Getting a Chinese SIM Card in Chengdu: Which Plan Should You Choose?
One of the first things you will need after arriving in China is a local SIM card.
Many students wonder if they can simply use their European SIM card. Technically, yes, but having a Chinese phone number will make your daily life much easier. In China, your phone number is often linked to your digital identity. You will need it for many everyday services, such as verifying WeChat and Alipay, ordering food on Meituan, booking taxis with Didi, renting shared bikes, shopping online, and receiving verification codes from different platforms; some apps will not be accessible from your European sim card store. So having a local number means you can start exploring Chengdu independently from day one without dealing with unnecessary complications.
Why you need a Chinese sim card?
A SIM card may seem like a small detail, but it is one of the first steps toward becoming independent in China. Once you have your number, you can focus on what really matters: discovering Chengdu, meeting new people and enjoying your immersion experience.
Choose China Telecom
There are three main mobile operators in China: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. All providers have, on average, similar offers and similar princings.There are three main mobile operators in China: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. We recommend China Telecom mainly because of convenience.
Since February 26, China Telecom has a store at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, allowing you to buy your SIM card as soon as you arrive. It’s next to the international travelers’ exit at Terminal 1 (on the right when you exit), it’s open late and the staff is used about dealing with foreigners.
The Two Main Types of China Telecom Plans
->30-Day Prepaid Package (at the airport only)
This option is designed for short stays of less than 30 days. You pay once and the package is valid for 30 days.
The offers include voice call, text messages (not that you will really need it) and various GB packages (unless streaming lots and never using Wifi, 20GB is usually enough for a student).
- Option A: 195 ¥ /30 days: 50GB, 300 minutes voice, 50 text message
- Option B: 125 ¥ /15 days: 30GB, 200 minutes voice, 50 text message
- Option C: 85 ¥ /7 days: 20GB, 200 minutes voice, 50 text message
After 30 days, the package expires and there are no automatic monthly payments. It is a simple solution if you are coming to Chengdu for a short language program, a summer course, or a stay of less than one month.
->Monthly Plan Without Contract
For students staying longer the better choice is the monthly plan.
Instead of buying a temporary package, you have a regular Chinese mobile plan. The monthly fee is deducted from your account balance, and you can continue using the same phone number as long as you recharge your account.
- Option A: 59 ¥ /month: 20GB, 300 minutes voice
- Option B: 34 ¥ /month: 15GB, 200 minutes voice
- Option C: 29 ¥ /month: 1OGB, 100 minutes voice
- Data usage exceeding is about 5¥ /GB
There is no engagement, when there is no balance anymore, the plan ends. If you leave China for an extended period your plan will keep running until there is funds on your balance, after what it will remain sleeping for 3 months until you loose your phone number. You can check (and recharge) your balance at all time from the app. Note that a deposit of 300¥ (added as credit) is necessary to sign up.
Before Buying Your SIM Card
Remember to bring your passport, as all Chinese SIM cards must be registered with your identity document.
We prepared a little document in english and in Chinese with the China Telecom team (who were very friendly and helpful), you can simply hand it over to the person at the counter and they will know what you want. Easy, right?
Small talks
您好！我是国际学生，我不会说中文。
我想办理一张中国电信手机卡。请您帮我选择一个适合留学生的手机套餐。
我想了解套餐价格、流量、有效期，以及如何充值。谢谢您的帮助！
Pinyin:
Nín hǎo! Wǒ shì guójì xuéshēng, wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén.
Wǒ xiǎng bànlǐ yì zhāng Zhōngguó Diànxìn shǒujī kǎ. Qǐng nín bāng wǒ xuǎnzé yí gè shìhé liúxuéshēng de shǒujī tàocān.
Wǒ xiǎng liǎojiě tàocān jiàgé, liúliàng, yǒuxiàoqī, yǐjí rúhé chōngzhí. Xièxiè nín de bāngzhù!
Meaning:
Hello! I am an international student and I cannot speak Chinese.
I would like to get a China Telecom SIM card. Could you help me choose a phone plan suitable for international students?
I would like to know the price, data allowance, validity period, and how to recharge. Thank you for your help.
Useful words
手机卡(shǒujī kǎ) → SIM card
手机号 / 手机号码(shǒujī hào / shǒujī hàomǎ) → Phone number
套餐(tàocān) → Phone plan / package
月租套餐(yuèzū tàocān) → Monthly subscription plan
预付套餐(yùfù tàocān) → Prepaid plan
流量(liúliàng) → Mobile data
5G流量(5G liúliàng) → 5G data
通话(tōnghuà) → Phone calls
短信(duǎnxìn) → SMS / text messages
充值(chōngzhí) → Recharge / top up
余额(yú’é) → Account balance
有效期(yǒuxiàoqī) → Validity period
合约(héyuē) → Contract
Useful sentences
我想买一张手机卡。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì zhāng shǒujī kǎ.)→ I want to buy a SIM card.
我想办理一个手机套餐。(Wǒ xiǎng bànlǐ yí gè shǒujī tàocān.)→ I want to get a phone plan.
这个套餐多少钱一个月？(Zhège tàocān duōshǎo qián yí gè yuè?)→ How much is this plan per month?
这个套餐有多少流量？(Zhège tàocān yǒu duōshǎo liúliàng?)→ How much data does this plan include?
这个套餐有合约吗？(Zhège tàocān yǒu héyuē ma?)→ Does this plan have a contract?
我想要没有合约的套餐。(Wǒ xiǎng yào méiyǒu héyuē de tàocān.)→ I want a plan without a contract.
我需要30天的套餐。(Wǒ xūyào sānshí tiān de tàocān.)→ I need a 30-day package.
我需要长期使用。(Wǒ xūyào chángqī shǐyòng.)→ I need to use it long term.
