April 2026 reality check — why this page exists
Right now is a perfect example of the volatility of VPNs and eSIMs in China. Over the last two weeks VPN connection speeds have been very slow, and usually reliable VPNs have been failing.
The Chinese government knows what people are doing. During political events, or when a particular VPN becomes too popular, the government takes action and the connection becomes poor. This is normal here. Plan for it.
The one warning that matters
Download and install your VPN before you arrive in China. VPN provider websites and app stores are blocked behind the Great Firewall. Land without a VPN installed and you cannot download one. I have watched three separate friends discover this at Beijing airport. Don’t be them.
Option 1 — International eSIM only
Buy an eSIM from a reputable provider before boarding. Quickest setup. Western apps mostly work, Chinese apps mostly work. The trade-off: some international eSIMs route you through an overseas gateway, which can trigger payment blocks on Alipay and WeChat. No Chinese phone number means some local apps will be harder to use.
What you get: Data on arrival. Western apps usually work via overseas routing.
What you don’t get: Chinese phone number. Redundancy if the eSIM fails. Some Chinese apps may flag you.
Option 2 — eSIM + VPN
The eSIM handles routing, the VPN is your redundancy. Two independent paths to the open internet. If your eSIM routing gets throttled or you switch to firewalled hotel WiFi, the VPN keeps you online. Remember: a VPN needs a working internet connection — it’s not a connection itself.
What you get: Most reliable setup for staying connected to Western apps throughout the trip.
What you don’t get: Chinese phone number. The cheapest option (two subscriptions).
Option 3 — Chinese physical SIM + VPN
Buy a physical SIM on arrival from a China Unicom, China Telecom, or China Mobile kiosk. Airport counters or shops in large malls are your best bet — staff are more used to setting up foreign customers. Bring your passport and budget 30–60 minutes. Pair it with a VPN for Western apps.
What you get: Local data + Chinese phone number (unlocks 12306, Meituan, bank verifications). VPN handles Western apps.
What you don’t get: Quick setup. Passport required, up to an hour at the shop. You’re paying for both SIM and VPN.
Important: keep Alipay and WeChat linked to your home number
If you buy a Chinese SIM, do not switch your Alipay or WeChat linked number to the new one. Switching mid-trip can trigger account verification loops that are painful to resolve from abroad.