China SIM cards explained for foreigners
Three options when you land in Shenzhen:
- international roaming;
- travel eSIM or travel SIM;
- local Chinese SIM with a Chinese number.
Each one solves a different problem and the right answer depends on how long you stay.
Comparison
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming | arrival, short trips | works immediately, keeps home number | expensive, may not solve local app needs |
| Travel eSIM | backup data | convenient, good for arrival | may not provide Chinese number |
| Local SIM | longer stays | Chinese number, local data, app verification | requires setup and real-name registration |
Recommended approach
For most visitors: roaming or eSIM for arrival, local SIM if you are staying longer than a short trip.
Hardware founder note
Hotel Wi-Fi and patchy roaming will fail you the day you have three supplier meetings, two factory visits, and a map-heavy commute. Set up reliable mobile data on day one and carry a power bank.
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Include phone setup in your landing package