Continuing your trip
Beijing, China
China has excellent 4G/5G coverage. An eSIM works fine — but understand that without a VPN you cannot reach Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or many Western apps. Install and test your VPN before you land.
Travel Services · Connectivity
Travel Connectivity
Stay connected from the moment you land. Compare eSIMs for 200+ countries — installed before you travel, so you never arrive offline.
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Why should I book here?
Built on how you actually travel
200+ countries covered
Airalo and Saily cover virtually every destination — confirm your country before you buy.
Install before you fly
Activate at home so you are online the second you land.
Keep your home number
Dual-SIM phones run two eSIMs — keep SMS verification working.
No physical SIM swapping
Instant digital activation; top up data mid-trip without losing your number.
What could this journey become?
Where it could take you
Connected from landing
Navigation abroad
Remote workingHow it works
Travel Connectivity in China
China has excellent 4G/5G coverage. An eSIM works fine — but understand that without a VPN you cannot reach Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook or many Western apps. Install and test your VPN before you land.
Makutet recommends
For most visitors to China, we recommend installing an Airalo eSIM before you fly — it costs less than a single roaming day and works the moment you land.
Quick facts
- Currency:CNY (Chinese yuan / renminbi)
- Visa:30-day visa-free entry for many Western nationals (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Poland — but NOT the UK or US at time of writing).
- Recommended eSIM:Airalo
Things to avoid
- Banking on public Wi-FiAvoid logging into sensitive accounts on hotel or café Wi-Fi without a VPN.
- Carrier roaming dataRoaming rates regularly exceed the cost of an eSIM in a single day.
Local tips
- Install and test a VPN (Astrill, LetsVPN, ExpressVPN) before you land — without it you cannot reach Google, WhatsApp or Instagram.
- Set up Alipay Tourcard with your foreign card before departure — China is increasingly cashless, and foreign credit cards are rarely accepted.
- Book high-speed trains on Trip.com with your passport number — real-name verification is mandatory for all rail travel.
- Carry your passport at all times — required for train travel, hotel check-in and many attractions.
Helpful Information
Read before you book
How to Choose the Right eSIM
What matters when picking an eSIM
Destination Considerations
Southeast Asia
Airalo regional plan (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia) is the best value — one plan covers all.
Europe
A pan-Europe eSIM (Airalo Europe) avoids re-buying a SIM each country.
Japan & South Korea
Local networks are excellent — an eSIM removes the passport-registration step.
USA & Canada
Coverage is excellent; Airalo and Saily both offer strong North American plans.
Booking Tips
Deep Dive
What should I know?
Good to know
Airalo for most travellers (200+ countries), Yesim for unlimited long stays, Saily for the lowest entry price.
Related
Continue planning your trip
Other decisions to make before you travel — pulled from the same intelligence behind this page.
Flights in China
The cheapest fares almost always appear 6–8 weeks ahead.
Explore
Accommodation in China
Hotel, hostel, apartment and guesthouse prices vary by date — 3+ weeks lead time gives the widest inventory.
Explore
Travel Insurance in China
Private hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai speak English; public hospitals outside major cities do not.
Explore
Transfers & Transport in China
DiDi replaces Uber.
ExploreContinue planning your Beijing trip
Next recommended step: Flights in China — or jump straight back to your full itinerary on Mantra.
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