China eSIM plans

Compare China eSIM data plans and learn what visitors need to know: why Google and WhatsApp may not load, how plan routing matters, and local SIM registration.

Google, WhatsApp and many other foreign apps don't load on Chinese networks. Whether they work for you depends on how your data plan is routed, so read this before you buy.

Why plan routing matters in China

On a Chinese SIM card or hotel Wi-Fi, services such as Google and WhatsApp don't load. Roaming data from your home carrier is routed through your carrier's international gateway, so these apps keep working.

Travel eSIMs differ: plans that route data through Hong Kong or Singapore behave like roaming, while some plans use local routing and don't. Check the plan details on the provider's page before you buy, and ask the provider if it isn't stated.

Local SIM: real-name registration

China requires real-name registration for every SIM card. Foreigners can register at a carrier's business hall with their passport. The three carriers are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom; Shanghai's official English portal suggests China Unicom as the most suitable for foreign visitors.

A Chinese number helps with some local services, for example DiDi ride-hailing, which you can't register for without one.

Before you fly

Install your eSIM at home over Wi-Fi, and download offline maps and any apps you'll need. WeChat works normally in China and is widely used for messaging and payments.