China SIM Card, Metro Card and Payment

Question

Hi!

I’m from India and I’ll be travelling solo to China for 10 days. I need advice on:

1. SIM - Which SIM card should I use for fast internet, good amount of data, enables local calls (in and out)? My phone supports eSIM as well. Where can I get it - directly at the airport or should I book it via KlooK etc?

2. Metro Card - I’ve heard metro / subway is very convenient in Shanghai and Beijing. Could you please advise where to get the Card from? Can I book it online now and then collect it from the airport?

3. Payment - I have a debit and credit card that supports international transactions but I understand that China is cashless. Should I still carry cash? Would card be enough? I’m unable to download WeChat from India, how do download, add details / connect to it?

Please advice. I’d be very grateful.

Answer

Traveling to China as a solo traveler from India for 10 days, you will need to consider connectivity, metro access, and payment options carefully, as China’s systems differ from many other countries.

1. SIM Card:

For fast internet, local calls, and sufficient data, you have a few options:

China Unicom / China Mobile / China Telecom SIMs: These are the three main providers. They offer both physical SIM cards and eSIMs. Data speeds are generally reliable in urban areas like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
eSIM option: If your phone supports eSIM, you can purchase one in advance through platforms like Klook or Airalo. This is convenient because you can activate it before arrival and avoid long airport queues.
Purchasing at airport: Most major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) have counters for these telecom operators. You can buy a SIM on arrival, though queues may exist and some staff may have limited English.
Local calls: Ensure the plan you buy allows both incoming and outgoing local calls if needed. Many tourist SIM packages focus on data, so double-check call inclusion.

2. Metro Card:

China’s metro/subway system is very convenient in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. For easier travel:

Shanghai: The Shanghai Public Transportation Card (also known as “Shanghai Jiaotong Card”) can be purchased at metro stations or convenience stores. You can also recharge it as needed.
Beijing: The Beijing Transportation Smart Card (Yikatong) is used for metro, buses, and even some taxis. Available at metro stations, some hotels, and airports.
Booking in advance: Currently, online booking and airport collection options exist for some cards via platforms like Klook. This is convenient for avoiding queues, especially on arrival.

3. Payment:

While many places in China are cashless, it is important to understand the options:

Cash: Carry a small amount of RMB (CNY) for minor purchases, rural areas, or small vendors where cards are not accepted.
Cards: International debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted in many hotels, larger restaurants, and international chains, but not everywhere. Prepare for limited acceptance in smaller shops.
Mobile payment: Alipay and WeChat Pay dominate. Downloading these from India may be difficult; the apps are available in app stores, but account setup typically requires a Chinese bank account or linking with a foreign card that some users report has limited functionality.
Workarounds: Some tourists top up a prepaid Alipay/WeChat account using an international card via tourist-friendly apps or get help from hotels to use QR codes for payments. However, relying purely on these as a visitor can be tricky.

Summary Recommendations:

Buy a SIM card with sufficient data either at the airport or via Klook/Airalo for convenience and internet access throughout your trip.
Purchase metro cards at the airport or first metro station for seamless travel in cities; recharge as needed.
Carry some cash for emergencies and small purchases; credit/debit cards will work in larger establishments, but mobile payment apps may have limitations for foreigners.

Overall, planning your SIM and metro card in advance will save time, and carrying a small cash reserve alongside your cards is advisable given China’s cashless but locally-focused payment ecosystem.

China SIM Card, Metro Card and Payment

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