How to Stay Connected Between the UK and China | Best eSIM & Roaming Guide
Sep 19,2025 | Milo
Table of contents
Smart Alternative: ByteSIM China Mainland & UK eSIM
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Traveling across multiple regions, such as Mainland China, the United Kingdom, and Europe, can be exciting—but it also comes with challenges, especially when it comes to staying connected. From navigating airport pickups to using maps or keeping in touch with family and business contacts, reliable internet and phone service is essential. Many travelers face:
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Exorbitant roaming charges from their home carrier.
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The hassle of swapping SIM cards upon arrival.
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Managing two numbers across different countries.
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The need to make international calls to family, colleagues, or clients.
If you’ve experienced any of these frustrations, you’re not alone. But what if there was a single solution that kept you online the moment you land in London or Beijing?
One eSIM, Two Worlds
Seamless connectivity across the UK, Mainland China, and Europe.
Get Your China & UK eSIM
Traditional Network Options
Before diving into modern solutions, let’s look at the common choices most travelers make—and why they fall short.
Using Your Home Network Roaming (The Costly Shock)
Many UK or China-based carriers advertise international roaming packages as a convenient way to stay online abroad. It sounds simple: keep your existing SIM card, land in another country, and continue using your phone. But the reality is often a nasty bill shock.
These roaming packages usually come with high daily fees or tiny data allowances. If you rely on your phone for Google Maps, video calls, or streaming, it’s easy to burn through the limit in just a few hours. Business travelers, in particular, can’t afford to drop out of video meetings or lose access to email because they’ve hit a cap. Unless you’re willing to pay premium prices, it’s one of the least cost-effective ways to stay connected between the UK and China.
Buying a Local SIM in China (The Great Firewall)
Another common approach is to buy a local prepaid SIM card when you arrive in China. While it may seem affordable, the process is far from simple. By law, all SIM card purchases require passport registration at an authorized telecom store. That often means waiting in long queues at the airport or searching for a shop that speaks English.
And the challenges don’t stop there. Once connected, you’ll face the reality of China’s Great Firewall. Popular apps and services like Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Gmail are blocked. Unless you already have a VPN installed, you may suddenly find yourself cut off from essential tools you rely on for work, navigation, or staying in touch with family abroad.
For short-term visitors, this makes buying a local SIM both time-consuming and restrictive. What should be a quick solution can easily turn into a frustrating start to your trip.
Smart Alternative: ByteSIM China Mainland & UK eSIM
For frequent travelers between China and the UK, juggling multiple SIM cards or paying sky-high roaming fees is no longer necessary. With ByteSIM's UK & China eSIM, you get seamless coverage on EE in the United Kingdom and China Telecom in Mainland China, ensuring reliable 5G/4G/LTE speeds on both ends of your journey.
Each plan includes data, UK local calls, and international calling options—perfect for students, business travelers, or anyone staying connected across borders. For example, the 50GB and 120GB plans go a step further by offering unlimited international calls to 15 popular destinations such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, and major parts of Asia. This means you can check in with family, join business meetings, or coordinate travel plans abroad without worrying about extra costs.
Traveling across Europe? These eSIMs also include EU roaming in 34 countries, with allocations of 5GB, 8GB, or 12GB depending on your chosen plan. Whether you’re hopping from Paris to Rome or attending a conference in Berlin, your connection follows you seamlessly.
Best of all, setup is effortless. Once you land, simply enable data roaming, and your eSIM activates automatically. No passport registration, no local store visits—just instant connectivity with a UK phone number included. eSIM delivery takes only minutes via email, and 24/7 support ensures peace of mind throughout your trip.
For long-term use, ByteSIM also offers top-up options (please contact our customer service: Whatsapp +852 9290 0577 or +852 9243 7776, or email: service@bytesim.com) so you can keep your UK number active and avoid the hassle of constantly changing contact details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I activate the ByteSIM eSIM for the UK and China?
Activation is simple. Install the eSIM profile before your trip. Once you arrive in the UK or China, simply turn on Data Roaming for the ByteSIM in your phone settings. The plan will auto-activate on your first network connection in either country. Remember, activation cannot be done while you are still in Mainland China or Hong Kong.
Is identity verification (eKYC) required to purchase?
No. A major advantage of ByteSIM is that no identity verification is needed. You can purchase and receive your eSIM instantly via email, making the process incredibly fast and convenient.
Can I use this eSIM for tethering or as a mobile hotspot?
Yes, you can. The plan allows you to share your phone's data connection with other devices like your laptop or tablet via the personal hotspot feature.
What are the 15 destinations for unlimited international calls?
The unlimited international calls (from the UK) are available on the 50GB and 120GB plans and cover calls to China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, the USA, Canada, Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Can I keep my UK phone number for future trips?
Yes, long-term number retention is possible. Please contact ByteSIM customer support before your current plan expires to discuss top-up options and arrange to keep your number active for your next visit.
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