China
From Droam Prepaid SIM Encyclopedia
Cellular Operators
China Mobile Communications Corporation (China Mobile)
APN settings
- username:rose
- password:
- APN name:3Gnet
China United Telecommunications Corporation (China Unicom GSM)
APN settings
- username: (rose) or uninet
- password: (blank) or uninet
- APN name for prepaid data sim: 3gnet (or) uninet
China Telecom
APN settings
- username:rose ctwap@mycdma.cn
- password: vnet.mobi
- APN name: 3gnet
Prepaid plans
When coming to China there appears the question of Chinese internal roaming. The case is that a Sim-card bought in one town will work in a roaming mode when you leave to another Chinese town. So if you are planning to visit several towns and stay not less than a week in each it will be better to buy new Sim-card in each one.
China Mobile
China Mobile uses their own TD-SCDMA 3G mobile technology that works only in China at the moment.
How to buy
China Mobile prepaid Sim-cards can be found:
- in almost all nationwide kiosks
- in China Mobile Stores
- among some online sellers - they can answer your questions and help you choose the most economic montly tariff, top-up your account and so on.
To get a Sim-card you will need your passport for registration and a translator or Chinese-speaking friend to help you handle all possible tariffs and options.
The most suitable prepaid-package for a short-term trip seems to be M-Zone. Here you can find current tariffs and packages for this plan.
Shen Zhou Xing package is the most popular one. It is sold everywhere, even at pitchers', does not require any identification and is "All-Chinese", top-up card are sold in any town.
GSM Unified Tariff
Business Package
| Monthly Fee | Talk time,mins | Domestic traffic included | Overage Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 CNY / 9.12$ | 150 | 30 MB | 0.001 CNY (0.0002$)/ KB |
| 88 CNY / 13.84$ | 350 | ||
| 128 CNY / 20.13$ | 650 | ||
| 158 CNY / 24.85$ | 900 | ||
| 188 CNY / 29.57$ | 1200 | ||
| 288 CNY / 45.29$ | 1900 | ||
| 388 CNY / 61.02$ | 2600 | ||
| 588 CNY / 92.47$ | 400 | ||
| 888 CNY / 139.65$ | 6000 |
Internet Package
| Monthly Fee | Talk time,mins | Domestic traffic included | Overage Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 CNY / 9.12$ | 50 | 200 MB | 0.001 CNY (0.0002$)/ KB |
| 88 CNY / 13.84$ | 200 | 300 MB | |
| 128 CNY / 20.13$ | 420 | 400 MB |
For more details check here.
Wireless Internet
This is for laptop computers or PDAs, with mobile GPRS / EDGE / TD-SCDMA and other wireless network access to the Internet.
Internet Tariffs| Name of the tariff | Monthly Fee | Traffic included | Overage Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tariff | 0 | 0 | 0.01 CNY (0.002$)/ KB |
| 5 yuan package | 5 CNY / 0.79$ | 30 MB | |
| 20 yuan package | 20 CNY / 3.15$ | 150 MB | |
| 50 yuan package | 50 CNY / 7.86$ | 500 MB | |
| 100 yuan package | 100 CNY / 15.72$ | 2 GB | |
| 200 yuan package | 200 CNY / 31.45$ | 5 GB |
GPRS Mobile Internet Packages
| Package type | Monthly Fee | Traffic included | Overage Charge | SMS handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard rates | 0 | 0 | 0.01 CNY (0.002$)/ KB | send SMS KTSJLL0 to 10086 |
| 2 yuan package (only for Shenzhouxing users) | 2 CHY / 0.32$ | 10 MB | 1 CNY (0.16$)/ MB | send SMS KTSJLL2 to 10086 |
| 5 yuan package (not for customers with E-line processing) | 5 CHY / 0.79$ | 30 MB | send SMS KTSJLL5 to 10086 | |
| 10 yuan package (not for customers with E-line processing) | 10 CHY / 1.57$ | 70 MB | send SMS KTSJLL10 to 10086 | |
| 20 yuan package | 20 CHY / 3.15$ | 150 MB | send SMS KTSJLL20 to 10086 | |
| 50 yuan package | 50 CHY / 7.86$ | 500 MB | send SMS KTSJLL50 to 10086 | |
| 100 yuan package | 100 CHY / 15.73$ | 2 GB | send SMS KTSJLL100 to 10086 | |
| 200 yuan package | 200 CHY / 31.45$ | 5 GB | send SMS KTSJLL200 to 10086 | |
| 300 yuan package (only for customers with E-line processing) | 300 CHY / 47.18$ | 10 GB | send SMS KTSJLL300 to 10086 |
To deactivate send SMS QXSJLLTC (for e-line customers) or QXSJLL (except e-line customers) to 10086. Details are here.
