Buying China Short-term SIM Cards at Airport and Local Telecom Stores

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Summary on Buying China Short Term SIM Cards

China Short-term SIM cards, specific for inbounding tourists, pre-paid, plans including domestic data and voice call,
usually have validity periods of 7 - day, 15 - day, and 30 - day packages.
Buying at China major airport storse and local telecom stores around your hotel.
you can buy it just with passport, unlocked and compatible device.

Local telecom stores as:

Logo , China Mobile, pronounce "ZhongGuo Yidong".

China Telicom, logo , pronounce "ZhongGuo DianXin".

China Unicom, pronounce "ZhongGuo LianTong", logo .

Tourist short-term SIM card, pronounce " DuanQi DianHuaKa ", in Chinese " 外宾旅游用 短期电话卡".

Online buying via nihaomobile, normal SIM card, not Short term SIM card.

eSIM, available online only.

International Roaming costs more, and check with your home carrier.

How to Buy China Short-term SIM Cards at China Airport Stores

Wifi and VPN

Wifi

Free Wi-Fi is common at airport, train station, hotels, cafés, and malls but vifi may require phone verification.

VPN

Some western apps and websites are not accessible in China.

VPN is necessary whether you use a China SIM card or your home SIM card.

Install 1-3 reliable VPNs before arriving China.

Short-term SIM Cards Data and Cost Plan

China Mobile (LingDongka) Plan Package
7 days plan, 100 CNY, 30 GB data, 100 minutes calls;
10 days plan, 120 CNY, 35 GB data, 150 minutes calls;
15 days plan, 150 CNY, 50 GB data, 200 minutes calls;
30 days plan, 250 CNY, 80 GB data, 300 miuntes call.
More information

China Telecom Plan Package
7 days plan, 85 CNY, 20 GB data, 100 minutes calls;
15 days plan, 125 CNY, 30 GB data, 200 minutes calls;
30 days plan, 195 CNY, 50 GB data, 300 miuntes call.
More information in Chinese.

China Union (Inbound Travel SIM card) Plan Package
7 days plan, 50 CNY, 30 GB data, 100 minutes calls;
15 days plan, 80 CNY, 40 GB data, 200 minutes calls;
30 days plan, 150 CNY, 50 GB data, 300 miuntes call.

Note: above data and cost plans are subject to latest updated; data and call just within mainland China; non-refundable.

Buy China Short-term SIM Cards in Following Airports

In general, when you arrival, just tell the airport staff to direct you to
the Telecom store for processing China Short-term Travel SIM cards (pronounce "DuanQi DianHuaKa" "短期电话卡")

The Telecom Store usually locates at Arrival Hall area or Luggage area in the airports.

Below list some airports accurate points for buying China SIM cards

Beijing Capital International Airport SIM cards

China Mobile: Inside Gate 7 on 1F, Terminal 2 ; No.38 Baggage Carousel (before customs), International Arrivals, Terminal 3.
China Unicom: International Baggage Claim Hall in Terminal 3 .
More information and phone number available

Beijing Daxing International Airport

China Mobile: S-AL03-003, Terminal of Beijing Daxing International Airport (within the airport) .
China Unicom: Comprehensive Hall for Mobile Device Rental and Communication Services, east side of International Arrivals, 1F, Beijing Daxing International Airport.
More information and phone number available

Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) SIM cards

(T2)Luggage Belt 28 Area: China Unicom counter,Luggage Belt 26 area, 2E-W2; Luggage Belt 27 area, 2E-W1; Arrival Hall: SIM card counter (with pocket wifi); Cheerway Easy Go Convenience Store (business area), China Unicom counter; (T1)Arrival Hall: Gate 9 area, 1D-W2 (24 hours), and 1D-W3 (24 hours).

China Telecom in Arrival Hall of T1, offer: 7 days plan, 85 CNY, 20 GB data, 100 minutes calls; 15 days plan, 125 CNY, 30 GB data, 200 minutes calls; 30 days plan, 195 CNY, 50 GB data, 300 miuntes call.

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport SIM cards

Int'l Arrival Hall: Comprehensive Service Center, Counter 101 (07:00-19:00).

Xi'an Xianyang Airport SIM cards

China Telecaom counter, in the Foreign Payment Service Center, located in Arrival Hall of T3, 7days 15days 30days plan available.
Short-term SIM card plan: 7-day 85CNY, 15-day 125CNY, 30-day 195CNY.

Chengdu Tianfu Airport SIM cards

China Telecaom counter, in the Payment Consultation (支付中心, here Bank of China as well), located in Arrival Hall of T1, 7days 15days 30days plan available.
Short-term SIM card plan: 7-day 85CNY, 15-day 125CNY, 30-day 195CNY.

Hanghzou Xiaoshan Airport SIM cards

SIM cards in Immigration Service Center (移民事务服务中心), located around Arrival Customs area of T4.

Shenzhen Baoan Airport SIM cards

Telecom counter, in the foreigner comperhensive service center(境外来宾综合服务中心), located in arraival Hall.

Guangzhou Baiyun Airport  SIM cards

China Telecom counter, in the Payment Consultation, located in Arrival Hall of T2, 7days 15days 30days plan available.

Chongqing Jiangbei Airport Short Term SIM cards

China Telecom, located at Arrival Hall, 1 floor of Terminal 3A.

Guilin Airport Short Term SIM cards

Not available.