eSIM, SIM Cards & Internet in China (2026)
Last verified
Last checked: 3 November 2026. Each fact links to its source and shows the source's date. Where a claim comes from a commercial provider rather than a government, we say so.
⚠️ Visa-free deadline: 31 December 2026. For 48 of the 50 countries on China's 30-day unilateral visa-free list, the policy currently runs until 31 Dec 2026. Russia's runs until 31 Dec 2027 and Brunei's has no end date. The US is not on the list (Chinese Embassy in Switzerland, 19 Aug 2026). Before booking a trip for 2027, check the NIA.
The short version
- Easiest: a travel eSIM with China coverage, installed before you fly. Roaming-type eSIMs send your data through gateways outside mainland China, so Google, WhatsApp and the like usually keep working. (Provider claim: Airalo help centre, read 3 Nov 2026.)
- Cheapest for long stays: a Chinese SIM bought with your passport. Real-name registration is required (Beijing government SIM guide).
- Free backup: airport Wi-Fi. At Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao you can log in by scanning your passport (Shanghai Airport Authority, 26 Apr 2024).
Option 1: Travel eSIM (roaming)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works the moment you land | Usually costs more per GB than a local SIM |
| Usually no VPN needed for foreign apps (provider claim) | Data only; usually no Chinese phone number |
| No shop visit, no passport registration | Some Chinese apps may behave differently on a foreign-routed connection |
Setup:
- Check that your phone is eSIM-capable and unlocked.
- Install the eSIM on Wi-Fi at home.
- When you land, select the eSIM as your data line and turn data roaming on for that line.
- Keep your home SIM active for SMS codes (bank, Alipay, WeChat), but turn its data roaming off to avoid charges.
Option 2: Local Chinese SIM
- What you need: your passport. One passport can register up to five SIM cards (Beijing government, SIM guide).
- Where to buy: shops run directly by China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom. In Beijing you can apply online and collect at the "Beijing Service" counters at Capital (China Mobile) and Daxing (China Unicom) airports. Card processing is free; you pay for the plan (same source). Shanghai's airports have SIM and data sales points on the arrivals route that accept foreign cards (Shanghai Airport Authority, 26 Apr 2024).
- Tips from local governments: make sure your phone is unlocked. China Unicom is often the most compatible network for foreign phones, and city-centre shops are more likely to handle foreign passports (Hainan government, 23 Jun 2025; Shanghai government, 30 Jan 2024).
- Operator hotlines: China Mobile +86-10086, China Unicom +86-10010, China Telecom +86-10000 (Beijing government).
- Useful phrase: 我要办SIM卡 (Wǒ yào bàn SIM kǎ), "I'd like to get a SIM card." A plan is 套餐 (tào cān) and data is 流量 (liú liàng).
A local SIM uses mainland networks, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and many other foreign services are generally not reachable on it (the Airalo help page above lists these).
About VPNs
We don't recommend or sell VPNs. If you need foreign apps, a roaming eSIM is the simpler route (see Option 1). Tell your company's IT team before you travel if you need work tools.
No Chinese phone number? What works
| Task | Works with a foreign number? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Sign up for Alipay / WeChat | Yes | Beijing gov, Nov 2024 |
| Buy train tickets on 12306 | Yes. Register with passport and email | MTR: 12306 account with email |
| Ride-hailing, food delivery, park tickets | Often easier with a Chinese number | Beijing gov, PEK SIM |
| Airport Wi-Fi (Shanghai) | Yes, by passport scan | Shanghai Airport Authority, 2024 |
Tip: many services, such as taxis, metro QR codes and bike sharing, are available as mini-programs inside Alipay or WeChat. That lets you skip separate app sign-ups. (Editorial tip; the exact menu names change.)
Must-have apps (install before departure)
- Alipay and WeChat, with a foreign card linked. See our payments guide.
- Railway 12306 (official) or an agency app for train tickets.
- A map app that works in China. Apple Maps generally works, and Amap (Gaode) is widely used locally. (Editorial.)
- A translation app with offline Chinese (the Beijing government recommends having one: SIM guide).
- NIA "移民局12367" app or mini-program. Lets you fill in the arrival card online before arrival (since 20 Nov 2025: NIA, 3 Nov 2025).
- Your eSIM provider's app, to top up data.
Other FAQs
Does the 240-hour transit policy cover my A → China → B trip? If your passport is one of the 57 eligible countries (NIA, 20 Aug 2026) and your onward ticket goes somewhere other than where you came from, likely yes. Check with our transit checker. For Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan as the "third region", confirm with the NIA hotline 12367; we couldn't find an explicit NIA statement.
Emergency numbers: police 110, fire 119, ambulance 120, traffic accident 122, immigration hotline 12367 (+86 12367 from abroad) (Beijing 12345 page; Shanghai emergency numbers).
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Information is for reference only. Official sources prevail.
Information is for reference only; official sources prevail. See our terms and disclaimer.