How to Make Phone Calls

Dialing China from Abroad Using a Landline Telephone / Cell Phone

 To Dial a Telephone

Dial the Exit Number of Your Country==> +86 (Country Code of China)==> +Area Code of the Chinese City==> +Telephone Number

For example: if you want to dial the number 12345678 in Beijing from America: 011(US exit code) + 86 (Chinese country code) + 10 (Beijing area code) + 12345678
 

 To Dail a Cell Phone

Dial the Exit Number of Your Country ==> +86 (Country Code of China) ==> +Cell Phone Number

For Example: if you want to dial a cell phone number 12345678901: 011(US exit code) + 86  (Chinese country code) + 12345678901
 

Dialing Abroad from China Using a Landline Telephone / Cell Phone

 To Dial a Telephone 

00 (Exit Code of China) ==> Country Code of the country You Are Going to Call ==> +Area Code of the Place You Are Going to Call ==> +Cell Phone Number

Public Phones in Beijing International Airport
Public Phones in Beijing International Airport

For Example: if you want to dial a telephone number 12345678 of London, UK: 00 (China exit code) + 44 (country code of UK) + 20 (area code of London) ==> + 12345678

Tip:
If the place you are going to call only has a country / area code: 00 (Exit Code of China) + Country / Area Code of the Place You Are Going to Call + Telephone Number

For example: if you want to dial a telephone number 12345678 of Singapore: 00 (Exit code of China) + 65 (country / area code of Singapore) + 12345678
 

 To dail a cell phone

00 (Exit Code of China) ==> Country Code of the country You Are Going to Call ==> +Cell Phone Number

For Example: if you want to dial a cell phone number 12345678901 of London, UK: 00 (China exit code) + 44 (country code of UK) ==> + 12345678901

Here below are some of other countries'/regions' exit code and country code for reference:

Country / Area Exit Code Country Code
Mainland China 00 86
Hong Kong 001 852
Macau 00 853
Taiwan 002 886
Australia 0011 61
Canada 011 1
Egypt 00 20
Ireland 00 353
New Zealand 00 64
Singapore 001 65
South Africa 09 27
United Kingdom 00 44
United States 011 1

Dialing within China

 To Dial a Telephone Using a Landline Telephone / Cell Phone
A Local Call: Dial the telephone number directly
A Long-distance Call:

0 ==> + Area Code of the City You Are Going to Call ==> +Telephone Number

Public Phone Booth in Chongqing
Public Phone Booth in Chongqing

For example: if you want to dial a Beijing number 12345678 from Shanghai: 0 + 10 (area code of Beijing) + 12345678


  To Dial a Cell Phone Using a Telephone
A Local Call: Dial the cell phone number directly
A Long-distance Call: 0 + Cell Phone Number
For example, if you want to dial a Beijing cell number 12345678901 in Xi'an: 0 + 12345678901


  To Dial a Cell Phone Using a Cell Phone
A Local / Long-distance Call: Dial the cell phone number directly

Note:
Please refer to China area code and zip code for detailed codes of major cities.


 Tips:

1.  It is cheaper to make an international call in many of the world's countries than in China. If possible, you can ask the receiver to call back when in China.

2. The above mentioned instructions are all regarding direct dialing. They are the easiest but most expensive. In China, telecommunication service providers usually offer an IP service for international and long-distance calls, which is much cheaper. For example, the IP numbers of the country's three largest telecom operators are 17900 / 17901 for China Telecom, 17951 / 12593 for China Mobile, and 17910 / 17911 for China Unicom. Just dial the IP number before the telephone or cell phone number, it will save you money.
Telephone Booth
Public Phone in Beijing
For example, if you are using the service of China Mobile and are going to dial a telephone number 12345678 of London, UK: 17951 / 12593 (IP number of China Mobile) + 00 (China exit code) + 44 (country code of UK) + 20 (area code of London) + 12345678

3. A cheaper way to make an international / long-distance call is using VOIP. In China, the popular VOIP service providers include Skype, Alicall, QQVoice…

4. Another cheaper way to make an international call is to use an international phone card. One of the most famous service providers of the kind is Pingo.

5. Do not leave your cell phone lying around; always put it in a safe place.

6. Do not give your phone number to strangers without good reason; exercise caution when speaking to strangers on the phone and do not provide any personal details if deemed unnecessary.

7. Do not call back a strange number without good reason as you may be the target of a hoax. They will call you, but hang up quickly. If you call back, the charge will be much higher than the normal rate.

Note: it is worthwhile memorizing some useful numbers. If you have any questions, you can then call the relevant number for help. In most cases a service in English is provided. For reference: Useful Telephone Numbers
- Last updated on Mar. 21, 2024 -
Questions & Answers on How to Make Phone Calls
Asked by Maurizio Piraccini from ITALY | Mar. 13, 2024 01:34Reply
best way to call the hotel from the airport
what's the less complicated way to call the hotel for an airport pick-up, without having to change money or buy a cellphone?
I'll be staying just 12 hours in china
Answers (1)
Answered by Rita | Mar. 21, 2024 01:16
00Reply


The first thing coming into my mind is the Wechat. You can download the app and get connected with the hotel in advance. Upon landing, connect to the wifi of the airport and call the hotel via Wechat.
Asked by joseph from UGANDA | Feb. 20, 2020 04:46Reply
How do i call china from uganda?
Answers (1)
Answered by Patricia from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 23, 2020 16:03
00Reply


You can dial 86 + phone number or 86 + Area Code + fixed-line telephone.
Asked by Tony from USA | Feb. 13, 2020 14:48Reply
HOW TO CALL China Cell from US Cell
I am getting really confused by AREA code vs carrier/CITY code in the Chinese Cell phone number.

Many examples say use the "AREA code", but then state it begins "1X?" which is carrier/CITY code,
and would give a total of 11 digits; Xiangyang (formerly Xiangfan) AREA code is "710", while the carrier/CITY code is "130" (China Unicom).

What is the proper way to dial a number given to me as 0 710 130 9xxx 7yyy ?
Thanks in advance

P.S. what is the leading zero for ?
P.P.S. dialing Hong Kong as +852 xxxx yyyy works properly from my phone
Answers (1)
Answered by Jeffrey from UKRAINE | Feb. 15, 2020 16:21
00Reply


Yes, you should dial 710-86-130 9XXX 7YYY. As I know, it doesn't matter if you dial the leading zero or not.
Asked by Jm from PHILIPPINES | Feb. 27, 2019 04:56Reply
How can i call nantong china from philippinea
Answers (1)
Answered by Alice from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 27, 2019 17:05
00Reply


You can call 0086+0513+the phone number.
Asked by Ted M from US | Jan. 31, 2019 22:45Reply
How can I dial Ethiopia from China using my cell phone? Thanks!
Answers (1)
Answered by Jenny from CANADA | Feb. 10, 2019 16:49
00Reply


If your cell phone has opened international service, just dial 00251+area code+phone number.
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