Stay Connected in China
Navigate, share, and stay in touch with our comprehensive eSIM guide for China.
1Introduction to China as a Travel Destination
China is a culturally rich and geographically expansive destination, from the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai to the rural highlands of Tibet. First-time travelers to China – whether short-term tourists or long-term visitors – quickly realize the importance of staying connected. Reliable mobile internet access is essential for navigating maps, translating languages, booking rides, and sharing your journey. This guide will walk you through how to get internet in China for tourists, ensuring you can communicate and access information anytime during your trip.
2Mobile and Internet Infrastructure
China boasts one of the most advanced mobile infrastructures in the world, with extensive coverage and high-speed data in most areas. All three major mobile carriers provide nationwide network coverage, with China Mobile being the largest and having the broadest reach across both urban and rural regions.
All three operators offer near-universal 4G LTE coverage in major cities and towns. Even remote areas often get basic signals. China is a global leader in mobile internet speeds and 5G deployment. All major cities have rolled out 5G networks, and even 4G LTE speeds here are among the fastest in the world. Recent speed tests show median 4G download speeds around 140–200 Mbps on the big carriers, and 5G speeds exceeding 300 Mbps in cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
Network Providers Overview
| Provider | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| China Mobile | Largest network with extensive 4G/5G coverage | Best nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas |
| China Unicom | Strong 4G/5G in cities and towns | Most compatible with international phones due to standard GSM/WCDMA for 3G and FDD-LTE for 4G |
| China Telecom | Excellent 4G/5G in urban areas | Uses CDMA for 3G (less compatible with some international phones) |
3Guide to Getting Mobile Internet
Local SIM vs eSIM
Staying connected in China can be achieved either by buying a local Chinese SIM card or using an international eSIM (embedded SIM) service. Each option has its pros and cons. A local SIM gives you a Chinese phone number and full service (data, local calls, SMS), which is useful for receiving verification codes for Chinese apps or making local calls. Local SIMs also generally offer cheaper data per GB. However, with a Chinese SIM you'll be behind the Great Firewall, meaning many western sites and apps are blocked (Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc.). An international eSIM provides the convenience of setting up before your trip and often bypasses the Great Firewall, giving you access to western websites and apps without a VPN. However, eSIMs are data-only (no local phone number) and can be a bit pricier than local SIM data.
Where to Buy
Local SIM cards are widely available in China. The easiest place to get one is right at the airport on arrival. Major international airports like Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, or Shanghai Pudong have carrier kiosks and vending machines in the arrivals area selling tourist SIM packages. These typically cost around ¥200–300 RMB (roughly $30–$45) and include a bundle of data and local calling minutes. Purchasing at the airport is convenient – staff are used to foreign travelers, speak some English, and will help register the SIM with your passport. Registration with your passport or ID is required by law for any new SIM in China. For eSIMs, you can purchase online before your trip through international providers like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad. You typically buy a China data package online, receive a QR code or use their app to install the eSIM profile, and activate it once you arrive in China.
4Major Mobile Providers and Plans
Airalo
Airalo's "Chinacom" eSIM plans for China offer a range of data packages (1 GB to 20 GB) with 7 to 30-day validity. Airalo is one of the most popular eSIM marketplaces worldwide, known for easy-to-use service through its mobile app. Airalo's Chinacom eSIM uses the China Mobile network infrastructure for 4G/5G in China. Notably, using Airalo in China bypasses the Great Firewall. Travelers consistently report that with Airalo eSIM active, they can access Google, Gmail, Instagram, Facebook, etc. without needing any VPN.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinacom 1GB | 1 GB | 7 days | ~$5 |
|
| Chinacom 3GB | 3 GB | 30 days | ~$11 |
|
| Chinacom 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$28 |
|
Holafly
Holafly is known for its unlimited data eSIM plans. Holafly's China eSIM is attractive for those who don't want to worry about running out of data. They sell unlimited data packages ranging from just 5 days up to 90 days. Holafly eSIMs in China work on the China Mobile network (4G/5G) and are 5G capable. The big selling point is that they come with an integrated VPN service to ensure open internet access. According to Holafly, their eSIM will automatically route traffic to bypass restrictions in China, so you should be able to use blocked apps without a separate VPN.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited 5 Days | Unlimited | 5 days | ~$21 |
|
| Unlimited 10 Days | Unlimited | 10 days | ~$37 |
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| Unlimited 30 Days | Unlimited | 30 days | ~$75 |
|
Nomad
Nomad's China eSIM plans offer some of the cheapest rates per GB, with options ranging from 1 GB for $4 up to 90 GB for $90. Nomad is a travel eSIM provider that often has very competitive pricing. Nomad eSIMs for China connect via China Unicom and China Telecom networks. They are 5G enabled, so you'll get high speeds where available. In terms of bypassing censorship, Nomad eSIMs function like the others – users have reported full access to blocked apps with no VPN needed (Nomad routes through Hong Kong or elsewhere).
