Short answer
Get your phone sorted before you fly: install the key travel apps and either buy a travel eSIM in advance or pick up a local SIM at the airport. China’s mobile networks are fast, cheap and cover almost everywhere — the only planning needed is setting things up early.
Option 1 – Travel eSIM (best for most visitors)
- Buy online before departure (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and similar), install it, and switch it on when you land.
- No shop visit, no paperwork, and you keep your home number active for verification codes.
- 10-20GB covers a comfortable two-week trip; top-ups are instant.
- Best if you want to be online the moment you step off the plane.
Option 2 – Local SIM (cheapest for longer stays)
- China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom counters at airports and major stores.
- Passport registration is required – it takes about ten minutes.
- Cheap data and a Chinese number, which is handy for restaurant queues and ride-hailing.
- Best for stays of two weeks or more, or if you need a local number.
Option 3 – International roaming
If your home carrier’s plan includes China, roaming keeps your usual number and habits with zero setup. It costs more than an eSIM, but for a short trip or a business visit it is the simplest option.
Apps to install before you fly
- WeChat – messaging, payments, translation and mini-programs in one app
- Alipay – payments, metro QR codes, ride-hailing, train tickets
- Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps – the most accurate navigation in China, with English modes
- DiDi – ride-hailing with an English interface
- Dianping – restaurant ratings, menus and queue numbers
- A translation app with camera mode for menus and signs
- Trip.com / Railway 12306 – hotels and high-speed rail
More detail in our essential China travel apps guide and high-speed rail guide.
Wi-Fi and staying connected day to day
- Hotels, cafes, airports and high-speed trains all provide Wi-Fi; ask for the password at reception.
- Public Wi-Fi usually needs a Chinese mobile number for a login code – another good reason to have a local SIM or a roaming plan.
- Download offline maps and a Chinese offline dictionary before you travel.
- Screenshot your eSIM QR code, hotel address in Chinese and booking confirmations.
- Bring a power bank and a universal adapter (China uses type A and I sockets) — you will use your phone for everything.
What a private tour guide handles for you
On a ShenYou private tour, your driver-guide meets you at arrivals, sets up your SIM or eSIM, installs the essential apps if you have not, and handles navigation, ordering and translation throughout the trip. You arrive, and everything just works. WhatsApp us and we will plan it around your dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose a travel eSIM or a local SIM?
A travel eSIM wins if you want zero hassle and to keep your home number active. A local SIM wins if you want a Chinese number and the cheapest data for a longer stay. Many visitors use both: eSIM for data, home SIM for verification codes.
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
Not strictly, but it helps: restaurant queue systems, some public Wi-Fi logins and ride-hailing are easier with one. Alipay and WeChat Pay both work with international cards and your home number.
Will my phone work in China?
Any unlocked modern smartphone works on Chinese 4G and 5G networks. If you choose an eSIM, make sure your handset supports eSIM (most recent iPhones and many Android flagships do).
Which map app should I use in China?
Amap (高德地图) and Baidu Maps are the most accurate for driving, transit and walking, and both offer English interfaces. Screenshot Chinese addresses as a backup, or ask your hotel to write them down.
Is Wi-Fi easy to find?
Yes — hotels, cafes, malls, airports and high-speed trains all offer Wi-Fi. Because public networks often ask for a Chinese number to send a login code, having a local SIM or roaming keeps you independent.
Want this handled for you? On a ShenYou private tour your driver-guide sets up connectivity, payments and navigation from the airport. WhatsApp us – itinerary and quote within 24 hours.