Local SIM vs roaming vs eSIM
A local SIM gives you a Chinese phone number, which helps with taxis, deliveries, restaurant queues and some registrations. Roaming keeps your home number but can be expensive and may not give a local number. Travel eSIMs are convenient but often data-only; check whether you need a Chinese number.
Registration
Chinese carriers require passport registration for a local SIM. Buy from an official China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom shop or airport counter. Avoid street sellers and “already registered” SIMs; they can be deactivated and may be linked to someone else’s identity.
Coverage and data
Coverage is good in cities and along high-speed rail; remote areas can be patchy. Buy a plan with enough data for maps, translation and payments. Keep your home SIM active for bank SMS if needed, but watch roaming charges.
Reality check
A data-only eSIM is fine for maps, but a Chinese number is what unlocks taxis, deliveries and some registrations.
Local tip: Test data and SMS before leaving the airport.
Step by step
- Decide whether you need a Chinese number.
- Buy at an official carrier counter or reputable eSIM.
- Register with your passport.
- Install the SIM/eSIM and test data.
- Save the carrier’s English support number.
- Top up before your data runs out.
Typical costs
| Item | Cost / note |
|---|---|
| Tourist SIM | US$10–30 |
| eSIM data plan | US$5–30 |
| Top-up | US$5–20 |
Prices are indicative and change. Confirm with the official provider before paying.
Documents to prepare
- Passport
- Unlocked phone
- Payment method
Common mistakes
- Buying a pre-registered SIM from a street seller
- Locked phone
- Data-only eSIM when you need a local number
- Not testing before leaving the airport
If things go wrong
- If the SIM does not activate, ask the carrier counter to check the passport registration.
- If you lose your phone, freeze payment apps and get a replacement SIM with your passport.
FAQ
Do I need a Chinese number?
For taxis, deliveries and some registrations, yes. For a short tourist trip, data + apps may be enough.
Can I use eSIM in China?
Some travel eSIMs work, but coverage and restrictions vary. Check the provider’s China coverage and whether it includes a local number.
Staying connected: the field guide
Connectivity is the difference between a smooth trip and a day of guessing addresses. Set up data and the core apps before you need them.
Choose the right connection
A local SIM gives you a Chinese number, which helps with taxis, deliveries and some registrations. A travel eSIM is convenient but often data-only. Roaming keeps your home number but can be expensive. For trips over a week, a local SIM plus a data eSIM backup is a good combination.
The app stack
Install a payment app, a ride-hailing app, a translation app with offline Chinese, a map with offline data and a rail app. Many services also live inside Alipay/WeChat mini-programs. Register and verify before you fly, because SMS verification is easier at home.
Internet rules and security
Some foreign websites and apps are not directly accessible from mainland China. Using unauthorised tools to bypass restrictions can be illegal; this guide does not provide circumvention advice. Use lawful services and trusted networks. Avoid banking on public Wi-Fi and keep two-factor authentication on.
Quick checks
- Local SIM or eSIM tested
- Payment, map, translation and transport apps installed
- Offline maps and addresses saved
- Family told which apps you can use
- Two-factor authentication enabled
Printable checklist
Print this page or save it as a PDF. Tick each item before you go.
- Passport
- Unlocked phone
- Payment method
- Decide whether you need a Chinese number.
- Buy at an official carrier counter or reputable eSIM.
- Register with your passport.
- Install the SIM/eSIM and test data.
- Save the carrier’s English support number.
- Top up before your data runs out.
This guide is a practical summary, not an official or legal document. Rules and prices change. Use the official links below, and confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified professional.
Last verified 2026-10-29. China Handbook is independent and not affiliated with any government. Information is provided for general guidance only.