After shutting down various internet phone (IP) companies earlier this year, the authorities are now permitting cheap phone calls over the internet, and you don't even need a computer to take advantage of the service. Buy an IP card at one of the outlets listed below, use an ordinary phone (no IDD facility necessary) to dial the number shown on the card. Enter your card number and PIN followed by the phone number you want to call.

At ¥0.30 per minute (domestic long distance); ¥2.68 per minute (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and ¥4.80 (international), it is the cheapest way to phone long distance from Beijing. Call quality is high but it is sometimes difficult to get through to the initial dialup number. Call charges are not added to your phone bill but deducted from stored value of the card. Cards are available in denominations of ¥50 to ¥500.

Guiyou Shopping Center
Jianguomenwai Avenue, Chaoyang District
Tel. 6506-5924, Hours: 9 am-9 pm

Dang Dai Shopping Mall
Opposite People's University, Haidian District
Tel. 6257-6688, Hours: 9 am-10 pm

Huamao Shopping Mall
Gongzhufen Overpass, Haidian District
Tel. 6829-8071, Hours: 8:30 am-9 pm

IP Cards are also available at most larger post offices and China Telecom offices.