Key facts
| Routing in China | Unclear from Saily's own pages |
|---|---|
| Blocked apps without a VPN | Mixed evidence |
| Built-in VPN | No |
| Hotspot | Yes |
| Phone number | No |
| Refund | Full refund within 30 days of purchase if the data plan isn't activated |
China plans
Set up before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your carrier.
- Buy the plan and install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. Installing needs internet access.
- On arrival, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for that line.
- Test with Wi-Fi off. Airport and hotel Wi-Fi in China is filtered, so WhatsApp won't work over it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two 2026 tests found Google and WhatsApp working without a VPN
- Hotspot allowed
- Includes a "virtual location" feature at no extra cost
Cons
- Saily's China page says WhatsApp needs a VPN
- Unlimited plans slow to 1 Mbps after 5 GB a day
- No phone number without a paid add-on
Related guides
Alternatives
FAQ
Does Saily work in China without a VPN?
Reports disagree. Saily's China page says you need a VPN for WhatsApp, but its own blog says traffic is routed through international networks, and two independent 2026 tests found Google and WhatsApp working without a VPN.
Is Saily's virtual location a VPN?
Not quite. Saily says it reroutes traffic through a remote server like a VPN but is not a full VPN replacement. Its China page says it unblocks Google and Instagram but not WhatsApp.
Which networks does it use?
China Telecom and China Unicom.
Add your report
Sources
- China eSIM (Saily), accessed Oct 8, 2026
- Apps for China (Saily blog), September 2026
- Virtual location (Saily), accessed Oct 8, 2026
- What is Saily's refund policy? (Saily help center), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Consumer terms of service (Saily), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Best eSIM for China (Gizmodo, affiliate links), July 2026
- Does Saily work in China? (Travel eSIM Expert, affiliate code), June 2026