Do You Need a Local SIM Card in China in 2026?

Last updated: September 2026

There is a lot of confusion around the topic of connectivity when traveling around China. We experienced this first hand when we travelled to China first time in 2023.

To keep the answer brief - no, having a Chinese SIM card is not an absolute must. Many essential apps (WeChat, AliPay, DiDi, Rednote, AMap) will work without a Chinese phone number. Sometimes you might need a phone number to buy tickets to tourist attractions, or order food on Meituan. However, there are workarounds and so far we managed without a local SIM card during all our trips.

In fact, I just purchased a SIM card for the first time during my stay in September 2026, and will update this article after testing how well it worked.

Why having a local SIM card is optional?

All of the essential apps allow you to log in using your phone number from abroad. If you have a generous roaming plan and are not planning on streaming videos and using social media extensively, it might be enough (this is what we did on our first trip - we had 5GB roaming included and it lasted us most of the trip).

If using roaming is not an option, another viable choice that would cover the needs of most travellers is eSIM. There are many providers that offer eSIM that allow you to use all service that are blocked in China. This is the easiest and cheapest option for most travellers. With eSIM you get cheap access to the internet, but you don't get a local phone number. And one more caveat: your phone needs to support eSIMs.

Why Consider a Local SIM Card in China?

Access to more apps:

• ✅ WeChat, Alipay, Didi now work fine with foreign cards.
• ❌ Meituan (deliveries, portable battery charging) and some ticketing apps still ask for a Chinese number.
• Tickets & reservations: Some attractions might still require a local number (although less and less)
• Contacting businesses: Hotels or tour operators often only list a local number. Calling from abroad doesn’t always work.

Options for Getting Connected

Local SIM Cards

From what I have seen so far, it is not easy to get a permanent phone number in China, and I still am not sure if you can do so as a foreigner.

You can purchase a SIM card valid for the length of the trip. You can even get a free SIM card but with very limited data package.

International-Friendly SIMs

Nihao Mobile is a SIM card provider that is made with travellers in mind. They recently introduced a China Travel Pass - an option to buy a phone number with data package for 15 or 30 days and keep your phone number for future trips.

I have just purchased it myself for the trip, and will see how well it works.

eSIMs (Best for Short Trips)

If your phone supports it, eSIM is usually the simplest solution.

• Providers like Saily (from NordVPN) are trustworthy and easy to set up before your trip.
• Instant activation, no physical card.
• You do not need a VPN to access Western apps and websites if you’re using eSIM.

When Roaming Is Enough

If your home plan includes China or you don’t mind paying extra, you can survive with roaming:

• Works perfectly for short trips.
• No VPN hassle — Western websites work as usual.
• Downside: usually more expensive, and you may run out of data quickly if you’re using maps, streaming, or translation apps on the go.

Conclusion: What’s Best for 2026?

• Short trip + decent roaming plan → stick with your SIM, no need to complicate things.
• Budget-conscious or heavy data user → get an eSIM (Saily by NordVPN is reliable).
• Frequent traveler to China → consider something like Nihao Mobile for a proper Chinese number.

Either way, don’t underestimate how much smoother your trip will be with local access. Ordering food on Meituan, booking tickets instantly, or grabbing a shared power bank can make travel in China far easier.

👉 My advice: if you are anxious about roaming, get an eSIM. It covers your data cheaply and, because its traffic routes like roaming, blocked apps just work — no VPN needed. A VPN only enters the picture if you go for a local Chinese SIM. For longer stays or regular visits, look into Nihao Mobile.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, click my disclosures here.