For most Malaysians, a travel eSIM bought before you fly is the easiest start, with a local SIM as the sturdier backup. Roaming from your Malaysian plan works too, but check the price first and know that blocked apps stay blocked.
It is natural to worry about this one. Everyone at home expects WhatsApp and Google Maps, and you may be going without a word of Mandarin.
Which apps will not open?
Some of the apps you use daily do not open in China. Google services such as Search, Gmail, Maps and YouTube are blocked, along with WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, X, Telegram and ChatGPT[1].
Apple Maps still works in mainland China, even though Google Maps is disrupted[2]. Download the maps and a translation app you plan to use before you leave, and tell family which app you will reach them on.
Roaming, eSIM or local SIM?
Pick by how you travel, not by the biggest data bundle. Here is the comparison.
| Option | Easiest part | Watch out for | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming on your Malaysian plan | Nothing to buy or register | Cost, and a smaller choice of speeds | Short trips, light use |
| Travel eSIM | Set up at home, active on landing | Your phone must support eSIM | First-timers, non-Mandarin speakers |
| Local SIM | Local number, local plans | Passport registration at a counter | Longer stays, groups with spare phones |
Ask your telco what roaming costs per day before you rely on it. In ringgit terms it can add up quickly across a family, so work it into the budget planner rather than guessing.
Does an eSIM get around the blocks?
Vendors say it does, but treat that as a claim to test. International travel eSIM providers say their plans route data through servers outside mainland China, which avoids the firewall[3].
That is marketing, not a promise from any government or independent test. Buy a short plan first if you can, and still keep a backup option on your phone.
What does a local SIM need?
A passport and a few minutes at the counter. Local Chinese SIM cards require real-name registration, and foreign visitors can register with a passport at carrier counters[4].
Keep the passport within reach in your day bag. The same one is needed for trains and hotel check-in, as our guide to hotel registration and passport checks explains.
A local SIM follows Chinese rules, so blocked apps stay blocked unless you use a VPN. VPN apps and sites are blocked inside China, so any VPN must be installed before arrival[5].
Which apps matter most once you are online?
You will want rides, maps and payments before you want social media. Foreign visitors commonly hail Didi through the Alipay mini program, which charges the linked Alipay account and needs no Chinese phone number[6].
Amap (Gaode) added English language support in 2025, with ride-hailing in its English version in 360 or more cities[7]. Dates differ between sources, so check the app itself after you install it.
What should you set up before you fly?
Do this in the week before departure, not at the airport. In order:
- Choose your connection and install or buy it while you still have home Wi-Fi.
- Download offline maps, a translation app and your hotel addresses in Chinese.
- Install any VPN you intend to use, and test your messaging apps.
- Fill in the China arrival card once you know the official channels.
- Run through the KLIA departure checklist with your charger and power bank.
Your chargers matter as much as your data. Our baggage and power bank guide covers what can fly with you.
What if you travel as a group?
One connection per phone is the safest plan, but a shared hotspot helps if one phone has a strong plan. Pick one person to hold a local SIM or a travel eSIM for the group’s maps, and keep a second option on a second phone.
Seniors and non-Mandarin speakers benefit most from having someone else able to get online. For more preparation steps, browse the from Malaysia topic page.