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
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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.
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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.