China Internet Access Guide for Foreign Travelers

1 Getting a Local SIM Card

📍 Where to Buy

• Airport kiosks (24/7 at major airports) - Most convenient but 10-20% more expensive
• Official stores - China Mobile/China Unicom/China Telecom
• Avoid street vendors - May sell pre-registered illegal SIMs

📋 Required Documents

• Original passport (copies not accepted)
• Chinese visa (must match passport info)
• Face scan at point of purchase (mandatory since 2020)

💸 Plan Options (2024 Rates)

Carrier	Tourist Plan	Data	Validity	Price
China Mobile	Welcome Pack	10GB	30 days	¥100 (~$14)
China Unicom	Traveler Special	20GB	15 days	¥80 (~$11)

2 Accessing Blocked Sites (VPN Guide)

China's firewall blocks: Google services (Gmail, Maps), Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and most Western news sites.

✅ Recommended VPNs (2024 Working)

• Astrill - Fastest but expensive ($30/month)
• ExpressVPN - Reliable with Shanghai server
• LetsVPN - Chinese-developed (legal gray area)

3 Public WiFi Access

Available at airports, Starbucks, hotels, and shopping malls - but with restrictions:

• SMS verification required (need working phone number)
• Time limits common (e.g. 2 hours at Starbucks)
• Avoid sensitive activities - Public networks may monitor traffic