How to access the internet? eSIM, local SIM card, or roaming?
All three options are feasible, and the choice depends on price and convenience: international roaming is the easiest but the most expensive; installing an eSIM before departure and activating it upon arrival is currently the most balanced option (you need to make sure your phone supports it); a local SIM card is the cheapest and has the best speed, but you need to carry your ID for real-name registration. Once you get a Chinese phone number, most apps (payment, ride-hailing, ticket booking) can be registered with it, which is much smoother than linking with an overseas number.
All three options are feasible, and the choice depends on price and convenience: international roaming is the most hassle-free but also the most expensive; installing an eSIM before departure and activating it upon arrival is currently the most balanced option (you need to confirm that your phone supports it); local SIM cards are the cheapest and fastest, but you need to carry identification for real-name registration. Once you get a Chinese number, most apps (payment, ride-hailing, ticket booking) can be registered with it, which is much smoother than using a foreign number.