I just got a roaming deal with my Australian network when I went to China. I also used Express VPN to get google and social media.
SIM cards are easy to come by at Chinese airports on arrival if that’s the way you want to go.
Sim cards at the airport are plentiful and reasonably priced at ~$20-30 but the major downside is that they like the rest of Chinese internet won't work with google, facebook etc.
I was under the impression that you didn't need to use a VPN when using an Australian sim card. I've used a StarHub (Singapore) prepaid sim card with no problems and no VPN needed.
Optus, Telstra and Vodafone postpaid customers all get a reasonable deal when roaming overseas however if you're on a different provider things might be a bit harder. Vodafone prepaid packs don't provide huge amounts of data but at least provide an Australian IP address ($35 for 500MB over 7 days).
Otherwise, I'd suggest ordering a sim online from a different provider that offers roaming in China so that you don't have the limitations. I'd also recommend looking at "Prepaid Data sim wiki china" on google and the top link should provide some good detials.
I use my Telstra number in China. Expensive way to do it but you don’t need to have a vpn on to use the blocked sites. I use a vpn anyway so when I connect to WiFi it all still functions.
I used FlexiRoam which is data only, but you need it before you leave. Data for China was quite cheap and it was uncensored (as are all roaming sims) so can use Google maps etc. I'm fairly sure even Hong Kong SIM cards will work in China uncensored, and are relatively cheap to do so.
If using a Chinese SIM, make sure to have ExpressVPN on all your devices downloaded before you go.
If you’re flying via HK, pop into a news agent or a tech shop at the airport, let them know you’re heading to China and you’ll get a Taiwanese SIM card which will work in China, VPN not needed as their servers aren’t in China so FB, social media will work! $17AUD for about 2GB
$5 a day would be ideal, use the data you have in your plan. I've jumped to Vodafone especially for this feature! $5 a day for 5-6 days = $35AUD~, saves the hassle of finding a SIM online for say $40USD + Postage... or sourcing one locally.
aklrunway
aklrunway
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2011
Total posts 180
Hi brains trust,
ratrace
ratrace
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Apr 2018
Total posts 50
I just got a roaming deal with my Australian network when I went to China. I also used Express VPN to get google and social media.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
Sim cards at the airport are plentiful and reasonably priced at ~$20-30 but the major downside is that they like the rest of Chinese internet won't work with google, facebook etc.
blingwad
blingwad
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Jun 2015
Total posts 74
I use my Telstra number in China. Expensive way to do it but you don’t need to have a vpn on to use the blocked sites. I use a vpn anyway so when I connect to WiFi it all still functions.
ratrace
ratrace
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Apr 2018
Total posts 50
I found that I could access all the blocked sites for a day or so and then they locked up without VPN
Dredgy
Dredgy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Apr 2017
Total posts 180
I used FlexiRoam which is data only, but you need it before you leave. Data for China was quite cheap and it was uncensored (as are all roaming sims) so can use Google maps etc. I'm fairly sure even Hong Kong SIM cards will work in China uncensored, and are relatively cheap to do so.
If using a Chinese SIM, make sure to have ExpressVPN on all your devices downloaded before you go.
MattJelonek
MattJelonek
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 90
If you’re flying via HK, pop into a news agent or a tech shop at the airport, let them know you’re heading to China and you’ll get a Taiwanese SIM card which will work in China, VPN not needed as their servers aren’t in China so FB, social media will work! $17AUD for about 2GB
aklrunway
aklrunway
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2011
Total posts 180
Thanks everyone! Helpful advice. I might just stick to roaming with Vodafone as then it's unblocked and only slightly more expensive
MattJelonek
MattJelonek
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
Member since 08 Jun 2014
Total posts 90
$5 a day would be ideal, use the data you have in your plan. I've jumped to Vodafone especially for this feature! $5 a day for 5-6 days = $35AUD~, saves the hassle of finding a SIM online for say $40USD + Postage... or sourcing one locally.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
I've used the Vodafone $5 a day roaming in Shenzen and Shanghai and it worked, mostly, though Google was problematic.