Telephone/Fax. eg: 8610 (86=China,10=Beijing) 6582 3886
eg: 86571 (86=China,571=Hangzhou) 8795 1358
Mobile Phones. eg: 86 1390 126 1185 (Mobiles start with 13, 15, 18..........)
Some phone numbers are printed without the initial China/Province/Municipality codes.
RENTAL PHONES & CHARGES
Purchase a prepaid SIM card with nationalwide low rates from China Mobile or its agencies before your China trip (search: China Sim Card, and you'll find a list of reliable agencies online). This card can be "topped up" if you find that you are running low on credit. There are numerous China Mobile outlets or convenience stores where you can find a China Mobile refill card in most China cities. It would be wise to bring along an inexpensive cell phone (GSM 900) because it can be easily misplaced, lost or stolen; but local agencies also provide one-stop rental service. A note of interest. In the process of purchasing the sim card, you are allowed to choose auspicious numbers (eg: 3388 6633 9988 etc) from a long list. However you have to pay extra for that privilege.
INTERNATIONAL/LOCAL CALLING CARDS
China is a paradise when it comes to phone cards. You can either buy an international or a local phone card. They come in denominations of 10 Yuan,20 Yuan or 50 Yuan. Most reasonably good hotels do have phones (that will accept these cards) in a corner of the foyer. If, however, you need to make a call while on the go, there should be public phone booths in any big city. These cards can be purchased from the hotel "shops" which range from smart and chic outlets in 5 star hotels to the ever useful 7 Eleven equivalents in more modest hotels. And once again, if you are on the go, they can be purchased from most newspaper kiosks and of course from the ubiquitous China Mobile outlets.
PHONING LIKE THE LOCALS DO
Most locals make their phone calls from a "call centre" which is usually a simple kiosk selling anything from newspapers, everyday needs, to fruits. Always look out for a phone or phones sitting on the counter. You can make local or international calls on these phones. You normally hand the proprietor the phone number. He dials for you and then hands you the phone. There is a gadget fixed to the phone which times your call. You pay accordingly. The cost of the calls from these phones can be very reasonable. Sometimes these "call centres" can be just 2 phones sitting on a window sill as in so many hutongs in Beijing. There is one such centre in Wangfujing with just the simple word "Telephone" on the doorway. When you enter, it is just a small table on which are sitting two phones attended usually by a young lady. You can also purchase phone cards from these places too. If you are travelling in far flung regions in China, these phones are most useful. These phones are usually bright red or bright blue in colour.
MAKING CALLS FROM CHINA POST
Alternatively, you can make calls from any CHINA POST establishment. Go to the counter where the phones are. (Do not attempt to queue. Do like the locals do. Otherwise you will find that you will never make that call! Apologies to any Mainland Chinese, but you can be pushed aside by the locals who all seemed to be in a hurry to make their phone calls. This was at the CHINA POST centre at the Beijing Railway Station. Things might be different in other places.) You have to pay a deposit of 100 Yuan and you will then be told to pick up phone No....(the phones are numbered). Your call is timed in pretty much the same way as the local "call centres". After your call, the cost will be deducted and you will be given your change together with a receipt. The overseas call charges from China Post can be more expensive than expected.
001 ( zero zero one ) is the International Access Code to dial out from "within" Hong Kong.
852 ( eight five two ) is the International Telephone Country Code for Hong Kong.
00 ( zero zero ) is the International Access Code to dial out from "within" Mainland China.
86 ( eight six ) is the International Telephone Country Code for Mainland China.