Yes, you will able to use your mobile phone throughout China’s cities and countryside. Cell coverage is generally very good in the main cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, and surprisingly good in rural and regional areas.
The best ways to have coverage on the go in China are one of the following:
Buying a SIM card in China
China has three main telecom providers – China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom – with China Unicom often said to have the best coverage. If you have an unlocked phone, consider buying a local SIM card when you arrive for all of your chatting, messaging and browsing needs on the go.
Buying a mobile wi-fi hotspot in China
Mobile wi-fi networks, also known as mi-fi, are becoming more and more common in places like China. These small devices are kind of like hard drives and create a wi-fi hotspot for any of your devices to connect. They're reasonably priced, so it's worth doing your research before you arrive, especially if you’re travelling a lot and need internet access on the go.
Global roaming in China
If you wish to use your current SIM plan, ensure global roaming is activated before leaving your home country. Also, be sure to contact your local service provider to discuss costs associated with roaming, as this option can often work out to be highly expensive. This may be the simplest way to connect, but it’s likely to be the most costly.
Keep in mind that messaging apps like WhatsApp and Viber are blocked in China. Some travellers have luck using Skype, but the best way to message while in China is using Weixin (WeChat) – China’s online social media and messaging platform.
Our tours in China
12 Days
From
4480
Take a small group Premium adventure that weaves together some of China’s most famous...
9 Days
From
1320
Travel between Shanghai and Beijing, visiting the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors...
20 Days
From
4280
Travel through Russia, China and Mongolia on this 20-day tour. Ride the Trans-Siberian...
23 Days
From
4920
Explore China, Mongolia and Russia on a journey from Beijing to St Petersburg via...
12 Days
From
1490
Discover China’s northern hotspots with Intrepid on a 12-day Lonely Planet Experience...
Tailor-Made trips
Take two or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
12 Days
From
2440
Discover China and the tantalising sights, culture and food of Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an...
16 Days
From
3645
Travel to China, Mongolia and Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway from Beijing to...
32 Days
From
6670
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
19 Days
From
3655
Travel to China and tour Beijing, visit the Great Wall of China, see the Terracotta...
12 Days
From
3185
Travel to the Land of the Dragon and explore Beijing, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Chengdu and Hong...
12 Days
From
2960
Spend 12 days exploring northern China from Shanghai to Beijing, including Luoyang, the...
12 Days
From
1364
From Great Wall to Terracotta Warriors, pandas to picturesque Yangshuo, this 12-day...
15 Days
From
3135
Retrace the path of the ancient Silk Road from Beijing to Xi'an, Zhangye and Turpan...
7 Days
From
1375
Come on an active adventure that takes you to hiking the Great Wall of China, cycling...
41 Days
From
9055
Embark on an epic 32-day Silk Road adventure through China, Kyrgyzstan and into...
11 Days
From
4205
Traverse through the mountainous beauty of Tibet. Beginning in Kathmandu, explore Lhasa...
12 Days
From
2455
Embark on a 12-day adventure from Beijing to Hong Kong, exploring key highlights...
15 Days
From
4250
Cross from Beijing to Kathmandu on an epic overland journey, seeing the temples and...
