Internet for Business Travellers in China

eSIM from 1,00 USD · 100 MB. Networks: China Mobile (5G), China Unicom (5G).

Business travel internet in China

What needs to work

• Video calls (Zoom / Teams / Meet): use ~800 MB–1.5 GB/hr. You need at least 5 Mbps stable. Urban 4G in China usually delivers that.
• Corporate VPN: works well on eSIM. Most data networks don't block standard VPN protocols. If your VPN uses a fixed IP (e.g. WireGuard), configure it before you travel.
• Email + cloud platforms: low consumption (~50–100 MB/hr of active use). No issues on 4G.
• Hotspot / tethering: if you need to connect a laptop, check your eSIM plan allows tethering (most do, but some restrict it).

Backup plan for critical meetings

Don't rely solely on mobile data for an important presentation. Find a coworking space or café with fast Wi-Fi as a backup. For long calls, use Wi-Fi with the eSIM as fallback.

How much data for a working week?

With 2–3 video calls per day + email + browsing: ~3–5 GB/day. For a full working week: minimum 15–20 GB. With tethering: 25+ GB or unlimited.

Quick checklist: stay online without surprises

The make-or-break moment is often the first 30 minutes after landing: maps, transport, messages. Install your eSIM on Wi‑Fi before you travel and switch mobile data to the eSIM when you arrive. That way you're not dependent on airport Wi‑Fi and you avoid accidental roaming charges.

For typical use (maps + messaging + light social media), 1–3 GB per week is often enough. If you tether for a laptop, take video calls, or stream daily, aim for 10 GB+ or a plan with fair-use throttling instead of a hard cut-off.

• Networks: China Mobile (5G), China Unicom (5G)
• Offline maps: download the area in Baidu Maps, Apple Maps (offline downloads work), MAPS.ME (offline) while you're on hotel Wi‑Fi.
• On the move: DiDi, Meituan taxi + WeChat, Line (may need VPN) work well on low data — video and app updates are usually the real data drains.
• Common weak spots: Tibet Plateau and high-altitude Sichuan roads · Remote karst mountains in Guangxi (Guilin countryside)
• City context: Beijing: Excellent coverage; Great Wall tourist sections have 4G. · Shanghai: World-class 5G coverage; Metro line LTE on most lines.

Phone setup tip: keep your primary SIM active for calls/SMS (so 2FA codes can arrive), but turn off mobile data on that line. Set the eSIM as your data line — it prevents accidental roaming on the wrong SIM and keeps WhatsApp/banking flows more predictable.

Current eSIM plans (examples)

Examples from our database — availability and pricing can change.