Best China Sim Card For Tourist Compared And How To Buy A China Sim Card (Updated 2023)

Last updated on January 28th, 2023 at 01:55 pm

Best China Sim Card For Tourist Compared – China Mobile sim card is our favorite for coverage and data packages and we will tell you how to buy a prepaid sim card in China. Click here to get a discount booking activities in China with Klook!

What’s the Cheapest Sim Card in China?

You can buy the cheapest sim card in China with China Mobile prepaid sim card for $13 USD you will get 20 GB plus local calls and SMS valid for 30 days. Read here best China eSim

You can buy the cheapest China eSim with Nomad China eSim for $5 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. If you need more data you can go for $15 USD Nomad China eSim with 5 GB data valid for 7 days. The main difference between Airalo vs Nomad eSim for China the packages are 7 days only with Nomad China eSim but Airalo China eSim offers for the same price for 30 days.

The cheapest eSim in China with Airalo is $7 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $8 USD with 2 GB data valid for 15 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). Plans with Airalo eSim China prepaid start at $11 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. For $16 USD with 5 GB data and for $28 USD with 10 GB data valid for 30 days.

Holafly China eSim for less than $60 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER you will have unlimited internet for 30 days in China for just $2 USD per day.

Read here how to get from Beijing airport to city center and Shanghai airport to city center, best things to do in Sanya and Nanshan Temple.

Read here Brunei sim card for tourist, Hong Kong tourist sim card, Singapore tourist sim card, Maldives sim card, Vietnam sim card for tourist, Cambodia sim card and Thailand tourist sim card.

WHERE TO STAY IN CHINA

Planning to book accommodation for your next trip to China? Click here to book with Booking and Agoda!

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

You can read Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full Heymondo Travel Insurance Review

You can get Safetywing Travel Insurance for Digital Nomads valid for 28 days Safetywing for $50 USD per month with kids until 10 years old included

BEST CHINA SIM CARD FOR TOURIST COMPARED AND PREPAID SIM CARD IN CHINA BACKGROUND

First thing we have to say about China prepaid sim card, internet and data connection in China is amazing especially if we compare with the Philippines where we were coming from. We didn’t visit remote places only cities in China.

Obviously the best thing you can do to connect online is to buy a prepaid sim card in China. It will be efficient and it will allow you to connect anytime. We recommend you buy a China sim card in the airport to stay active earlier. You can buy a sim card in China in the kiosks or phone shops in the city if you prefer to find it cheaper.

Wifi and Internet can be challenging in China. The connection is good but the problem is that you can’t access to many websites like and social media channels like Facebook and Instagram.

Sometimes is hard to connect your laptop to the VPN and you have to be patient. If you go for a week you will find VPN with free trials. We used Atlas VPN, ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark and Proton VPN. When connecting the VPN to your device will make it slower than usual.

Read here Atlas VPN vs Surfshark VPN, Atlas VPN full review, Atlas VPN vs Proton VPN, Nord VPN vs Surfshark VPN, PIA VPN vs Surfshark VPN, Proton VPN vs Surfshark VPN, ExpressVPN vs Surfshark VPN, IPVanish vs Surfshark VPN, Atlas VPN vs ExpressVPN and Atlas VPN vs Nord VPN

BUYING CHINA SIM CARD AT THE AIRPORT (SIM CARD BEIJING AIRPORT)

For us when traveling the best way is to buy a China sim card at the airport. Since you get to a new country and as sooner you are connected you will start checking maps and checking information.

You can buy your China prepaid sim card in Chinese International Airport, there are a few shops. Another option is booking online your China tourist sim card with Klook and pick up at the airport. For both of them, you have to show your passport.

Obviously will be more expensive if you buy a sim card in China at the airport but you can order Uber and get to your hotel or Airbnb in China really easy. If you prefer waiting you will save a few dollars buying in a phone shop comparing prices and packages for sim card in China.

WHERE TO BUY BEST CHINA SIM CARD FOR TOURIST

Apart from your Chinese sim card at Beijing airport and Shanghai airport you can buy your China sim card in the official shops and kiosks too. You will find many of them in the city. Just bring your passport and a second and they will explain their packages to get your prepaid China sim card.

They usually speak English in the airport and they will help you to activate your China prepaid sim card and advice you the best plan that you need for your trip. It can be challenging in the city but with translation apps you will manage to get it.

BEST CHINA PREPAID SIM CARD COMPARISON

There are 3 main phone companies when looking for the best China prepaid sim card: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. All of them have similar prices and packages and the coverage is great with all of them.

