Internet in China: eSIM, local SIM and VPNs without the guesswork

The internet in mainland China is not the internet you are used to. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and many Western news sites are blocked on local networks. The workaround is not complicated, but it has to be set up before you arrive.

There are two separate decisions: how you get data, and how you reach blocked services.

Option 1: travel eSIM (easiest)

A travel eSIM is a data plan you install before flying. Most reputable China eSIMs route traffic through Hong Kong or another outside network, which means Google, WhatsApp and Instagram often work without a separate VPN. That routing is the feature you are paying for.

Check three things before buying:

1. Does it route outside mainland China? Data-only eSIMs that ride a mainland carrier are filtered like a local SIM. The product page should say “unrestricted” or “global routing” or list Hong Kong routing.
2. Does it include a phone number? Most travel eSIMs are data-only. A few offer a +86 number with passport registration. If you need a number for restaurant queues or delivery apps, confirm it explicitly.
3. Does your phone support eSIM? iPhone XS and later, most recent Samsung and Pixel models, and many recent Android phones do. Carrier-locked phones may not.

Typical cost: $10–30 for 10–30 GB, depending on duration. Install and test the eSIM at home, then switch it on at landing.

Option 2: local SIM (best for a long stay or a real +86 number)

A local SIM gives you a Chinese phone number, which is useful for:

• Restaurant queue apps
• Food delivery (Meituan, Ele.me)
• Some attraction and train bookings
• Local bank or hotel verification

You need your passport. Real-name registration is mandatory. Buy from an official China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom store, or an airport kiosk. Airport kiosks are convenient but cost more. A basic plan is roughly ¥50–100 for the first month.

The trade-off: a local SIM is filtered. You will need a VPN for Google, WhatsApp and most Western social apps.

Option 3: international roaming

Your home carrier’s roaming plan often routes data through your home country, which can bypass the firewall. It is the least fiddly option and the most expensive. Check the daily pass price and whether tethering is included. Roaming also gives you a foreign number, which some Chinese apps will not accept for registration.

VPN: set it up before you fly

A VPN is the standard way to reach blocked services on a local SIM or hotel Wi-Fi. The practical rules:

• Install and test it before departure. VPN provider websites and app downloads are often blocked inside China, and foreign app stores may not be reachable.
• Pay for a reputable service. Free VPNs are slow, unstable and a privacy risk.
• Have a backup. One VPN failing is common during sensitive dates or network maintenance.
• Understand the legal grey area. VPN use by individuals is widespread but not formally legalized; enforcement has focused on providers and commercial users. Travelers should make their own informed decision.
• Do not rely on a VPN for emergencies. Save offline maps, hotel addresses and emergency numbers.

If you use a travel eSIM with outside routing, you may not need a VPN at all. Test both before you depend on them.

Hotel Wi-Fi and public networks

Hotels provide Wi-Fi, usually with a password. The connection is filtered, so the same VPN rules apply. Public Wi-Fi often requires a Chinese phone number for SMS verification, which is another reason a local number can help.

Coffee shops and co-working spaces are common in big cities; most require a password and a purchase. Do not do banking on open networks.

Power and plugs

China uses 220V, 50Hz. Sockets are mainly Type I (two angled flat pins) and Type A (two flat pins), with Type C in some hotels. Bring a universal adapter. Hair dryers and high-wattage devices from the US may need a voltage converter, not just a plug adapter.

Power banks are everywhere, but airlines restrict them in checked luggage. Keep yours in the cabin and under the airline’s watt-hour limit.

What to do before boarding

• Install the eSIM and label it “China”.
• Install and test the VPN; save the account details offline.
• Download offline Google Translate packs for Chinese.
• Download offline maps for each city.
• Save your hotel address in Chinese.
• Pack a universal adapter and a power bank.

The goal is simple: when you land, data works, maps work, and you can message the person picking you up. Everything else can wait until you have had a coffee.