9 replies

aklrunway

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2011

Total posts 180

Hi brains trust,

Does anyone have any experience for SIM cards for tourists in China?

ratrace

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2018

Total posts 50

I just got a roaming deal with my Australian network when I went to China. I also used Express VPN to get google and social media.


SIM cards are easy to come by at Chinese airports on arrival if that’s the way you want to go.

henrus

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 23 Oct 2013

Total posts 765

I just got a roaming deal with my Australian network when I went to China. I also used Express VPN to get google and social media.

SIM cards are easy to come by at Chinese airports on arrival if that’s the way you want to go.


Sim cards at the airport are plentiful and reasonably priced at ~$20-30 but the major downside is that they like the rest of Chinese internet won't work with google, facebook etc.


I was under the impression that you didn't need to use a VPN when using an Australian sim card. I've used a StarHub (Singapore) prepaid sim card with no problems and no VPN needed.

Optus, Telstra and Vodafone postpaid customers all get a reasonable deal when roaming overseas however if you're on a different provider things might be a bit harder. Vodafone prepaid packs don't provide huge amounts of data but at least provide an Australian IP address ($35 for 500MB over 7 days).

Otherwise, I'd suggest ordering a sim online from a different provider that offers roaming in China so that you don't have the limitations. I'd also recommend looking at "Prepaid Data sim wiki china" on google and the top link should provide some good detials.

blingwad

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Jun 2015

Total posts 75

I use my Telstra number in China. Expensive way to do it but you don’t need to have a vpn on to use the blocked sites. I use a vpn anyway so when I connect to WiFi it all still functions.

ratrace

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Apr 2018

Total posts 50

I found that I could access all the blocked sites for a day or so and then they locked up without VPN

Dredgy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 182

I used FlexiRoam which is data only, but you need it before you leave. Data for China was quite cheap and it was uncensored (as are all roaming sims) so can use Google maps etc. I'm fairly sure even Hong Kong SIM cards will work in China uncensored, and are relatively cheap to do so.

If using a Chinese SIM, make sure to have ExpressVPN on all your devices downloaded before you go.

MattJelonek

Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles

Member since 08 Jun 2014

Total posts 91

If you’re flying via HK, pop into a news agent or a tech shop at the airport, let them know you’re heading to China and you’ll get a Taiwanese SIM card which will work in China, VPN not needed as their servers aren’t in China so FB, social media will work! $17AUD for about 2GB

aklrunway

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2011

Total posts 180

Thanks everyone! Helpful advice. I might just stick to roaming with Vodafone as then it's unblocked and only slightly more expensive

MattJelonek

Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles

Member since 08 Jun 2014

Total posts 91

$5 a day would be ideal, use the data you have in your plan. I've jumped to Vodafone especially for this feature! $5 a day for 5-6 days = $35AUD~, saves the hassle of finding a SIM online for say $40USD + Postage... or sourcing one locally.

xtfer

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 14 Mar 2017

Total posts 159

I've used the Vodafone $5 a day roaming in Shenzen and Shanghai and it worked, mostly, though Google was problematic.

Hi Guest, join in the discussion on SIM card China

Attach Files