Major China City Area Codes and Zip Codes – Quick Guide for Travelers

Written by Natalia | Updated October 14,2025

When traveling to China, in addition to doing basic research on your destinations, knowing the correct area code and zip code for major cities is also essential. And it’s quite possible for you to feel in need of such knowledge from the very beginning of your journey when you first want to call a hotel. Indeed, these numbers are part of daily logistics. As a result, this guide will explain everything about Chinese city area codes and postal (zip) codes and provide practical tips for people who are planning a tour to China.

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• Chinese Telephone Area Codes: Structure & Dialing Practices
• Understanding Chinese Zip / Postal Codes: The 6-Digit System
• Area Codes and Zip Codes of China’s Major Cities
• Pro Tips for Using Phone and Postal Services in China
• FAQs about China Area Codes & Zip Codes
• Plan Your China Tour with China Xian Tour

Chinese Telephone Area Codes: Structure & Dialing Practices

What Chinese Area Codes Represent

A city area code in China refers to the telephone prefix which is needed to call a landline outside your local area. These codes are usually 2 to 4 digits long (not counting the leading “0” used for domestic calls).

How to Dial a Chinese Number in China

When calling a landline in another city, you need to dial. Use the following format:

0 + area code + local number

For example:

• From Xi’an to Beijing → 010 1234 5678
• From Shanghai to Chengdu → 028 8765 4321.

However, if you are calling within the same city, just simply dial the number without adding any code.

Mobile Phone Numbers vs. Landlines in China

There’s a key difference between mobile phone numbers and landline numbers in China:

• Landlines require the area code when calling from outside the local area.
• Mobile phone numbers are nationwide — they do not require area codes.

Chinese mobile numbers typically start with 13, 15, 17, 18, or 19 and they will be 11 digits long, for example: 138 xxxx xxxx.

China’s International Dialing Code: +86

When calling a number from outside China, you’ll need to begin with the country code +86 (or 0086 if you’re using an international access code).

• For a landline, omit the leading “0”of the area code.

Example: To call a Beijing number (010-1234 5678) from abroad, dial +86 10 1234 5678.

• For a mobile phone, simply dial +86, followed by the full 11-digit number.

Example: +86 138 0013 8000

Understanding Chinese Zip / Postal Codes: The 6-Digit System

How Chinese Postal Codes Work

China applies a six-digit postal (zip) code system. The six digits are structured hierarchically, with each position encoding more information:

• First two digits

These represent can tell which province, province-level municipality, or autonomous region does this number belong to.

• Third digit

This indicates the postal zone within that province/region.

• Fourth digit

This shows the prefecture-level city or postal district within that zone.

• Last two digits

These specify the accurate delivery post office or local delivery zone (e.g. street-level or sub-district) within that city/district.

Thus the system is layered: province → postal zone → city/district → local delivery office.

Example interpretation:

Suppose a code is 610123

• “61” points to Shaanxi Province / area of Xi’an
• “0”(third digit) shows the postal zone within Shaanxi
• “1”(fourth digit) maps to a specific prefecture or city area (e.g. one part of Xi’an)
• “23” identifies the exact delivery post office or route

How to Use Zip Codes for Mailing in China

Correct use of postal (zip) codes is essential if you’re planning to send mail or parcels in China. Mis-writing or omitting the code can sometimes lead to delays or misdelivery.

Here are best practices:

• Always include the six-digit postal code on the last line of the address.
• In English / international mail formats, addresses are often written from smallest unit to largest, but the postal code still appears near the line of city / province.
• Example format for address to China

Room 501, Building A

No. 88 West Lake Road

Xihu District

Hangzhou 310000

China

• In Chinese-language domestic mail, addresses are written in sequence like province → city → district → street → recipient, with the postal code at the top or in the address header:

310000

Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou City, Xihu District, West Lake Road 88, Building A, Room 501

收件人姓名(recipient)

• Do not shorten or truncate the code (e.g. writing “3100” or “310”) – it must be written in the full six digits.
• Hong Kong / Macau have their separate postal systems

Area Codes and Zip Codes of China’s Major Cities

Pro Tips for Using Phone and Postal Services in China

Using Hotel or Business Phone Numbers

• Hotels and businesses usually give phone numbers in the format (Area Code) + Local Number. For example: “(021) 7654 3210”.
• When dialing from abroad, drop the leading “0” of the area code and add +86. So that number becomes +86 21 76543210.
• It’s wise to save both formats (local and international) in your contacts, especially for guides or meeting points.

China SIM Cards & Roaming Advice

• Foreign visitors can purchase a SIM card in China, but it will need to provide yourpassport for real-name registration.
• You can find Chinese travel / tourist SIM cards at airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, and online.
• These SIMs often include data, local voice/SMS, and may have validity spans (7–30 days).

Emergency Numbers in China (110, 120, 119)

• It would be free to call emergency numbers:

110 for police / public security

120 for medical emergencies / ambulance

119 for fire / rescue services

• Other related service numbers include:

122 for traffic accidents in many places

114 for directory assistance / phone number inquiry

• The calls should be made directly by dialing those three digits.
• In many cities, operators may understand limited English. However, it’s always necessary to have the location and nature of the emergency clearly.

China Zip Code Finder Tools

• Because many Chinese postal codes depend on districts or small neighborhoods, you should use postal lookup tools to confirm the correct six-digit zip code for your address.

Reliable tool:

China Post’s official website

• Always double-check the code before sending packages, especially when package is going to the big cities or new subdivisions.
• When writing addresses (especially for international mail), the postal code goes on the last line immediately before or after the city and province.

FAQs about China Area Codes & Zip Codes

Which code is used for domestic and international telephone calls to a landline, and which is used for mail and parcel delivery?

• Use the area (telephone) code for calling landlines.
• Use the postal (zip) code for mail and parcel delivery.

Are Chinese mobile phone numbers associated with a city’s Area Code?

No. Mobile numbers in China are nationwide and not tied to a city’s area code.

Do Hong Kong and Macau use the same six-digit Zip Code system as Mainland of China?

No. Hong Kong has no postal code system. And Macau also does not currently use a postal code in its addressing system.

Where should the Zip Code be placed on an envelope or package when addressing mail to China?

The six-digit postal code goes on the last line of the address, right after or before the city/province and before “China.”

Example (English format):

Recipient Name

Street Address, District

City 123456 Province

CHINA

Is there an official online tool or hotline number to look up a correct Zip Code for a specific street address?

Yes. Here are some good sources:

China Post (English site) — official postal service of China

Additionally, China Post’s customer service hotline is 11185 (for postal inquiries in Mainland of China)

Plan Your China Tour with China Xian Tour

While more and more highlights in different cities in China have been explored, a great number of visitors now prefer to explore more regions across China, so having everything well-organized along the journey is crucial for a smooth experience.  While the preparation could be a rather difficult task, traveling with China Xian Tour can perfectly solve all your worries.

We’ve been giving customized China tours for over a decade, we’re here to help you with a rewarding and hassle-free trip. Our guides and travel experts will be there for you 24/7 to provide you with everything you need. With us taking care of the details, you can just relax and be ready for the most wonderful and unforgettable moments in China.