Key takeaways
China mainland has the world's most extensive 5G network, operated by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, covering all cities and most rural areas. However, the Great Firewall blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many Western platforms on local SIM connections. A Roamix China mainland eSIM routes your traffic internationally, so all blocked apps work normally without needing a VPN. Budget 8 to 15 GB for two weeks and always download offline maps before venturing beyond city areas, as Google Maps requires the international routing a Roamix eSIM provides.
- A Roamix eSIM routes traffic internationally, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and FaceTime all work normally without a VPN.
- China Mobile has the largest 5G network in the world with the widest coverage across both cities and rural areas.
- WeChat and Alipay dominate local digital life and payments, making them worth installing alongside your usual apps.
- China's high-speed rail network is one of the most impressive in the world and ideal for inter-city travel.
- Download offline maps over Roamix data before city excursions, as Google Maps requires the international routing that Roamix provides.
Best way to get data in China mainland
For international travellers to China mainland, a Roamix eSIM is the only connectivity solution that gives you both full local network speeds and unrestricted access to Google, WhatsApp and all your usual apps from the moment you land.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: All international travellers | International traffic routing means Google, WhatsApp and FaceTime work normally. No VPN needed. Connects to China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom for local network speeds. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Travellers who only need WeChat and local apps | Local SIMs are cheap but subject to the Great Firewall, blocking Google, WhatsApp and most Western apps. Requires passport registration in a Chinese operator store. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups travelling together | Some international pocket wifi devices route traffic internationally, similar to Roamix. Check whether the device uses international routing before purchasing or renting. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short trips | International carrier roaming in China can be expensive and many carriers also route through the Great Firewall, blocking Google and WhatsApp. A Roamix eSIM avoids both issues. |
Hotels and cafes offer wifi but local wifi is subject to the Great Firewall, meaning Google, WhatsApp and Western apps are blocked on those connections too. Your Roamix eSIM's international routing works independently of wifi and is the most reliable way to access all your usual apps.
Apps and internet access in China mainland
China mainland operates the Great Firewall, which blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many Western platforms on local SIM connections. A Roamix eSIM routes your traffic internationally, bypassing these restrictions so all your usual apps work normally. This is the single most important connectivity advantage for travellers to China mainland.
No VPN needed on Roamix
Roamix routes traffic internationally rather than through a restricted local breakout, so apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime and Google work normally without a VPN. This is the most important connectivity advantage for travellers visiting China mainland.
The Great Firewall of China blocks Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter), Snapchat and many other Western services on local network connections. WeChat, Weibo, Baidu and Alipay are the dominant Chinese alternatives.
WhatsApp, works
Blocked on local Chinese SIMs. Works normally on Roamix because traffic routes internationally, bypassing the Great Firewall.
FaceTime, works
Blocked on local Chinese SIMs. Works fully on Roamix with international traffic routing.
Google Maps and Search, works
Blocked on local Chinese SIMs. Works normally on Roamix. Install Google Maps offline packages before trips outside major cities.
Instagram and Facebook, works
Blocked on local Chinese SIMs. Both platforms work normally on a Roamix eSIM through international routing.
How much data you need
Data needs in China mainland are moderate for city travel but can be higher if you rely on Google services or streaming via Roamix's international routing, which adds a small overhead compared to local content.
5 to 8 GB
One week city trip in Beijing or Shanghai
Metro navigation via Google Maps, WhatsApp communication, social uploads, light streaming and daily messaging.
10 to 15 GB
Two-week trip covering Beijing, Shanghai and Yunnan
Train bookings, offline map downloads, Google Maps navigation, video calls home and social sharing across multiple cities.
20 GB or more
Remote work base in Shanghai or Beijing
Video calls, Google Workspace access via international routing, cloud uploads and regular messaging alongside daily sightseeing.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation via Google Maps (international routing)
- 10 to 15 MB per hour online with Roamix routing
- Social media and messaging (WhatsApp, Instagram)
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls (WhatsApp or FaceTime)
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download Google Maps offline packages for each city before you arrive. Roamix international routing works seamlessly but for maps in areas with limited signal, offline packages are more reliable.
