How to call China from Hong Kong
- From mobile
- +86 xx xxxx xxxx
- From landline
- 00 86 xx xxxx xxxx
From $1.06/min in your browser, no plan needed
How to dial China from Hong Kong
How to make a call to China from Hong Kong: dial the exit code, the country code, and the number. A Chinese number is not always a 10-digit number: it runs from 7 to 12 digits after 86.
- 00Hong Kong exit code
- 86Country code of China
- 21Shanghai
- xxxx xxxxLocal number
- From a mobile: +86 xx xxxx xxxx
Paste or type a number here to see how to dial it from anywhere
Example: +86 10 1234 5678
- Mobile
- +86 10 1234 5678
- Landline
- 00 86 10 1234 5678
Main area codes in China
The area code comes right after 86, then the local number
- Shanghai00 8621then the local number
- Chongqing00 8623then the local number
- Chengdu/Ziyang/Meishan00 8628then the local number
- Beijing00 8610then the local number
- Guangzhou00 8620then the local number
- Tianjin00 8622then the local number
- Wuhan00 8627then the local number
- XiAn/Xianyang00 8629then the local number
Before you call China
Drop the 0 before the area code
Chinese area codes begin with 0 inside China. Leave it out after 86.
- Fails
- 00 86 021 xxxx xxxx
- Works
- 00 86 21 xxxx xxxx
How to call China number by city
Put the city code right after 86, then the local number.
- Nanjing00 86 25
- Shenyang00 86 24
- Weifang00 86 536
Calling China from Hong Kong without an international plan
Suparelay calls China for $1.06/min from your browser, with no plan. Without one, carriers in Hong Kong charge up to $1.52/min. csl has no plan that includes China, and 3 needs the IDD1966 Special Package, so both carriers fall back to access code 001.
- cslAccess code 001
- 3 Hong KongIDD1966 package
| Carrier | Per minute |
|---|---|
SuparelayNo plan needed | $1.06 |
 | $1.20 + tax with access code 001 |
 | $1.52 with access code 001 |
Want to call China?
Type the number and call from your browser, with no app and no plan
When to call China
The time now in China, and the best hours to call. There is no time difference between China and Hong Kong, so 8:00 to 22:00 is the same hour on your watch.
- Time difference
- All year: the same time as Hong Kong
- Daylight saving time
- None, the clocks never change
- Time zones
- 2
Why a call to China fails
3 needs IDD and Roaming Service for 001 calls
A 3 line without the IDD & Roaming Service subscription cannot use IDD 001. Switch the service on with 3 before you call abroad.
3 Hong Kong, IDD 001 Terms & Conditionscsl adds local airtime to every IDD call
csl IDD 001 calls also count local call minutes or incur local airtime charges.
csl, IDD 001 Voice Call Coverage and Charges3 treats a call back from call history as IDD 001
Dial through 1968 to use 3 IDD 1968 Service. A call to an overseas number from the call history menu uses the IDD 001 tariff instead.
3 Hong Kong, IDD 1968 Terms & Conditionscsl prepaid limits internet calls after the fair-use limit
On csl prepaid data services, internet calls (VoIP) can be disabled once you pass the fair-use limit. Check your prepaid product before you rely on a calling app.
csl, Prepaid Fair Usage PolicyFrom any country, a call to China also fails when
- The exit code is wrong for your country
- The number does not take calls from abroad
Questions
Calling China cell phones: how to call China from Hong Kong on a cell phone or mobile?
Dial +86, then the number. It works from any mobile in Hong Kong
Are calls to China included in Hong Kong phone plans?
Not on most plans. No carrier in Hong Kong that we checked includes China in a plan
How much does it cost to call China from Hong Kong?
With no plan, carriers in Hong Kong charge up to $1.52 a minute. Suparelay charges each started minute, from your browser
How to call Shanghai from Hong Kong?
For Shanghai, dial 00 86 21, then the local number
Do I need to dial 00 to call China?
From a landline, yes: dial 00, then 86. From a mobile, type + instead, and the phone adds the exit code
How do I dial a +86 number?
Press and hold 0 until + appears, then dial 86 and the number
Can I call China on my iPhone?
Yes. In the Phone app, press and hold 0 for +, then dial 86 and the number. Your plan must allow calls to China
Why isn't my call going through to China?
The usual causes: the exit code is wrong for your country and the number does not take calls from abroad. Each one is listed above, with a link to its fix
Free call to China: how to call China from Hong Kong for free?
An app calls for free only when both sides have it. A call to a landline, or to a phone without the app, costs money
How to call China from Hong Kong on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp and FaceTime call for free, but only someone with the same app. To ring a landline or a phone in China without the app, use your phone plan, a calling service, or Suparelay
How to call a China landline from Hong Kong?
From a landline in Hong Kong, dial 00 86, then the number
When is the best time to call China?
Call between 8:00 and 22:00 in China. All year: the same time as Hong Kong
How to make an international call to China?
Dial 00 86, then the number. From a mobile, +86 works too