China +86
To call China from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 86, then the local number without its leading 0. In full: +86 131 2345 6789.
The country calling code for China is +86. A number starting +86 or 0086 is a call to or from China. From abroad: +86 131 2345 6789.
To call China from abroad, dial your exit code (or +), then 86, then the local number without its leading 0. The +86 code identifies the country; the following digits identify the line (landline or mobile).
How to call China from abroad
011 86 131 2345 678900 86 131 2345 67890011 86 131 2345 6789+86 131 2345 6789131 2345 6789 is a real-format China mobile number (example from the ITU-T numbering plan): replace it with the number you were given, without its leading 0.
China area codes
When calling a landline in China, dial the city area code after +86 (without its leading 0):
| City | Area code | Full dial |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | 10 | +86 10 … |
| Shanghai | 21 | +86 21 … |
| Guangzhou | 20 | +86 20 … |
| Shenzhen | 755 | +86 755 … |
| Chengdu | 28 | +86 28 … |
Number format
10 1234 5678from abroad+86 10 1234 56780131 2345 6789from abroad+86 131 2345 6789Landline numbers in China have 7 to 11 digits after the country code; mobile numbers have 11 digits and start with 1. The national prefix 0 is only dialled inside the country — drop it after +86.
Calling abroad from China
To call another country from China, dial the exit code 00 (or + on a mobile), then the country code, then the number. From China to the United States, for example: 00 1 201 555 0123.
A China number in international format is written +86 …. The + stands for the exit prefix (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America). Switching to international format, drop the leading 0.
Cheapest ways to call China
With internet on both ends, apps like WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call China for free. To reach a number without an app, VoIP services are usually cheaper than your operator’s international rate.
Frequently asked questions
What country has the code +86?
China has the country calling code +86.
How do I call China from the United States?
Dial 011, then 86, then the local number without its leading 0 — for example 011 131 2345 6789.
What does +86 mean?
It is the international dialing code for China. The + stands for your exit code (00 in much of the world, 011 in North America).
Is +86 mobile or landline?
The +86 code identifies the country, not the line type; China landlines and mobiles share it.
A country code covers a whole nation; the full number depends on the city and operator.
Mobile networks in China
4 mobile network operators run their own networks in China. The largest is China Mobile, with about 1,009 million subscribers (Q1 2026). Pick the one with the best coverage where you will spend most of your time.
中国移动
Owned by State-owned (SASAC) Public-traded
中国电信
Owned by State-owned (SASAC) Public-traded
中国联通
Owned by State-owned (SASAC) Public-traded
中国广电
Owned by State-owned (NRTA)
- 3G has been switched off on China Mobile, China Telecom. A phone that only works on 3G will get no data there and may not be able to call: check that yours supports 4G with voice (VoLTE) before you go.
- 2G is gone on China Telecom, China Unicom, which also affects old feature phones and some smartwatches or car trackers.
- Planned switch-offs: China Unicom (3G, 2026-12-31 (est.)).
- 4G/5G frequency bands used in China: 5G 2100, 5G 2500, 5G 3500, 5G 700, 5G 850, LTE 1800, LTE 2100, LTE 850, LTE 900. Most recent smartphones cover them; older or regional models may miss some.
Operators, subscriber counts, network codes and switch-off dates: Wikipedia (lists of mobile network operators, mobile network codes, 2G/3G phase-out, mobile number portability), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Figures come from each operator or regulator at the date shown.
Getting a SIM card in China
What visitors and new residents need to know before buying a local SIM or eSIM in China, with a source for each point.
Restricted: WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal are blocked by the Great Firewall (Signal since March 2021); domestic apps such as WeChat are the norm.
Source: scmp.com
Buying a SIM as a visitor
Real-name registration is mandatory (MIIT rules since 1 September 2013); foreigners register with their passport, and face comparison against the ID has been required in physical sales channels since 1 December 2019. A passport holder can obtain at most five SIM cards.
Source: english.beijing.gov.cn
Where to buy it
Service halls directly operated by China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom, and operator service counters at international airports (online application with collection at the airport counter is also possible).
Source: english.beijing.gov.cn
Scam calls and texts
12321 Network Bad and Spam Information Reporting Center (commissioned by MIIT): report spam SMS, scam and nuisance calls at www.12321.cn, by SMS to 12321 or by phone 010-12321. For fraud in progress, call police 110.
Source: 12321.cn
Emergency numbers
Police 110, Fire 119, Ambulance 120, Traffic accidents 122 (free calls). No single all-in-one number.
Source: english.beijing.gov.cn
Checked on 28 September 2026 against the sources linked on each card (regulators, government portals and operators first). SIM and ID rules change often: confirm with the operator before you travel.
Staying connected in China
With 132 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, almost everyone in China has a mobile — a WhatsApp, Signal or FaceTime call is usually the easiest way in. Internet use is high (92 %), so app-to-app calls over Wi-Fi are a safe bet.
Source: World Bank / ITU World Telecommunication indicators (IT.CEL.SETS.P2, IT.NET.USER.ZS, IT.MLT.MAIN.P2), latest available year.
Free and premium numbers in China
+86 800 123 4567Free from inside China. From abroad these numbers are often unreachable or charged at the international rate.
Number ranges: ITU-T national numbering plan for China via Google libphonenumber.
Laos +856
Bhutan +975
Tajikistan +992
Kazakhstan +7
Mongolia +976
Afghanistan +93
Nepal +977
Myanmar +95
Kyrgyzstan +996
Pakistan +92
North Korea +850
Russia +7
Vietnam +84
India +91