China Unicom SIM Card: Plans, Prices & Where to Buy

China Unicom is one of China’s three national mobile carriers and a popular option for international travelers who want a local SIM card. If you’re deciding whether to buy a China Unicom SIM, wondering how much it costs, or trying to choose between a physical SIM and an eSIM, this guide covers everything you need to know before your trip.

The guide also helps you know how good China Unicom’s coverage is, where to buy a SIM, which tourist plans are available, and when a travel eSIM might be the better choice.

👉 Ready to skip the airport queue? Browse best eSIM plans for China Unicom:

I. Overview about China Unicom

China Unicom was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Beijing. It operates nationwide mobile, broadband, cloud, and enterprise network services across mainland China.

With roughly 350 million mobile subscribers, it is China’s third-largest mobile carrier after China Mobile and China Telecom.

For travelers, China Unicom is known for:

• Strong coverage in major cities
• Reliable 4G and 5G service
• Easy passport registration at official stores
• Tourist SIM cards available at major airports

II. China Unicom Coverage and Speed

Coverage

China Unicom has strong 4G and 5G coverage across most places that travelers actually visit in China. You’ll usually get a reliable signal in major cities, airports, and popular tourist destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.

Coverage is strongest along China’s eastern coast. If you’re traveling to remote western provinces or mountainous areas, China Mobile generally has better coverage than China Unicom.

One thing doesn’t change: coverage doesn’t bypass China’s internet restrictions. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube remain blocked on a standard China Unicom SIM.

If you want to check coverage before your trip, you can also look at nPerf’s live China Unicom coverage map.

Speed

In cities, China Unicom’s 5G can be very fast. Some travelers have reported speeds above 400 Mbps in central Shanghai, although actual speeds depend on your location, network congestion, and signal strength. In weaker coverage areas, speeds are often closer to 50–170 Mbps.

III. China Unicom Tourist SIM Plans and Prices

Official China Unicom tourist SIM plans typically cost 100–250 RMB, depending on how many days and how much data you need.

The prices below are based on the official tourist SIM packages available at Beijing Capital International Airport and are a useful reference for travelers visiting China.

Plan	Price	Data	Voice	SMS
7-Day	100 RMB (~$14)	30GB	100 min	None
10-Day	130 RMB (~$18)	40GB	150 min	50 free
15-Day	150 RMB (~$21)	40GB	200 min	None
30-Day	250 RMB (~$35)	50GB	300 min	None

What happens if you use more than your package?

If you run out of data or minutes before your plan expires, China Unicom charges standard out-of-package rates. You can also top up most tourist SIMs through the China Unicom App, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.

Service	Cost
Extra data	5 RMB/GB
Local calls	0.15 RMB/min
SMS	0.1 RMB/message
Receiving SMS	Free

IV. Where to Buy a China Unicom SIM – 2 Options

You can buy a China Unicom SIM at major airports and official China Unicom stores across China. If you want to get connected as soon as you land, airport counters are the easiest option. If you’re looking for a lower price, official stores in the city are usually a better choice.

Option 1. Buy at the airport

China Unicom has arrival-hall counters at major international airports, including:

• Beijing Capital (PEK)
• Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
• Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
• Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX)

These counters are familiar with serving international travelers, so buying a SIM with a passport is usually quick and straightforward. For airport-specific locations and opening hours, see our airport SIM card guide.

Option 2: Buy in the city

You can also buy a SIM at any official China Unicom store, identified by the red-and-white 中国联通 logo.

Bring your passport, as it’s required for identity registration before the SIM can be activated. If possible, choose a larger official branch, since these stores are generally more experienced with foreign passport registrations.

For store recommendations, see our city guides for Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

V. China Unicom SIM vs Travel eSIM

A physical China Unicom SIM and a travel eSIM serve different needs. The biggest difference is that a local China Unicom SIM follows mainland China’s internet restrictions, while many travel eSIMs route data differently, so Google, YouTube, Facebook, and ChatGPT work without a separate VPN.

If you don’t want to buy a physical SIM at the airport or register one with your passport, you can buy a China Unicom travel eSIM before your trip. You’ll receive a QR code by email within 5–10 minutes after checkout and can install it before or after arriving in China.

The eSIM uses the China Unicom network, lets you keep your home SIM active for calls and OTPs, and gives you access to Google, YouTube, Facebook, and ChatGPT without a separate VPN.

Plans are available for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days, with both fixed-data and daily-data options, starting from $4.90.

Feature	China Unicom SIM	Travel eSIM
Chinese phone number	Yes	No
Passport required	Yes	No
Buy before arrival	No	Yes
Google & YouTube	Blocked, needs a VPN	Works without a VPN
WhatsApp	Blocked, needs a VPN	Works without a VPN
Keep your home SIM	No	Yes
Voice calls	Yes	Usually data only

A physical SIM is best if you need a mainland Chinese phone number. A travel eSIM is usually the easier option if your priority is staying connected to international apps from the moment you land.

VI. Which Carrier Is Better for Your Trip?

Each Chinese carrier has different strengths.

Carrier	Best for
China Mobile	Remote and rural travel
China Unicom	Major cities and balanced pricing
China Telecom	Southern China

If your trip is mostly in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, or Xi’an, China Unicom performs very well for most travelers.

VII. How to Activate China Unicom SIM Card

To activate and use a China Unicom SIM card, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that your device is unlocked and compatible with China Unicom’s network bands.
2. Insert the SIM card into your device.
3. Turn on your device and follow the on-screen prompts to activate the SIM card.
4. You may need to select a data plan or top up your balance using one of the available top-up methods.
5. Once activated, you can start using your China Unicom SIM card for data, voice, and SMS services.

VIII. How to Top-Up China Unicom SIM Card

To top up your China Unicom SIM card or eSIM, you can choose from various convenient methods:

Top-Up Methods

• Online: Visit China Unicom’s official website or mobile app to recharge your account using a credit card or online payment method.
• Retail Stores: Purchase a top-up voucher from China Unicom retail stores or authorized resellers and follow the instructions to top up your account.
• ATMs: Some ATMs in China allow you to top up your China Unicom account directly using cash or a bank card.
• Mobile Apps: Use third-party mobile apps like WeChat or Alipay to recharge your China Unicom account seamlessly.

By utilizing these top-up methods, you can ensure that your China Unicom SIM card or eSI

IX. FAQs About China Unicom SIM Cards

VIII. Final Thoughts

China Unicom is a reliable choice for travelers spending most of their time in China’s major cities. A physical SIM works well if you need a local phone number, while a travel eSIM using the same network is usually the simpler option if your priority is getting online quickly and keeping access to international apps throughout your trip.