China

Staying connected in China

Visitors reach China in many ways: overland from northern Vietnam towards Kunming and Nanning, on flights into Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou or Chongqing, or on scenic tours of Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang, Lijiang and Jiuzhaigou. Business travel is just as common, from the Canton Fair in Guangzhou to sourcing trips in the wholesale markets.

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; avoid Chinese New Year and the Golden Week at the start of October, when trains and hotels fill up. In China your phone is effectively your wallet: payments, taxis, train tickets and restaurant orders all run through QR codes, so losing your connection leaves you stuck.

Coverage and networks

There are 4 eSIM options for China. Each network belongs to the option it is listed with, so compare them before choosing.

According to the plan information, the options (China – TikTok and China – TikTok (dual)) roam from a Singapore home network: your phone connects to the networks above, but some apps and websites may see your location as Singapore.

“TikTok” is part of an option’s name. If you rely on a particular app, check the conditions of that exact plan; the label alone does not guarantee access to any app.

Signal and speed depend on where you are, your device and network conditions, and can differ between plans.

Choosing a data allowance

eSIM plans for China currently last 1 to 30 days and come in these types:

• Daily data (500MB, 1GB, 2GB and 3GB per day): suits a steady routine. Check when the daily allowance resets and what happens once it is used.
• Total data (1GB to 50GB): one allowance for the whole trip, handy when some days are heavier than others.
• Unlimited: always read the fair-use policy; after a set amount, speed may be reduced.

Suggestions for this trip

• A 5–7 day trip mostly spent scanning payment codes, hailing cars and checking maps: 1GB of daily data is usually enough; if you video call home every evening, go for 2GB or 3GB a day.
• Longer tours with plenty of high-speed rail legs and video on the go: consider an unlimited plan (fair-use policy applies).
• Short business or sourcing trips to Guangzhou or Yiwu: 5GB or 10GB of total data covers 3–7 days; step up to 20GB if you send lots of product photos and videos.

Count your arrival and departure days. Before paying, check the exact plan for when validity starts, how days are counted, and whether hotspot, calls or SMS are included; these differ between plans.

Before you go

• Blocked services: Google (Search, Maps, Gmail), YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp do not work on domestic mobile networks or Wi-Fi in mainland China. Whether a travel eSIM can reach them depends on the specific plan, so ask Simtel about the exact plan before you buy.
• Payments: Install WeChat and Alipay and link a Visa or Mastercard before you go; most shops, taxis and street stalls take payment through their QR codes, so cash is only needed as a backup.
• Maps and ride-hailing: Use Amap (Gaode) or Baidu Maps for directions, and book cars through DiDi or directly inside Alipay or WeChat.
• Public Wi-Fi: Many public networks in China require a Chinese phone number to receive a login code, so do not count on free Wi-Fi when you first arrive.
• High-speed rail: Book through the 12306 app (available in English) or your usual booking app, then pass the gates with your passport.
• Local SIM: Real-name registration with your passport is required at an operator shop, and the process can take a while.
• eSIM setup: Before buying, make sure your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Install the eSIM before you fly, on a stable Wi-Fi connection, following the instructions sent with your plan.
• On arrival: Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and follow its roaming instructions. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM to avoid unexpected charges.