How to set up a China mainland eSIM
Install your Roamix China mainland eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when you land and connects to China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom with international traffic routing, meaning Google and WhatsApp work from the moment you clear customs.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix China mainland eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and SMS.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in China and the eSIM connects automatically with Google, WhatsApp and all apps working.
Works on eSIM-capable unlocked phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. Ensure the device is carrier unlocked and compatible with Chinese 5G bands.
Roamix sets the correct APN and routing configuration automatically on most devices. If data does not start on arrival, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
If apps appear to be blocked, check that your data is routing through the Roamix line and not your local SIM. Ensure data roaming is enabled only for the Roamix profile and restart.
Visa and entry for China mainland
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter China mainland. The 144-hour transit visa-free policy and 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of certain countries expanded significantly in 2024 and 2025. Citizens of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland and around 40 other countries now have access to 15-day visa-free entry. US citizens currently require a visa.
- eVisa or ETA
- China offers an e-visa through the Chinese Embassy website. Processing typically takes 4 to 7 working days. The 144-hour transit visa exemption is available at major international airports. Check the current visa-free country list on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, as it has expanded frequently.
- Passport validity
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your visa's end date. Ensure you have at least one blank page for stamps.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel out of China is required for most entry types. Ensure your departure ticket is accessible and within the validity period of your visa or visa-free entry.
Download your visa documents, hotel addresses in Chinese characters and onward travel details to offline storage. Use Roamix data at the airport to access maps and translation apps from the moment you clear customs.
Chinese visa and entry rules change frequently. Confirm current requirements with the Chinese Embassy or consulate in your country before booking. The visa-free country list has been expanding since 2024.
When you land in China mainland
0 of 5 done
How people message here
WeChat dominates all communication in China mainland, from personal messaging and video calls to business contact, restaurant bookings and payment. Most local services will not use WhatsApp or international platforms. Having WeChat installed before arrival is essential.
Do you need a local number?
A local Chinese number is not strictly needed for tourists using a Roamix eSIM. However, some Chinese services including WeChat registration and Alipay setup may require a local number for SMS verification.
Set up WeChat before departure linked to your home phone number. Keep your home SIM active for SMS verification. Use Roamix data for all Google, WhatsApp and international communication.
Airports in China mainland
PEK
Beijing Capital International Airport
Beijing
Free wifi across all three terminals, though speeds on public wifi can be limited. Your Roamix eSIM will be far faster and ensures all apps work.
Confirm your Roamix eSIM is connected and check that WhatsApp and Google work before exiting the terminal. The Airport Express train reaches Dongzhimen in 25 minutes; use Roamix data to check the schedule.
PKX
Beijing Daxing International Airport
Beijing
Full 5G coverage throughout the terminal via China Mobile and China Unicom. Free public wifi is available.
Daxing is served by the Daxing Airport Line metro connecting to the city in 35 minutes. Use Roamix data to buy your ticket via WeChat Pay or confirm your transfer before leaving baggage claim.
PVG
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai
Free wifi across both terminals with 5G coverage throughout the airport. Public wifi is slow but adequate for messaging.
The Maglev train from PVG reaches Longyang Road in 7 minutes at 431 km/h, or take the Metro Line 2 for 50 minutes into central Shanghai. With Roamix data active, you can confirm your route and buy tickets before you exit baggage claim.
SHA
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Shanghai
Good 5G coverage and free wifi throughout the terminal.
Hongqiao connects directly to the high-speed rail hub for trains to Beijing, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Suzhou. Use Roamix data to access train schedules and confirm your connection before arrival.
Getting around China mainland
China has the world's largest high-speed rail network and an excellent domestic aviation sector, plus metro systems in over 40 cities. Data is essential for navigating, booking trains and using the dominant local apps including DiDi for rideshare, Alipay and WeChat for payments.
High-speed rail (HSR)
China's high-speed rail network covers most major cities, with trains reaching 350 km/h. Book tickets on the 12306 app or website using Roamix data. Most HSR lines have 4G coverage throughout the journey.
City metro
Over 40 Chinese cities have metro systems. Navigate with Google Maps (via Roamix international routing) or Gaode Maps. Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay via your phone wallet. Most metro lines have 4G coverage.
DiDi rideshare
DiDi is the dominant rideshare app in China and requires an active data connection. The international version of DiDi works with foreign payment methods. Roamix data keeps DiDi running throughout your trip.
