Shanghai SIM Card & Internet Guide: Stay Connected (2026)
Complete guide to SIM cards, eSIMs, WiFi, and VPN for Shanghai. How to access Google, WhatsApp, and social media in China.
Staying Connected in Shanghai: What You Need to Know
Visiting China means dealing with the Great Firewall—the world’s most sophisticated internet censorship system. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps don’t work without preparation. This guide covers everything you need to stay connected.
📅 Last Updated: January 2026
| Option | Best For | Cost | Setup | VPN Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM with VPN | Most tourists | $5-50 | Instant | Included |
| Local SIM | Longer stays | $25-50 | In-store | Yes, separate |
| Pocket WiFi | Groups | $5-10/day | Airport pickup | Sometimes included |
| Hotel WiFi | Budget/light use | Free | None | Yes, separate |
The Great Firewall: What’s Blocked?
Before diving into solutions, understand what doesn’t work in China:
Completely Blocked (Need VPN)
| Category | Blocked Services |
|---|---|
| Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, Photos, YouTube | |
| Social Media | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord |
| Streaming | Netflix (partial), Spotify |
| Others | Reddit, Dropbox, many news sites |
Works Without VPN
| App | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging, payments | Essential for China | |
| Alipay | Payments | Works perfectly |
| DiDi | Ride-hailing | China’s Uber |
| Apple Services | iCloud, Maps, App Store | Mostly works |
| Microsoft | Outlook, Teams, OneDrive | Works |
| Zoom | Video calls | Works |
⚠️ Critical: WeChat and Alipay are NOT blocked—they’re China’s dominant apps. Download them before you go!
Option 1: eSIM (Recommended for Most Travelers)
eSIMs are the easiest solution—no physical SIM swap, instant activation, and many include VPN for unblocked access.
How eSIM Works
- Purchase online before your trip
- Scan QR code to install
- Activate when you land
- Keep your home SIM active for calls/texts
Popular eSIM Plans (2026 Prices)
| Provider | Data | Duration | Price | VPN Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 1GB | 7 days | ~$5 | Check plan |
| Holafly | Unlimited | 7 days | ~$42 | Yes |
| SimLocal | 3GB | 30 days | ~$12 | Check plan |
| Trip.com | 10GB | 30 days | ~$28 | Check plan |
| Yesim | 20GB | 30 days | ~$41 | Yes |
eSIM Pros
- No SIM card swap needed
- Instant activation
- Keep home number active
- Many include VPN access
- Buy from anywhere before travel
eSIM Cons
- Requires eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS+, newer Android)
- Not all plans include VPN (check before buying!)
- May have slower speeds than local SIM
- Can’t make local Chinese calls
💡 Pro Tip: Always choose an eSIM plan that explicitly includes VPN access. Without it, you’ll still be blocked from Google and social media.
Is Your Phone eSIM Compatible?
iPhone: XS, XR, and all newer models Android: Google Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, many newer models Not Sure? Go to Settings → Cellular/Mobile → look for “Add eSIM” option
Option 2: Physical SIM Card
For longer stays or if you need a local Chinese number, a physical SIM is the way to go.
Where to Buy
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Convenient, open late | Slightly higher prices |
| China Unicom/Mobile stores | Best prices, most options | Need to find a store |
| Online (pre-order) | Delivered to hotel | Less flexible |
Popular Plans
| Provider | Data | Calls | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| China Unicom Tourist | 15-40GB | 500 min | $25-35 | Most foreigner-friendly |
| China Mobile | 30GB | 500 min | ~$33 | Widest coverage |
What You Need
- Passport (required for registration)
- Chinese address (hotel address works)
- 10-15 minutes for registration
SIM Card Pros
- Best network speeds and coverage
- Local phone number for Chinese apps
- Can make and receive local calls
- Required for some app verifications
SIM Card Cons
- Passport registration required
- Must visit a store
- Still blocked from Western services (need separate VPN)
- Lose home number access (unless dual SIM)
Option 3: Pocket WiFi
Good for groups traveling together who want to share one connection.
How It Works
- Pre-order online or book at airport
- Pick up device at airport
- Connect all your devices
- Return at end of trip
Typical Costs
- Daily rental: $5-10/day
- Deposit: $50-100 (refundable)
- Data: Usually unlimited
Pocket WiFi Pros
- Share with multiple devices (5-10)
- No SIM swap needed
- Some include VPN
- Good for groups
Pocket WiFi Cons
- Extra device to carry and charge
- Battery lasts 6-10 hours
- Must return (or pay penalty)
- Deposit required
Option 4: Hotel/Public WiFi
The free option—but with significant limitations.
Where to Find Free WiFi
- Hotels (almost all have it)
- Cafes and restaurants (Starbucks, etc.)
