eSIM is simpler and often bypasses GFW. Physical is cheaper but fully firewalled.
SIM, eSIM and VPN in China: Pre-Trip Setup
Two things you cannot skip for China: mobile data and a VPN. Without a proper SIM you lose Didi, Alipay, maps. Without a VPN — Google, Instagram, WhatsApp. Both problems fix in 30 minutes before takeoff.
eSIM — the easiest way
If you have an iPhone XS+ or modern Android, start here.
- Airalo: $8 / 5 GB / 7 days
- Holafly: $19/day unlimited
- Nomad: $9 / 5 GB / 7 days
- Many eSIMs route via Hong Kong — Google works WITHOUT a VPN
- Check 'bypass firewall' wording
Physical SIM in China
China Unicom / China Mobile at airport kiosks.
- 100–200 CNY for 20 GB / 30 days
- Passport required
- 4G/5G speeds 100+ Mbps
- Local number helps with Alipay / Didi / WeChat
- Traffic goes through the Great Firewall
China2Day
Getting ready for your first trip to China?
Free consultation on getting ready: connectivity, payments, transport and what to pack.
What is blocked in China
Great Firewall status in 2026:
- Google (Search, Gmail, Drive, Maps, YouTube)
- Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp)
- X, Reddit, Discord
- ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini
- Most Western news
- Still work: Bing, DuckDuckGo, iCloud, Microsoft 365
Top-5 VPNs for China 2026
Buy before you fly — their sites are blocked inside.
- ExpressVPN $8–12/mo
- Astrill $15–25/mo — most stable in China
- LetsVPN $8/mo — made for China
- Mullvad $5/mo
- NordVPN $4–11/mo with obfuscation
- Always install TWO services
Pre-flight checklist
Do this before departure:
- Buy eSIM on Airalo / Holafly
- Install 2 VPNs and test
- Download Google Translate offline
- Install Pleco (offline CN dictionary)
- Install Alipay, WeChat, Didi
- Save the Ukrainian Embassy Beijing phone
ІВ
10+ years of experience in China visa support and business travel. Author of 40+ articles.
All author articlesFrequently Asked Questions
Occasionally — Astrill and ExpressVPN are the most stable. Keep a backup.
Yes, no issues at exit for tourists and business travellers.
Yes, including iMessage and mail.
Blocked. Chinese alternative is WeChat.
China2Day
Getting ready for your first trip to China?
Free consultation on getting ready: connectivity, payments, transport and what to pack.
Or message us