How can this work without a China SIM card. Cannot buy nowadays due to new security rules.

Are SIM cards still for sale at airports or anywhere?

Recent trip, I could not buy one from shops without a China ID. Foreign passport not eligible. Shenzhen airport zero, even asking staff.

Any solution (without asking someone else to register illegally)?

Maybe changed since Oct 1 ??? I was denied in every city for a week and two airports.

I asked a friend to send me angpow. Came through OK but cannot open wallet without China ID and bank account. Ringgit wallet not usable in China.

Maybe those 5/6 star international hotels, ok.
Try hawker stalls in the street, parking lots, souvenir stalls, who happily accept WeChat
Or supermarkets that say only China VISA.

@Avantasia

How did you use cards for public transport? Were local taxis, buses, DiDi, bus and train stations OK for foreign VISA?

Thanks for the tip!

I found Sim2Fly on Lazada which looks like it will do the job too. My alternative was to ask a relative to bring along a HK dual card under his name, but that has its own problems like non renewable expiry, no top up outside of HK, etc.

Last week at Shenzhen none in sight. Asked airport staff , they said none in airport. In another city, several shops and agents said passport not enough, must have China residence or some other China ID.

Several brands available Myfly Sim2fly etc but one drawback -- no voice except maybe via WeChat etc, and no China number for others to call. Sometimes needed for apps and other business. A few years ago the HK dual ones had a number but don't know about the present system.

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Oct 25 2018, 09:06 PM

But not for foreigners! I tried last week!!!

Found Lazada one for Guangdong only, enough for me this trip. Cheaper, more days, more GB, no blocking. But data only.

If the AP is working on your phone with China SIM registered to you, wouldn't your passport be enough for ID?

Can I do this now in Malaysia with my China SIM?

Nice site, nice service, but maybe over-priced in USD$. 10GB data for Rm80?

Guangzhou in November - I found SIM service at the Hotels Info counter before exiting security area. It was Unicom but I don't remember the price. Official Unicom counter in big mall told me it would be valid as long as there is balance. I bought a 50 yuan top up card to keep on hand for next landing in China..

The website says expires after 90 days despite balance. Extend 90 days for USD$10, etc. When I put in number, it says not valid for their service. I guess I should risk 50 yuan and load the topup before the 90 days. Dunno if works outside China though.

This post has been edited by oneeleven: Jan 22 2019, 02:18 AM

Left-over Soviet style tourism economy. Obviously you didn't experience the hassle before of different currency notes for foreigners, notes that local people had never seen before and could be used to buy "luxury" goods, like rationed soap.

Update: I could not do the 50 rmb top up myself. I had to get a China resident visiting Malaysia to do it for me.

@pigduck: " or just get a Unionpay debit card?" Do you mean do this in Malaysia? Might not work in China or charges very expensive. If it allows you to validate for AP and WP then good!

Any non-China residents with a report about using WeChat Pay in China ?