Getting Online

Buy your data before departure

The simplest arrangement is a travel eSIM bought and installed at home, switched on when you land. Because the data routes through a foreign carrier, you reach the whole internet without any further setup — the services you use daily keep working exactly as they do at home.

Keep your normal SIM active alongside it for calls and SMS codes, and let the eSIM carry data. Many verification steps text you a code, and you want to be able to receive it.

Check your phone is carrier-unlocked and eSIM capable before buying anything.

Install the eSIM at home but leave it switched off until you arrive.

Local SIMs and hotel Wi-Fi

A Chinese SIM card is cheap and gives excellent coverage, but it routes your traffic domestically, which means the internet looks different from what you are used to. It also requires passport registration at the shop.

Hotel and café Wi-Fi is widespread and often asks for a phone number to send a confirmation code. A foreign number usually works; occasionally it does not, which is another reason to have your own data.