How to Call China from USA: 8 Best Methods (Free & Cheap)
Complete guide to calling China from USA in 2025. Compare free and paid options, learn dialing format, time zones, and save 99% on calls. Rates from $0.01/min.
Looking to call China from the USA? With over 5 million Chinese Americans and growing business ties, finding an affordable way to make international calls to China is essential. This guide shows you 8 proven methods from completely free options to ultra-cheap paid services at $0.01/minute.
How to Dial China from USA
Standard Format from USA to China:
Major China Area Codes:
- Beijing: 10
- Shanghai: 21
- Guangzhou: 20
- Shenzhen: 755
- Chengdu: 28
- Hong Kong: +852 (separate country code)
8 Best Ways to Call China
đ 1. BubblyPhone - Best Overall Value
Rate: $0.01/min to mobiles & landlines
- â Cheapest paid option available
- â No app required for recipient
- â Works directly in browser
- â Crystal clear HD quality
- â No VPN required
How to use: Visit BubblyPhone.com â Buy credits â Enter +86 number â Click Call
đŹ 2. WeChat - Most Popular in China
Rate: FREE
WeChat (垎俥) has 1.3+ billion users in China. Nearly universal for free voice and video calls. Works without VPN in China.
đ 3. Google Voice - US Residents
Rate: $0.01/min (US residents only)
Same low rate as BubblyPhone with free US number included.
đ 4. Skype
Rate: $0.023/min (2.3x more than BubblyPhone)
đ 5. FaceTime Audio
Rate: FREE (iPhone to iPhone, works in China without VPN)
Cost Comparison: Save Thousands
| Service | Rate/Min | 1 Hour | Weekly 2hrs | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| đ BubblyPhone | $0.01 | $0.60 | $1.20 | $62 |
| FREE | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Google Voice | $0.01 | $0.60 | $1.20 | $62 |
| Skype | $0.023 | $1.38 | $2.76 | $144 |
| AT&T | $5.00 | $300 | $600 | $31,200 |
| Verizon | $3.00 | $180 | $360 | $18,720 |
đ° Real Savings Example
David from California calls Shanghai business partners 2 hours weekly:
- ⢠Using AT&T: $31,200/year
- ⢠Using BubblyPhone: $62/year
- ⢠Annual Savings: $31,138
Understanding Time Zones
China uses a single time zone (CST/UTC+8) for the entire country:
| US Time Zone | Hours Behind | 9 AM China = |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern (EST) | 13 hours | 8 PM previous day |
| Pacific (PST) | 16 hours | 5 PM previous day |
8 Money-Saving Tips
1. Use VoIP Services
Save 99% with BubblyPhone at $0.01/min
2. Use WeChat for Personal
Free calls when both have the app
3. Combine Free & Paid
WeChat for personal, BubblyPhone for business
4. Never Use Carriers
200-500x more expensive
Common Mistakes
Wrong: +86 010 1234 5678 | Right: +86 10 1234 5678
WhatsApp is blocked in China. Use WeChat or BubblyPhone instead.
Start Calling China for $0.01/min
Save 99% compared to AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile
Start Calling China Now âReady to Start Calling?
Make international calls from your browser with BubblyPhone. No app needed, instant setup.
Get Started Free â