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Traveling brings out the best in you, improving your health and mind! We want everything to go well when we are going on the journey. But to achieve this, one needs to approach it seriously, considering all the journey points in advance.
If you are going to travel to China this year — you have made a great decision! This country is one of the most populous in the world, and it is also here that tourists come from all over the world. There are dozens of exciting sights, incredible megacities, fantastic cuisine, and entertainment, many historical places and monuments, and so on. Therefore, if you spend your vacation in China, you will never regret it.
For everything to go perfectly and without problems, decide in advance how you will make calls and surf the Internet using a Chinese SIM card. Read more of this in the article below.
Interesting Facts about China
China is a fabulously beautiful, original, and extraordinary country, attracting a rich culture and a history of over 5,000 years. This Asian country is famous for its traditions and culture, and to visit this mysterious place must be the dream of millions of people living in the world. China is one of the most populous countries, also known to the world as the “Flower Kingdom,” and the Chinese language is one of the most ancient, still used worldwide.
Only here you will see a colorful combination of majestic Buddhist temples built during the reign of the imperial dynasties and dizzying skyscrapers, luxurious nature reserves, and architectural monuments with a centuries-old history. If you are planning to visit this fantastic country, learn some unique facts about life in China and choose the best eSIM for China.
So, here are 5 unique facts about China that you might not know:
1. Lack of public benches
There are a lot of things in China, but what is not enough is the benches. Even in the subway, on squares, or at train stations, there are very few or none. Therefore, many Chinese very often sit on the floor or squat.
2. Fighting traffic jams
To reduce the number of traffic jams, the Beijing government has introduced a system of alternate use of roads for car owners. Simply put, only those drivers whose license plates end in an even digit can drive cars on Monday. On Tuesdays – the opposite is true. In addition, the subway is constantly being improved in China. This helps to ease traffic.
3. Three “T”
Three things begin with the letter “T,” which it is better not to discuss with locals (if you do not share their point of view): Tiananmen, Taiwan, and Tibet. Tiananmen Square in Beijing, where protests took place in 1989, which the government hushed up. Also, do not try to convince the Chinese that Taiwan and Tibet have the right to independence. Remember, you will still fail, and they will no longer talk to you.
4. Eat with chopsticks
To taste all the richness of Chinese cuisine, figure out how to eat with chopsticks. Train before the trip at home and in Asian restaurants, as the Chinese use forks and knives only in European places.
In all cafes, disposable wooden sticks are given free of charge; in Korean establishments, metal sticks, and in ordinary canteens — plastic. Besides, it is convenient to use chopsticks: the rice is sticky, and all the ingredients in the dishes are cut into pieces.
5. Everyone is on bikes!
It is pretty popular and really convenient to move around Chinese cities by bicycle! Bike paths are equipped for this in the towns along all the main roads. But the cool thing is that one can rent a bike at every step, as there are several bike-sharing companies in China.
How to rent a bike when you travel to China? This is elementary — you should scan a QR code on the bike using the Alipay app, to which the card is linked for payment. The same can be done via WeChat, but it is more challenging to link foreign cards to it, so as a last resort, ask Chinese passers-by for help and give them a few yuan in cash — locals never leave a foreigner in trouble.
Features of Chinese mobile communications and Internet
To date, many note China has an excellent mobile Internet. As a rule, tourists buy a temporary SIM card from Chinese carriers directly after landing at airports. To purchase a physical SIM, one only needs a passport. However, it cannot be said that the cost of such a service is meager, especially in the last couple of years.
In China, the leading three mobile operators are operating at the moment. These are China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom. All three differ little in cost and coverage. To connect to public Wi-Fi, a person needs a local phone number.
But there is one crucial circumstance here. In China, users can only surf Chinese websites and apps. The thing is that European or US segments of the Internet work either very, very slowly or are blocked altogether. Since the early 2000s, the Golden Shield program has been launched in China; jokingly, it is called the Great Firewall of China (Great Firewall).
Well then, what should tourists who travel to China from Europe do in this case? Switch to eSIM and find the optimal VPN!
Why Choose eSIM to Travel in China?
ESIM is not a simple chip or memory module on which information is stored. According to its device, it looks more like a real microcomputer.
An electronic module comes with its microprocessor, permanent RAM, hardware encryption module, random number generator, operating system, network interfaces, and I/O ports. Thus, a subscriber can upload multiple profiles to eSIM and switch them. An eSIM does not need to be inserted into the gadget; it is already built into the motherboard.
Related: “List of eSIM supported devices in 2023“
In general, eSIM is an excellent solution for Internet access for voyagers, sailors, truckers, and businesses. If you don’t want to depend on circumstances and stay in touch without limits — the eSIM service was made for you.
Features and benefits of using eSIM abroad
Still, have doubts on whether eSIM in China is the best option for a traveler? Read on and see the proofs:
- The eSIM cannot be lost or damaged;
- An electronic module has no expiration date; it is indefinite;
- One can issue an unlimited number of virtual sims;
- An electronic sim card registration takes place remotely, without visiting a carrier’s office;
- Before downloading, one can select an optimal eSIM tariff;
- Users avoid big data roaming bills;
- Subscribers can load multiple eSIM chips to one mobile device at once.
Top-3 eSIM providers in China
It is not easy to independently search for foreign mobile operators and compare their services and tariffs. Please don’t waste your time on this; we have compiled a list of top companies to help you find a favorable eSIM in China for traveling.
- SimOptions. This is the largest eSIM company providing prepaid cellular cards and electronic sims. Sim card options help international travelers save 100% on roaming charges using a local prepaid SIM card – now the company offers its eSIM for China. SimOptions is the perfect choice to stay in touch with family and friends at home. To date, one can get 6GB of data for 10 days for $17.90.
- AIS eSIM2Fly Asia. This Chinese eSIM company provides tourists and locals with a fantastic deal. As the biggest eSIM provider in Thailand, AIS offers one of the most intertwined network coverages globally. Enjoy 3G/4G/5G data in China in the most affordable way. One can purchase here a profitable option – 6GB data for 8 days for $19.90.
- Three HK. The given company provides the most extensive eSIM services in China and abroad. Stay connected to China’s fast Internet network and enjoy fast Internet data with Three Hong Kong eSIM. To date, one can get 8GB of data for 30 days for $34.90.
