicom | China Telecom | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Coverage, reliability | Expats, English support | Home internet bundles |
| Typical monthly cost (50-100 GB) | 59-99 RMB | 39-79 RMB | 49-79 RMB |
| English support | Poor | Good | Poor |
| eSIM support | Limited | Yes (postpaid) | Limited |
| Where to buy in Jing‘an | 1568 West Nanjing Rd | Jing‘an Kerry Centre B1 | 525 Huaihai Rd |
| Hotline | 10086 | 10010 | 10000 |
Final recommendation for most expats: Start with China Unicom prepaid (69 RMB/month, 100 GB). Their English support is better, and you won‘t struggle as much with the app. After you‘re settled, consider switching to China Mobile if you travel outside Shanghai often, or China Telecom if you want to bundle home internet.
Final pro tip: Get the SIM on a weekday morning. Carrier stores are less crowded, and the staff have more time to help you. Avoid weekends – wait times can be an hour or more.
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