SIM & eSIM: Staying Online in China
Short trip: buy an international travel eSIM before you fly — it works on landing and Google/WhatsApp stay reachable. Longer stay: add a local China Unicom SIM for Chinese apps and a +86 number.
The short answer
For a trip of 1–7 days, buy an international travel eSIM before departure (about $4–20 for a week), install it on home Wi-Fi, and you'll have data the moment you land — with Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram working automatically because the data routes outside mainland China. For stays of 8+ days, or if you need a Chinese +86 number (public Wi-Fi logins, 12306 train accounts, Meituan delivery, driver calls), add a local SIM from China Unicom after arrival. You no longer need a Chinese number for payments — WeChat Pay and Alipay accept foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Local SIM vs international eSIM
| Local SIM (Unicom/Mobile/Telecom) | International travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese +86 number | Yes | No |
| Google / WhatsApp / Instagram | Blocked unless you run a VPN | Usually work automatically |
| Chinese apps (Didi, Meituan) | Best compatibility | Mostly fine; a few reject foreign IPs |
| Where to buy | Carrier store, passport + face scan required | Online before your trip |
| When it works | After in-store activation (10–60 min) | Immediately on landing |
| Typical cost | ¥69–200/month tourist plans; airport ~¥200/20GB | $4–20 for ~7 days depending on data |
| Speed | Domestic 5G | 4G/5G via routed partner networks |
eSIM: set up before departure
- Check your phone
It must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable. iPhone: Settings > General > About — look for EID. Android: Settings > About Phone > SIM Status.
- Buy and install on home Wi-Fi
Popular options: Trip.com eSIM (reliable, and its website still loads inside China for top-ups), Holafly (unlimited data), Nomad and Airalo (budget, from ~$4–5/GB). Scan the QR code and install before you fly — many provider sites and apps are blocked inside China.
- On landing: activate and enable Data Roaming
Turn the eSIM line on, set it as your mobile-data line, and switch Data Roaming ON for that line. A disabled roaming toggle is the #1 reason travel eSIMs "don't work."
- Test before leaving the airport
Load a webpage and a map. If nothing connects, reselect the network manually in settings.
Local SIM: buying after arrival
- Go to an official carrier hall
Airport counters (PVG, PEK, CAN and others) are 20–30% pricier but fast, English-speaking, and tourist-ready — e.g. roughly ¥200 for 20GB/30 days at Shanghai Pudong. City flagship stores (营业厅) are cheaper (~¥69/month for ~10GB + minutes) but expect little English. Small phone shops can't register foreigners.
- Bring your passport
Real-name registration and a facial-recognition scan are mandatory for every SIM sold in China. Each passport is limited to 1–2 SIMs per carrier.
- Ask for a tourist plan
旅游套餐 (lǚyóu tàocān). Activation takes 10–15 minutes at airports, up to an hour at city stores.
- Test before leaving the store
Check data, make a call, and open WeChat or Alipay.
- Cancel before you fly home
Visit any carrier store with your passport and say 销号 (xiāo hào). Otherwise monthly fees keep accruing. To keep the number for a future trip, switch to a ¥8/month keep-alive plan (保号套餐) instead.
Which carrier?
| Carrier | Best for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| China Unicom | Default pick for foreign phones — global FDD-LTE bands (B1/B3/B8), best English support, tourist plans from ~¥69/month | Slightly weaker rural coverage |
| China Mobile | Best rural/remote coverage; ¥8/month number-keeping plan | TD-LTE bands many foreign phones lack — check compatibility first (willmyphonework.net) |
| China Telecom | Decent city coverage on FDD-LTE | Fewest English-speaking staff; least tourist-friendly |
Common questions
Choosing
Do I actually need a Chinese phone number?
Mostly no for a short tourist trip — payments, maps, ride-hailing, and hotels work with a foreign number and foreign cards. You do need a +86 number for public Wi-Fi logins, a 12306 train account, Meituan delivery, and some attraction bookings, and it helps when drivers call you.
How much data for a week?
5–10GB covers navigation, messaging, translation, and social media. Add 1–2GB/day for video calls. Pure maps-and-messaging use fits in 3GB.
What's the best dual-SIM strategy for a longer stay?
Local China Unicom SIM for Chinese apps, calls, and the +86 number, plus an international eSIM for Google/WhatsApp. This is the standard expat setup.
Can I hotspot from a travel eSIM?
Provider-dependent: Nomad and Airalo usually allow it, Holafly caps it (around 500MB/day). Local SIMs have no restriction. Check before buying if you need it.
Troubleshooting
My eSIM has data but Chinese apps show network errors.
International eSIMs make your IP look non-Chinese, and some domestic apps (occasionally Didi or Meituan) reject that. Turn off any VPN first; if it persists, those specific apps need a local SIM's connection.
A store refused to sell me a SIM.
Small resellers can't process foreign passports. Go to an official flagship hall (大营业厅) or an airport counter.
Can I use Google on a local SIM?
No — local networks sit behind the firewall. Either install a VPN before departure or keep an international eSIM alongside the local SIM.