China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom: what travellers should know about China's mobile networks

The three main operators and a fourth in mainland China

Mainland China has three main mobile operators: China Mobile (中国移动), China Unicom (中国联通) and China Telecom (中国电信). A fourth, China Broadnet (中国广电), is a newer entrant. Most visitors never choose an operator directly, because a travel eSIM attaches to whichever network the seller picked, but knowing them helps you read a plan page and the network name on your screen.

Coverage: big cities and rail lines

In big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Xi'an, coverage is good on every operator. Main high-speed rail lines are mostly covered too, though signal can drop briefly in long tunnels. Save tickets and maps beforehand. For booking trains see “China high-speed rail booking guide with 12306”.

5G and band compatibility with foreign phones

Most cities have 5G, but some foreign phone models do not support every 4G or 5G band that Chinese operators use, so you may get slower speeds or no 5G. You do not need to memorise band lists: check your phone model's specification page, or ask the eSIM seller whether your model works well.

Which network name shows with a travel eSIM

With a travel eSIM the screen usually shows a Chinese operator name such as CHN-UNICOM or China Mobile, though sometimes it shows a partner or plan name. That is normal and does not mean you are on the wrong network. If no name appears, follow the troubleshooting steps in “Install a China eSIM Before You Fly: Step by Step”.

Local SIMs, real-name rules and a Chinese number

Local Chinese SIMs require real-name registration with your passport, done at an operator shop or an authorised channel. It takes time and the rules can change, so check with the operator directly. The upside is a Chinese number for SMS, whereas a data-only travel eSIM has none. Compare the options in “China: Roaming vs Local SIM vs eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi”.

Why a Chinese number matters for some app sign-ups

• Didi and Meituan used to require a Chinese number for SMS; some now accept foreign numbers, but not in every case. Check inside the app before you travel.
• Keep the Thai SIM for foreign verification SMS and bank OTPs, with its data roaming off.
• Finish account sign-ups at home in advance. See “Didi in China for Visitors: Booking and Safety” and “Meituan and Dianping: Food and Deals in China”.

Network checks before you fly

Before you go, run three short checks. First, your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Second, the plan page states its network and coverage area. Third, you know when the plan's validity starts. Details are in “How to Choose a China eSIM: A Buyer's Checklist”.

Remember that foreign apps such as Google and LINE usually do not open on mainland networks and hotel Wi-Fi. A travel eSIM usually routes data through a gateway outside the mainland, so they often open, but nobody can guarantee every app. Test after landing; see “China eSIM Without a VPN: How It Works and What to Check Before Buying”.

Rural and mountain areas

In rural and mountain areas such as Zhangjiajie (张家界) and the high parts of Yunnan, signal can be weak or drop out even near tourist towns. Download offline maps, tickets and your hotel address in Chinese characters beforehand. See “Offline maps that actually work when the data runs out”.

Network questions to ask a seller

• Which operator does the plan use in China, and can the phone move to another if that signal is weak?
• Will my phone model get full 5G performance?
• Is data routed through a gateway outside the mainland, and has the seller seen my key foreign apps work?
• How do I reach support while I am in China?

Specific answers tell you more than broad advertising. If a seller cannot answer, be cautious and choose a plan that explains its terms more clearly.

If you need extra certainty, for example for work calls or presentations during the trip, prepare a backup such as Thai SIM roaming or a travel partner's hotspot, and keep key files saved offline. No network is stable at every point. Compare backup options in “China: Roaming vs Local SIM vs eSIM vs Pocket Wi-Fi”.

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