Getting a local SIM Card/phone number for your mobile phone
Having a local mobile phone number is necessary when you get Beijing. It makes life much easier and more convenient.
Taking your own GSM mobile phone to China and getting a mobile phone SIM card is very easy. You don't have to be a resident and you don't even need a lot of cash. Go into a mobile phone shop - they are everywhere - and say "Sim Ka" while pointing at your mobile phone. You will be shown a list of numbers usually quite variable in price depending on the numbers in it. Phone numbers with eight are more expensive because eight is a lucky number in China. Numbers ending with four is cheaper for people in China don’t like this number. Cards cost varies from RMB 60 to RMB 300 depending on how "good" the number is.
You should consider what company you use. China Mobile is said to be the best for coverage of the whole country. If you stay only in Beijing, it may not be important. However, if you are touring China, a China Mobile SIM card may be the best choice.
You can buy prepaid cards for 50 and 100 RMB. China Mobile will charge 0.6 RMB per minute which works out to be 166 minutes on a RMB100 card. You pay the same rate (0.6 RMB/min) whether you make or receive a call. You can call make long distance call by dialing 00 and country code. But the rates are very high. Ask when you buy the SIM card if you want to know. Best use a Long Distance Calling Card from a land line.
If the plug for your phone probably doesn’t fit the socket, you'll need an adapter. Your phone charger most likely will accept 220 volts, check it and see if it is rated for 100-240 volts. You can find adapters in China but if you get one before you go then you're set.