Domestic flights
Essential for covering China's vast distances quickly. Book on Ctrip or Qunar using Roamix data. Check-in online and store boarding passes offline for use in the airport.
Intercity bus
Buses serve destinations not reached by HSR, including towns near national parks and remote areas. Use Roamix data to confirm schedules and book through Ctrip before each journey.
Use DiDi rideshare for taxis, available in the international version with foreign card payment. The metro in Beijing and Shanghai has English signage. Use Google Maps via Roamix routing to navigate. Show your destination written in Chinese characters to taxi drivers.
Money and payments in China mainland
China is increasingly cashless. WeChat Pay and Alipay are accepted virtually everywhere, including street food stalls and taxis. International travellers can now link a foreign Visa or Mastercard to Alipay for most payments without a Chinese bank account.
- Cards and cash
- Link a foreign card to Alipay before or immediately on arrival at the airport for day-to-day spending. Carry a small amount of CNY cash for markets, temples and very small vendors. UnionPay cards are accepted more widely than Visa in local shops.
- ATMs
- ATMs at Bank of China and ICBC accept foreign Visa and Mastercard. Use bank ATMs rather than standalone machines. The fee per withdrawal is typically 25 CNY. Always choose to be charged in CNY.
- Payment apps
- Alipay is essential for daily spending in China. Download it and link a foreign card before departure. WeChat Pay requires a local bank account for foreigners, though tourist mini-programme wallets with foreign card linking have expanded in recent years.
- Tipping
- Tipping is not customary in mainland China and may even cause awkwardness. Guides and high-end hotel staff at international properties may accept tips, but it is never expected in restaurants, taxis or shops.
Daily budget
Budget travellers spending on hostels and street food can manage 200 to 350 CNY per day. Mid-range travel is 500 to 800 CNY. Luxury hotels and fine dining in Shanghai or Beijing push costs significantly higher.
Local tips for China mainland
- Language
- Mandarin is the official language and English is not widely spoken outside international hotels and major tourist attractions in Beijing and Shanghai. Download a translation app with offline Chinese language packs. Google Translate works via Roamix routing. WeChat's built-in translation is useful for reading menus and signs.
- Food
- China mainland's food culture is extraordinary and regionally diverse. Do not miss Beijing roast duck at Quanjude or Dadong, Shanghai's xiaolongbao soup dumplings, Chengdu's mouth-numbing mala hot pot, Yunnan's crossing-the-bridge rice noodles and Xi'an's rou jia mo pork flatbreads from street carts near the Muslim Quarter.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type A, C and I plugs
Apps worth having
WeChat
communication
Essential for local communication, restaurant QR menus, venue entry, local contacts and increasingly payment. Install and register before departure.
Alipay
payments
The dominant payment platform in China. Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard via the international traveller version to pay everywhere from street food stalls to museums.
Ctrip (Trip.com)
booking
The leading Chinese travel booking platform for trains, flights, hotels and tours. Use Roamix data to book your 12306 high-speed rail tickets and domestic flights via Ctrip's English interface.
Safety and health in China mainland
China mainland is generally very safe for tourists, with low rates of violent crime. The main risks are pollution-related health issues in major cities, petty scams at tourist hotspots, and the need to carry digital identity documents and visa paperwork at all times.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active at all times so you can access emergency services (110/120), reach your embassy and use Google Maps without restriction. Save your country's embassy contact number offline before arrival.
- Health
- Air quality can be poor in Beijing and northern cities in winter. Healthcare in major cities is good and major hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai have international wards with English-speaking staff. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink in mainland China. Drink sealed bottled water, which is inexpensive and widely available. Hot water from hotel dispensers is safe for making tea.
Networks and coverage in China mainland
China mainland has the world's largest and most advanced 5G network, operated by China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom across all major cities and most rural areas. A Roamix China mainland eSIM connects to these networks but routes your traffic internationally, meaning Google, WhatsApp, FaceTime and other blocked apps work normally from the moment you land at PVG, PEK or any Chinese airport.
China Mobile
World's largest mobile operator with the highest 5G base station count. Dominant in rural areas, Tibet, Xinjiang and western China where other operators are weaker. Best for travellers going off the beaten track.
