chinajoy.org is an independent travel and lifestyle guide. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by the ChinaJoy Digital Entertainment Expo or Howell International Trade Fair Ltd.

eSIM & VPN

Connectivity Guides

Get online before you land — compare eSIM plans and VPN setups that actually work for travelers in Mainland China.

Connectivity

Airalo vs Holafly for China

Airalo vs Holafly for Mainland China 2026 — pricing model, hotspot caps, firewall routing, and which eSIM fits your trip.

9 min read
Connectivity

Best eSIM for China 2026

Best eSIM for Mainland China in 2026 — roaming vs local plans, Airalo vs Holafly, hotspot limits, and when you still need a VPN.

11 min read
Connectivity

Best VPN for China 2026

Best VPN approach for Mainland China in 2026 — when you still need one, how it pairs with roaming eSIMs, and traveler setup rules.

10 min read
Connectivity

How to Set Up an eSIM for China Travel

Step-by-step Mainland China eSIM setup for iPhone and Android in 2026 — install, dual-SIM settings, landing-day activation, troubleshooting.

8 min read
Connectivity

Getting Mobile Data in China Without a Local SIM

Get mobile data in Mainland China without a Chinese-ID SIM in 2026 — roaming eSIM, airport SIMs, roaming passes, and pocket Wi‑Fi compared.

8 min read
Connectivity

Essential Apps for Traveling in China

Essential apps for Mainland China travel in 2026 — WeChat, Alipay, maps, translation, VPN, and a pre-download checklist.

9 min read
Connectivity

Complete Guide to Staying Connected in China

End-to-end Mainland China connectivity guide for 2026 — roaming eSIM, VPN, WeChat, hotel Wi‑Fi, and day-one troubleshooting.

11 min read
Connectivity

VPN Guide for Tourists Visiting China

Practical 2026 VPN playbook for tourists in Mainland China — install timing, daily habits, Wi‑Fi failures, and eSIM pairing.

8 min read