User Comments - RJ

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

ATT iphones are locked but there are ways to unlock it. So I hear.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

The US was slow to legislate a preferred technology for cell phones therefore there are both GSM (sim card) and CDMA (built into the phone) systems allowed. I have Verizon and they are CDMA. To change would be a very expensive infrastructure modification for them, so they dont. Also why cell phones in Asia are ahead of the US- when cell phone manufacturers upgrade, they have to develop two versions in the US. In Asia they get more bang for their buck since there is only one to develop. Therefore this one comes first.

As far as the plastic card thing goes, in SH you can also go to a China mobile outlet and do as you say, so maybe the cards are available where you are too, you just never used them? I have purchased these cards in many cities all over China, not just SH or BJ.

International texting is my preferred method of staying in contact with home. Very convenient using China Mobile. Cheap too.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

wotingyu

great HK tip. Now to devise a mnemonic.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

Bodawei,

there are two audiences to consider. Those living in China and those just visiting periodically. I dont care about plans much - I just want a phone that works while I am there. Nice to find it still working when I come back. As for pre-pay, I cant say its going in that direction in the US. Pre-pay was originally for people with bad, or no credit. Now it is more acceptable maybe but still far from the norm. Most have a monthly account with a plan.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

You can buy a sim card at any China Mobile store or you can order from the internet before you go:

http://www.telestial.com/sim_cards.php

A little more expensive but if you want a phone that works the minute you land, this is the way to go. They also sell unlocked GSM phones.

Posted on: Using a Cell Phone in China

Wow, tough audience. I love the phones in China.The great thing about China is that they use GSM phones exclusively, in the US we also have CDMA technology. I only wish my US provider would use sim cards (GSM), then I could use the same phone while in China, just pop in the China mobile card.(As long as you have an "unlocked" GSM phone) My US provider does roam and work in China but you cant text and the cost is very high. Adding minutes to the China Mobile phone is easy and a great lesson in Chinese. I buy plastic cards, or as Catherine said, they are sometimes just small pieces of paper. You scratch off the secret number and call it in. Dont let your phone run out of minutes however, because at that point you will have to use someone else's phone to call it in. You would think they would allow this type of call, but not so. They taught me not to run out of minutes, so maybe thats the message. I usually buy phone cards at those little news kiosks on the sidewalks of any street. I never lose minutes (I believe there is a small monthly service fee) as long as the account has not expired, and the account expiration date is extended by 180 days for every 100 RMB of minutes you purchase, with a maximum of 720 days. So if you add 200 RMB to you phone during any particular visit to China, you have about 2 years to get back before the account dies and you must purchase a new sim card. Sim cards are very cheap, but this changes your phone number of course, and you lose any minutes you had on the old card. My phone works everywhere in China except Hong Kong. This makes sense I suppose but something to keep in mind.

Posted on: Rice First

Hmmm, chopsticks. I will have to experiment with this. I do have an opener that is basically a flat metal credit card with a shaped hole in the middle. Fits in wallet and works really well.

Posted on: The Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism

Bodawei,

dont forget the terror monkeys.

Posted on: Rice First

I understand. Warm beer takes some getting used to. One Chinese guy I travel with has to have warm beer. We either order both, or he lets his sit and warm up before he will drink it.

Posted on: Rice First

haha, my brother-in-law taught me to open beer bottles with my teeth many years ago. Its not that hard really, just a matter of proper positioning and leverage, but I have far too many crowns now to take that chance anymore. Another trick they pull is to open only half the beers, in case you decide you don't want it all. Then you have to run down the server again when the time comes. Carrying a bottle opener is a good idea in China.

Most of the beer bottles are double size, but the beer glasses are 4 oz. (gan bei size). Somebody is always filling your glass from the communal supply, so its real hard to keep track of how much you have consumed.