Capital of the People’s Republic of China as well as the center of most of China’s renowned historical sites, Beijing is a must-see location for any new traveler arriving in China. Beijing is considered to be China’s cultural mecca. It is a city that is full of ancient historical sights, amazing architecture, excellent shopping and exotic foods.
There are many options when it comes to Beijing cell phone access. You can first start off by checking with your local mobile cell phone provider and finding out if they have any roaming plans for China and the associated rates. Your network will have to be on a GSM network in order to have Beijing cell phone access while in China.
Your cell phone for Beijing will have to be unlocked for international service and then all you have to do is purchase a SIM card. The largest Beijing cell phone providers are China Mobile and China Unicom. These SIM cards can be purchased at any of the airports in China or in the local mobile phone shops or convenience stores. An interesting little tidbit for tourists includes some of the Chinese suspicions regarding “lucky” or “unlucky” numbers. Cell phone for Beijing numbers that are considered auspicious include 6, 8 and 9. These numbers will be more expensive than the “unlucky” numerical digits such as 4, which is the number of death.
If you are not going to use your home cell phone, it is possible to buy a prepaid phone, which is usually the more affordable option. These phones have different features and various options when it comes to SIM cards. It is important to find out if the SIM card permits calls outside of China if you want this type of access. Some SIM cards allow you to make calls to other countries, while others do not. Most SIMS permit users to place calls outside of China but they won’t permit you to send out text messages. In order to text, you will have to put down a hefty deposit and purchase two different SIM cards. This may not be worth the added expense or hassle.
Beijing is truly an amazing vacation destination. It is not difficult to receive mobile phone access while exploring the ancient ruins or enjoying any of the various festivals. It is important to know how to gain mobile phone access prior to your trip so you are prepared to make calls as soon as you arrive in Beijing.


