How to Use Mobile Phones and Access to Internet in China?

When buying a SIM card in China, you generally have two options: a prepaid local SIM card or an eSIM.

A prepaid local SIM card provides a physical card and a Chinese phone number. These are available at airports and mobile carrier stores, where staff can help you activate and install it.

If your phone supports it, an eSIM allows you to set up service before you arrive and start using it as soon as you enter China. Most major Chinese carriers offer eSIM services, which require no physical card or complicated activation. However, you will not receive a Chinese phone number with this option.

Whether you need a Chinese phone number depends on your travel style.

If you are joining a guided private or group tour, such as those offered by ChinaTravelVIP, an eSIM may be sufficient. However, for self-guided travel, a local number is highly recommended for convenience.

Here are common situations where a Chinese phone number is useful:

• WeChat (Social/Payments): Nearly everyone in China uses WeChat. You can register with a non-Chinese number, and the app includes a built-in translation feature. WeChat also supports mobile payments.
• Alipay (Payments): You can register with a non-Chinese number. While it has limited social features, Alipay is widely used for payments and often offers lower fees compared to platforms like PayPal.
• Food Delivery & Ride-Hailing: Apps like Meituan, Ele.me, and DiDi may allow registration with a foreign number, but a Chinese number is often required to place orders. Drivers or delivery personnel may call to confirm your location, and orders may be canceled if your number is unreachable.
• Booking Tickets or Tours: Most attractions in China require advance online booking via WeChat mini-programs, which typically require SMS verification with a local number.
• Contacting Hotels: You may need to call your hotel for directions or assistance, especially if your booking confirmation lacks messaging options.

China has three major telecommunications providers: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. Each offers extensive network coverage, though service quality and speed may vary by region.

Pre-order Online

Prepaid SIM cards are sold on major Chinese e-commerce platforms. You can choose from various data plans (e.g., 7-day, 10-day, or 15-day options) and have the card delivered to your home or hotel in China. Confirm details with the seller before purchasing.

Buy at the Airport

Major airports in China have carrier stores with English-speaking staff who can recommend suitable plans and help with activation. Note that smaller airports may not offer this service.

Visit a Local Store

Mobile carrier stores are found in cities, towns, and many villages. However, staff outside major airports and cities generally do not speak English, which may pose communication challenges.

An eSIM works as a virtual SIM card embedded in your phone. To use one, ensure your device supports eSIM technology, then search online for available services. Many global and local providers offer eSIM plans for China. You can typically complete the purchase and setup before you travel and begin using service immediately upon arrival.

When you enter China and take out your phone connect to Facebook, Google, X or other Western websites, you find that none of them are accessible. This is because China's firewall prohibits access to these services.

For certain reasons, Google and all social medias are blocked in China mainland. As a result, you cannot use services, tools and APPs. However, there are solutions to unblock those services while traveling in China, such as using a VPN.

A VPN, or "Virtual Private Network", allows you to bypass censorship by routing your information through unblocked servers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up your VPN in China.

Step 1: Select a Reliable VPN

Start by searching for "VPN" on Google, Google Play, or the Apple Store to find a variety of providers. We do not suggest any specific VPN services, but generally, top-ranking websites and apps are known to offer reliable and user-friendly options.

When choosing a VPN, ensure that the provider confirms their service works in mainland China. After selecting a provider, sign up on their website and purchase a package or plan. Given that your trip to China is likely to be less than a month, we recommend a 30-day package with around 100GB of data.

Step 2: Download and Install the App

Most reputable VPN providers offer apps for various platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. Download the software for your device and follow the installation instructions. If you encounter any issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to customer service for assistance.

Step 3: Run the App and Connect to a Server Outside of Mainland China

Once the app is installed, launch it, log in to your account, and connect to a server. It's best to choose a server located near mainland China that doesn’t have censorship, such as those in Japan, South Korea, or Singapore. Although Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are part of China, they have no internet censorship, so connecting to servers in these regions is also advisable.

Step 4: Access Google, X, TikTok, and Other Services in China

After connecting to an available server, you should be able to access online services as you would in your home country.

If you still cannot access these services or have trouble contacting your VPN’s customer service, please reach out to your travel consultant or guide for assistance. If you are traveling with us, we can also provide you with the VPN service we use.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a more open internet experience during your stay in China.

It is important to remember that when accessing websites in China after using these options, you may need to adjust the service settings. While bypassing the Chinese government's firewall may be illegitimate, there are generally no serious problems.