China Unicom
Co-builds 5G infrastructure with China Telecom in major cities under a network sharing agreement. Strong in eastern China, the Yangtze River Delta and major tourist cities. Shared towers mean near-identical urban coverage to Telecom.
China Telecom
Shares 5G infrastructure with China Unicom in cities. Strong in southern China and coastal provinces. Reliable 4G in most provincial capitals and county towns.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in Beijing, Shanghai and major cities delivers 150 to 500 Mbps. 4G delivers 50 to 150 Mbps in all cities and most towns.
- 5G
- China has more 5G base stations than the rest of the world combined, with full coverage in all prefecture-level cities and expanding to county and rural areas.
The single most important thing to know about using a phone in China mainland is that the Great Firewall blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube on local SIM connections. A Roamix eSIM bypasses this completely by routing traffic internationally. You get full 5G speeds on Chinese infrastructure with all your usual apps working normally.
Despite the world's densest urban coverage, remote areas including the Tibetan Plateau, Gobi Desert interior, Sichuan mountain routes and parts of Yunnan and Guizhou can have limited 4G and 2G-only coverage. Always download offline maps before venturing into rural or mountain areas. Chinese 5G uses 3.5 GHz (n78) and 2.6 GHz (n41) bands. 4G uses bands 1, 3, 5, 8 and 40. Most unlocked phones from iPhone XS onward and recent Android flagships are fully compatible.
Where to go in China mainland
China mainland rewards travellers who prepare well. Distances between highlights are enormous, the language gap is significant without local apps, and the Great Firewall means connectivity planning is essential before departure. A Roamix eSIM solves the internet access problem while China's world-class high-speed rail, domestic aviation and increasingly tourist-friendly infrastructure handles the rest.
Best time to visit
April to May and September to October for most of the country, with mild weather, fewer crowds and clear skies. December to February for Chinese winter festivals and off-season travel, but cold in the north. Avoid Golden Week (October 1 to 7) and Chinese New Year (January to February) when domestic travel crowds are extreme.
Beijing and the North
China's capital, with the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace making it the country's most visited destination. Xi'an and its Terracotta Warriors are a high-speed rail day trip or overnight journey away.
- Forbidden City
- Great Wall at Mutianyu
- Temple of Heaven
- Summer Palace
- Tiananmen Square
Excellent 5G across central Beijing and all tourist sites. China Mobile and China Unicom are both strong. The Great Wall sections at Mutianyu and Jinshanling have coverage, while more remote sections may drop to 4G.
Shanghai and the Yangtze Delta
China's most international city, where the Bund waterfront, Pudong skyline, French Concession lanes and proximity to ancient water towns like Suzhou and Zhujiajiao make it the country's most cosmopolitan destination.
- The Bund
- Yu Garden
- French Concession
- Pudong Skyline from Huangpu River
- Suzhou Classical Gardens
Best 5G coverage in China, with speeds often exceeding 300 Mbps in central Shanghai. Pudong, the Bund, all metro lines and the Maglev train to the airport are all excellently covered.
Southwest China and Yunnan
The most scenically diverse region of China, where Yunnan's minority cultures, Lijiang's ancient Naxi old town, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, Dali's Erhai Lake and the Shangri-La plateau sit alongside Guizhou's rice terraces and Chengdu's giant pandas.
- Lijiang Old Town
- Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Dali Old Town and Erhai Lake
- Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base
- Jiuzhaigou Valley
Good 4G in Yunnan cities and tourist towns including Kunming, Lijiang, Dali and Shangri-La. Mountain routes between towns and Tiger Leaping Gorge can drop to 3G or no signal. China Mobile has the best rural reach.
Eastern China and the River Towns
China's most densely visited region beyond Shanghai, including Hangzhou's West Lake, the Huang Shan yellow mountains, the ancient water towns of Tongli and Xitang, and Nanjing's historic sites.
- Hangzhou West Lake
- Huangshan Yellow Mountains
- Nanjing Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum
- Tongli Water Town
- Wuyuan Golden Rapeseed Fields
Excellent 5G and 4G coverage throughout eastern China. All major tourist destinations including Huangshan summit and Hangzhou's West Lake area have strong signal.
