If you are using a mobile phone in the United States, you can purchase an IP card at a Chinese store. The front of the IP card displays dozens of access numbers, and you can select the nearest access number based on your location (dialing any of the access numbers works; there is no concept of long-distance calls within the United States, so whether you are calling a number in New York or a number in Los Angeles from New York, the rates are the same). Scratch off the coating in the password area to reveal a password. You can call many countries. First, dial the access number, which is a regular domestic phone number in the United States. Once connected, you will hear a voice prompt that will guide you to press 1 for Chinese, 2 for Cantonese, 3 for English, 4 for Spanish, etc. The voice prompt is usually available in both Chinese and English, and in some cases, only Chinese is provided. The prompt may say "Please enter your password"; input the IP card password, and the voice will again prompt, "Please enter the phone number you wish to dial." At this point, if you are calling a mobile phone, simply enter 01186+mobile number, and for landline calls, enter 01186+China area code+landline number. The "0" in front of the China area code does not need to be entered. For example, to dial a Beijing number such as 010-12345678, you would enter 011861012345678. Some may require you to press the # key to finish, and then just wait for the call to connect.
Using an IP card to call domestic numbers in China from the United States is extremely cost-effective, averaging 1 cent per minute. The call quality is good, depending on the brand of the card. While some cards may not provide very clear audio within China, many brands are available, ranging from $5 for 240 minutes to $16 for 1000 minutes. Additionally, calls made between 9 PM and 7 AM local time in the United States are generally exempt from basic mobile call charges.
It is not recommended to use domestic mobile phones to dial Chinese phone numbers when in the United States as it is too expensive!
