You get signal on all metro platforms in Shanghai. Tunnels between stations lose signal on older Line 1 and Line 2 segments but newer lines like Line 16 and Line 18 have continuous coverage. The eSIM works the same as a local SIM — if a Chinese phone has signal in the tunnel, yours will too.

Google Maps, Gmail, and WhatsApp are blocked by the Great Firewall and will not load even with an active eSIM unless you run a VPN. Didi and Amap work without a VPN and are the navigation and rideshare apps you will actually use in China.

Yes. The Beijing-Shanghai high-speed rail corridor has continuous 4G and 5G coverage in tunnels on China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. You can stream video, make calls, and use maps at 300 km/h without interruption.

Budget three to five gigabytes for a week if you use Amap for navigation, Didi for rides, and stream occasional video. Metro QR ticketing uses negligible data. If you work remotely or video-call daily, double that estimate. Download offline maps before long train rides to save data.

Yes. Didi works on foreign eSIMs without a VPN. You need live data to request rides and track drivers, but the app does not require Chinese SMS verification if you register with an international phone number and credit card before arrival.

Foreign eSIMs often cannot receive Chinese SMS verification codes, which blocks registration for WeChat Pay, Alipay, and 12306 train booking. If you need those services, register before you arrive using your home number or plan to use international credit cards as backup.

Tibet Autonomous Region and western Xinjiang have restricted network access and require travel permits. Coverage is LTE-only in remote areas, and you will hit long dead zones outside Lhasa, Urumqi, and major towns. The eSIM works where local SIMs work, but expect thin signal.

China Mobile has the widest 5G footprint in Guangzhou, especially in Tianhe and Yuexiu districts. China Unicom performs well in the city center but thins out in Panyu and Huadu. The eSIM switches between carriers automatically, so you get the strongest available network at each location.

Yes. Hotspot is enabled by default on esima eSIMs for China, with no throttling on the first few gigabytes. You can tether a laptop, tablet, or travel partner's phone without paying extra or hitting a speed cap like some carrier bundles impose.

Yes. Chengdu and Chongqing both have strong 5G coverage in urban areas on China Mobile and China Telecom. Coverage thins in the mountains west of Chengdu toward the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, where you will drop to LTE or lose signal entirely in valleys.

An airport SIM requires a passport photocopy, a deposit, and a ten-minute wait at the counter. The eSIM installs in thirty seconds from a QR code and activates when you land. Coverage and pricing are nearly identical because both use the same carrier networks. The eSIM is faster and lets you keep your home number active for two-factor codes.

Amap uses roughly 5 to 10 MB per hour of active turn-by-turn navigation. A full day of sightseeing with intermittent map checks will consume 50 to 100 MB. If you leave navigation running continuously during a road trip, expect 150 to 200 MB per day.

WhatsApp is blocked by the Great Firewall and will not connect even with an active eSIM unless you run a VPN. If you need to make voice calls, use WeChat (which works without a VPN) or a VPN service installed before you arrive.

Yes. Shenzhen metro stations have full platform coverage, and QR ticketing apps need live data to validate your code at the turnstile. The eSIM provides the same connectivity as a local SIM, so ticketing works normally.

The Sichuan-Tibet Highway has long dead zones on all carriers once you leave Kangding and climb into the mountains. Expect LTE-only coverage in towns like Litang and Batang, and no signal for hours between settlements. Download offline maps and entertainment before you leave Chengdu.