D (Australia, France, etc)<\/td> 20 minutes<\/td> 1.96 CNY\/min<\/td> $10<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nChina Unicom provides various USSD codes that allow users to manage their SIM cards efficiently. Here are some useful USSD codes:<\/p>\n\n\n\nAction<\/th> USSD Code<\/th> Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Check Airtime Balance<\/td> Send text “101” to 100101<\/td> Free of charge<\/td><\/tr> Check Data Balance<\/td> Send text “2082” to 100101<\/td> Free of charge<\/td><\/tr> General Balance Check<\/td> Send text “ye” to 100102<\/td> Free of charge<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTo top up your China Unicom SIM card or eSIM, you can choose from various convenient methods:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top-Up Methods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\nOnline<\/strong>: Visit China Unicom’s official website or mobile app to recharge your account using a credit card or online payment method.<\/li>\n\n\n\nRetail Stores<\/strong>: Purchase a top-up voucher from China Unicom retail stores or authorized resellers and follow the instructions to top up your account.<\/li>\n\n\n\nATMs<\/strong>: Some ATMs in China allow you to top up your China Unicom account directly using cash or a bank card.<\/li>\n\n\n\nMobile Apps<\/strong>: Use third-party mobile apps like WeChat or Alipay to recharge your China Unicom account seamlessly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nBy utilizing these top-up methods, you can ensure that your China Unicom SIM card or eSIM remains active with sufficient credit for your communication needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
X. FAQs about China Unicom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What is the cheapest China Unicom SIM card for tourists?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Data-only weekly plans start around $6 for 10 GB over 7 days. Plans with calling minutes cost around $8 for 7 days. Airport counter prices may be slightly higher than posted rates due to the SIM card cost itself<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What networks and frequencies does China Unicom use?<\/h3>\n\n\n
For 2G, China Unicom uses 900MHz and 1800MHz. For 3G, it uses 900MHz and 2100MHz. For 4G\/LTE, it uses 1800MHz, 2100MHz, and 2600MHz (TD-LTE).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Can I use Google and WhatsApp with a China Unicom SIM?<\/h3>\n\n\n
No. A standard China Unicom SIM is subject to the Great Firewall. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and many other foreign services are blocked. You would need a VPN to access your favourite apps.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Do I need to suspend my plan before leaving China?<\/h3>\n\n\n
If you purchased a prepaid tourist plan, it will expire automatically at the end of its validity period. There is nothing to cancel. However, if a store enrolled you in a monthly plan, ask them to confirm it will not auto-renew, or call 10010 before departure to cancel.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Does China Unicom have 5G for tourists?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Yes. If your phone supports 5G, you can access China Unicom’s 5G network in 350+ cities. Median download speeds on 5G reach approximately 230 Mbps. Most tourist SIM plans work on both 4G and 5G.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
What happens when my data runs out?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Your speed is typically reduced to 128 kbps rather than cut off entirely. At that speed, messaging works but browsing and maps are slow. To continue at full speed, you need to top up which is difficult for tourists without a Chinese payment method. This is one reason many travelers prefer an eSIM with a generous pre-set data allowance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
Can I buy a China Unicom SIM before arriving in China?<\/h3>\n\n\n
Physical SIM cards require in-person passport registration in China, so you cannot activate one before arrival. However, you can buy a ChinaeSIM online and install it before your flight. It activates when you connect to a Chinese network after landing.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Final Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Whether opting for a travel SIM card for short-term visits or a local prepaid SIM card for extended stays, China Unicom provides flexible plans to cater to diverse communication needs. With convenient top-up methods, useful USSD codes, and reliable customer support, China Unicom remains a reliable choice for international visitors seeking connectivity in China.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
China Unicom is the second largest mobile operator in China, offering some of the most tourist-accessible SIM card and eSIM options. If you need reliable data in Shanghai, Beijing, or Guangzhou, a China Unicom sim card is a solid choice. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about China Unicom SIM […]\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":6240,"parent":3356,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-right-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6239"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6239\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3356"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chinaesim.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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