Complete China Travel Guide: eSIM, VPN & 240-Hour Visa

It's 3PM in our Da Nang apartment. Flight departure: 4:30 PM. Destination: Shanghai via Hong Kong. The plan: use China's 240-hour visa-free transit to finally experience the country we'd been curious about for years. Eight days later, we walked away convinced that China is far more accessible for families than most people realize.

Here's everything you need to know about connectivity, payments, and logistics for visiting China with kids, including our honest experience with the 240-hour visa-free transit program.

Understanding China's 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit

China's 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit allows citizens from 54 countries to enter China without a visa when traveling between two different countries. The key requirement: you must enter from one country and exit to a third country (not your origin).

Our Transit Route Strategy

We flew Da Nang → Hong Kong → Shanghai → Tokyo, ensuring our routing met the third-country requirement. Immigration counted our transit as HKG-PVG-NRT, confirming that layover destinations count toward your routing.

Critical planning tip: Avoid having Hong Kong layovers on both legs if using this route, as it could violate the third-country rule.

Arriving at Shanghai Pudong (PVG) Without a Visa

We landed at 11:55 PM with no advance preparation beyond printed itineraries and onward flight confirmations. The immigration process took about 90 minutes total:

What went wrong: We initially filled out the standard arrival forms, which were incorrect for 240-hour transit passengers. With no assistance available at that hour, we had to restart the process.

What to do: Look for the two-part forms with a detachable "departure card" section at the bottom. These are the correct forms for 240-hour visa-free transit.

Required documents:

• Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
• Confirmed onward flight to third country
• Printed itinerary for your entire journey
• Accommodation details in China

The immigration officer thoroughly examined our documents, particularly our Tokyo departure flight, before approving our 240-hour stay. No advance application or fees required.

Internet Connectivity in China: What Actually Works

China's internet restrictions make reliable connectivity crucial for navigation, translation, and staying connected. We tested multiple solutions during our 8-day Shanghai visit.

Holafly eSIM with Built-in VPN: The Clear Winner

Holafly's China eSIM proved to be our connectivity lifesaver, offering unlimited data with an integrated VPN that automatically routes traffic through Singapore or Hong Kong servers.

Key benefits:

• No VPN setup required
• Unlimited data for $2.50/day (30-day plan)
• Automatic connection to unblocked internet
• Works immediately upon landing

Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off your Holafly China eSIM.

Why Traditional VPNs Failed

We brought both ExpressVPN and NordVPN as backup solutions, but encountered significant limitations:

Rental accommodation WiFi: Our Shanghai apartment had special monitoring devices that instantly cut all internet access when VPN usage was detected. No delay, no warnings - immediate disconnection.

Mobile performance: While both VPN services occasionally connected on our phones, the connections were unreliable and often dropped within minutes.

Bottom line: Holafly's integrated VPN consistently outperformed standalone VPN services for family travel in China.

Essential Apps for China Travel

Download and set up these apps before departure:

Must-Have Apps

• Alipay: Essential for payments, transportation, and food delivery
• Amap: Chinese navigation app with excellent English translations
• Apple Translate: Works offline for basic communication
• WeChat: Required for some restaurant ordering systems (locals call it "Weixin")

What Doesn't Work Without VPN

• Google Maps, Gmail, Google Translate
• WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram
• YouTube, Western news sites
• Most international banking apps

Payment Solutions That Actually Work

Alipay: Your Digital Wallet in China

Setting up Alipay with international cards revolutionized our China experience. We never touched cash during our entire 8-day stay.

Compatible cards from our testing:

• Chase Visa debit card
• Schwab Visa debit card

What you can do with Alipay:

• Pay at restaurants, shops, street vendors
• Order Didi rides (China's Uber equivalent)
• Purchase metro tickets
• Food delivery from restaurants

Setup process:

1. Download Alipay app before departure
2. Verify your phone number
3. Add international debit card
4. Complete identity verification

WeChat Pay: Secondary Option

We set up WeChat Pay before departure but only needed it once when a restaurant's ordering system was built specifically for WeChat. Most establishments accept Alipay as the primary payment method.

Pro tip: When asking about WeChat Pay, use "Weixin" - locals often don't recognize the English name "WeChat."

Family Activities in Shanghai

Recommended Tour Companies

Jenny's Tours: Our first-day orientation tour provided excellent cultural context and helped us understand Shanghai's layout. Perfect for families new to China.

