Physical SIM card

 (Suitable for long-term visitors and those need a local phone number)

(1) Where to get 

Airport service counters: Dedicated English-service counters for international visitors are established at major airports like Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou Baiyun international airports.

Downtown offices: Outlets of carriers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, and China Broadnet.

Special service outlets: Locations like the "Beijing Service" airport counter offer integrated SIM cards such as Changyoutong or CUBeCard, combining mobile data, payment, and public transport access.

(2) Documents required 

Original passport (some stores may require a copy of the visa page).

On-site facial recognition and real-name registration are mandatory.

eSIM

 (Suitable for short-term visitors with eSIM-compatible devices)

Phones used should support eSIM (e.g., iPhone XS or later, some high-end Android models).

In Chinese mainland, only the iPhone Air (A3518) supports local eSIM activation. Other models require an international eSIM provider for activation.

It is recommended to purchase a regional eSIM plan from global providers like Airalo or Nomad that includes data coverage in China before arrival, and activate it upon entry.

All-in-Oneairportservices 

(Taking Beijing as an Example)

(1) Changyoutong Portable Wi-Fi

Function: A portable mobile Wi-Fi device that creates a personal hotspot for multiple devices upon inserting a SIM card. It also supports SMS reception.

How to get it: Present your passport to complete card issuance, top-up, and activation within minutes.

(2) CUBeCard

Function: It is a three-in-one card integrating mobile communication, a e-CNY Wallet, and a municipal transit pass. It handles communication, small payments, and metro/bus travel in one card.

Wi-Fi & VPN

(1) Public Wi-Fi

It usually requires authentication via a verification code sent to a mobile with China's SIM card (foreign SIM cards cannot receive the code).

(2) VPN

Due to internet regulations, websites such as Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are not directly accessible in China. A VPN is required to use them.

Download and install a reliable VPN app (e.g., Astrill, ExpressVPN, VyprVPN) on your devices before entering China, as some VPNs may not be available in local app stores.