China Phone Number Guide: SIM Cards, eSIM & Travel Tips

If you’re visiting China from the Philippines, getting a local number can make your trip much easier. You may need it for Alipay, WeChat Pay, taxi apps, food delivery, hotel check-ins, and app verification. This guide explains how to get a China SIM card or eSIM as a foreigner.

Real-Name Registration

In China, you cannot activate a proper local phone number without real-name registration. This is required for both physical SIM cards and most local mobile plans.

What Foreigners Need to Prepare:

• Original passport with at least 6 months validity if possible
• Valid visa, residence permit, or official entry record
• In-person photo verification taken by the store staff
• Hotel address or local address, sometimes requested by the carrier

⚠️ Important Warning:

Avoid “no-ID” SIM cards from street vendors or unofficial sellers. These cards may stop working after a few days and may not work for Alipay, WeChat Pay, banking apps, or long-term app verification.

For a smoother trip, go to an official China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom store. City branches are often better than small resellers because they are more familiar with foreign passport registration.

SIM Card vs. eSIM: Which One Is Better?

The best choice depends on your phone, trip length, and whether you need a real China number.

Important Tips for Filipino Travelers

• Keep your Philippine SIM active for GCash, Maya, banks, Globe, Smart, or DITO OTPs.
• Do not assume every eSIM gives a China phone number. Many only provide data.
• Choose a physical SIM if you need smooth app verification in China.
• Choose an eSIM if you only need internet for a short trip.
• For frequent trips, keep a cheap China SIM active and add eSIM data when needed.

How to Get a Local Number in China

There are 3 common ways to get a China phone number. For Filipino travelers, the best choice depends on your stay length, phone type, and the apps you need.

1. Physical SIM Card

Best for travelers staying more than a week. It works well for:

• Alipay and WeChat Pay
• Ride-hailing apps
• Food delivery
• Hotel check-ins
• Local app verification

Bring your passport and go to an official China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom store. Airport kiosks are easier when you arrive, but city branches may have cheaper plans. Staff will scan your passport, take a quick photo, and activate the SIM for you.

2. Virtual Number

Use this only for pre-arrival SMS verification. It may help with some app sign-ups before your trip, but it is not good for daily use.

Avoid using it for:

• Alipay
• WeChat Pay
• Bank linking
• Long-term app verification

3. eSIM

Good for travelers who do not want to remove their Philippine SIM. It is useful if you still need your PH number for OTPs, banking, or roaming messages.

Before buying, check if your phone supports eSIM. Visit an official carrier store, show your passport, and ask for available eSIM plans. Some travelers use a cheap physical SIM for a China number, then use eSIM mainly for mobile data.

Best China Mobile Carriers for Travelers

China has 3 main telecom carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. All can provide local numbers for foreigners, but the best choice depends on your route, budget, and phone compatibility.

Quick Pick for Filipino Travelers

• Choose China Unicom if you want a cheaper prepaid plan and will stay mostly in big cities.
• Choose China Mobile if you want the widest coverage for multi-city travel.
• Choose China Telecom if your trip is mainly in southern China, like Guangzhou or Shenzhen.

Important tip: Before paying, ask the staff to test the SIM on your phone first. Some foreign phones may not support every China network band, so it is better to check inside the store.

China Phone Number Plan Prices

China phone plans are usually affordable, but prices can change by city, carrier, branch, and promo. Always ask for a prepaid plan with no long-term contract.

RMB 8 Plan Tip

The RMB 8 plan is mainly for keeping your number active. It may have little or no data, so it is not ideal for daily travel use.

You can show this at the store:
我想办理 8 元保号套餐。
I want to apply for the 8 RMB number retention plan.

Quick Tip for Filipino Travelers

For a normal China trip, choose a RMB 19 to 49 prepaid plan. It is easier for maps, DiDi, Alipay, WeChat Pay, food delivery, and SMS verification.

