Connectivity is the one thing that makes China feel effortless — maps, payments, translation and messaging all live on your phone. The single best move you can make: buy a travel eSIM before you fly, so you step off the plane already online, with the apps you use at home working normally.
In this guide
1. Why an eSIM beats the alternatives
You have three options: roam on your home plan (simple but pricey), buy a local SIM on arrival (cheap but means a shop, ID and a swap), or use a travel eSIM. The eSIM wins for most visitors: you buy it online, install it before departure, and it activates the moment you land — no queues, no swapping out your home SIM, and many are configured so your familiar maps, search and messaging apps just work.
2. Set it up before departure
- Check your phone supports eSIM (most models from the last few years do).
- Buy a China (or China + regional) eSIM online and install the profile while you're still home.
- Set it to activate on arrival; keep your home SIM for calls/texts if you like (dual-SIM).
- Note the activation steps — a quick toggle when you land and you're connected.
We send you the exact setup — the eSIM we recommend and a screenshot-by-screenshot guide — with your final itinerary, so it's done before you fly. Design my trip →
3. Keeping your usual apps
A good travel eSIM routes your data so the maps, search, email and messaging apps you rely on at home keep working in China. It's worth also installing Alipay (payments, ride-hailing, metro, translation) so you have a local super-app — see our mobile pay guide.
4. Offline backups worth having
- Offline maps of your cities, downloaded before you go.
- A translation app with offline packs and camera translation for menus and signs.
- Your hotel addresses saved in Chinese characters to show a taxi.
Prefer zero setup stress? On a private trip you also have a guide, a driver and one contact reachable 24/7 — so even if your phone dies, help is a person away. Design my trip →