Reminder for anyone flying to China soon: sort your eSIM out before you board.

The SIM queue at Beijing Capital was 40+ minutes when I last went through, and the airport counters close overnight. An eSIM activates the moment you land.

Also worth knowing: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and X are all blocked on Chinese networks. Some travel eSIMs route around it, most do not. Check before you buy — that detail is rarely in the marketing copy.