Published on Aug. 10, 2026
Since in China many international services and apps like Google, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are blocked by what is known as the Great Firewall of China, travelers who want to stay connected in China have to get creative. At the moment, there are several ways to bypass these restrictions and get around the firewall. Here are the best tips, from VPNs and eSIMs to Hong Kong SIM cards for roaming.
Classic Solution: China SIM + VPN
The classic, albeit somewhat expensive, solution to staying connected in China is to get a Chinese tourist SIM card when you arrive and use it with a VPN. These cards are now available at most airports. You have to provide a few details, and your visa and passport will be photographed immediately. You pay around USD 50-60, and you can surf the internet for the entire month.
The problem is that you now have a mainland Chinese phone number with restricted access to the Chinese internet. At least you will have access to useful apps such as WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Trip.com, China Railway, and Meituan. WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram & Co. are just as inaccessible as Wikipedia and Google.
If you need international apps, you therefore have to get a VPN. China’s firewall has become so effective that only a handful of services actually work. It is tempting to suspect that some of them are actually provided by the Chinese state, which would also give it control over the hacks. At the same time, this allows tourists to stay in touch with their usual contacts and makes China a more attractive destination for travelers.
On our journeys, we found only 2 VPNs that actually worked to get around China's firewall: Astrill and LetsVPN.
Astrill VPN
Astrill is generally more expensive but is officially considered the premium option to break the firewall of China. If you pay for one month, you have to spend USD 30, which means adding another USD 30 to the roughly USD 50-60 for the SIM card. Since there were two of us, however, we were able to split the cost. Long-term subscriptions are cheaper.
With a one-year subscription, the China VPN costs USD 15 per month; with two years, it comes down to USD 12.50. The only problem is that a standard tourist visa does not even last that long (although visa runs and using the VPN in other countries are possible). Incidentally, it is somewhat unclear who is behind Astrill.
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LetsVPN
LetsVPN is the budget option for staying connected in China. It does not always work 100% of the time but is generally stable. The service is considerably cheaper. One month in standard mode starts at around USD 5.39. That said, it is difficult to give a fixed price. If you select the option and proceed to checkout, the cost can sometimes be higher.
When it comes to ownership, it is a bit unclear who is behind LetsVPN. So for those who are more privacy-conscious, alternative options such as an audited VPN combined with a roaming SIM (see below) might suit them better. That being said, privacy and VPNs are too big of a topic to cover here.
Problems with Chinese Tourist SIM Cards
Apart from the need for a VPN, Chinese SIM cards can experience outages somewhat more frequently. Several times, we noticed in Beijing's government district and around the Potala Palace in Lhasa that the Chinese SIM card suddenly stopped working despite having a 5G reception, while the foreign SIM card continued to work.
Chinese SIM + VPN at a Glance:
- Around USD 50-60 per month, with limited validity (relatively expensive)
- Extensive personal information required
- Definitely subject to surveillance
- VPN required (Astrill or LetsVPN), meaning additional costs
- Occasional outages in certain areas
eSIM
With modern phones, roaming eSIMs are a fairly simple solution for China. You buy one online, download it, and can then access the internet without a VPN. Because the data traffic is routed through foreign servers, WhatsApp, Google & Co. can be used without any problems. As soon as you switch to Wi-Fi in China, however, everything is blocked again immediately.
Nevertheless, getting a VPN can still make sense for data security. Since the data traffic is already being routed abroad, international providers work just as well as Astrill or LetsVPN. In the past, I have mainly used NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.
When it comes to eSIMs for China, Airalo is certainly the best-known brand. We also used the provider on our most recent trip and had hardly any problems apart from the usual dead spots on trains.
The downside is that it can get somewhat expensive over time. If you are only visiting the country for a short period and just want to stay in touch with people, 3 days with 1 GB for €4 might be enough. For longer stays, social media, and work, however, you will definitely need more. An acceptable monthly deal was 20 GB for €37. Unlimited data is available for €62. Since we were also traveling to several neighboring countries such as Pakistan and Taiwan, we opted for a cross-border Asia eSIM from Airalo.
All in all, Airalo is still cheaper than getting a Chinese SIM card together with a VPN. If your phone is eSIM-compatible, it can therefore almost be considered the best option. It is important, however, to set everything up before arriving in China so that everything works smoothly once you are there.
eSIMs for China at a Glance:
- No VPN required
- From €4 for 3 days with 1 GB
- Monthly plans around €37 for 20 GB
- Unlimited data for around €62
- Should be set up before arrival
- Works well in combination with international VPNs
Roaming SIMs from Hong Kong and Macao
My favorite solution is actually to get a physical SIM card in Hong Kong or Macao - provided you are entering China via one of these places. On one trip, we got a Macao SIM for USD 50; on another, we bought one in Hong Kong for around USD 30. In return, we got 40 GB of data valid for 365 days, including roaming.
However, you really need to pay attention when buying one. The data allowance is usually split between domestic and roaming use. With one SIM, for example, 25 GB was available only in Hong Kong, while just 15 GB could be used for roaming in China, Macao, and Taiwan. For a one-month stay in mainland China, that would hardly have been worthwhile compared with spending a week in Hong Kong.
In the end, we found a good option that even came in handy later during a week in Taiwan. The advantages of this kind of SIM card are clear: all international apps can be used without a VPN, the cards are relatively cheap, and they work in several countries. One important thing to remember: whenever you leave Hong Kong or Macao, you must make sure that roaming is enabled for the respective SIM card.
On the other hand, there is of course the question of how to top up the plan if necessary. 40 GB for 365 days seems a bit limited. However, there is a way to log in and purchase additional data once the original allowance has been used up. It's recommended to check before buying if topping up credit is possible.
A good thing about the Hong Kong and Macao SIMs is that international VPNs still work there, which opens up more options to protect your personal data. That's why I would generally recommend using one of the better-known international apps, for example, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
Incidentally, the best place to buy a roaming SIM for China in Hong Kong is the Chungking Mansions. The 17-story complex on Nathan Road is home to almost 130 nationalities and is famous for its many small shops and stalls. Just ask around, and you will find a suitable product for getting internet access in China. In Macao, on the other hand, we bought our SIM upon arrival at the harbor.
Roaming SIM from HK or Macao at a Glance:
- Relatively inexpensive roaming SIM
- Roaming must be enabled in mainland China
- No VPN required
- International apps freely accessible
- Surveillance is still possible in Hong Kong and Macao
- Pay attention to the data allowance for domestic and roaming use
- Topping up from mainland China may be more complicated
- Requires entering China via Hong Kong or Macao