Getting online in China
Your phone will connect to a Chinese network and most of your apps will still not work. Understanding why before you land saves a frustrating first afternoon.
- Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are unreachable on local networks
- An eSIM can be installed before you fly
- Banking and airline apps usually work normally
Last updated: 5 September 2026
Google services — including Search, Maps, Gmail, and the Play Store — are not reachable on Chinese mobile networks. So are WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Your banking and airline apps will usually work fine.
Check your phone supports eSIM first
Dial *#06#. If an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. If you only see an IMEI, you will need a physical SIM or a pocket Wi-Fi device instead.
Your three options
| Option | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Most visitors. Install before you fly, active the moment you land. | Data only — no local phone number. Needs an eSIM-capable phone. |
| Home carrier roaming | Short trips, and keeping your own number reachable. | Often expensive. Roaming traffic routes through your home country, which usually means the restrictions still apply. |
| Local SIM | Longer stays, and needing a Chinese number for deliveries or bookings. | Requires passport registration at a carrier store, and you lose easy access to your home number. |
Some home carriers route roaming traffic back through their own network, which can bypass the restrictions. Many do not. If staying reachable on Google services matters, assume roaming alone will not be enough.
Providers travelers use
Yesim
Pay-per-day plans with a built-in VPN, which removes the need to install anything separately.
Trip.com eSIM
Cheapest per day of the three, useful if you are already booking trains or hotels there.
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Do these before you leave
- Install and activate your eSIM at home, on your own Wi-Fi. Doing it in an arrivals hall with airport Wi-Fi is where it goes wrong.
- Download offline maps for the cities you are visiting.
- Download the Chinese language pack for your translation app.
- Save booking confirmations offline — hotel address in Chinese characters especially.
- Tell your bank where you are going, while you still have easy access to them.
Once you can get online, the next job is knowing which apps to install — see the apps guide.