China Mobile Sim Card

China Mobile prepaid sim card is the largest compnay in the country. Check here prices and packages!

If you want to buy the sim card as a tourist you will find the best packages for $13 USD you will get 20 GB plus local calls and SMS. You can always top up if you need around $2 USD for 3 GB.

China Unicom Sim Card

China Unicom prepaid sim card is the most popular phone operator in North China. Check here prices and packages!

You will get for $10 USD with 10 GB plus free calls and SMS. You can always top up around $1 USD for 1 GB.

MORE CHINA PREPAID SIM CARD

China Telecom Sim Card

China Telecom sim card is the largest company in South China. Check here prices and packages!

You will get for $15 USD with 20 GB plus free calls and SMS.

HOLAFLY CHINA ESIM DISCOUNT CODE

Holafly China eSim is our favorite since we are always looking for unlimited data options or huge data packages. Holafly China eSim for less than $60 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER you will have unlimited internet for 30 days in most of the countries in Europe just $2 USD per day.

The data plans with Holafly eSim China start at $19 USD for 5 days for unlimited data. If you choose 10 days unlimited data $34 USD, for $47 USD 15 days unlimited data and $64 USD unlimited data for 30 days all of them with unlimited data.

AIRALO CHINA ESIM DISCOUNT CODE

Airalo China eSim is a good alternative to have internet in China but you won’t be having unlimited internet service with them. Plans with Airalo eSim China prepaid start at $11 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. For $16 USD with 5 GB data and for $28 USD with 10 GB data valid for 30 days.

The cheapest eSim in China with Airalo is $7 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $8 USD with 2 GB data valid for 15 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

MORE PREPAID ESIM CHINA

Nomad eSim China

Nomad eSim China for $5 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. Nomad eSim China prepaid start at $13 USD with 3 GB data valid for 7 days. For $15 USD with 5 GB data valid for 7 days.

MTX Connect eSim China

MTX Connect eSim China for €24 with 4 GB data valid for 14 days. There are unlimited data plans starting from €10 per day and for €15 with 2 GB data valid for 7 days.

UBIGI CHINA ESIM

Ubigi China eSim for $12 USD with 1 GB data valid for 30 days and for $25 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%).

GIGSKY CHINA ESIM

GigSky China eSim for $10 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $48 USD with 5 GB data valid for 30 days.

BEST CHINA SIM CARD CONCLUSION (CHEAPEST SIM CARD CHINA)

My China Sim Card Conclusion is buying the cheapest sim card in China with China Mobile prepaid sim card for $13 USD you will get 20 GB plus local calls and SMS could be the best if you are traveling around North and South. But just take a look to prices and packages there.

Make sure you try before leaving the phone shop and it works perfectly. In my opinion this thing could be the most important than saving a couple of dollars when buying.

You can find the cheapest China eSim with Nomad China eSim for $5 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days. If you need more data you can go for $15 USD Nomad China eSim with 5 GB data valid for 7 days.

The cheapest eSim in China with Airalo is $7 USD with 1 GB data valid for 7 days and for $8 USD with 2 GB data valid for 15 days. (USING DISCOUNT CODE GAMINTRAVELER 10%). Plans with Airalo eSim China prepaid start at $11 USD with 3 GB data valid for 30 days. For $16 USD with 5 GB data and for $28 USD with 10 GB data valid for 30 days.

Holafly China eSim for less than $60 USD if you use our code GAMINTRAVELER you will have unlimited internet for 30 days in China for just $2 USD per day.

FOOD BUDGET TRAVEL IN CHINA

For daily food travel budget in China can be affordable if you go to local places where you can get meals in 12 RMB which is less than $2 USD. If you go to restaurants prices are starting 40-50 RMB which is $7-10 USD.

What we found more expensive in China was the entrance fee to tourist attractions. Sometimes prices are around $70-80 USD for a waterpark. So if you are on a budget make sure you choose the activities to do in China.

If you use the public bus to move around China prices are so affordable. You can get one ride bus for 2 RMB. For short distances there are taxis can be between 15-30 RMB for 2-3 kilometers distance.

Planning to book accommodation for your next trip to China? Click here to book with Booking and Agoda!

Click here to get a discount booking activities in China with Klook!

CURRENCY AND ATMS IN CHINA

The Renminbi abbreviated RMB or Chinese Yuan is the currency in China. For $1 USD you will have 7 RMB.

To exchange cash the best way is to head to the banks. It can be really hard to find exchange offices and even in hotels for cash. So the most reliable option in our experience is going to the bank.

If you want to use the ATMs you will find many around the city and the airport too.

Click here to know the exact exchange rate!

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Happy Travels!