If you’re traveling to China soon, you might have questions about how to connect to the internet on your trip. Some apps and websites are not available in China, and paying for data roaming from your provider is very expensive. So what can you do to access the internet at a cheap price? In this article, we’ll explain why a SIM card for China is the best and cheapest way to connect to the internet.
And not only do you get fast and secure internet, Holafly’s China SIM card includes a VPN, so you can still access blocked apps like WhatsApp for free. You don’t need to worry about Chinese restrictions on websites and you’ll be able to access all the apps you rely on at home.

Where to buy a SIM card for China?
There are two main ways to buy a SIM card for China:
1. Buy before you travel from an online store
2. Buy once you arrive from stores in China
But which is the best option for you? We recommend buying before you travel, and let’s take a look at why:
Buy before you travel
Buying your SIM card before traveling to China gives you many advantages. Let’s take a look at why this is the best option.
- Internet from start to finish
By purchasing your SIM card for China in advance, you’ll have internet connection the moment you land. So you’ll be able to order a cab or let your friends and family know you’ve arrived safely. There’s no need to spend ages searching for shops in China, so you can start discovering the country right away.
- You keep your current number on WhatsApp
If you buy Holafly’s China SIM card online, you’ll be able to keep your current number on WhatsApp. That means you can access all your contacts and conversations.
- The language
Unless you’re fluent in Mandarin (kudos if you are) it might be difficult to buy from stores in China. Save yourself from confusion by buying before you go, so you can be sure about what you’re purchasing.
- Built-in VPN
With Holafly’s China SIM card you will have a built-in VPN, which will allow you to connect to applications such as WhatsApp or Facebook without any problems. This is important because many Western websites are completely blocked and it is impossible to access them without a VPN. Buying before you travel is the only way to ensure access to your favorite apps.
Buy your SIM card in China
We recommend buying your SIM card before you go, but there is one advantage of purchasing in a Chinese store:
- Number of options
You’ll find that stores in China offer different options you can’t get online. So you’re more likely to find the best deal for you. But be aware that shops might charge a lot for tourist SIM cards. We recommend buying from China Unicom or China Telecom because these stores have high levels of coverage throughout the country. So they’re the best option for a fast and stable connection.
Holafly online store
To buy from Holafly’s virtual store, all you have to do is enter Holafly’s official website and select the SIM card that suits you best, remember that the prices of the cards are derived from the amount of data you want your card to have, and the days in force of the same. Once you select your SIM card, you will fill in your data to finalize the purchase, and you will receive your SIM card with free shipping, without having to leave the country.
To buy a SIM card for Canada or North America, all you have to do is go to Holafly’s official website and select the SIM card that suits you best. And once you’ve purchased your card, you’ll receive it within three days with free delivery!
Why shop with Holafly?
1. Strong internet coverage from Canada’s best providers
2. A cheap price, with no delivery charge
3. 24/7 tech support available if you have any problems
4. Multi-country options – buy a card for North American if you plan to visit other countries
How much does a SIM card for China cost?
So we know that a Holafly SIM card is the best way to access the internet in China. But how much does it cost? Take a look at their plans here:
Days of use | Data Plans | Price (USD) |
8 days | 5 GB | $28.58 |
15 days | 5 GB | $30.70 |
30 days | 6 GB | $38.11 |
Buy your China SIM Card now
Including a VPN to access your favourite apps
Unlimited data eSIM card for China, the future of SIM cards
Now we’ve learned about data SIM cards, it’s time to meet the newest way to access the internet. eSIMs (short for embedded SIM) are new, virtual SIM cards that provide internet at a competitive price. But is an eSIM better than a traditional SIM card? The main advantage is that you can get an eSIM anywhere in the world and it’s delivered to you via email immediately. Let’s take a look at their advantages and disadvantages in the next section:
Advantages and disadvantages of eSIM.
Advantages:
- Quick purchase and activation processes
Purchasing and activating an eSIM is easy. You just make your purchase from a store like Holafly and wait a few seconds for a QR code to arrive in your emails. With this, you can activate your eSIM and get connected.
- Get an eSIM anywhere in the world
Are you already in China and struggling to get data? No matter where you are, you can always buy an eSIM and it will come directly to your cell phone. There is no delivery cost and you don’t have to wait more than a few minutes.
- Affordable rates
Compared to paying data roaming charges, eSIMs are incredibly cheap. You pay one upfront fee for the eSIM, so you don’t have to worry about surprise bills. Holafly offers eSIM deals for as little as $32.
- Removes censorship with a VPN included
With a Holafly eSIM, you get a free VPN so you can still access sites and websites that are blocked in China. This is the only way you can access apps like Facebook and WhatsApp in China.
Disadvantages:
- Limited compatibility with cell phones
The main disadvantage of eSIM cards is their limited compatibility. As a new form of technology, many older cell phones do not offer it, so before you buy check your cell phone is compatible.
How much does the eSIM for China cost?

Check out the prices for a Holafly eSIM for China.
Days of use | Data Plans | Price (USD) |
5 days | Unlimited data | $19 |
10 days | Unlimited data | $34 |
15 days | Unlimited data | $47 |
20 days | Unlimited data | $54 |
30 days | Unlimited data | $64 |
60 days | Unlimited data | $84 |
90 days | Unlimited data | $99 |
Buy your China eSIM with unlimited data now
VPN included to access your favourite apps
Frequently Asked Questions about China SIM Cards
In case you have any doubts about the information presented in this post, we invite you to read the following answers to the most frequently asked questions about SIM cards for China.
You can activate data roaming and use data from your current provider. But this will be very expensive. If you plan on using this option, can expect a hefty phone bill when you return home. Alternatively, you could buy Pocket Wi-Fi (a portable device that generates WiFi for your phone). This option is also expensive and you’ll have to carry the device everywhere. A SIM card for China is the cheapest and most convenient way of connecting to the internet.
Paying for data roaming s the most expensive way to access the internet, so we do not recommend it. Although it depends on your provider, on average data roaming costs between $7-$15 per MB. So if you watched a movie on Netflix you could pay $100s. That’s why we recommend a Holafly SIM card or eSIM instead.
Choose a SIM card that offers you fast internet connection at a cheap price. With no additional prices, Holafly’s SIM card for China is the best option. In addition to offering internet from one of China’s fastest providers,
If you buy your SIM card from Holafly, you can contact their customer support team 24/7. All SIM cards come with clear and comprehensive set-up instructions.