Two of the most demanding destinations for a traveling professional sit on opposite ends of the connectivity spectrum. One requires special workarounds just to access common apps, and the other offers reliable coverage but still leaves travelers hunting for SIM shops if they arrive unprepared. Knowing how to handle data in both places before you land saves a lot of frustration.

If China is on your itinerary, a travel esim china plan is worth setting up before departure. China’s mobile networks are extensive, but the country’s internet restrictions block many apps that nomads rely on daily, including Google, WhatsApp, and most social platforms. A properly configured eSim gives you a local data connection, though you will still need a VPN set up in advance if you plan to use blocked apps while there.

Why Nomads Prepare Differently for China

Digital nomads who have traveled through Europe or Southeast Asia often assume China will work the same way. It does not. The country operates behind what is commonly called the Great Firewall, which blocks access to many Western apps and services by default.

This changes how you should prepare:

• Set up a VPN on your phone and laptop before you arrive, since VPN provider websites are often blocked once you land
• Confirm your eSim plan includes data speeds sufficient for VPN use, since encrypted traffic can be slower
• Download offline maps in advance, since some mapping apps behave differently inside China
• Keep your home SIM active on a second line for banking apps that may require a home-country number

None of this is meant to discourage travel to China. It simply means the prep work matters more than it does in most other destinations.

See also: Smart Home Improvements That Can Add Value to Your Property

What a Travel eSim Offers in China

Despite the app restrictions, China’s underlying mobile infrastructure is strong, particularly in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. A travel eSim built for China typically includes:

• Data-only access on established local networks
• Coverage across major cities and most tourist regions
• Flexible validity periods for both short business trips and longer stays
• Instant activation through a QR code before departure

A practical example: a remote consultant flying into Shanghai for a two-week project activates their eSim during the layover, connects to their VPN as soon as they land, and is able to join a scheduled video call within an hour of arrival, without needing to find a local SIM vendor first.

Switching Gears: eSim Italy for a Smoother Return to Europe

After a data-restricted stretch in China, many nomads head back toward Europe, and Italy is a common next stop given its mix of major business hubs and popular remote-work destinations like Florence, Milan, and coastal towns along the Amalfi Coast. Setting up an Mobimatter’s eSim Italy plan means you land already connected, with none of the app restrictions you just deal with.

Italy’s networks are generally reliable in cities and along major train routes, though coverage can dip in more rural or mountainous areas. A few things worth checking before buying a plan:

• Confirm the plan supports 4G or 5G speeds rather than throttled data
• Check that the validity period matches your actual length of stay
• Look for easy top-up options if a trip runs longer than planned

For a photographer who just finished a shoot in Shanghai and is heading to Milan for a fashion week assignment, having the eSim Italy plan ready before landing means immediate access to cloud uploads and client communication, a noticeable contrast to the restricted access they just left behind.

Comparing eSim Providers Before You Book

Coverage and pricing vary between providers, so it is worth comparing a few options rather than buying the first plan you find.

Coverage Comes Before Price

Check which local carrier the eSim connects to in each country. A cheap plan on a carrier with weak coverage in the cities you are visiting is not actually good value.

Match the Data Plan to Your Actual Usage

A consultant on video calls all day needs a larger data allowance than someone mainly using maps and messaging apps. Overbuying wastes money, while underbuying means a mid-trip top-up.

Use a Marketplace to Compare Options Quickly

Platforms like Mobimatter aggregate plans from multiple eSim providers, which makes it easier to compare coverage, pricing, and validity for both China and Italy without visiting several separate websites.

Consider the Established Names

A handful of companies have built strong reputations in the eSim market, including Airalo, Holafly, and Mobimatter. Each serves slightly different needs:

• Airalo offers a wide catalog of country-specific and regional plans, including options for China and Italy
• Holafly is often chosen by travelers who prefer unlimited data in a single destination
• Mobimatter works as a marketplace, letting travelers compare multiple providers and plan types in one place

Comparing a couple of these before booking gives a clearer picture of what actually fits a route that includes both a restricted market like China and an open one like Italy.

Setting Up Your eSim Before You Fly

Getting everything ready ahead of time avoids relying on unfamiliar airport WiFi after a long flight.

1. Confirm your phone supports eSim technology, since most phones released in the past few years do
2. Purchase the plan and receive a QR code by email
3. Open your phone’s network settings and choose to add a new eSim
4. Scan the QR code and let the profile install
5. Label the new line clearly so it is easy to tell apart from your home SIM
6. Turn on data roaming only for that specific eSim line once you land

If you are heading to China, complete your VPN setup during this same prep window, since it is far easier to configure before departure than after landing.

Tracking Income While You Work from the Road

Staying connected across restrictive and open markets alike matters most for nomads who earn through content work, brand partnerships, or freelance client projects while traveling. Many creators juggling sponsorships across multiple platforms lose track of which brand payments have actually landed versus which are still pending, especially when working across time zones and currencies. Using a brand deal income tracker can help creators and influencers keep a clear picture of earnings and outstanding payments no matter which country they are working from that week.