Lost Plate Food Tours: The breakfast food tour became our favorite Shanghai experience. Use code ADAMANDLINDS for discounts on Lost Plate tours.

Shanghai Disney: World-class theme park with shorter lines than other Disney properties.

Language and Navigation

Translation: Apple Translate worked adequately offline, but Shanghai has considerable English signage, especially in tourist areas and shopping districts.

Navigation: Google Maps requires VPN access. Amap (Chinese navigation app) offers excellent English translations and works seamlessly with local internet restrictions.

Internet Access for Extended Stays

For Stays Over 30 Days

If you're planning longer than 30 days in China, consider Holafly's monthly global plans:

Unlimited Plan: $64.90/month

• Unlimited global data
• Built-in VPN functionality
• European phone number included
• Works in 200+ destinations

Light Plan: $49.90/month

• 25GB global data
• Same VPN and coverage benefits
• Budget-friendly option

Both plans offer better value than purchasing multiple 30-day eSIMs and include the crucial VPN functionality that makes China internet access seamless.

Practical Tips for Families

Before Departure

1. Type up an Itinerary: (Or let Lindsay do it for you) List what your are doing, where you are staying and most importantly when and how you are leaving.
2. Print everything: Flight confirmations, hotel bookings, emergency contacts
3. Download offline content: Maps, translation apps, entertainment for kids
4. Set up Alipay: Complete verification process while you have unrestricted internet
5. Purchase Holafly eSIM: Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off

Upon Arrival

1. Fill out correct forms: Look for two-part arrival/departure card forms
2. Activate Holafly eSIM: Enable data roaming for instant connectivity
3. Test Alipay: Verify payment setup works at the airport
4. Download Amap: Essential for navigation without Google Maps

During Your Stay

• Cash backup: Keep small amounts for emergencies (though we never needed it)
• Photo documents: Screenshot important information in case of connectivity issues
• Stay flexible: Internet speeds can vary; patience helps with kids

Cost Breakdown for China Connectivity

Budget Option

• Holafly 10-day eSIM: $36.90 (with ADAMANDLINDS code)
• Traditional VPN service: $10-15/month
• Total: ~$47
• Success rate: Variable connectivity

Recommended Option

• Holafly 30-day eSIM with built-in VPN: $74.90 (with ADAMANDLINDS code)
• Total: $74.90
• Success rate: Consistent, reliable connectivity

Extended Stay Option

• Holafly Monthly Unlimited Plan: $64.90/month
• Best for: Digital nomads or extended family stays

Common China Travel Questions

Does Holafly work everywhere in China?

Holafly's China eSIM uses China Mobile's network, providing excellent coverage in major cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Rural areas may have slower speeds, but urban coverage is outstanding.

Can kids use the same eSIM?

Each device needs its own eSIM, but Holafly's hotspot functionality allows you to share connectivity with kids' WiFi-only devices.

Is the 240-hour visa really visa-free?

Yes, no advance application or fees required. You complete forms upon arrival and receive a 10-day stamp. Ensure your routing meets the third-country requirement.

What happens if VPN stops working?

Holafly's built-in VPN automatically reconnects and switches servers as needed. Unlike standalone VPN apps, it's integrated into the data connection itself.

Can you extend the 240-hour visa?

No extensions are possible. You must depart China within the 240-hour window or face overstay penalties.

Do you need cash in China?

We completed our entire 8-day stay without using cash once. Alipay acceptance is nearly universal, from street vendors to luxury stores.

What about emergency services?

Download offline maps and keep emergency contacts readily available. The Holafly eSIM maintained connectivity even during peak usage times.

Is China safe for families?

Shanghai felt incredibly safe for family travel. Crime rates are low, public transportation is excellent, and locals were helpful with children.

Planning Your China Adventure

China offers incredible opportunities for family travel, from modern cities like Shanghai to historical sites across the country. With proper connectivity planning and the 240-hour visa option, accessing China has never been easier for international families.

The combination of Holafly's eSIM with built-in VPN and Alipay for payments eliminated the traditional barriers to China travel. Our daughters experienced a completely different culture while we navigated with confidence.

Ready to explore China with your family? Get your Holafly China eSIM here using code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off, and start planning your own 240-hour adventure.

For personalized China travel planning, contact Lindsay at [email protected] - she specializes in creating family-friendly itineraries for complex destinations like China.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. When you use our Holafly promo code ADAMANDLINDS, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund our family travels and keeps our content free. We only recommend products and services we genuinely use and believe in. All opinions are based on our real experience traveling to Shanghai with three children.