Area Code 938 – Tianshui, Gansu
The phone area code for Tianshui, Gansu is 938 (international format +86938). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 938
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Tianshui, Gansu
Geographic Overview
The +86 938 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to Tianshui, a prefecture-level city in the southeastern part of Gansu Province, China. Tianshui is the second-largest city in Gansu and serves as an important transportation and industrial hub. The area code covers the entire administrative jurisdiction of Tianshui, including its urban districts (Qincheng and Maiji) and the surrounding counties of Qingshui, Qin'an, Gangu, Wushan, and Zhangjiachuan Hui Autonomous County.
Dialing Formats
When calling a landline in Tianshui from within China, you must dial the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the local subscriber number. The local numbers in Tianshui are typically 7 to 8 digits long, depending on the specific exchange and service type. The complete domestic dialing format is:
- From within China: 0 938 XXXX XXXX (or 0 938 XXX XXXX for shorter numbers)
- From outside China: +86 938 XXXX XXXX (drop the leading 0)
For example, a typical landline number in Tianshui might be 0938-1234567 when dialed domestically, or +86 938 1234567 from an international location.
Caller Instructions
Local callers within Tianshui can often dial the local number directly without the area code, depending on the specific telecom operator's local dialing plan. However, for clarity and to avoid misdials, it is recommended to always include the area code when calling from a mobile phone or from outside the immediate local calling area.
International callers should replace the trunk prefix '0' with the country code +86 and then dial the area code 938 followed by the local subscriber number. Ensure that you have the correct international exit code for your country (e.g., 00 from most countries, or 011 from the United States).
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
As of the latest ITU-T E.164 guidelines, the 938 area code is not part of an overlay plan; it is the sole geographic area code for Tianshui. However, with the expansion of telecommunication services, some numbers within this area code may be assigned to VoIP or other non-geographic services, but the code remains geographically associated with Tianshui.
For businesses and residents, it is essential to update contact information if moving within or out of the area, as the area code is tied to the physical location of the fixed-line service.