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Internet in China for tourists: How to stay connected
Learn how to access the internet in China for tourists. Explore eSIMs, pocket WiFi, free WiFi, and tips to bypass the Great Firewall effectively.
Staying connected in China as a tourist with mobile internet is a unique challenge due to online restrictions and closed-system features. With the Great Firewall and local apps like WeChat and Baidu dominating China’s cyberspace, it’s important to know what it takes to access mobile internet in China.
This guide explores all the available internet services in China for tourists, including the Holafly eSIM, and how these work with local restrictions.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Keep using your favorite apps while traveling abroad.
Can tourists use Google in China?
Tourists can’t use Google in China the way they do elsewhere. With the Great Firewall of China, apps such as Instagram, X, WhatsApp, Google, and Western news portals like The New York Times are blocked.
However, there are ways to bypass restrictions, such as using the Holafly eSIM for China or using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
With Holafly, the eSIM connects to international networks outside China’s digital ecosystem, so blocked apps will work just fine.
If you decide to use a VPN, it’s better to choose a service that can bypass China’s restrictions, since not all apps work reliably.
How to access the internet in China without limitations
If you’re traveling to China and want to bypass local limitations, there are two ways to do so.
Get your own VPN
If you decide to research and get a VPN that works in China, install it before traveling. Plus, if you’re getting a paid VPN, pay for the subscription, too.
If you wait until arrival, you may not be able to activate, access, or download the VPN.
When choosing a VPN, keep in mind the following aspects:
- Has a strong reputation for bypassing internet access restrictions.
- Offers consistent speeds for internet in China.
- Provides apps for your devices and robust encryption.
Feel like it’s too complicated? Get an eSIM instead.
Get an eSIM
With an international eSIM, you can stay connected in China without limitations, as these connect via international networks.
Your best option is the Holafly eSIM, which includes unlimited data, 5G speeds, 24/7 customer support, and full access to the most popular apps you use at home, like Instagram, WhatsApp, X, Facebook, and more.
Mobile internet in China: Best options for tourists
Getting mobile internet in China is necessary for many reasons: translating from Chinese, navigating big cities like Beijing, and staying in touch back home.
However, not all options are easily accessible: the China SIM card requires registration, local cafes are hard to find, and roaming in China can easily cost over $10 per day.
There are other options available, though, so let’s explore how each one works and how it addresses local limitations to keep your phone working in China.
eSIM for China
With the eSIM for China, you get unlimited data for up to 90 days with plans starting at $3.90 for 1 day.
With the eSIM, you can get plans for up to 90 days. The eSIM includes 5G data speeds, up to 1 GB of hotspot data per day, 24/7 customer support, and international network usage, bypassing local app limitations.
Pocket WiFi for internet in China
A pocket WiFi for China is a portable wireless router that creates a personal hotspot. It allows you to share your WiFi with a group or connect multiple devices simultaneously. These devices work in China because they usually come with a built-in VPN.
However, these can easily increase prices because travelers need to arrange pick-up and drop-off, pay a security deposit, and keep it as safe as possible, since these usually carry high penalties if something goes wrong.
Travelers can get anywhere from $41 to $138 for a 1-week trip from companies like TravelersWiFi, 3G Solutions, and Cellular Abroad. However, this isn’t the final price, as delivery, insurance, and add-ons aren’t included.
Free WiFi
Free WiFi is widely available in China in restaurants, airports, hotels, trains, train stations, and cafes, especially in cities like Beijing and Shanghai. But these won’t work like a traditional WiFi network.
Here’s what to keep in mind regarding internet access using Chinese public networks:
- Public WiFi in China often requires SMS verification: To get this type of internet access, you need a Chinese phone number or the ability to receive SMS on your primary number.
- You still need a VPN: Like any other internet connectivity option in China, you’ll have to use a VPN to access apps blocked by the Great Firewall.
- Free WiFi is unreliable: Be careful when using Chinese public WiFi in cities like Beijing, as it can leave your data vulnerable to hackers. It’s advisable to avoid sensitive activities like e-banking. You can use apps such as WiFimap to find available hotspots.
How to get internet in China: A comparison
Using mobile internet in China isn’t the same as in the rest of the world. For first-time visitors, it’s a bit hard to understand how it works and what the best options are to keep your normal apps working.
| Option | Key features | Ideal for | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly eSIM | Unlimited data, works with international networks | All travelers, people seeking unlimited plans and no app limitations | From $3.90/day |
| Pocket WiFi | Connect multiple devices, might include a built-in VPN | Group travelers, multiple device users | From $12/day |
| Free WiFi | Registration necessary, requires VPN | Casual browsing, local Chinese internet only | Free, but with security risks and limits apps usage |
Holafly eSIM: Keep using your favorite apps even in China
If you’re visiting China, want to bypass the Great Firewall, and don’t want to pay a fortune for mobile internet, the Holafly eSIM for China is your best call.
With unlimited data plans, 24/7 customer support, up to 1 GB of daily hotspot data, and the ability to avoid the WhatsApp blockage in China and other apps’ limitations, it’s easy to stay connected during your trip.
Need a monthly plan? Holafly Plans is your best call, and you won’t need to worry about the Great Firewall, either.
And here’s something worth knowing for the trip after this one: once Holafly is on your phone, there’s no need to delete it. Through Always On, 1 GB of backup data drops onto your device every month for as long as your eSIM stays installed.
So, stay connected in China, keep using your favorite apps, and forget about limitations with Holafly.
Unlimited data. Peace of mind.
Keep using your favorite apps while traveling abroad.
China has vast coverage across its major cities, and visitors often combine their trip with these nearby countries for seamless mobile internet access.
- Mobile internet in Hong Kong
- Mobile internet in Japan
- Mobile internet in India
- Mobile internet in Vietnam
- Mobile internet in Singapore
FAQs
Yes. But you’ll need a service like the Holafly eSIM to bypass local limitations and keep using WhatsApp in China.
No, but tourists need to be careful about these. VPNs are in a gray area in China: they are widely used but officially restricted.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
