China is at the forefront of the 21st century when it comes to influence at the international stage as it is the economic powerhouse. Officially it is known as People’s Republic of China, the third largest country with about 9.6 million Sq. kilometer in terms of land area and territory.
It is the second most populous country in the world with over 1.4 billion people and is the largest country in Asia. The history of China dates back to thousands of years and is considered one of the oldest civilizations in the world today. It has a rich cultural heritage and the world famous The Great Wall of China which is the central hubspot for tourists going to visit China. Often called the second largest economy in the world after the United States, it has cemented its place in the world with rapid progress and development in the manufacturing sector and is currently at the forefront of various industries from auto sector to the latest ev market.
China is the world’s trading place where businesses from all over the world connect with it for various business and corporate and financial matters. Connecting with people and business from abroad requires the country code of China.
What is the Country Code of China?
The country code of China is +86. When you are outside China you need this + 86 dialing code to connect with someone in China. Like so many other countries it is assigned a unique number to make international calling in the country possible. This country code is the foundation on which the entire international telecommunication system is based. People all over the world who want to connect with friends, family or business in China, this country code is essential to remember.
Due to the bigger size of its economy and influence in the international markets, there is always a growing number of people who want to connect with manufacturing bases and hubs in the country. You need to remember that in addition to country code there is also a city code followed by the subscriber number for a successful calling experience. For example, the city code of Shanghai is 21 while the area code of Beijing is 10. Similarly, each area is allotted different code which needs to be entered correctly for seamless connection to someone in China. This +86 country code of China is essential for the telecommunication system of China to operate efficiently.
Area Codes of China
China is a huge country with different regions and cities across the country with unique area codes to assist the correct calling possible. These area codes are prefixes which are employed when you want to call someone living in a different city from you. Not only for domestic calling systems but also for international calling these area codes are important to route calls to the required destination.
Remember, from abroad you always need to enter +86 country code before the area code for calling your friend living in the Shenzhen city of the Guangdong province. The area code of Shenzhen city is 0755. Yes, in China you will find area codes with up to 4 digits mostly for smaller regions.For instance, Hangzhou has area code of 0571 and Changsha has area code 0731 including many others.
Below you will find the list of area codes of various cities across China.
| City/Region | Area Code |
| Beijing | 010 |
| Shanghai | 021 |
| Tianjin | 022 |
| Chongqing | 023 |
| Guangzhou (Guangdong Province) | 020 |
| Shenzhen (Guangdong Province) | 0755 |
| Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province) | 0571 |
| Nanjing (Jiangsu Province) | 025 |
| Wuhan (Hubei Province) | 027 |
| Chengdu (Sichuan Province) | 028 |
| Xi’an (Shaanxi Province) | 029 |
| Shenyang (Liaoning Province) | 024 |
| Harbin (Heilongjiang Province) | 0451 |
| Changsha (Hunan Province) | 0731 |
| Jinan (Shandong Province) | 0531 |
| Fuzhou (Fujian Province) | 0591 |
| Xiamen (Fujian Province) | 0592 |
| Kunming (Yunnan Province) | 0871 |
| Qingdao (Shandong Province) | 0532 |
| Zhengzhou (Henan Province) | 0371 |
Calling Format For China
There is a proper format which you need to follow to make a successful international call to someone in China. Knowing the country code of the intended country is crucial but there are other steps you need to follow for an international call. Imagine you want to call a friend living in Beijing while you are living in New York City. First of all you need to enter the exit code 01 or 00 if you are living in Islamabad.
Second step is to dial the international dialing code +86 from your phone. Third step in the process of international calling to China is to enter the correct area code of the city or legion you are calling. As you are calling in Beijing, you will dial the area code of Beijing which is 010 after the country code. Then the last step is to dial the local number of the friend to whom you are calling in Beijing.
General International Calling Format of China
It consists of 3 parts.
- Country code: The country code for China is +86. It can also be written as 0086.
- Area code: This is the unique area identifier which is assigned to the specific area or region in the country.
- Local number: This subscribers number is 7-11 digits long.number of digits are different for landline and mobile number.
- The general format for calling at international level in China will look like this:
- [International Access Code] + 86 [Area Code] [Local Phone Number]
There are various formats when you are calling in China which you need to follow for the correct dialing route to the intended audience.
Different Calling Format with Examples
a. When you Call a Friend Living in Beijing
Suppose you are making a call to someone living in Beijing and you are living in another city of China. If you are using a landline number yourself and also calling on landline. Then, there is no need to include area code.
Your dialed number will look like this: 129812657
b. Calling on a Domestic Number from Mobile
If you are trying to call a friend in Nanjing from a mobile number while living in China. First you got to use area code of the destination city or region. In this case you would use 025 before the dialed number.
Then, your dialed number will look like this when dialing from mobile: 025 98564316
c. When you Dial a Call from Abroad to Landline in China
If you are outside China and want to make a call in China. Then you must include in the dialing format the country code +86 of China. This is followed by area code and applicant number. Suppose you are calling someone in Tianjin, then the area code of 022 must be used.
The dialed number from abroad will look like this: 0086 22 12345678
d. When Calling a Mobile Number
If you are calling someone living in China on the mobile number then there is no need to put the area code of the city.
For example, if your friend is living in Beijing while you are living in London then you only need to dial international access code, country code, and then the recipient number.
The dialed number will look like this: 0086 13400134000
Special Phone Numbers in China
In China, there are several specialized phone numbers that serve specific functions beyond the usual phone numbers:
12345 – Government Service Hotline: This non-emergency number provides assistance and information on public services, government offices, administrative procedures, and general inquiries. It acts as a central point for citizens seeking help with government-related issues.
