China Telecom SIM cards & eSIMs: Guide for Tourists

Mia Moore

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Latest update: March 2025

Traveling to China offers an exciting adventure, but staying connected is essential for navigating new destinations, accessing online information, and keeping in touch with loved ones. One of the most convenient ways to ensure seamless connectivity is by purchasing a China Telecom SIM card or eSIM. This guide provides all the essential information about China Telecom, from its coverage and speed, best SIM plans for tourists, how to activate and better alternative option.

I. Why choose China Telecom?

China Telecom is one of the leading mobile network operators in China. It operates in many countries, including the US, UK, and Singapore, and serves 360+ million users. There are 3 main reasons to choose China Telecom’s services when traveling in China:

• Extensive Network: With over 370 million subscribers, China Telecom is a telecommunications giant, providing robust services across China and globally.
• Reliable Coverage: Strong presence in urban areas like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, ensuring you stay connected in bustling cityscapes.
• Advanced Technology: A key player in China’s 5G rollout, partnering with tech leaders like Huawei and ZTE to deliver cutting-edge connectivity.

II. How is China Telecom’s coverage and speed in China?

1. China Telecom’s Coverage

Source: zenlayer

As a tourist visiting China, it is important to understand the nuances of China Telecom’s network coverage:

• Network Type: China Telecom uses a CDMA network, which is different from the GSM network that many international phones use. Only certain “global” CDMA phones will work with China Telecom.
• Coverage: China Telecom has good coverage in big cities and is slowly reaching more rural areas. However, it doesn’t cover as much ground as China Mobile and China Unicom. In the countryside, you can still rely on 2G for calls and texts.
• Phone Compatibility: Their 4G network runs on bands 1, 3, and 5, but band 5 isn’t used much. Most unlocked smartphones that support multiple bands should connect just fine with bands 1 and 3 in the cities.

2. China Telecom’s speed

Fixed Broadband: As of the latest tests, China Telecom’s fixed broadband offers a solid median download speed of around 241.69 Mbps, making it the 8th fastest globally. Upload speeds are about 38.27 Mbps, which is pretty decent for everyday use.

Mobile Network: China Telecom’s mobile network delivers a median download speed of about 143.68 Mbps. This ranks it as the 4th fastest in China, just behind China Broadnet, China Mobile, and China Unicom.

City Highlights: If you’re in Tianjin, you’re in luck! It’s got the fastest fixed-line speeds at 326.07 Mbps. Meanwhile, Beijing shines with mobile download speeds reaching 232.41 Mbps.

Comparison with Others: For tourists using wireless data, China Telecom actually beats China Unicom in terms of median 4G download and upload speeds. So, you can expect a pretty smooth experience while exploring the city.

III. Best China Telecom SIM plans for tourists and Costs

China Telecom offers tourists the Default Prepaid Data SIM plan which can be used for Mainland China and Hong Kong.

• Data: 2GB
• Validity: 10 days
• Cost: HK $48
• Card validity period: 180 days starting from activation.

After the default mobile data has run out, you can buy additional mobile data packages based on the following table:

You can also top up to get extra value (bonus). The more you top up, the greater extra value you receive. For example, if you top up with HK $70, you will get HK $75 in your total credit.

Notes:

• This SIM card must be activated in Hong Kong.
• Check that your phone must be compatible with China Telecom’s networks. China Telecom historically used CDMA technology, but now also offers 4G/5G services on more universally accepted frequencies.
• SIM plans offered directly by China Telecom do not allow access to Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or other restricted websites / apps by the Chinese government. To access them, you need to set up VPN, which is rather complicated.

From the above information, it is rather inconvenient for people to buy and use China Telecom SIM cards when traveling in China. So we do not suggest this option.

IV. Does China Telecom have eSIM?

No, China Telecom doesn’t offer eSIM. While China Telecom is a major mobile carrier in China, they do not currently support eSIM (embedded SIM) technology directly for their customers. Their SIM cards are only available as physical nano-SIM or micro-SIM cards. This lack of eSIM support can be a problem for international travelers, especially those with newer phones that rely solely on eSIMs and don’t have physical SIM card slots.

V. Where to buy a China Telecom SIM card and How?

Foreigners can buy a China Telecom SIM card at:

• China Telecom Retail Stores: Available in major cities, airports, and transportation hubs. Staff can help you select a SIM card and data package. For example, find them on Wangfujing Street (Beijing) or Nanjing Road (Shanghai).
• Authorized Resellers and Agents: China Telecom has numerous authorized resellers across the country.
• Convenience Stores: Some convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart sell SIM cards, but selection and assistance may be limited.
• Online: Some providers allow you to purchase a SIM card online before you travel.
• Airports: You can try purchasing a SIM card at PEK, PVG, or CAN airports upon arrival, but this may be more expensive.

What to prepare: You will need to provide your passport (or a photocopy) for registration, as the Chinese government requires real-name registration for SIM card activation.

VI. How to activate China Telecom SIM cards?

Take the steps below to activate a China Telecom SIM card:

• Power off the phone, insert the SIM card into the SIM tray, then power the phone back on.
• Send a specific SMS message or make a phone call to a designated phone number to activate the SIM card.
• If your data is not working, you need to manually configure APN settings with the information provided by the SIM card provider. Common settings include:
• APN: ctnet or cmnet
• User name: [leave blank]
• Password: [leave blank]

VII. Alternate to China Telecom SIM cards

If you are looking for alternatives to China Telecom SIM cards, you can consider alternative mobile network providers, China Mobile and China Unicom. However, China Mobile and Unicom SIMs for tourists also block restricted sites, so they’re not ideal.

Instead, get a travel SIM/eSIM. They often include a built-in VPN to access blocked sites and don’t require personal registration.

If your phone uses eSIM, try Gigago China eSIM (uses China Mobile’s network). They offer various data plans and include a built-in VPN for easy access to Facebook, Google, etc.

Gigago eSIMs are emailed quickly, activate on arrival, and don’t need you to remove your regular SIM. You can choose from unlimited data, daily data or fixed data plans which fit you most.

VIII. How to top up a China Telecom SIM Card?

There are many ways to top up your China Telecom SIM card. They’re:

• Online Recharge: Use the China Telecom website or app to top up your SIM card with a credit card or payment app like WeChat Pay.
• Physical Recharge Card: Buy a recharge card from a China Telecom store or an authorized retailer. Scratch the card to reveal the code, then follow the instructions to enter it on your phone.
• At a Store: Visit a China Telecom store and ask the staff to help you add credit to your SIM card.
• WeChat or Alipay: Use these popular apps to recharge by searching for China Telecom’s service and entering your phone number.
• Via Telephone: Dial 10000 and follow the voice guidance.

IX. FAQs