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The Best Prepaid SIM Cards for China in 2023
China has become one of the most visited countries in the world in the last years. Tourism in China represents a very important part of national incomes nowadays. Great tourist attractions like ancient places, relics, ruins, different imperial palaces are just part of the most important tourist elements in the country. China also offers beautiful natural wonders and places like the Mount Everest, Li River Karst, Jiuzhaigou (or the Rainbow-colored Alpine Fairyland).
Tourists from all around the world visit this Asian country during the whole year to experience what it means to be surrounded by an amazing cultural heritage as is the Chinese one. No matter when you decide to visit China, you will definitely enjoy your trip!
However, planning your trip to China can be stressful when talking about telecommunications. Of course, you will find many options on the internet; and it is ok if you feel a bit lost at the beginning. But, we have great news: we chose the best prepaid SIM cards for China so you can decide just among the best options! Take a look at the following information we have prepared for your next trip to China:
What Are The Top SIM Cards Offers for China?
| About the provider | Sim Card Features | ||
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With the SIM2Fly Travel Prepaid, AIS provides a unique deal. As the biggest network provider in Thailand, AIS provides one of the most intertwined network coverages across Asia. Enjoy 3G/4G data in China in the most affordable way. |
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| Enjoy China Unicom's fast 4G/LTE network to keep connected when traveling to China. With the strong network and a nationwide coverage, you can count on a perfect internet browsing experience. |
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Move to TrueMove H & instantly connect to the widest 4G LTE and 3G roaming network coverage. Enjoy TrueMove H's international service and roam with confidence in China |
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Move to TrueMove H & instantly connect to the widest 4G LTE and 3G roaming network coverage. Enjoy TrueMove H's international service and roam with confidence in China |
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Learn more |
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The first SIM Card that truly covers every country in the whole world! Enjoy a great internet experience within China with the ISP Orange. They commit to provide the best service possible and have been awarded as the best internet operator in France many times in the row. |
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What is The Best SIM Card for China?
SimOptions – Prepaid SIM Card for China
Although this company is not part of the main Chinese mobile operators, it provides the best alternatives and prices for travelers. SimOptions offers 2 different pre-registered prepaid SIM cards for China that makes everything easier! You will not need to worry about roaming rates, surprises or hidden costs. You just need to go to their official page, buy your personal SIM Card for China and get it delivered in 120+ countries.
Take a look at the great benefits you will get with the Prepaid SIM Card for China by SimOptions:
SIM2FLY | $19.90 - 6GB
- Data: 6GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 10 days
Greater China 15 Days Data SIM | $20.40 - 5GB
- Data: 5GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 15 days
Travel SIM World | $39.90 - 6GB
- Data: 6GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 15 days
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China’s Main Telecommunication Companies
With 1,320,810,000 mobile phones in use, this country is the largest nation in terms of mobile phone subscribers. Nowadays, China has three main telecommunications companies that offer different SIM cards and plans for locals and tourists.
These providers are China Mobile, which is the most important company in the country – and one of the largest companies worldwide, China Unicom, that is considered to be the second network carrier but it is very famous among travelers, and finally there is China Telecom, the third most important carrier in the Asian country.
Let’s talk a little bit about each one of them and see the great prepaid SIM cards and plans they have for their subscribers:
China Mobile
As the most important mobile network corporation in China, this company is the leader with more than 900 million mobile subscribers. This number makes China Mobile the largest mobile phone operator in the world.
Its network coverage is very good and it goes from 2G and 3G to 4G-LTE; however, its bands are kind of different from the USA and other countries, this means that you might not be able to use 3G or 4G in the whole country, just in specific areas.
China Mobile provides many alternatives and deals for each type of subscriber, no matter if they are local subscribers or if they are foreign subscribers. This company has created different options thinking about the needs of its users nowadays. Check what they have for you as a traveler:
4G/3G Individual Traveler Prepaid SIM Card
- Data: First 5 days* 3GB 4G/3G Hong Kong Local Data Service
- Calls: Hong Kong local airtime/call to Mainland China $0.25/min
- Includes IDD and roaming service
*Service starts from activation till the 5th day 23:59 (Hong Kong time)
There is also another prepaid plan that was chosen by many travelers as the best option for 2019. Take a look at the benefits:
Prepaid Plan for Tourists – 88 RMB (12, 78 USD)
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- Data: 10 GB of nationwide data coverage
- Incoming Calls & SMS: Free
- Outgoing Calls: 50 minutes of outgoing nationwide calls. Additional outgoing calls are 0.19 RMB/minute (0, 028 USD)
- Additional data slows down to 1 Mbps until you top off your card
China Unicom
This telecommunication company is the second most important company in the whole country. China Unicom has more than 90 million users around the world, and it is also recognized as one of the largest network operators worldwide. Many people consider this Asian corporation the best in China due to its large data network in this nation.
Asia 12 Days Data SIM | $22.90 - 4GB
- Data: 4GB
- Calls/SMS: No
- Credit Validity: 12 days
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China Unicom offers many options to its users so they can create and arrange their own mobile plans according to their requirements and needs. It has different alternatives regarding calls, SMS and mobile data. You can choose just the ones you need and that’s it! Read a bit more about these options:
1. Data Packages: These options are required, so you need to choose one of them.
- 6GB: $80
- 3GB: $45
- 2GB: $25
- 1GB: $25
2. Calls and SMS: This part is optional; you do not need to select any of these options if you do not need them.
- 250 minutes or 500 SMS: $11.5
- 150 minutes or 300 SMS: $6.5
- 50 minutes or 100 SMS: $2.5
3. Direct International Calling: This is also optional; you can activate this alternative for $10 extra just if you need it and you will get the following:
- 100 minutes for Hong Kong, USA, Canada and Singapore
- 60 minutes for Taiwan, Macao, Korea, Malaysia, India, and Thailand
- 40 minutes for Japan, Vietnam, Colombia, and Brunei
- 20 minutes for Australia, France, Spain, Greece, Egypt, Russia, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Ukraine, and Mongolia
* Note: You will not need to activate roaming service to make these calls; you just need to dial 00 + code of the country/region + destination number.
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China Telecom
As the third network operator in China, it is considered the smallest telecommunication provider in the country. It often has good offers to attract new subscribers so you can take advantage of this. Take into account that, as a tourist, you will need to show your passport to buy any SIM card from this company. All SIM cards from China Telecom need to be purchased only at official stores; they cannot be activated anywhere else.
Data-only SIM Card Plans:
1GB (50 RMB – 7, 25 USD)
- Data: 1GB
- Validity: 30 days
3GB (100 RMB – 14, 51 USD)
- Data: 3GB
- Validity: 30 days
6GB (180 RMB – 26, 11 USD)
- Data: 6GB
- Validity: 30 days
2GB (100 RMB – 14, 51 USD)
- Data: 2GB
- Validity: 90 days
4GB (200 RMB – 29, 01 USD)
- Data: 4GB
- Validity: 90 days
To purchase all the previous SIM cards and plans, you will need to show your passport as your only ID while you are in China, so do not forget to have it with you all the time!
Having internet access while you travel around a city or country is one of the most important parts of a trip nowadays. Technology is a very important aspect of our everyday life, so we always need to be connected no matter how far we are.
Traveling to an Asian country like China can be sometimes difficult because of language barriers, different customs, etc, but if you choose the best prepaid SIM card for China we are sure you will have an amazing experience! We hope all this information was useful for you and you can have a better trip now.
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