Phone cards or collect calls from Lhasa - urgent

If you have internet, why not try skype(google voice is blocked)

If you wanna buy a new card:

Where to buy sim card: Chines name is "中国移动"（China mobile），pinyin is"Zhong guo yi dong"

Some useful dialog :
·请问多少钱？ 最便宜的，可以打国际长途的那种。 （how much？ which is cheapest & International call）
·我要最便宜的月费那种，充值10元 （I want the cheapest and Recharge 10 yuan ）
·请问可以怎么打国际长途？ （how to make a International call）

If you can't understand what they say,you may download the "google translation"(maybe in chinese App Store),it is useful in China.

中国移动（zhong guo yi dong）

中国移动（zhong guo yi dong）
“google translation” is better.

Ask your hotel where to buy a phone card. If they don't understand, showing them yours and a bit of mime should get results.
You'll need to put credit onto your Skype if you use it to make non Skype calls. Can't remember if I use my debit or credit card to do it.

... to call my bank in the US. There's a bank number that accepts international collect calls but I have no idea how to make a collect call. Well, I found an international operator number ...

When desk phones were available (afraid that hard to find now), I used to dial prefix of 108, access code of 00, country code and so on. For example: calling ABC Bank in New York would be: 108-00-1-212-5551212.

Assuming that you are using a mobile phone, you can speak to the English operator and ask questions about reverse charge call.
- for China Mobile: dial 10086
- for China Unicom: dial 10010

Thanks everyone!!! Very helpful info. Will try Skype.

I wasn't asking about sim cards, but about the cards you buy with credit on them (Y50, Y100, etc) to call internationally. You usually scratch off a strip on the back to show the card's pin number. Where can I buy these?

Another thing – I heard a rumour that Western Union is not working in Lhasa these days. Is this true? Might need it.

Thanks. :-)

Another thing – I heard a rumour that Western Union is not working in Lhasa these days. Is this true? Might need it.

Thanks. :-)

You're the one in Lhasa, you should be telling us.

... but about the cards you buy with credit on them (Y50, Y100, etc) to call internationally. You usually scratch off a strip on the back to show the card's pin number. Where can I buy these?

No such paper animal in China. Even elsewhere in the world, calling card is hard to find. For reduced rate long-distance, they use a 5 digit IP prefix for direct dial. The carrier charges your account directly. The IP# for Beijing China Mobile is 17951, Lhasa might be different.

Like poster#8 says, update us what you find.