Guides

Comparisons, deals and how-tos for staying connected in China, plus practical guides for planning the rest of your trip. For hands-on single-provider tests, see Reviews.

Stay connected

• Best eSIM for China, Hong Kong & Macau (2026) 2026-11-09

  Choose a regional eSIM for China, Hong Kong and Macau by trip length and data: 7-day, 10GB and 20GB picks, plus options for Taiwan.

• Best eSIM for China (Nov 2026): what actually works behind the firewall 2026-11-09

  China eSIMs for WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT: Trip.com, Yesim and Nomad tested, plus four brands compared using official app information and prices.

• China eSIM Promo Codes (Nov 2026): Yesim, Saily, Ubigi & More 2026-11-08

  China eSIM deals including Yesim 15%, Saily 10%, Ubigi 10% for eligible first purchases, NXTL 10%, TooSim 10% and Quibity 5%. Ubigi code partner-provided, checkout test pending.

• China eSIM With a Phone Number: Calls, SMS & Chinese Verification Codes (2026) 2026-11-08

  Compare Saily's US number add-on, aloSIM with Hushed and local Chinese SIMs. Understand calls, SMS, +86 numbers and verification-code limits.

• Best eSIM for a Shanghai or Beijing Airport Layover (2026) 2026-11-08

  Choose a China layover eSIM by data, duration and total cost. Compare 7 brands, with Wi-Fi advice for Shanghai PVG/SHA and Beijing PEK/PKX.

• No SIM Slot? Using an iPhone 17, Air or 18 Pro in China 2026-11-08

  Choose a China eSIM for an eSIM-only iPhone: WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT access, carrier unlock checks, backup plans and setup before departure.

• How to Use a Google Pixel in China: Pixel 10, 11 and Older 2026-11-08

  Use a Pixel in China: choose an eSIM for WhatsApp, Google Maps and ChatGPT, check carrier unlocking and SIM support, and prepare before departure.

• How Much Data Do You Need in China? eSIM Picks for 7, 10, 14 or 30 Days 2026-11-08

  How much mobile data you need in China for 7, 10, 14 or 30 days, averaged from seven published estimates, plus which eSIM to buy.

• Do You Need a VPN With an eSIM in China? (2026) 2026-11-08

  Do you need both an eSIM and VPN in China? See when WhatsApp and Google work without a VPN, what happens on hotel Wi-Fi, and which plan to buy.

• VPN Pricing & New User Deals Compared (2026): ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, Astrill & PureVPN 2026-11-08

  What five major VPNs actually cost new users in 2026 — intro deals, free trials, renewal traps, and which ones really work in mainland China.

Plan your trip

• Best Hotels Near Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) for an Overnight Layover (2026) 2026-11-10

  Where to stay near Shanghai Hongqiao Airport T1 and T2, with connected hotels, railway-station options, overnight tips and Trip.com links.

• Best Hotels Near Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG) for an Overnight Layover (2026) 2026-11-10

  Where to sleep during a Pudong Airport layover: walkable T1/T2 hotels, airport shuttles, immigration rules and Trip.com booking tips.