Data packages are working all over the country - no roaming charges when used in other regions of China.
China Unicom
China Unicom uses 3G WCDMA technology.
How to buy
China Unicom prepaid Sim-cards can be purchased:
- in some kiosks (not all)
- in all China Unicom Stores
- from some online sellers
3G Packages
| Monthly Fee | Minutes included | Traffic included | Overage Charge (minutes) | Overage Charge (traffic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3G Standard | ||||
| 50 CHY / 7.84$ | 0 | 0 | 0.36 CHY (0.06$) / min | 0.01 CHY (0.002$) / KB |
| 3G Packages Plan A | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 50 | 150 MB | 0.25 CHY (0.04$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 50 | 300 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | |
| 96 CHY / 15.05$ | 240 | 300 MB | 0.15 CHY (0.023$) / min | |
| 126 CHY / 19.75$ | 320 | 400 MB | ||
| 156 CHY / 24.45$ | 420 | 500 MB | ||
| 186 CHY / 29.15$ | 510 | 650 MB | ||
| 226 CHY / 35.42$ | 700 | 750 MB | ||
| 286 CHY / 44.83$ | 900 | 950 MB | ||
| 386 CHY / 60.5$ | 1250 | 1.3 GB | ||
| 586 CHY / 91.75$ | 1950 | 2 GB | ||
| 886 CHY / 138.87$ | 3000 | 3 GB | ||
| 3G Packages Plan B | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 120 | 40 MB | 0.25 CHY (0.04$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 200 | 60 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | |
| 96 CHY / 15.05$ | 450 | 80 MB | 0.15 CHY (0.023$) / min | |
| 126 CHY / 19.75$ | 680 | 100 MB | ||
| 156 CHY / 24.45$ | 920 | 120 MB | ||
| 186 CHY / 29.15$ | 1180 | 150 MB | ||
| 3G Packages Plan C | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 260 | 40 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 380 | 60 MB | ||
| 96 CHY / 15.05$ | 550 | 80 MB | 0.15 CHY (0.023$) / min | |
iPhone Packages
| Monthly Fee | Minutes included | Traffic included | Overage Charge (minutes) | Overage Charge (traffic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 160 | 220 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 96 CHY / 15.05$ | 240 | 340 MB | 0.15 CHY (0.023$) / min | |
| 126 CHY / 19.75$ | 320 | 450 MB | ||
| 156 CHY / 24.45$ | 420 | 510 MB | ||
| 186 CHY / 29.15$ | 510 | 720 MB | ||
| 226 CHY / 35.42$ | 700 | 850 MB | ||
| 286 CHY / 44.83$ | 900 | 1.1 GB | ||
| 386 CHY / 60.5$ | 1250 | 1.6 GB | ||
| 586 CHY / 91.75$ | 1950 | 2.5 GB | ||
| 886 CHY / 138.87$ | 3000 | 4 GB |
Detailed information check here.
