Getting online is step one after landing — you need data for maps, payments, and translation.
Option A: eSIM (easiest)
Buy a travel eSIM (Airalo, Nomad, Holafly) before departure and activate on landing. $5–15 for a week of data. Bonus: most travel eSIMs route traffic overseas, so Google and other blocked apps work without extra tools. No passport registration needed.
Option B: Airport SIM (best rates)
China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom have kiosks in arrival halls of major airports:
| Plan | Typical price | Data |
|---|---|---|
| 7-day tourist SIM | ¥60–100 | 10–20 GB |
| 15-day tourist SIM | ¥100–150 | 20–40 GB |
| 30-day SIM | ¥150–200 | 40–80 GB |
- Passport registration is required by law — staff handle it in 5 minutes
- You get a Chinese number, useful for Didi drivers calling you and app verifications
- Blocked apps stay blocked on a local SIM
Option C: Pocket WiFi
Rent a device at the airport (~¥30/day) if you're a group sharing one connection.
Practical notes
- Hotel and cafe WiFi often requires a Chinese number for SMS login — another reason to have a local SIM
- Coverage is excellent nationwide, including on high-speed trains and in the metro
- 5G is standard in all major cities
Pro tip: eSIM for week one convenience + a local SIM if you stay longer or need a Chinese number is the sweet spot for most travelers.