SIM Card Purchase for China

Need a phone with this SIM?

Detailed Features Info & Rates Chart Activation Recharges Coverage Map Operating Instructions Need a phone? Priced at only $69.00

Cellular Abroad SIM Card for China

A China Prepaid SIM Card, together with a tri-band unlocked GSM cell phone, will allow you not only to have a local cell phone number for China but also to pay local rates - and without a contract. For your next trip to China, make sure to purchase a prepaid SIM card.

If you are going to need a phone in Hong Kong as well, our China/Hong Kong SIM card may be a better option for you.

Information and Talk Rates Chart

*You can find more detailed information on rates including roaming charges here.

Detailed Features

• A China pre-paid SIM card and Chinese cell phone number-you'll have the number before you depart!
• Complete with initial airtime worth RMB 150 yuan ($18)-that's about 38 minutes of outgoing calls back to the US (w/IP dialing) or 100 minutes of received calls or of local dialing within China.
• Easily add talk time with a credit card by calling a Chinese 800 number or by purchasing recharge voucher cards at many convenient locations.
• Domestic rates as low as approximately $0.09 per minute
• Incoming international calls only $0.17 per minute
• Calls back to the US and Canada as little as $0.47 per minute
• No yearly contract, monthly charges, minimum minutes per day or per call, and no credit checks
• Optional voicemail service for a one-time setup fee of $5
• English-speaking customer representatives in China
• Automatic call credit recharge service
• Very affordable rates from the US for those calling your China cell number with Gorilla Mobile-only 5 cents per minute!
• Note: This SIM doesn't work in Hong Kong. If needed, you can purchase a Hong Kong SIM or hybrid China-Hong Kong SIM. The latter, provides you with local service in both countries.
• From a landline, (NOT from payphones, mobile phones, and majority of hotels) Cellular Abroad can be reached 24/7 with English customer support by dialing this number: 00-800-3623-3333. From a cell: (310)862-7100 or email us at support@cellularabroad.com

Your China SIM Card Cell Phone Number:
Your Shanghai-based cell phone number is in the accompanying China SIM Card package. You will find it on the back of your credit card sized information card. It is a 10 or 11 digit number, generally starting with 135, 136, 137, 138 or 139 (ex. 13532262828). The first three digits are the cell phone's area code.

Additional Dialing Info :
The country code for China is 86 and the outgoing international code is 00. To call the United States from your cell phone while in China you must dial 00, the country code, city code and phone number (ex.00-1-212-555-1212).

Recharging Your SIM Card:
The easiest way to add credit to your SIM card is by setting up automatic billing, and this is done from the U.S. before you leave for China. Upon request, your China Mobile prepaid account will be topped-up whenever the call credit drops down to $3. (Detailed instructions come with your China SIM card.) Choosing this method for adding credit to your pre-paid is highly recommended.

In Shanghai (only) you can add call credit via recharge cards which are available in denominations of RMB 50, 100, 300 and 500 yuan at convenience stores, news stands and post offices.

Detailed Rates:
Currently, one yuan is worth about 12 US cents. For up-to-date currency exchange rates, use the Currency Converter. Rates are based on per-minute charges.

*China Mobile also offers a 40% discount concession for all domestic long distance calls and certain international long distance calls made between midnight and 7:00 a.m. Please call customer info at 13800138000 for more information.
** Dialing 17901 or 17951 then destination # will save you over 70% cost on international calls.

Not only are the rates the best possible rates to make and receive phone calls in China but, since this is a Chinese carrier and no roaming is involved, the service quality is also the most reliable. This is one case where what you get for far exceeds what you pay for! Sebastian Harrison, President, Cellular Abroad

Service Life:
The validity of your SIM Card is extended each time you recharge your card. After your last top-up, you have up to 4 months to add more credit. Please note that after 3 months of inactivity, you lose any credit on the account. You then have 1 month to re-apply credit to the account before the SIM card is de-commissioned. Once this takes place, you will not be able to re-instate the service back with your SIM card.

Multi-Country Travel
You can also purchase other SIM cards as well for other countries to where you may be traveling. (This option is good for those planning on doing a lot of local calling.) We also offer an international roaming Talk Abroad™ SIM Card that is convenient for travel to multiple countries. (This option is useful for those wanting a single number for use in multiple countries and who will be making more calls back home than locally.)