China eSIM Review 2026: Shanghai & Hengdian VPN Tips

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Written & Photographed by Dochi Nunna

ⓒ 2026. dochi_nunna. All rights reserved

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I had absolutely no doubt that my next trip to China

would be to Chongqing and Chengdu, which are currently trending all over social media...

But then, out of nowhere, Jingyi’s filming schedule got confirmed,

so yep, I'm heading back to Hengdian, China again! lol

Since Shanghai offers way more options

for return flights,

I decided on a Hangzhou In - Shanghai Out itinerary this time!

Alright, now that the flights and accommodation are locked in,

shall we start prepping the other essentials?

First up on my list: a China eSIM!

China SIM & eSIM Recommendations

No matter where you travel,

having reliable internet is an absolute must.

That's why setting up an eSIM or SIM card is always at the top of the pre-trip checklist.

Just a few years ago,

I used to buy physical SIM cards at the local airport.

But these days, I definitely prefer eSIMs—

they completely skip the hassle of swapping out those tiny physical chips!

Of course, if you're only going for a short trip,

international roaming is a decent option.

But since my trips tend to be on the longer side

and I often carry a secondary backup phone,

roaming fees can add up fast. That's why a budget-friendly

China eSIM or SIM card is hands-down the best choice!

However, before you hit "buy" on that eSIM,

there are a few crucial things you need to consider.

Make sure to check these off your list!

China eSIM, SIM Cards, & VPNs

If you're planning a trip to places like Shanghai

and looking into China eSIMs or SIMs,

you've probably heard the term "VPN" thrown around a lot.

VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network."

It's a technology that encrypts your internet traffic and hides your IP address,

allowing you to browse the web securely.

So, why is a VPN so incredibly important in China?

Unlike most other countries, China has a very restricted internet policy.

This means you won't be able to access platforms

like YouTube or Instagram, which we normally use without a second thought.

On top of that, even messaging apps

like KakaoTalk that we use every single minute won't connect.

If you want to keep using your go-to apps and websites,

a VPN is an absolute must-have!

But here's the catch: reliable VPN apps

can actually be quite pricey.

That's why, before purchasing your China eSIM or SIM card,

it's super important to check if the data plan itself bypasses the firewall

or if you'll need to buy a separate VPN!

Recommended Unlimited China eSIM

Another major factor to consider is "Data Capacity."

With eSIMs and SIM cards, you usually choose a daily data limit

based on your personal usage.

For parents or light users who don't spend much time online,

500MB to 1GB per day might be plenty.

But for power users like me who are glued to their phones all day,

a minimum of 2GB or 3GB per day is way more realistic.

But here's another pro-tip:

you'll likely use way more data in China compared to other travel destinations.

I highly recommend picking a plan with 1.5 to 2 times your usual daily data allowance.

As I mentioned earlier, without a VPN (or a VPN-enabled eSIM),

it's hard to access your favorite apps.

Unlike other destinations, even when you get back to your hotel,

the local hotel Wi-Fi will block these apps. This means

you'll be entirely dependent on your eSIM data for almost everything.

Whenever I travel to Hengdian, I usually bring my laptop along

to squeeze in some work. Since I have to use my phone's hotspot

to get online, an unlimited eSIM is an absolute lifesaver for me! 🎵

If you're a heavy data user like me,

or if you're traveling to Shanghai on business,

save yourself the anxiety of watching your data tick down.

Going unlimited is definitely the way to go!

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The one option that perfectly combines both of these advantages is

none other than my absolute go-to, "Usimsa"!

With Usimsa's eSIM, you don't even need to install

a separate VPN,

and they even offer unlimited data options—talk about a total lifesaver!

Plus, as the daily data allowance increases,

the price of SIMs and eSIMs naturally goes up too.

So if you're heading out on a longer trip, buying an unlimited option

might feel a teeny bit pricey.

But they offer a constant 20% discount,

which really takes the pressure off your wallet!

Get your 20% Usimsa discount here

Just so you know, if you use the link above,

the discount is applied automatically without needing any coupon code.

So go ahead and grab plenty of data for a steal!

Recommended China Shanghai eSIM

With only 5 days left until

our trip to Hengdian and Shanghai,

I've already purchased my Shanghai eSIM

to use for the 4-day trip. Hehe~

If you prefer a physical Shanghai SIM card instead of an eSIM,

you can simply order it in advance and have it delivered.

(By the way, they offer lightning-fast shipping!)

Since I'm a loyal eSIM user,

I don't have to wait for shipping at all. I just get a QR code

via email or chat, scan it, and I'm good to go!

Depending on the country, eSIMs sometimes need to be installed

either before departure or once you arrive.

For China, you can do it either at home or at your destination.

But since I prefer setting it up beforehand

to avoid any potential connection glitches at the airport,

I always activate mine before boarding the flight.

The installation process itself is incredibly simple since it's just scanning a QR code.

Even if you're a first-time eSIM user,

there's absolutely nothing to worry about!

Once your eSIM profile is added,

just configure the settings as shown below, and you're good to go!

Just in case anyone feels a bit nervous,

I've included the step-by-step guides for different phone models below.

Check them out if you want a more detailed walk-through!

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Honestly, places like Shanghai or Hangzhou

are massive metropolitan hubs,

so I never really worried about whether

my eSIM or SIM would work well.

But Hengdian...

It's at least a 2.5-hour drive away from Hangzhou,

and it's a town that even some locals in China aren't too familiar with.

Before my first visit, I was genuinely stressing out: 'What if my eSIM doesn't work at all...?'

Turns out, it was a completely needless worry! Haha.

Since the filming locations aren't located in the city center,

Amap and DiDi are absolute must-have apps.

Imagine going all the way to Hengdian, only to get stranded

and miss out on the film sets because of patchy internet... heart wrenching! 😢

But defying all my worries, the data was lightning fast,

which is why I rely on Usimsa

every single time I visit Hengdian! 🎵

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Not just in Hengdian, but in Shanghai and across

all of China, the absolute most critical travel essential

is reliable "Internet."

Unlike back home, everything in China relies heavily on mobile apps—

from ordering food at restaurants and cafes

to making payments. Instead of physical cards,

everyone uses apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay.

So if your internet cuts out, you could find yourself

in some seriously tricky situations. That's why

having a stable connection is incredibly important!

As a massive C-drama fan who travels to China

almost every month—sometimes even every two weeks—just for my fandom,

this eSIM has brought me nothing but pure satisfaction over the past year.

If you're planning a trip and looking for a reliable SIM or eSIM,

I highly recommend going with Usimsa!

Jing-ah, see you next week! 💜