Originally Posted by
FindingFoodFluency
Thanks,
moondog .
Given that I've only got a tourist visa, I'd just get the cheapest SIM. Do you reckon any ol' China Mobile in Zhengzhou would do?
Suppose the alternative is what was suggested below by (thanks to you, too)
Palal . If all one needs is a passport (to serve as the ticket), that's intriguing, especially considering those 保安, err, "guards" by the station entrance might be confused when they try to check the ticket info.
China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom all work nicely in both Beijing and Zhengzhou (pretty much everywhere in China, actually, but I'll give Mobile an edge for really remote areas). And, their pricing is similar (cheap).
I don't think it really matters if you grab a SIM in Beijing or Zhengzhou. Definitely bring your passport; you should be able to use your hotel if they need a local address because you will be (PSB) registered with them.
Don't waste too much time planning the SIM card drill. Simply note where the bigger stores are when you plan your outings and try to slot in a visit.