China Travel Forum

[manggl]

Will go to Shanghai next week. Have two questions on telephones --

1) Is there any calling card available in Shanghai, which can offer a cheap alternative to call back to US? Here in the States, you only pay 3 or 4 cents per minute to China by using some calling cards.

2) I'll carry my unlocked GSM phone to Shanghai. What's the easiest way to use it in Shanghai?

Thanks in advance for any reply!

[Aynur]

Have a look at www.skype.com this is a VOIP. I understand that there are only 3 Voip licences in China and I am not sure any are being used yet. You may want to look at the site and see if it is accessible in China. It would be FREE for calling computer to computer and 0.02 to a telephone that is drawn from a pre-funded account.

[Guest]

Thanks, aynur. But actually I am seeking for a way I can use my landline or mobile to call US because I'll be hopping here and there. Besides, I doubt I can have broadband every place I'll visit. Thanks though for your reply.manggl

[helper]

This maybe cheaper than using your original USA phone number to call: YOu can buy a SIM card (with a number- as your temporary Chinese mobile phone number) plus prepaid phone card, then call with this SIM card (it would NOT be as cheap as we call from here to China). I bought a SIM card and several pre-paid phone cards and used them there, only for domestic calls, never tried to call USA back.

It maybe cheaper using land line, however. The locals seem to use something called Xiao Ling Tong. I have no idea how much that would cost to call USA. Hope someone will fill you in.

Best luck.

[mishel]

If you can find a bookshop or phonecard shop, usually near Universities but sometimes on the street, find what is called an IP card. these can be used for international calls from mobiles or landlines, and are fairly good prices.