How much data do I need in China Mainland?
Mainland China has unique connectivity: eSIM support on phones sold locally is essentially non-existent, and most Western services (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube) are blocked by the Great Firewall.
Personal Hotspot (tethering). Sharing data to a laptop/tablet? Count the activities on that device (browsing, video calls, etc.) using the sliders above — tethering itself adds almost no overhead.
Calculating…
Adjust the sliders above to match your habits.
Tips for data usage in China Mainland
- To use Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram etc., you'll need a VPN running on your device — install and test it before you arrive.
- International roaming eSIMs (e.g. Hong Kong/Macau-based) can work but require a VPN; local physical SIMs are more reliable for pure connectivity but also block Western services.
- For tourists staying under 2–3 weeks, a Hong Kong/Macau roaming eSIM with a VPN is often the easiest option.
- Download offline maps (Apple Maps works in China, as does Amap/Maps if you read Chinese).
Major networks: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom. International roaming eSIMs (e.g. Hong Kong/Macau-based) can technically work but require a VPN to access most Western services. For reliable connectivity, get a local physical SIM on arrival, or use a Hong Kong/Macau travel eSIM with a VPN.
Compare China Mainland eSIM plans
See live prices from 20+ providers for China Mainland. Filter by data amount, duration, hotspot and 5G.