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | ~$10 |
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| China 10GB | 10 GB | 30 days | ~$12 |
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| China 50GB | 50 GB | 30 days | ~$49 |
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Local Airport SIMs
Local SIM cards are widely available at major Chinese airports. These are typically offered by China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom directly, with tourist-focused packages. While these provide you with a Chinese phone number and often generous data allowances at competitive prices, they are subject to the Great Firewall restrictions, blocking access to many Western websites and apps. You'll need to register with your passport, and the SIM is typically valid for 30 days.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist SIM Basic | 10-20 GB | 30 days | ¥200-300 (~$30-45) |
|
| Tourist SIM Premium | 30-40 GB | 30 days | ¥300-400 (~$45-60) |
|
5Device Compatibility and Activation
Almost all modern smartphones are compatible with Chinese networks. China's carriers use standard 4G LTE bands (like band 3, 1800MHz) and 5G band n78, which are common in global phones. If your device supports 4G band 3 or 5G band 78, you're all set. Nearly every recent iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and other popular models will connect without issues. Just make sure your phone is unlocked (so it can accept a local SIM or eSIM profile from another carrier). For eSIMs, confirm that your phone supports eSIM functionality – generally iPhone XR/XS or newer, Google Pixels (3 and later), and recent Samsung Galaxy S and Note series. If you have a newer phone that is eSIM-only (no physical SIM slot, e.g. some U.S. iPhones), you will need to use an eSIM plan in China.
6Tips and FAQs for Staying Connected
Do I need a VPN to access websites like Google, Facebook, and WhatsApp in China?
If you use a local Chinese SIM or any local internet connection (including public Wi-Fi), you'll be behind the Great Firewall, meaning many western sites and apps are blocked. To access them, you would need a VPN. However, if you use an international eSIM from providers like Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad, your connection is typically not subject to China's filtering, allowing you to reach blocked sites normally. This is a huge advantage of using these services – you might not need to use a VPN at all for your phone. Note that if you connect to Wi-Fi in China while using an eSIM, that Wi-Fi connection will still be censored unless you use a VPN.
What should I do to prepare before traveling to China?
Plan ahead by downloading any apps you might need while still at home. This includes VPN apps (in case you need one), translation apps, maps (download offline maps for the cities you'll visit), ride-hailing apps (e.g. Didi), and the eSIM provider's app itself if they use one. Once in China, getting new apps from the Google Play Store can be tricky without a VPN. It's also wise to update all your apps before traveling – an outdated VPN app that requires updating in China could be problematic if you can't access the store to update it.
Can I use my dual SIM phone to keep my home number active while in China?
Yes! If your phone has dual SIM capability (or eSIM + physical SIM), take advantage of it. You can keep your primary SIM from home inserted for receiving SMS or calls (with data roaming off to avoid charges), and use the secondary slot for the China SIM/eSIM for data. This way, you can still get important messages from home (like bank OTP codes) while using affordable data in China. Set your eSIM as the data SIM and your physical SIM as voice/SMS to optimize your setup.
Can I use my phone's hotspot feature with these plans?
This depends on the provider. Most eSIMs do allow tethering (sharing your phone's internet to a laptop or other device), but there are exceptions. Notably, Holafly explicitly does not allow hotspot use with their unlimited China eSIM. If you plan to share your connection with other devices, choose a provider like Airalo or Nomad that permits tethering. Using your eSIM data on a laptop will similarly be uncensored (since it's just using your phone as a router), which is great for accessing blocked websites on multiple devices.
What should I do in case of an emergency in China?
Remember that data-only eSIM plans mean you cannot call Chinese emergency numbers directly. China's emergency numbers are 110 (police), 120 (ambulance), 119 (fire). If you have a local SIM with a Chinese number, you can dial these directly. With just a data eSIM, you could use an app like Skype to make calls if you have credit, or borrow a phone in an emergency. For preparedness, keep screenshots of important info (your hotel address in Chinese, reservation confirmations, etc.) in case you lose connectivity. Also consider downloading an offline translator in case you can't get online.
Conclusion
Staying connected in China presents unique challenges due to internet restrictions, but with the right preparation, you can enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your trip. International eSIMs offer a compelling solution for most travelers by providing data access that bypasses the Great Firewall, allowing you to use familiar apps and services without additional VPN setup. For those needing a local phone number or planning a longer stay, a local SIM (plus VPN) might be more economical. Whatever option you choose, ensure your device is compatible and set everything up before arrival. With reliable connectivity, you'll be able to navigate China's vast landscapes and bustling cities with confidence, translate on the go, and share your adventures with friends and family back home.