Quick Answer
The easiest option is NihaoMobile — buy online before your trip and get a real +86 number delivered to your hotel. Alternatively, buy a physical China SIM card at any China Mobile/Unicom store with your passport after arrival. A Chinese phone number is essential for food delivery (Meituan), bike sharing, and many local apps.
Why You Need This
Food delivery apps (Meituan, Ele.me) require a Chinese phone number to register
Some restaurants and shops only take orders through WeChat mini-programs that need phone verification
Local services like bike-sharing (Meituan Bike, Hellobike) require Chinese number SMS verification
Taobao and JD.com (online shopping) require Chinese number for account creation
Some attractions require Chinese number for online ticket booking
Hospital registration systems and government services only accept Chinese phone numbers
Compare at a Glance
| Feature | NihaoMobile (你好手机卡) | China Mobile (中国移动) | China Unicom (中国联通) | China Telecom (中国电信) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From ¥69/month | ¥50-100 for tourist SIM | ¥50-100 for tourist SIM | ¥50-80 for prepaid SIM |
| Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best For | Buy Before Arrival | Most Reliable | Best for Tourists | Budget Option |
Recommended Solutions
NihaoMobile (你好手机卡)
Buy Before ArrivalFrom ¥69/month
✅ Pros
- +Order online with passport — no store visit needed
- +Delivered to hotel or airport pickup
- +Full English support via live chat
- +SIM arrives activated and ready to use
❌ Cons
- −Delivery takes 1-3 days in China
- −Must provide Chinese delivery address
- −Plans more expensive than carrier stores
📺 Video Tutorial
China Mobile (中国移动)
Most Reliable¥50-100 for tourist SIM
✅ Pros
- +Widest coverage including rural areas
- +Available at most airports and train stations
- +Tourist-friendly packages available
- +Can top up via Alipay
❌ Cons
- −Need to visit a physical store
- −Some staff don't speak English
- −Number expires after inactivity (3-6 months)
China Unicom (中国联通)
Best for Tourists¥50-100 for tourist SIM
✅ Pros
- +Often has dedicated tourist SIM counters at airports
- +English app interface available
- +Competitive tourist plans
- +Good urban coverage
❌ Cons
- −Coverage weaker in very rural areas compared to China Mobile
- −Some plans auto-expire after 30-90 days
- −Limited store hours at airports
China Telecom (中国电信)
Budget Option¥50-80 for prepaid SIM
✅ Pros
- +Often cheapest option
- +Good network in southern China
- +Easy prepaid top-up
❌ Cons
- −Fewer airport kiosks
- −Less tourist-friendly support
- −Coverage gaps in some areas
Step-by-Step Guide
Choose Your Provider
China Mobile has the best coverage. China Unicom is the most tourist-friendly with airport kiosks and English support. China Telecom is cheapest but less convenient. For most tourists, China Unicom at the airport is the easiest option.
Visit a Store or Airport Kiosk
Major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu) have SIM card kiosks at arrivals. You can also visit any China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom store in the city. Look for the brand logos — stores are everywhere.
Bring Your Passport
Real-name registration is mandatory in China. You must present your physical passport (not a photo) to buy a SIM card. The staff will scan it and register the number in your name. This takes 10-15 minutes.
Choose a Plan & Top Up
Tourist plans typically include 10-20GB data + calls for ¥50-100/month. Pay cash or via Alipay. Top up anytime via the carrier's app or Alipay by searching '充值' (chōng zhí = top up).
Register Your Apps
Now use your new Chinese number to register for: Meituan 美团 (food delivery + group buying), Ele.me 饿了么 (food delivery), Taobao 淘宝 (shopping), Meituan Bike (bike sharing), and local mini-programs in WeChat.
Keep Your Number Active
Chinese prepaid numbers expire after 3-6 months of no activity (no calls, texts, or data use). If you plan to return to China, top up ¥10-20 monthly via Alipay to keep the number alive.
💡 Pro Tips
- 💡
Buy your SIM card at the airport to save time — most international arrivals halls have kiosks
- 💡
This is separate from your eSIM. Use eSIM for VPN-free internet, and the Chinese SIM for app registrations
- 💡
Tell the staff '我要办一个手机卡' (Wǒ yào bàn yí gè shǒu jī kǎ) — I want to get a phone number
- 💡
If you already have a dual-SIM phone, insert the Chinese SIM in the second slot alongside your eSIM
- 💡
Meituan food delivery is a game-changer — order food in English via Dianping (大众点评) mini-program on WeChat
- 💡
Some attractions (Palace Museum, etc.) need Chinese phone number for ticket booking — get your SIM first
- 💡
Top up your balance via Alipay → search '充值' → enter your Chinese number → select amount
- 💡
Save your Chinese number somewhere safe — you'll need it if you return to China and want to recover your app accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a Chinese phone number if I have an eSIM?
An eSIM gives you data access but NOT a Chinese phone number. Many local Chinese apps require SMS verification with a +86 number. If you want to use food delivery, bike sharing, or local shopping apps, you'll need a Chinese SIM card too.
Q: Can I get a Chinese phone number without visiting a store?
For short trips, you can use online SMS verification services (e.g., SMSActivate) to receive one-time codes. However, these temporary numbers may not work for all apps and can be flagged as suspicious. For reliable access, a real SIM card is much better.
Q: How much data and calls do I get?
Tourist plans typically include 10-20GB data, 100 minutes of domestic calls, and unlimited SMS for ¥50-100/month. This is more than enough for app registrations and light calling. You'll still use your eSIM for primary internet.
Q: Can I keep the number after leaving China?
Yes, but it requires maintenance. Numbers go dormant after 3-6 months of inactivity and are recycled after 6-12 months. To keep it alive, top up ¥10-20/month via Alipay from overseas. This is worth it if you visit China regularly.
Q: Which food delivery app is best for tourists?
Meituan (美团) is the most popular — it covers food delivery, restaurant reservations, attraction tickets, bike sharing, and more. The WeChat mini-program version has basic English support. Ele.me (饿了么) is the second option, accessible through the Alipay app.
Q: What apps require a Chinese phone number?
Apps that typically require +86 number: Meituan (food delivery), Ele.me (food delivery), Taobao (shopping), JD.com (shopping), Meituan/Hellobike (bike sharing), 12306 (train booking), and many WeChat mini-programs. Apps that work without it: DiDi, Alipay, WeChat (with international number).
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