Silk Road and Northwest China
The ancient heartland of Dunhuang's Mogao Caves, the Gobi Desert, Zhangye Danxia Landform, Turpan's grape valleys and the edge of Xinjiang, where the geography transitions to Central Asian landscapes and Islamic culture.
- Dunhuang Mogao Caves
- Zhangye Danxia Rainbow Mountains
- Jiayuguan Fort
- Turpan Ancient City of Gaochang
- Crescent Moon Lake
China Mobile has the strongest coverage in the northwest, with 4G in Dunhuang, Zhangye and Turpan. The Gobi Desert interior, remote dune areas and the Qilian Mountains can have limited signal. Download all navigation offline before remote drives.
Off the beaten path
The towering sandstone pillars draped in cloud that inspired the floating mountains of Avatar, with the world's longest and highest glass bridge, a vertiginous cliff-face walkway and the Tianmen Sky Door natural arch.
Signal: China Mobile 4G covers the Zhangjiajie park area, the Glass Bridge at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon and the Tianmen Mountain cable car zone. Some remote trail sections between peaks have limited signal.
The greatest treasure of Buddhist art in China, with 735 caves containing murals, sculptures and silk manuscripts spanning 1,000 years of history on the ancient Silk Road, requiring advance booking for limited daily visitor numbers.
Signal: China Mobile 4G in Dunhuang town. The cave complex has limited coverage. Download the official Mogao Caves app and offline content before the visit.
A UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Sichuan, famous for brilliant turquoise, green and sapphire-blue lakes fed by snowmelt and waterfalls, flanked by Tibetan villages and ancient forests.
Signal: China Mobile 4G in the main valley and visitor centre area. Narrow side valleys and higher elevation sections can have intermittent signal.
A UNESCO World Heritage town of cobbled canals, wooden Naxi architecture and mountain backdrop in northwest Yunnan, serving as the base for Tiger Leaping Gorge trekking, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and access to Shangri-La.
Signal: Good China Mobile and China Unicom 4G throughout Lijiang Old Town and the surrounding area. The Jade Dragon Snow Mountain cable car zone has reliable 4G.
The funeral army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, with over 8,000 individual warrior figures, horses and bronze chariots buried in three enormous underground pits near Xi'an, one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history.
Signal: China Mobile 4G covers all three exhibition pits and the visitor centre. Xi'an city has 5G in the main districts.
The iconic karst limestone peaks rising from the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo, reproduced on the 20 CNY banknote, with the Longji Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces an hour away offering equally spectacular scenery.
Signal: Good 4G on the Li River boat cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. The mountains around Yangshuo including Moon Hill have reliable 4G. More remote cycling routes into the rice terraces may have intermittent signal.
Striped red, orange, yellow and purple layers of mineral-stained sandstone create a landscape that looks more like a geological painting than a natural formation, photographed most dramatically in the golden light of early morning and late afternoon.
Signal: China Mobile 4G at the park viewing platforms. En-route across the Hexi Corridor from Dunhuang, coverage is intermittent on the open desert highway.
The quintessential Chinese mountain landscape of granite peaks, ancient pines and sea of cloud that has inspired Chinese poetry, painting and calligraphy for centuries, with a two-day loop trail and sunrise from Beihai the classic experience.
Signal: China Unicom and China Mobile both provide 4G at the summit area, the western cable car station and Beihai Hotel. Trail sections on the northern peak are well covered. Remote western trails can have limited signal.
The world's leading giant panda conservation and research centre, where over 200 pandas live in naturalistic enclosures and morning feeding sessions offer intimate encounters with the world's most beloved endangered species.
Signal: Excellent China Mobile 5G throughout the Chengdu panda base. The city's metro and tourist areas are fully 5G covered.
One of China's best-preserved ancient towns, with stilt houses on the Tuojiang River, Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, traditional Miao minority culture and vibrant red lanterns reflected in the green river.
Signal: China Mobile 4G covers the Fenghuang old town and the Tuojiang River banks. The scenic boat rides and surrounding hills have reliable coverage.
Events and seasons in China mainland
January to February (lunar calendar)
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)
Nationwide
The world's largest annual human migration, as over a billion people travel home for the New Year. Cities transform with lantern displays, temple fairs, fireworks and dragon dances. The two weeks around the new year are a spectacle of cultural energy.