| Monthly Fee | Minutes included | Traffic included | Overage Charge (minutes) | Overage Charge (traffic) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wal-school 36 yuan packag | ||||
| 36 CHY / 5.64$ | 60 | 60 MB | 0.25 CHY (0.04$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| A Prepaid 3G packages - more data traffic | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 50 | 150 MB | 0.25 CHY (0.04$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 50 | 300 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | |
| B 3G prepaid packages - more voice calls | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 120 | 40 MB | 0.25 CHY (0.04$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 200 | 60 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | |
| G 3G prepaid packages - more local calls | ||||
| 46 CHY / 7.21$ | 260 | 40 MB | 0.2 CHY (0.03$) / min | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
| 66 CHY / 10.34$ | 380 | 60 MB | ||
| 3G prepaid package 36 yuan package | ||||
| 36 CHY / 5.64$ | - | 150 MB | - | 0.0003 CHY (0.00005$)/ KB |
Detailed information on prepaid packages is here.
Wi-Fi Packages
| Monthly Fee | Traffic included | Overage Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 50 CHY / 7.84$ | 600 MB | 0.1 CHY (0.02$) / MB |
| 80 CHY / 12.54$ | 1 GB | |
| 150 CHY / 23.41$ | 3 GB | |
| 200 CHY / 31.35$ | 5 GB | |
| 300 CHY / 47.02$ | 10 GB |
How to top up
- Credit card
- Recharge vouchers (par values 20 CHY / 3.13$; 30 CHY / 4.7$; 50 CHY / 7.84$; 100 CHY / 15.67$; 300 CHY / 47.02$; 500 CHY / 78.37$)
- Bank payment
China Telecom
China Telecom uses 3G CDMA (EV-DO Rev.A) mobile technology adopted by some US (Sprint, Verizon) and some South Korea carriers.
Tianyi Package
| Monthly Fee | Traffic included | Minutes included | Overage Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49 CHY / 7.68$ | 200 MB | 100 | 0.2 CHY / min |
| 69 CHY / 10.81$ | 300 MB | 150 | |
| 89 CHY / 13.95$ | 400 MB | 240 | 0.15 CHY / min |
| 129 CHY / 20.22$ | 600 MB | 330 | |
| 159 CHY / 24.92$ | 750 MB | 450 | |
| 189 CHY / 29.62$ | 1 GB | 600 | |
| 289 CHY / 45.3$ | 1.5 GB | 990 | |
| 389 CHY / 60.97$ | 2 GB | 1290 | |
| 489 CHY / 76.64$ | 3 GB | 1590 | |
| 589 CHY / 92.32$ | 4 GB | 2000 |
2011 version of Mobile Internet packages
| Monthly Fee | Traffic included | Overage Charge | How to activate | How to deactivate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 CHY / 0.78$ | 30 MB | 0.003 CHY (0.0004$) / 10 KB | Send KTLL5 to 10001 | Send QXLL to 10001 |
| 10 CHY / 1.57$ | 60 MB | Send KTLL10 to 10001 | ||
| 20 CHY / 3.13$ | 150 MB | Send KTLL20 to 10001 | ||
| 30 CHY / 4.7$ | 300 MB | Send KTLL30 to 10001 | ||
| 50 CHY / 7.84$ | 800 MB | Send KTLL50 to 10001 | ||
| 100 CHY / 16.67$ | 2 GB | Send KTLL100 to 10001 |
eSIM availability
China has a special eSIM offers from Gigago and other International providers:
Gigago suggest 10 different plans with no VPN required for China usage:
- China eSIM 5 days - Valid for 5 days $7.00 – $61.90
- China eSIM 7 days - Valid for 7 days $7.50 – $65.00
- China eSIM 10 days - Valid for 10 days $7.90 – $68.50
- China eSIM 15 days - Valid for 15 days $8.00 – $71.90
With VPN
- China eSIM 30 days - Valid for 30 days $8.50 – $103.00
- Greater China eSIM - Valid for 5/7/10/15/30 days $8.50 – $153.50
Please go to: https://chinaesim.com/buy-esim/ for more detailed information or please visit "International eSIM providers tab"
But also be sure that your device is compatible with eSIM, because there are a lot of smartphones that can't be used eith eSIM in China. You can also check this on the appropriate tab