Browsing Category: Internet, eSIMs, VPNs, Phones, Apps

ChinaTravelBUG AI Travel Planner Answers A family of four is traveling through Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi), Beijing (北京, Běijīng) and Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) from August 26 to September 11. They will have three phones plus a tablet, and they want reliable internet throughout China — including the ability to use a phone as a hotspot so the fourth family member can watch YouTube on the tablet. They are considering Airalo, Holafly and an eSIM purchased...

A traveler asked: “What would you recommend for VPN if I need to use my iPhone 11 Pro? What are the steps if I am coming from Europe? Also I need a SIM card.” For an iPhone 11 Pro coming from Europe, I would keep the setup as simple as possible. For most short-term travelers, my preferred arrangement is: Keep your European SIM for your normal phone number and SMS verification codes +...

Staying connected in mainland China is one of the most common concerns for international travelers, particularly if they need access to familiar overseas websites and apps. A traveler considering a 3 Hong Kong (3HK/My3) eSIM for Hong Kong and mainland China asked whether it would allow access to American websites. The Traveler’s Question Has anyone tried the My3 eSIM services in HK and China? Were you able to access American website? Thanks. AI Travel...

Travelers preparing for China often hear that an international eSIM can provide access to services that may not work normally on mainland Chinese internet connections. But TikTok is a more complicated case. A traveler from Canada asked whether using an eSIM in mainland China would be enough to keep TikTok working. The Traveler’s Question Will my TikTok work in China if I am using an eSIM to bypass the firewall? (travelling from Canada)...

Setting up WeChat before a first trip to China can occasionally produce an unexpected hurdle: WeChat asks you to have another user help verify your account. That can be confusing if you don’t already know someone who uses WeChat — and it often leads travelers to ask strangers online for help. Here is what one traveler asked. The Traveler’s Question Hi please would someone be able to verify my WeChat? AI Travel Planner...

China’s internet restrictions are one of the biggest concerns for first-time international travelers. But many travelers now see China eSIMs advertised as providing access to Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services that are normally restricted in mainland China. So has something changed? Here is what one traveler asked. The Traveler’s Question eSIM I see that the China eSIMs for sale on the popular website show that we are able to access...

The Shanghai Metro (上海地铁, Shànghǎi Dìtiě) is one of the easiest ways for international travelers to get around Shanghai — but which app should an iPhone user download to understand the network and plan routes? One traveler asked a wonderfully simple, practical question. The Traveler’s Question Hi! Which app is the best for iOS on Shanghai Metro Map? Thank you 😁 This question was adapted from a real traveler question shared in an online...

Planning a China trip from overseas creates an unusual navigation problem: the map you use while planning may not be the map you’ll want once you arrive in China (中国, Zhōngguó). A traveler in Canada asked whether it makes sense to use Apple Maps for trip planning when Google Maps isn’t ideal for mainland China and Amap/Gaode (高德地图, Gāodé Dìtú) isn’t working well for them from overseas. The Traveler’s Question Looking for tips on how best to...

For many first-time travelers to China, getting online can sound far more complicated than it needs to be. Do you need an eSIM? Do you need a VPN? Do you need an eSIM with a VPN built into it? And if your normal travel eSIM has always worked elsewhere, will it still work behind China’s internet restrictions? One traveler planning a family trip to Beijing (北京, Běijīng), Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) and Shanghai (上海, Shànghǎi) had exactly this concern. We...

Mobile data matters more in China (中国, Zhōngguó) than many first-time visitors expect. Your phone isn’t just for messaging. You may be using it for Alipay (支付宝, Zhīfùbǎo), WeChat (微信, Wēixìn), maps, translation, ride-hailing, train tickets, attraction reservations and navigation throughout the day. So if you’re spending a month traveling through China and Japan (日本, Rìběn), how much data do you actually need? One traveler had been offered 100GB of roaming data, calls and texts for $90 and wondered...