China eSIM — no VPN needed
Use Google, WhatsApp, Gmail & ChatGPT directly in mainland China — one plan covers Mainland, Hong Kong & Macau on China Mobile.
China data plans
First time? Check your phone supports eSIM — or choose a physical SIM below.
Plan specifications
No eSIM? Choose a physical SIM for China.
Works exactly like the eSIM — the best option for phones that can't use one.Phone has no eSIM — or was bought in mainland China?
Some phones can't run the RORO eSIM: they either don't support eSIM at all, or they're China-market phones locked to local carriers. The physical SIM has no such limit.
China — key facts.
No VPN needed
International network routing is built in. Google, WhatsApp, ChatGPT, Gemini, Facebook, YouTube and more all work directly from mainland China — no VPN app to install, no settings to fiddle with.
One plan, three regions
Covers Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau on China Mobile 4G/5G — no separate plans when you cross between them.
Phone can't use eSIM? Choose the physical SIM
Many phones can't use the RORO eSIM — either they don't support eSIM at all (common for a lot of travelers), or they were bought in mainland China, where eSIM is locked to local carriers. Either way, the RORO physical SIM works normally — free shipping in mainland China, and ships worldwide too.
No ID registration
Unlike local SIMs, there's no passport scan or registration. Buy with just an email — then go.
Validity starts on arrival
The clock starts on your first connection in China, not the purchase date. Buy up to 180 days in advance.
Top up instantly
Running low? Add more data in seconds — no new QR code, no reinstall needed. Tip: top up before you run out — with zero data you can't get online, which makes recharging a hassle.
Real-name reg.? HK only
Of RORO's 190+ countries and regions, only Hong Kong and Taiwan require real-name registration — nowhere else does. On this plan that's Hong Kong only: a one-time step on first connection (tap an SMS link). Mainland China and Macau need nothing.
How to Set Up Your China eSIM
No app download needed. Set up before you fly, then it auto-connects to CMCC the moment you land.
Install your SIM
eSIM: connect to WiFi, scan the QR code with your rear camera — installed in a minute. Physical SIM: insert the card, then top up online.
Enable data roaming
Settings → Cellular / Mobile Service → tap RORO (CMLink) → scroll down → turn on Data Roaming.
Set as data SIM & go
Settings → Cellular / Mobile Service → Cellular Data / Mobile Data → select RORO (CMLink). Auto-connects to CMCC after you land.
Install your SIM
eSIM: connect to WiFi, scan the QR code with your rear camera — installed in a minute. Physical SIM: insert the card, then top up online.
Enable data roaming
Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → tap RORO (CMLink) → enable Data Roaming.
Set as data SIM & go
SIM Manager → Mobile Data → select RORO (CMLink). Auto-connects to CMCC after you land.
China travel tips.
Practical notes from verified customers — signal spots, apps that work, and what to expect city by city.
No VPN, Maps worked perfectly.
Signal was solid throughout the Shanghai metro and in Beijing's hutong areas. Google Maps worked perfectly for navigation. In some hotel lobbies it dropped to 4G but was still fast enough for maps and messaging.
Video calls without a VPN.
Used it mainly for work — video calls on Google Meet, emails and messaging. Shenzhen 5G coverage was noticeably better than central Guangzhou. No VPN required for any of it, which made a real difference for calls.
Hotspot sharing was great.
Shared with my travel partner's laptop every evening. Signal in Chengdu was excellent; near Leshan it dropped to 4G but stayed usable. Uploading photos to Instagram from China with no VPN was genuinely surprising.
Offline maps before you go
Download maps on WiFi so navigation keeps working even on the subway or in rural areas.
Does RORO China eSIM really work without a VPN?
Yes — this is RORO China's biggest advantage. Your data is routed out through Hong Kong's international internet gateway, so Google, Gmail, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and ChatGPT all work directly from mainland China, no VPN app needed. Because traffic exits via Hong Kong, websites will see a Hong Kong IP address. Domestic apps like WeChat and Alipay keep working normally too.
Which regions does the China plan cover?
One plan covers Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. The network runs on China Mobile (CMCC) infrastructure with 3G/4G/5G coverage across all three — you don't need separate plans when traveling between them.
What download speed can I expect with RORO China eSIM?
On 5G you can expect roughly 100–300 Mbps in major cities, and a comfortable 20–100 Mbps on 4G LTE elsewhere — plenty for HD video, video calls and hotspot use. Real-world speed depends on location, time of day and network load. Because traffic exits via Hong Kong a speed test may read slightly lower than a domestic SIM, but everyday browsing feels instant.
Does RORO eSIM work on the Beijing and Shanghai metro systems?
Yes. Running on China Mobile's network, RORO has strong coverage across the Beijing and Shanghai metro systems — including most underground platforms and tunnels — so you stay online for maps, messaging and music on your commute. Signal can dip briefly in the deepest tunnel segments, exactly as it does for local SIMs.
Does RORO eSIM work at Chinese airports before clearing customs?
Yes. The moment your plane lands and you switch off airplane mode, RORO connects to China Mobile — so you're online in the arrivals hall and at immigration, before you clear customs. Just install the eSIM before you fly and enable it when you land.
Do I need to show ID to buy a China eSIM?
No ID registration is required. Unlike local Chinese SIM cards that need passport registration, RORO China can be bought and activated with just an email address — much simpler for foreign travelers. The RORO physical SIM is the same — no ID needed either.
When does the validity period start?
Validity starts when you first connect to a network in China — not the purchase date. Buy in advance; the eSIM stays valid to activate for 180 days. We recommend installing the eSIM 1–3 days before you travel, then enabling it when you land. If you want a physical SIM, order it about a week before departure so it arrives in time.
How do I top up or extend my China plan if I run out of data?
Easily. Top up online any time from your RORO account or the app — no new QR code and no reinstall. Your eSIM keeps the same number and settings. Tip: top up before your data runs out, since with zero data you can't get online to recharge.
Can I get a physical SIM card instead of an eSIM?
Yes. RORO offers physical SIM cards for China with free shipping to mainland China, plus delivery to Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and worldwide. Delivery takes 1–3 days within mainland China and 1–5 days to non-remote addresses worldwide. Insert the card and you're connected — same no-VPN, no-ID benefits as the eSIM.
Does it support hotspot / tethering?
Yes. Fixed data plans allow full hotspot sharing — use your whole allowance as a mobile hotspot. Unlimited plans include a 500 MB/day hotspot limit. Either way you can share with a laptop or tablet while in China.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept Credit & debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay), PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. WeChat Pay and Alipay are also accepted — but only for real-name-verified users in mainland China. No ID required for card payments.
Will this replace my original phone number?
No. RORO runs as a second line in dual-SIM mode and is data-only. Your original SIM keeps making calls, receiving SMS, and running WeChat as usual — RORO only handles your data.
Can I use my home SIM and RORO at the same time on a dual-SIM phone?
Yes. On a dual-SIM phone both lines stay active simultaneously — keep your home SIM for calls and texts, and set RORO as your data line in settings. There's nothing to swap mid-trip. If your phone can't use the RORO eSIM, the physical SIM works the same way in your second SIM slot.
I have a phone or iPhone bought in mainland China — will the eSIM work?
Phones sold in mainland China lock their eSIM to local carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom), so they can't install the RORO eSIM — even if the phone supports eSIM. iPhones bought in mainland China have no eSIM hardware at all (they use two physical nano-SIM slots), so they can't use it either. In both cases choose the RORO physical SIM instead: it works normally and gives you the same no-VPN, no-ID access.
