Connectivity and VPN

This guide summarizes recurring connectivity advice from r/travelchina, r/chinatravel, and r/gochinatrip.

Common approaches

• eSIM or international roaming: some travelers prefer this for quick setup and stable access to blocked apps.
• Local SIM: often cheaper for data but still requires a VPN for blocked services.
• Some travelers report that travel eSIMs (including Hong Kong or roaming profiles) can access blocked apps without a VPN, but results vary by provider.

VPN tips (from community reports)

• Set up your VPN before arriving, because VPN websites may be blocked in China.
• Reliability varies by provider and by city; have a backup plan.

Offline backup

• Download offline maps and translation packs in advance.

Source note: compiled from connectivity threads and first-time planning posts.