Do Google and WhatsApp work on a travel eSIM in China?

Yes. A roaming travel eSIM routes your data out through its home network outside the mainland, so Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube behave normally — no VPN needed. A local Chinese SIM does not do this.

Is 5G widely available in China?

Yes. China has the broadest 5G build-out we have tested: every major city, most tourist sites and even the Great Wall base areas carried 5G, and medians were the highest in this guide.

Do I still need a VPN with a travel eSIM?

No, not for data on the eSIM itself. You will still want one if you connect to hotel or café Wi-Fi in the mainland, because that traffic goes through the local network.

China eSIM speed test: the Great Wall, Shanghai, Beijing and the bullet train

The Great Wall of China winding over green mountains in morning light — Mutianyu: 5G at the base, steady 4G along the wall itself.

Short answer · ≈180 Mbps national median

China has the fastest mobile network of any country here — Shanghai and Beijing regularly cleared 300 Mbps on 5G, and even the Great Wall held 4G/5G. The thing that decides your experience is not speed but routing: a roaming travel eSIM exits outside the mainland, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram load normally.

How we tested: Speedtest by Ookla on a phone using a traverrsim eSIM, three runs per location, median reported, outdoors unless stated. Your own numbers vary with crowds, weather and handset — run the same test on arrival and compare.

Results by location

Mobile data speed test results at China tourist locations
Location	Network	Download	Upload	Ping
Shanghai — the BundRiverside promenadeFastest reading in this whole guide.	5G	260–380 Mbps	45–70 Mbps	24 ms
Shanghai MetroLine 2, undergroundCoverage continues between stations.	5G	140–240 Mbps	28–45 Mbps	28 ms
Beijing — Forbidden CityTiananmen areaStrong along the whole axis.	5G	200–300 Mbps	38–58 Mbps	26 ms
Great Wall — MutianyuBase and cable car5G at the entrance, 4G on the upper towers.	5G	90–170 Mbps	20–35 Mbps	32 ms
Great Wall — BadalingWall sectionsBusy weekends slow it noticeably.	4G	35–80 Mbps	10–22 Mbps	40 ms
Xi'an — Terracotta ArmyPit 1Fine indoors in the hangars.	5G	120–200 Mbps	25–40 Mbps	30 ms
Chengdu — panda baseResearch centreGood across the park paths.	5G	110–190 Mbps	22–38 Mbps	31 ms
High-speed railBeijing to Shanghai at 350 km/hDrops in tunnels, recovers quickly.	5G/4G	30–110 Mbps	10–25 Mbps	45 ms
Guilin / YangshuoLi River karst areaWeakest of the tourist spots, still usable.	4G	25–70 Mbps	8–20 Mbps	38 ms
Pudong AirportArrivals hallRoaming eSIM attaches before immigration.	5G	180–280 Mbps	35–55 Mbps	25 ms

Frequently asked questions

Do Google and WhatsApp work on a travel eSIM in China?: YesA roaming travel eSIM routes your data out through its home network outside the mainland, so Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube behave normally — no VPN needed. A local Chinese SIM does not do this.
Is 5G widely available in China?: YesChina has the broadest 5G build-out we have tested: every major city, most tourist sites and even the Great Wall base areas carried 5G, and medians were the highest in this guide.
Do I still need a VPN with a travel eSIM?: Nonot for data on the eSIM itself. You will still want one if you connect to hotel or café Wi-Fi in the mainland, because that traffic goes through the local network.

Other speed tests

Last updated 2026-08-19