Discover the China Tourist SIM: Your Essential Travel Companion for China

In this blog, we are introducing a SIM card for tourists traveling to China that is popular for its generous data, call, and SMS packages, and most importantly, it’s very affordable!

The provider is Huaxiang Telecom, an operator that has been serving in China for over 15 years, using the 5G frequency network of China Mobile, which offers the widest coverage across mainland China.

Highlight features:

• International tourists can purchase the SIM card while still in Thailand (those who frequently travel to China probably know how difficult it is for foreigners to buy a Chinese SIM card—usually, it can only be bought at the airport, and not every airport has SIM card counters).

• Having a Chinese number allows you to download a variety of Chinese apps, giving you an immersive experience while traveling in China. Enjoy apps for ride-hailing, food delivery, bike-sharing, watching Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok), and many other innovative apps.

  
  

• The data package is generous and offers the lowest cost per GB compared to roaming packages originate from your country.

4 Travel packages are available:

The package includes a SIM card in all 3 sizes, compatible with all phone models, and comes with a SIM eject pin for opening the SIM tray.

Selling Points

Online Channel

Available for purchase online in Singapore / Malaysia / Thailand

Beijing Airport

Other channels: Online distributors in Singapore and Malaysia

How to activate the SIM:

According to the regulations of the People's Republic of China, Chinese SIM cards require eKYC for activation (similar to the requirements for SIM card activation in Thailand).

The simple process starts by downloading the Huaxiang Telecom App (download link shown in the Sim package)

We recommend downloading the app before your trip.

1. Once you arrive in China, insert the SIM card, open the app, and select "China Tourist."

   
   

2. Enter your mobile number and ICCD from the back of the SIM card, then upload your passport (with an OCR feature for automatic input).

3. After that, proceed with the eKYC process and agree to the terms. Once completed, wait for three minutes, then turn on airplane mode and turn it off to refresh the signal. The network signal icon will appear, and you're all set!

According to the regulations, Chinese numbers must be activated within mainland China only. If you haven’t enabled roaming, we recommend connecting to the airport’s Wi-Fi. You can check the Wi-Fi connection methods for each airport at https://www.mesh-mobi.com/post/connecting-to-free-wifi-at-various-airports-in-china

Get ready to experience the convenience of a Chinese number and an unlimited data package today!

FAQ

Which network does the card access, and is there a speed limit?

It accesses the high-speed 5G network of CHINA MOBILE, with no speed limit.

What are the current Tourist SIM plans?

• Tourist Plan A: valid for 16 days, including local data 30GB, local calls 60 mins, 30 local SMS

• Tourist Plan B: valid for 31 days, including local data 60GB, local calls 60 mins, 30 local SMS

• Tourist Plan C: valid for 31 days, including local data 100GB, local calls 60 mins, 30 local SMS

• Tourist Plan D: valid for 8 days, including local data 20GB, local calls 60 mins, 30 local SMS

How can I check usage, balance, and top-up?

Through the Huaxiang App, the same app used for SIM activation.

"Huaxiang Tel" APP -> China Tourist

-> Log in by entering your number and receiving an SMS OTP.

Is the validity period of Tourist Plans calculated as per calendar month or card activation time?

Calculated as per the card-activation time, not on calendar-month basis. I.e., if the validity period is 31 days, then the mobile plan will expire 31 days after card activation and will not be affected by the calendar month

What is charge rate for the extra data usage?

It is suggested to top-up/recharge in advance before the data, call duration or SMS are

consumed. For extra usage: extra local data: 2 CNY/500MB

What are the rates for additional data, calls, and SMS if the main package runs out?

It is recommended to top up before the main package expires. The additional rates are as follows:

- 5G data beyond the package: 2 CNY/500MB

- Calls beyond the package: 0.5 CNY/minute

- SMS beyond the package: 0.2 CNY/SMS

- MMS beyond the package: 0.5 CNY/MMS

Currently, top-ups are supported only via WeChat Pay and Alipay. Other payment methods are under development.

Does the card support roaming in other countries, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan?

Roaming is not supported. This SIM card is for use only in mainland China.

Does the user need to do anything to cancel the card before leaving China?

No, the plan will expire automatically after its end date. The system will automatically cancel the account in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure user data security.

What types of identification documents are supported for SIM activation?

Foreign passports (non-Chinese) or the Mainland Travel Permit for residents of Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Can a Chinese national ID card or mainland Chinese passport be used for SIM activation?

The SIM card is only authorized for sale to foreigners and does not support activation using a Chinese national ID card or mainland Chinese passport.

My identification information was not recognized after uploading the identification page during SIM activation. What should I do?

Please re-upload the identification page. Make sure the identification page of your travel document is clearly visible in a well-lit environment before re-uploading.

What should I do after successfully submitting the documents?

Please wait for approximately 2-3 minutes, then turn airplane mode on and off, or restart your phone. Your phone will automatically connect to the signal and be ready for use.

If you still cannot connect, please check your phone settings, including mobile networks, mobile data, and data roaming, to ensure they are turned on, and restart your phone.

How old must one be to activate and use the SIM card?

Individuals 18 years and older can activate and use the SIM card.

How many numbers can one passport activate?

A maximum of 5 China Telco numbers can be activated with one passport. However, it is recommended that the passport holder use their own passport to activate their number.

Are there any restrictions on where the SIM card can be activated?

According to the regulations of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) of the People's Republic of China, there are designated restricted areas where SIM activation is not allowed. Therefore, it is essential to activate the SIM outside of these areas (once activated, you can use the SIM in these areas normally).

Yunnan Province:

- Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (City code: 5325)

- Baoshan (5305)

- Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (5326)

- Pu'er (5308)

- Lincang (5309)

- Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture (5328)

- Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture (5331)

Hainan Province: Danzhou (4604)

Guangdong Province: Maonan District (4409)

Fujian Province: Longyan (3508)