SIM cards for international tourists in China at PEK and PKX
SIM cards for international tourists in China at PEK and PKX
Purchasing SIM cards at Beijing airports (PEK & PKX) for international tourists
Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
Beijing Service Counters:
Located on the International Arrivals floor (Floor 2) of Terminal 3 (Exit B).
Terminal 2 - near Gate 7 China Mobile & China Unicom:
Terminal 3:
China Mobile near Baggage Carousel 38
China Unicom in the International Baggage Claim Hall.
Opening Hours: Terminal 2 shops are reported to be open 24 hours, while Terminal 3 shops are typically open from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Online Pre-order & Pickup: You can pre-order a SIM card online through the Beijing Service website https://english.beijing.gov.cn/specials/beijingservice/pek/sim/index.html for pickup at the Beijing Service counter. This option is available for both China Mobile and China Unicom.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
Beijing Service Counter: Located across from international arrivals.
Mobile Services Desk: Offers instant SIM activation and Wi-Fi access.
China Mobile Counter: Situated on the third floor of the terminal.
General Information and Requirements
Documents Required: A valid passport is necessary for SIM card registration.
Unlocked Phone: Your phone must be unlocked and compatible with Chinese networks (3G, 4G, or 5G).
Payment: While cards are generally accepted, it's wise to have cash available.
Local Address (optional): Some operators might ask for a local address or hotel details.
Tourist Plans: Short-term plans designed for tourists with varying data and call allowances are typically available.
Cost
PEK: Short-stay plans can cost between 100-250 RMB (approximately $14-$35 USD).
PKX: Plans for 5, 15, or 30 days are available for 100/150/250 RMB respectively.
eSIMs as an alternative
Compatibility: eSIMs are a convenient option if your phone supports them.
Online Purchase & Activation: eSIMs can be purchased online from various providers and activated instantly via a QR code.
Great Firewall Bypass: Foreign eSIMs may allow access to blocked services like Google and social media without a VPN.
Pricing: Plan prices vary.
Important Note
Local SIM cards are generally subject to China's Great Firewall, requiring a VPN to access blocked websites or apps. Consider a tourist SIM or eSIM that includes VPN services for unrestricted internet access.
Links that might help further on this subject