January 5 to February 25
Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival
Harbin, Heilongjiang Province
The world's largest ice and snow festival, with enormous illuminated ice castles, enormous snow sculptures, ice swimming in the Songhua River and outdoor winter activities in temperatures that regularly drop below minus 20C.
15th day of the first lunar month (February)
Lantern Festival
Nationwide, especially Zigong and Nanjing
The final day of Chinese New Year celebrations, marked by elaborate lantern displays, lantern riddle games and sweet tangyuan rice balls. Zigong's International Dinosaur Lantern Festival and Nanjing's Confucius Temple fair are the most spectacular.
April to May and October to November (twice annually)
Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair)
Guangzhou, Guangdong Province
The world's largest trade fair, held twice annually in Guangzhou, drawing over 200,000 buyers from 200 countries and tens of thousands of Chinese exporters. Provides extraordinary insight into China's manufacturing and commercial culture.
5th day of the 5th lunar month (May or June)
Dragon Boat Festival
Nationwide, especially Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Yueyang
A millennia-old festival commemorating the poet Qu Yuan, marked by competitive dragon boat races, sticky zongzi rice dumpling eating and drinking realgar wine, with the most spectacular races in Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Yueyang.
June, eleven days
Shanghai International Film Festival
Shanghai
Asia's oldest and most prestigious international film festival, accredited by the FIAPF, screening hundreds of films across Shanghai cinemas with red carpet premieres, industry forums and an international competition jury.
24th day of the 6th lunar month (July or August)
Yunnan Torch Festival
Yunnan Province, especially Dali and Lijiang
The most important festival of the Yi, Bai and Naxi minority peoples of Yunnan, marked by torch parades, bonfire dancing, bullfighting and wrestling competitions across the villages and towns of the province.
15th day of the 8th lunar month (September or October)
Mid-Autumn Festival
Nationwide
The harvest moon festival, celebrated with mooncakes, family reunions and outdoor gatherings under the full moon. Parks and cultural sites are packed in the evenings with lantern-carrying families.
October 1 to 7
National Day Golden Week
Nationwide
The busiest domestic travel week in China, when all major attractions, high-speed trains and popular destinations are at maximum capacity. The Great Wall, Zhangjiajie, Jiuzhaigou and coastal resorts are extremely crowded.
Varies by year
Beijing International Horticultural Exposition
Beijing and rotating host cities
A major international garden and horticultural exhibition showcasing landscape design, environmental sustainability and cultural gardens from countries worldwide, held periodically in Chinese cities.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May brings warming weather and Cherry blossom peaks in late March in Shanghai and Wuhan. Yellow rapeseed fields bloom across Jiangxi's Wuyuan in April. Spring rain is common in southern China. The northwest and Xinjiang open up for the season from late April.
- Summer
- June to August is hot and humid across most of China mainland. Typhoon season affects coastal areas and the south from June to September. The Yangtze and Yellow River regions experience heavy summer rains. The Tibetan Plateau and northwest are pleasantly warm. Jiuzhaigou and Huangshan are at peak green and waterfall season.
- Fall
- September to November is the best travel season in most of China. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures and autumn foliage in Beijing's Fragrant Hills and the Yellow Mountains. Golden Week crowds peak in early October before tapering off. Yunnan is at its most beautiful in October.
- Winter
- December to February brings cold temperatures to northern and central China. Harbin's ice festival is spectacular. The Yangtze River basin including Shanghai, Wuhan and Chengdu can be damp and grey. Yunnan and Hainan Island are warm and popular. Spring Festival brings the country to a standstill in late January or February.
Working remotely from China mainland
Shanghai and Beijing are functional remote work bases with fast 5G, international business hotels and some coworking spaces. The Great Firewall challenge is fully solved by Roamix international routing, making Google Workspace, Zoom and Slack accessible without any VPN or setup.
- Connection
- Urban 5G handles video calls and cloud uploads at high speed. A Roamix plan with 15 to 20 GB suits a full working week of calls, cloud access and daily city navigation.
Use your Roamix eSIM hotspot for all work tools rather than hotel wifi, as hotel networks are also subject to the Great Firewall and may block Google Workspace and Zoom.