- Shopping malls
- Metro stations (patchy)
- Airports
Free WiFi Pros
- Free
- Available in most tourist areas
- Works for basic needs
Free WiFi Cons
- Still blocked from Google/social media
- Often slow and unreliable
- Security concerns on public networks
- No connectivity while moving
- Quality varies wildly
💡 Tip: Hotel WiFi is fine for WeChat and Chinese apps. But if you need Google Maps or Instagram, you still need a VPN.
VPN: The Essential Add-On
Unless your eSIM/SIM includes VPN, you’ll need one to access blocked services.
Critical VPN Rules
- Download BEFORE arriving in China - VPN websites are blocked
- Install 2-3 different VPNs - One may stop working
- Free VPNs rarely work in China
- Test before you go - Make sure it connects
VPNs That Work in China (2026 Tested)
| VPN | Reliability | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | High | $13/month | Best overall |
| NordVPN | Good | $12/month | Good value |
| Astrill | High | $15/month | Expensive but reliable |
| Surfshark | Good | $10/month | Budget option |
VPN Reality Check
In real-world testing, only 7 out of 28 VPNs consistently worked in China. The Great Firewall actively blocks VPN connections, so even good VPNs fail sometimes. Having multiple options is essential.
VPN Tips
- Connect to Hong Kong or Japan servers for best speeds
- If one server fails, try another
- Turn off VPN for Chinese apps (WeChat, Alipay work better without)
- Some hotels block VPN traffic—try mobile data instead
Recommendation by Traveler Type
| You Are… | Best Option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short trip (1-7 days) | eSIM with VPN included | Easiest, no hassle |
| 2-4 week trip | eSIM + backup VPN | Flexibility |
| 1+ month stay | Local SIM + paid VPN | Best value long-term |
| Budget traveler | Hotel WiFi + free eSIM trial + VPN | Cheapest |
| Business traveler | eSIM + ExpressVPN | Reliability crucial |
| Group travel | Pocket WiFi with VPN | Share among 4-5 people |
| Need Chinese number | Local SIM + VPN | For app verification |
Pre-Trip Checklist
Before You Leave Home
- Check phone is eSIM compatible
- Purchase eSIM (with VPN included)
- Download VPN apps (2-3 different ones)
- Test VPN connection
- Download WeChat and set up account
- Download Alipay
- Download offline Google Maps for Shanghai
- Download Baidu Maps (works without VPN)
- Save important contacts offline
- Screenshot hotel addresses in Chinese
Day of Departure
- Activate eSIM
- Verify VPN works
- Download any last apps (some can’t install in China)
- Charge all devices
On Arrival
- Turn on eSIM/SIM
- Connect VPN
- Test access to Google/social media
- Set up WeChat if not done
- Verify Alipay works
Troubleshooting Common Issues
VPN Won’t Connect
- Try a different server (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore)
- Switch between WiFi and mobile data
- Try a different VPN app
- Restart your phone
- Check if VPN subscription is active
eSIM Not Working
- Check if eSIM is activated
- Verify phone is eSIM compatible
- Try toggling airplane mode
- Restart phone
- Contact eSIM provider support
Slow Internet
- Check data allowance
- Try connecting to different server
- Disconnect VPN for Chinese apps
- Move to area with better signal
- Try WiFi instead of mobile data
Can’t Receive Verification Codes
- Some services only send to Chinese numbers
- Use local SIM for verification
- Try email verification instead
- Ask hotel staff for help
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a VPN in China?
If you want to use Google, check Gmail, post on Instagram, or use WhatsApp—yes, absolutely. If you’re fine using only Chinese apps (WeChat, Alipay, Baidu Maps), you can survive without one.
Is using a VPN legal in China?
VPNs exist in a gray area. Millions of people use them, including businesses. Tourists are extremely unlikely to face any issues. Just don’t use VPN for anything illegal.
Will my regular phone plan work?
International roaming works, but it’s expensive ($10-20/day) and doesn’t bypass the Great Firewall. You’ll still need a VPN for Google and social media.
Can I buy a VPN after arriving in China?
Very difficult—VPN websites are blocked. Some people use the App Store (which works), but many VPN apps have been removed from the Chinese App Store. Always install before traveling.
What if I forget to prepare anything?
- Ask your hotel for help—they may have solutions
- Try airport shops for tourist SIMs
- Use WeChat to communicate (it works!)
- Download Baidu Maps for navigation
Related Guides
- Shanghai Metro Guide - Getting around
- DiDi Guide - Ride-hailing app
- WeChat Pay Setup - Mobile payments
- Alipay Setup - Mobile payments
This guide was last updated in January 2026. VPN effectiveness can change—always have backup options.
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