First Stop China

SIM cards & phone numbers in Shanghai

Whether you actually need a Chinese number, and how to get one if you do.

Last reviewed for the 2026 season · SIM cards & phone numbers across all of China →

In Shanghai specifically

In Shanghai, official carrier stores are common downtown; bring your passport for registration.
Shanghai's Pudong / Hongqiao has carrier counters, but opening hours may not match late arrivals.
For a 4-night stay in Shanghai, a 10–20 GB eSIM is usually plenty.

What everyone needs to know

Most visitors do not need a Chinese number — an international eSIM covers maps, payments and messaging.
A local SIM requires passport registration at an official carrier counter.
A Chinese number makes some domestic registrations possible (certain bike-share and delivery apps) but breaks access to Google and WhatsApp.
Numbers must be topped up; unused prepaid SIMs expire.

The numbers

Item	Typical value
Local SIM	¥100–200 for 30 days
Registration	Passport required, in person
Data package	10–30 GB typical
Where to buy	Airport counter or carrier store

Do it in this order

Decide first: eSIM (keeps WhatsApp) or local SIM (Chinese number, loses WhatsApp).
For a local SIM, go to an official China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom store with your passport.
Ask the staff to activate data and confirm the balance before you leave the counter.
Top up via the carrier app or a convenience store.

Mistakes that cost money or time

Buying a local SIM on day one and losing WhatsApp for the whole trip.
Buying from a reseller who cannot register the SIM properly.
Forgetting that prepaid credit expires if unused.

Check it at the source

Questions people actually ask

Can I keep my home SIM active?: Yes, and you should — it receives bank verification SMS. Disable data roaming to avoid charges.
Do I need a Chinese number for DiDi?: No. DiDi registers with an international number and pays with a foreign card.

More about Shanghai

SIM cards & phone numbers in other cities