Staying Connected: SIMs, eSIMs and VPNs

Mobile data is cheap and fast in China, and the easiest option for most travelers is an eSIM or a local SIM picked up at the airport or a carrier store. Coverage is excellent in cities and along most tourist routes.

Your options

• International roaming from your home carrier — easiest, pricier.
• A local SIM from China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom.
• A travel eSIM activated before you arrive.

VPNs and the internet

Many Western sites and apps are blocked, so install a reliable VPN before you arrive — the major providers are not accessible once you are inside the country. Not all VPNs work reliably in China, so research current recommendations close to your travel date.