Buying a SIM card in China can be surprisingly confusing — especially if you’re a foreign traveler. Rules change often, information online is inconsistent, and not every city follows the same process.
We’d written about this before in 2024, but things evolve quickly here — telecom policies, registration procedures, and even which stores can serve foreigners may have changed. So here’s our updated experience getting a SIM card in Kashgar, Xinjiang.
Should You Get a SIM Card in China?
Before diving into the process, we asked ourselves: Is getting a local SIM card worth the hassle?
If you’re staying for a short trip (a week or less), roaming from your home country or using an eSIM might be simpler and cheaper. Roaming lets you access apps like Google Maps, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook — without needing a VPN.
However, for longer trips (say, 30 days or more), having a local Chinese number is much more convenient. Here’s why:
Benefits of Having a Local SIM Card
- Easier communication: You can call hotels for pickups, answer your taxi driver’s calls, or make restaurant reservations.
- App access: Some Chinese apps require a local number to register. I relied heavily on three during my trip — Gaode Maps (高德地图) for navigation, Meituan, and Dazhong Dianping (大众点评) for food and local services.
- Better rates: Local data plans tend to be cheaper if you use a lot of data during your stay.
Without a Chinese number, many apps won’t send verification codes to international numbers, making registration difficult or impossible.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in China (2025 Update)
You can buy SIM cards from the three major Chinese telecoms: China Mobile (中国移动), China Unicom (中国联通), and China Telecom (中国电信).
In our case, we tried several locations — here’s what happened.
1. Beijing Airport
Our first plan was to get one at the Beijing Airport during our layover. However, the only option available was a temporary number costing 300 RMB for 30 days. It felt expensive, so we decided to wait and buy it in Kashgar instead.
2. Kashgar Airport
When we arrived in Kashgar, there didn’t seem to be any SIM card booths, and we were too tired to explore after the flight. So, we skipped it again.
3. Local Telecom Stores
We tried a few smaller telecom branches around the city, but most told us they couldn’t register a SIM card for foreigners. Eventually, one staff member advised us to go to the main China Telecom office near People’s Square (人民广场).
That turned out to be the right move.
How to Register a SIM Card as a Foreigner in China
At the main office, the staff asked for my passport (Chinese nationals use their ID card). The registration process took about 30 minutes.
The plan I chose cost around 129 RMB, offering 1,500 minutes of calls and 120 GB of data per month. It’s a monthly plan, meaning you must call to cancel the service before leaving China — otherwise, the charges will continue automatically.
Pros
- You can keep your number for future visits.
- Reasonable pricing compared to temporary airport SIMs.
- Easy access to local apps and services.
Cons
- You can’t buy it at airports — you must go to a main telecom branch.
- The process takes time and requires a passport.
- You must remember to deactivate it, or you’ll keep getting billed.
When we were done, the staff kindly gave me a phone number to call for deactivation and reactivation in the future. She also reminded me that if I forgot to cancel, a monthly fee would apply.
Canceling the SIM Card Before Leaving
The day before we left China, I called the deactivation number. The first call didn’t go through properly — my line stayed active — so I tried again. After the second call, my data stopped working about an hour later, so I assumed the cancellation was successful.
I never received a confirmation SMS, but I’m hopeful no surprise bills are waiting for me next time I visit!
A Small (and Slightly Weird) Incident
A few days after activating my SIM card, I got a call from a man saying “wèi, wèi, wèi” (“hello” in Chinese). He seemed confused, then apologized — apparently, my new number used to belong to someone else!
It was a harmless misunderstanding, but it made me wonder how often numbers get recycled here. Nothing bad came of it, but it’s something to be aware of.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Getting a SIM Card in China?
For us, yes — especially since we spent nearly a month in Xinjiang and Beijing. Having a local number made traveling, navigating, and eating out much smoother.
However, if your trip is short or you don’t speak Mandarin, an eSIM or roaming plan may be more convenient. Just make sure you can access all the apps you need before you arrive.
💡 Quick Tips
- Bring your passport — it’s required for registration.
- Go to a main telecom office (not small shops).
- Deactivate your plan before leaving China.
- Download Gaode Maps, Meituan, and Dazhong Dianping — all are super useful.
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