China is a fascinating destination, but its strict telecom policies make it difficult to access social networks such as Facebook, Google and YouTube. A China travel SIM keeps you reliably connected and lets you use these restricted platforms without a complicated VPN setup. This guide shares practical tips for buying a travel SIM for China, from choosing a carrier and comparing prices to finding the right place to buy.
Which Chinese carrier should you choose?
China has three major carriers offering travel SIMs: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. Choose China Mobile if you will be travelling across many regions, especially remote areas, or need a stable connection. China Unicom is ideal if you will mostly stay in cities and want fast Internet, while China Telecom is less suitable for travellers because it is not compatible with many international phones.
Here is a quick comparison of their pros and cons:
| Carrier | Pros | Cons | 5G support |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Mobile | β China's largest carrier β Wide coverage in both urban and rural areas β Supports 4G on international phones | β Only 3G on some domestic phone models | Yes |
| China Unicom | β China's second-largest carrier β Good 3G/4G speeds in cities, internationally compatible | β Weak signal in rural areas | Yes |
| China Telecom | Good coverage in major cities | Not compatible with international phones, not suitable for travellers | Limited |
Most travel SIMs today support 5G in major cities. To take advantage of 5G speeds, check whether your phone supports 5G.
Can a China travel SIM access Facebook, Google and TikTok?
It depends on the SIM. Not every China travel SIM can bypass the Great Firewall to reach Facebook, Google and YouTube, and not every SIM that bypasses the firewall also supports TikTok. This is the most important thing to check before you buy, because regular Chinese domestic SIMs CANNOT access these platforms.
Most travel SIMs and eSIMs designed for foreign visitors come with built-in firewall bypass, letting you use Facebook, Google, YouTube, Zalo and WhatsApp without installing a VPN. TikTok, however, is usually a separate layer: not every plan on the market supports it, and plans that do tend to cost slightly more. Other apps such as ChatGPT or CapCut vary by app and by provider.
As a result, there are generally two types of China travel SIM/eSIM on the market:
- Standard (no TikTok): bypasses the firewall for Facebook, Google, Zalo and WhatsApp, but CANNOT access TikTok.
- TikTok-enabled: bypasses the firewall as above and also supports TikTok; support for other apps varies by app.
TouriESIM's China eSIM is the TikTok-enabled type: it gives you access to Google, Facebook, Zalo, YouTube, TikTok and more without a VPN. If your itinerary also includes Hong Kong and Macau, you can choose the regional China, Hong Kong & Macau eSIM.
Note: Before buying a SIM for China, check whether your phone is an international version or a carrier-locked one, because locked phones cannot use foreign SIMs or eSIMs. See how to check whether your phone is carrier-locked.
What types of China travel SIM are there?
Besides the firewall/TikTok distinction above, China travel SIMs are also grouped by what they let you do:
- Data-only 4G SIM: Internet access only (4G/5G), with no regular calls or SMS β although you can still call and message through Zalo or WhatsApp over the Internet.
- Multi-purpose SIM (data + calls): Supports both Internet access and local calls and texts within China, which is handy for making reservations or booking rides on the spot.
Physical SIM or eSIM for China?
If you have an older phone with only a physical SIM slot, a physical SIM is your only option. If your phone supports eSIM, an eSIM is usually the better choice thanks to its convenience and wider range of plans.
- Physical SIM: the traditional plastic SIM card β common and easy to use, but you have to remove your main SIM if your phone has only one SIM tray.
- eSIM: a digital SIM with nothing to insert or remove; you simply scan a QR code to install it.
Key advantages of an eSIM over a physical SIM:
- Easy to buy online at any time, and you receive a QR code so you can get connected as soon as you land in China β no queuing at the airport.
- No need to remove your main SIM, so you keep your usual phone number and never risk losing the card.
- A wider choice of plans (daily data, total data and unlimited).
- TikTok-enabled options are available (see above) β something many physical SIMs do not offer.
Where to buy a travel SIM for China
You can buy a China SIM or eSIM in Vietnam before you leave or after you arrive in China β but many travellers say that buying in Vietnam before the trip is more convenient and puts you in control.
- In Vietnam: buy in person at a shop or reseller, or online via e-commerce platforms (Shopee, Tiki) or websites (Klook, Trip.com, TouriESIM). No personal registration is required, and the SIM/eSIM connects automatically once you arrive in China.
- In China: buy a physical SIM at the airport or at a carrier store β choose a major store (China Mobile, China Unicom, etc.), since only these sell to foreigners; you will need to show your passport, and instructions are usually in Chinese.
- For eSIMs: since no Chinese carrier currently issues eSIMs directly to foreign visitors (see the FAQ below), you can only buy one from an international travel eSIM provider such as TouriESIM β entirely online, with no documents required, and the QR code is sent to your email after payment.
Buying in Vietnam is usually cheaper than buying in China, and it saves you from queues and language barriers.
Popular China travel SIM plans and prices
Typical prices for physical China SIMs for travellers are as follows (prices for reference only and subject to change):
- 500MB β 2GB/day, valid for 3 β 30 days, from VND 100,000 β 1,420,000
- 3GB β 20GB, valid for 7 β 30 days, VND 272,000 β 1,080,000
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days, around VND 585,000
eSIM pricing is usually more flexible, with options ranging from short, small-data plans to unlimited ones. You can check prices for each plan (daily, total data or unlimited, depending on the plan) on the China eSIM page and the regional China, Hong Kong & Macau eSIM page.
China SIM prices vary depending on the provider, data allowance, validity and included features (whether it bypasses the firewall, whether it supports TikTok). In general, buying a SIM in Vietnam is cheaper than buying one in China.
How to use a China SIM
Before you start, make sure your phone is an international version and is not carrier-locked.
For a physical SIM:
- Power off your phone, remove your main SIM if the phone has only one slot, and insert the China travel SIM.
- Restart the phone and follow the on-screen prompts. The SIM should connect to a supported network automatically within 1β2 minutes.
- If it does not connect automatically, select the network manually and enter the APN settings provided by the carrier (Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks > Access Point Names; iOS: Settings > Mobile/Cellular > Mobile Data Network).
- Once done, open a website to check that the Internet is working.
For an eSIM: simply scan the QR code sent to your email to install it β no need to remove your main SIM. See the step-by-step eSIM installation guide and eSIM activation guide.
Frequently asked questions
If my SIM already bypasses the firewall, do I still need a VPN?
No. A travel SIM/eSIM with built-in firewall bypass automatically lets you access Facebook, Google, YouTube and Zalo without installing any additional VPN. See also how to access Google in China and how to use social media when travelling in China.
Do Chinese carriers issue eSIMs to foreigners yet?
Not yet. China has allowed its domestic carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) to issue eSIMs since October 2025, but only to holders of a Chinese national ID card (in-person verification with a Chinese ID is required). Foreign visitors still cannot get eSIMs directly from these carriers, so they need to buy one from an international travel eSIM provider.
Can a China eSIM be used in Hong Kong and Macau?
It depends on the product. Many China eSIM plans work only in mainland China. If your trip also covers Hong Kong and Macau, choose a regional plan such as the China, Hong Kong & Macau eSIM and check the coverage details on the plan page before you buy.
How far in advance should I buy a China SIM/eSIM?
For a physical SIM, time the delivery so you receive it before departure. For an eSIM, buy and install it about one day before you leave (the QR code can be scanned within 30 days of purchase) so you get the most out of the plan's validity and avoid it expiring early because of the time difference between Vietnam and China.