Before leaving the store, check:

• Data amount
• Plan validity
• Calls and SMS
• Top-up method
• If the SIM can receive SMS outside China

How to Top Up a China Phone Number

Topping up a China phone number is usually easy once your Alipay or WeChat Pay is set up. However, some carrier apps are in Chinese, and not every foreign card works smoothly, so it is better to prepare more than one top-up method.

Common Top-Up Methods

• Alipay or WeChat Pay: Go to Mobile Top-Up, enter your China number, choose the amount, and pay with your linked card.
• Official carrier app: Use the China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom app. Ask the store staff to help you download, log in, and find the top-up page before you leave.
• Taobao or online top-up: Useful if you already know how to use Taobao. Always check the phone number carefully before paying.
• Local friend or hotel staff: If your payment fails, ask someone local to help top up your number, then pay them back in cash.

Tips for Filipino Travelers

• Top up around RMB 50 to 100 first so you do not run out of data during your trip.
• Set a monthly reminder if you plan to keep the number active after returning to the Philippines.
• Before flying home, ask the carrier if your SIM can still receive SMS abroad.
• Keep your SIM active if it is linked to Alipay, WeChat Pay, DiDi, or other China apps.

How to Keep a China Phone Number Active Abroad

If you visit China often, keeping your China number active can save you a lot of trouble. It helps you continue using Alipay, WeChat Pay, DiDi, food delivery apps, and other accounts that need SMS verification.

However, do not assume your SIM will stay active forever. Some prepaid or tourist SIMs may expire, and inactive numbers can be suspended or recycled. Some China Unicom travel SIM products also mention fixed expiry rules, so always ask the carrier if your number can be kept long-term before leaving China.

What to Do Before Leaving China

• Switch to a number retention plan: Ask for a basic plan around RMB 5 to 10/month, if available.
• Keep enough balance: Leave at least RMB 50 to 100 to cover monthly deductions.
• Activate international roaming: Ask the carrier to turn it on before your flight.
• Confirm SMS abroad: Make sure your SIM can receive OTPs while you are in the Philippines.
• Turn off roaming data: Do not use China SIM data abroad because it can be expensive.
• Ask about expiry: Check if your SIM has a fixed validity period or needs regular top-up.

Useful phrase to show staff:
我想开通国际漫游，只接收短信。
I want to enable international roaming, mainly to receive SMS.

For Filipino travelers, set a monthly reminder to check balance and top up when needed. This helps keep your China number active for your next trip.

Must-Know Tips for Filipino Travelers Using a China SIM

Before buying or using a China SIM card, these are the important things to know:

• Keep your Philippine SIM active. You may still need OTPs from GCash, Maya, BDO, BPI, UnionBank, Globe, Smart, or other PH apps.
• Check if your phone is unlocked. If your phone is locked to Globe or Smart, a China SIM may not work.
• Bring your original passport. China requires real-name registration when buying a local SIM.
• Buy only from official stores. Go to China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom branches. Avoid “no-ID” SIM cards.
• Test the SIM before leaving the store. Check if mobile data, calls, SMS, and app verification codes are working.
• Ask for a prepaid plan. This is better for short trips and avoids long-term contracts.
• Download important apps before flying. Install Alipay, WeChat, DiDi, translation apps, and map apps while still in the Philippines.
• Do not rely only on Google apps. Some Google services may not work smoothly in China, so prepare local apps too.
• Keep enough balance. Top up before your data runs out, especially if you use maps, taxis, and translation apps daily.
• Turn off roaming data when outside China. Roaming charges can be very expensive.
• Enable international roaming before going home. This helps you receive SMS codes from China apps while back in the Philippines.
• Save your China number properly. Use the +86 country code when linking it to apps.
• Ask about expiry rules. Some tourist SIMs expire after a fixed period, even if there is still balance.
• Keep your SIM safe after the trip. If your China number is linked to Alipay, WeChat Pay, or DiDi, losing it can make account recovery difficult.

Quick tip: If you are not sure what to ask, show this at the store:
请帮我确认这个号码可以收短信、上网、开通国际漫游。
Please help me confirm this number can receive SMS, use mobile data, and activate international roaming.