Best eSIM for China 2026: Why I Used It Instead of a VPN
Travelling to China in 2026? Here’s my experience using an eSIM instead of a VPN, plus the best eSIM options for accessing Google and social media in China.
I have always relied heavily on VPNs to access social media and Western apps in China. I have a Chinese SIM card, so this was always the best option when travelling. Before my recent trip, however, I found out that a lot of the VPN’s were not working properly.
There are often periods like this in China when it's much harder to use a VPN – something I don’t miss from my time living there. As a backup, I decided to purchase an eSIM, and it worked even better than I expected.
Why VPNs Can Be Frustrating in China
As I mentioned, VPN’s can sometimes not work in China. There are periods when one, two, or all of them seem to go down. They can be slow to connect and often disconnect, and your apps just won’t load. If you are travelling for a short period of time, then this can be incredibly frustrating if you need to access things online.
If you plan to get a Chinese SIM card, then this will be the best way for you to access Western apps. Also, if you plan to use any WIFI on your phone or laptop, etc. I would always recommend downloading more than one VPN so that you have a backup. If one is not working, you can hope that the other one is working instead.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you purchase and install before your arrival. There is no physical SIM card; you just follow the instructions, and then when you arrive at your destination, you can activate it for instant data access.
They aren’t just useful in China; you can use them all over the world to stay connected whilst you travel. So no matter where you go, you will have data and be able to use your phone without buying a local SIM card each time. Before you purchase an eSIM, make sure your phone is compatible.
Why eSIMs Work So Well in China
To really enjoy your experience in China, you need data; it will make your time there a lot easier. Whilst it is possible to get a Chinese SIM on arrival, it is much easier to install an eSIM and use that instead.
A Chinese SIM gives you a Chinese number, which is useful for ordering food and tickets for things in advance, but most travellers are only in China for a short time, and if it is your first time, you probably won’t be super familiar with the Chinese apps and so won’t need to use them that much.
A lot of Western apps, like Google, Instagram, and TikTok, are unavailable in China. An eSIM also has the advantage of having a built-in VPN, so once you activate it, your phone apps work exactly as they would back home.
Many eSIMs use international data, and so they bypass the Chinese restrictions.
Just remember, if you connect to any Wi-Fi, then you won’t be able to access Western Apps, so you will need to have enough data for your entire trip.
You can use the eSIM to access Chinese apps as well, which makes travelling in China so much easier. If you link your foreign card, you can use Alipay to pay for things, get transport and order Didi’s (the Chinese version of Uber).
Pros and cons of using an eSIM in China
Pros:
Easy to use and set up
Can use your phone as you would back home (apart from calls)
VPN is automatically installed
Cost-effective for shorter trips
You’ll have data so you can use it for everything you need on your trip, paying, translation, maps etc
Cons:
Not all phones are compatible with an eSIM
Can be more expensive depending on how much data you need and how long you are travelling for
Not every eSIM works well, and you could experience some instability
My Personal Setup in China
As I used to live in China, I still have a Chinese number, which I use when travelling around. I use local data for most things and many Chinese apps. For ordering things, you need a Chinese SIM, so it is useful for me as I do this quite a lot.
This time, instead of connecting to a VPN when I needed to use Western apps, I switched over to my eSIM instead. This was really easy to do, and everything worked perfectly. There was never a point when I couldn’t access anything.
If I didn’t have a Chinese number (like most tourists visiting China) then it would be fine to use without switching back and forth. I could still use my eSIM to pay with Alipay and WeChat, use it to take the metro, and I could order a Didi, which didn’t used to work without a local number, but now you can use the app to message the driver, and it automatically translates it for you.
As my VPN was down, I also had to hotspot my eSIM to my computer to do some work, and this was really fast and worked well. I wouldn’t recommend doing this a lot as it uses a lot of data, but for an emergency deadline, it was a lifesaver.
Top Tip: I made sure to download any TV shows, music and podcasts before travelling so I could watch/listen to them on airplane mode without using any data or needing a VPN to access them.
Travelling to China?
My China First Timer Guide explains exactly how to prepare for your trip, which apps to install, how to travel between cities, and how things work once you arrive.
Perfect if it’s your first time visiting China.
Best eSIMs for China
Best value:
If you need unlimited data:
Holafly Get a 5% discount with my code NICOFILMS
I personally used the Trip eSIM, and I got the 20GB for 15 days package. I didn’t use it all the time, so this amount of data was more than enough to last me. I think if you plan to watch things, video call people, etc then you might need more. Luckily, you can adjust the number of days and the GB package for your needs
If it is your first trip to China, then an eSIM is the way to go. It’s easy and reliable, and you can use all the apps you will need to use. If you plan to stay in China for the long term, then I would recommend getting a Chinese SIM and a reliable VPN.
Planning your first China trip?
I offer 1-to-1 China travel planning calls where I help you plan your itinerary, transport, apps, and logistics so your trip runs smoothly.