110 – Police Emergency Number: This is the primary emergency number for contacting the police in urgent situations across China. It is recognized nationwide for police-related emergencies.
120 – Medical Emergency Number: For urgent medical situations and ambulance services, this number is widely used throughout China to request immediate medical assistance.
119 – Fire Emergency Number: This number is specifically for reporting fires and requesting firefighting services, ensuring quick response to fire-related emergencies.
12315 – Consumer Complaint Hotline: This number is used for lodging complaints and seeking advice regarding consumer rights and disputes.
400XXX – Service Hotlines: Numbers beginning with “400” are often used by businesses for customer service or support. These numbers usually incur charges that are shared between the caller and the service provider.
800XXX – Toll-Free Numbers: Numbers starting with “800” are toll-free for callers, meaning that the recipient covers the cost of the call. These are commonly used by companies for customer support services.
950XX – Premium Service Numbers: These numbers are designated for premium services, such as entertainment, voting, and contests, with higher charges than standard calls.
Understanding these special numbers and their associated costs is crucial, as they can vary significantly from standard call rates. Always verify the applicable rates before dialing these numbers in China.
| Number Prefix | Service Type | Description | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12345 | Government Service Hotline | Information and assistance on public services | Standard call rates |
| 110 | Police Emergency Number | Police assistance for urgent situations | Free for callers |
| 120 | Medical Emergency Number | Emergency medical services and ambulance | Free for callers |
| 119 | Fire Emergency Number | Fire reporting and firefighting services | Free for callers |
| 12315 | Consumer Complaint Hotline | Support for consumer rights and disputes | Standard call rates |
| 400XXX | Service Hotlines | Business-related customer service and support | Shared cost between caller/provider |
| 800XXX | Toll-Free Numbers | Free calls for customers, costs covered by receiver | Free for callers |
| 950XX | Premium Service Numbers | Premium services with higher charges | High charges, revenue to provider |
Special Prefixes for Chinese Phone Numbers
In China, phone numbers often include specific prefixes that indicate the type of service or network. These prefixes are key to navigating the Chinese phone system effectively:
- 0: This prefix is used for long-distance calls within China. It must be dialed before the area code when making a call to a different region.
- 400: Used for service hotlines, usually by businesses for customer support, with shared costs between the caller and the company.
- 800: Reserved for toll-free numbers, allowing callers to make free calls with the cost covered by the recipient.
- 950: Associated with premium-rate services, these numbers generally charge higher rates per minute or call.
| Prefix | Service/Network Type |
|---|---|
| 0 | Long-distance within China |
| 400 | Service Hotlines |
| 800 | Toll-Free Numbers |
| 950 | Premium Rate Numbers |
Familiarizing yourself with these prefixes ensures accurate dialing and helps you understand the type of service or network you are reaching.
5 Things to Remember When You Are Calling in China
1. Double Check the Country Code
This is the most important step when you want to make a call to a friend living in China. This +86 country code of China is the gateway to the international calling experience. For instance, if you are calling from Nepal then you would dial 00 as the international dialing prefix before the country code of China which is +86 followed by the local number.
2. Correct Format for Mobile and Landline Dialing
To properly connect your calls to the intended destination in China whether it is an individual or a business entity. First you need to know whether you are calling on a mobile or landline number. If you are calling on a landline number then inclusion of area code is a must. For example, if you are making a call to a business in Guangzhou then 020 is the area code you must enter after country code. But for mobile numbers in China you only need to enter the country code before the subscriber’s number. For instance, the dialed number would look like this, +86 135 9923 7865.
3. Time Zone Difference is the Key
In order to save yourself from a lot of stress you must always check the time zone difference before making an international call to China. It is the Chinese Standard Time (CST) which is different from time zones of London and New York. For instance, if you are in London and the clock strikes 3:00 PM then the time in China would be 11:00 PM at night. This is equally important for individuals and business as Chinese is the manufacturing hub where people connect from all over the world.
4. Recheck International Calling Rates
Calling in China can be a bit expensive. Always check the international calling rates from your service provider to know the exact rates of international calls beforehand. Also explore the alternative calling apps like Whatsapp or the alternative which works in China like Wechat.
5. Take Care of Language and Accent Considerations
People in China speak Mandarin which is difficult to understand for non-native speakers. There are also dialects region wise. For example, there is Cantonese in Guangdong and other similar dialects in China. There is widespread understanding of English in business centers and major cities. In order to have a well-connected and engaging conversation. Know simple terms like “Ni Hao” for Hello, “Qing” for Please.
Conclusion
China is the second most populous country in the world, second largest economy in the world and largest country in Asia. People all over the world want to connect with individuals living in China for family and business purposes. In order to make a successful international call to China, you must remember the +86 country code of China. Plus, the area code of the city in which you are calling the resident. For example ,the area code of Chongqing is 023 and similarly other cities are also assigned the area codes.
You need to remember a few things to make a successful international call to China for connecting with friends and family living there. There is a difference when you are calling on a landline in China or calling on a mobile number. For a mobile number you just enter the +86 country code of China with a local number in order to connect with it. However, with landline calling you must always enter the area code which is correct for smooth communication across borders. Lastly, the time zone difference is of the essence when it comes to international calling as China is ahead of 8 hours from the time zone in New York. For having a connecting experience while calling in China, always use small local phrases like Ni Hao fr Hello.
