Do I Need a Local SIM Card or VPN When Travelling in China? The Simplified Yes or No answer (2026 Guide)
Firstly, I must emphasise local SIM cards is NOT an absolute necessity for every visitor to China.
Especially those on a short visit.
Most of my family members and friends managed perfectly well without one.
Of course, you do need some kind of VPN.
What they did use is an China eSIM (an example is this one from Trip), which provides data for Internet access and allows you to access all of the usual apps back home. It has an integrated VPN so you don’t have to buy a separate one.
Getting a local SIM card or a standalone VPN for China really depends on your own needs, but it does help minimise frustrations in certain situations. Read on to see if the following situations apply to you.
📶 Get a local SIM card if:
✅ 1. You want to get the best value for money for your data plan and don’t mind hassle.
Local data is cheaper than eSIM data plans or international roaming data plans in the majority of cases. Whether it’s worth the effort and time is for you to decide.
✅ 2. You want to use local Wi-Fi rather than mobile data when you’re in public areas outside of hotels.
Most Wi-Fi networks at shopping malls, cafes, restaurants send a text for verification. However, it only works for China numbers (+86).
Hotels should not have this problem, ask reception for help if it’s not working.
Even if your answer is yes, remember - you’ll need a separate VPN to access blocked apps and websites through Wi-Fi and the local SIM card. If you ask me, just get an eSIM plan with a big enough data allowance for your needs so you don’t have to bother with Wi-Fi!
✅ 3. You want to order food delivery to your hotel room or buy things online on all available platforms without any restrictions.
Note: You can still do these things through the Alipay or WeChat mini-programs, but this currently limits you to the selected apps like Eleme for food delivery or Taobao for online shopping.
👉 Check out my article How to Order Food Delivery in China - A Simplified Guide
✅ 4.You want to use apps or mini-programs that require a local number to register in order to use any of the functions.
Most apps in this category are not critical for the tourist experience.
But if you find yourself needing/wanting to use that particular app and you can’t find an alternative, get a local number if you’re dying to use it.
This may apply to shared bikes and power banks. For shared bikes, use the “Hello” blue bikes; for power banks, look for another brand.
The No’s From Me
❌ You do not need it to buy tickets to most attractions. There are a few attractions where the only way is booking through the WeChat mini-program.
Most attractions are available on Trip or Alipay app - check them first when you’re planning your trip.
👉 Check out my article How to Buy Tickets to Attractions in China
👉 If you find yourself stuck, don’t get a SIM card just to book one attraction - get hotel reception to book it for you the first day after you arrive.
❌ You do not need a local number for DiDi (use either the DiDi standalone app OR mini-program inside the Alipay app)
👉 Check out my article How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China
❌ You will still need a VPN if you want to access certain Western apps and websites through the LOCAL SIM card.
If you get an eSIM or international roaming plan for China, you don’t need a VPN as long as you’re happy with accessing those blocked apps and sites through your mobile.
So, those are the main reasons. It’s not really worth it for anything else, especially if you’re only in China on a short trip.
But if you’re here for longer than 2 weeks, my answer would be yes - get one. If you are a person who wants minimal hassle, get one.
⚠️ Remember your phone must be unlocked in order for a local SIM card to work.
🛏️ Don’t miss out! To save money on your hotel, check out my guide
🪜Step-by-Step - How to Get a Local SIM Card in China
The big network providers: China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom (doesn’t really matter which one, in my opinion)
1. Visit a network provider shop in the arrivals terminal after landing.
Note: If you’ve already arrived in the city centre, visit a network provider shop in the central districts (it must be a service hall branch 营业厅，other branches may not have the setup to serve foreigners. This is not relevant if you are doing it at the airport).
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2. Tell staff you want a traveller’s SIM card, how much data you need, how long you want it for, 0 call minutes (unless you have a reason to).
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3. Provide your passport for registration. Have your photo taken if asked. Sign relevant papers when required.
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4. Get your SIM. Remember to download the relevant app (e.g. China Mobile) to monitor your data use.
📍Get a standalone VPN to use local Wi-Fi or local SIM because:
✅ 1. the eSIM option doesn’t work with your phone OR your international data roaming plan is too expensive.
or
✅ 2. you’re here on a long visit OR you’re a heavy data user (e.g. watching lots of videos when out of the hotel, gaming) + don’t want to pay over the top for additional mobile data
or
✅ 3. you have a large group and not everyone wants to get an eSIM
