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Aisha
09 March 2026
China is one of the more complicated destinations for Singapore travellers when it comes to mobile connectivity. Beyond the usual roaming questions, there's the added layer of internet restrictions that block popular apps and services. If you're on SIMBA, the good news is that China is covered through SIMBA's APAC roaming — but not on every plan, and not via a standalone China add-on. Whether your data actually works in Shanghai or Beijing depends entirely on which SuperRoam tier you're subscribed to. This guide breaks down exactly which SIMBA plans include China roaming, what the data allowances look like, how the pay-per-use rate works once you've exhausted your APAC bundle, and when a dedicated travel eSIM becomes the more practical option for a China trip.
SIMBA, formerly known as TPG Singapore, is Singapore's fourth telco operating on a full 4G and 5G spectrum licence. Its international roaming covers 140+ countries, structured across six pricing zones. China falls within the APAC roaming zone, which also includes South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
SIMBA does not offer a dedicated China-only roaming product. China coverage is bundled into SIMBA's APAC roaming allowance, which comes built into select SuperRoam plans. When you use data in China, it draws from your APAC roaming bucket — the same pool shared with other APAC destinations. Once that APAC allowance is exhausted, additional usage in China is billed at SIMBA's pay-per-use rate of SGD $4 per GB, deducted directly from your SIMBA Wallet.
In China, SIMBA roaming connects through local partner networks including China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. These are the three major mainland carriers, which means coverage in cities and most populated areas is generally solid. Note that internet restrictions in China apply to your roaming connection as well — apps like Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram remain inaccessible unless you use a VPN.
China roaming is not available on SIMBA's entry-level plan. It's included from the SuperRoam12 plan and above — both prepaid and postpaid. Users on plans below this tier will not have APAC roaming data that covers China.
All SIMBA plans also include Group A international roaming data (60+ countries), which is separate from the APAC allowance. Data is drawn in order: main data zone first, then APAC, then Group A. Once all three buckets are empty, pay-per-use charges apply at SGD $4 per GB in China. Always check current plan details and roaming data allocations on the SIMBA website or in the My SIMBA app, as these can change.
Activate roaming before departure. All SIMBA SIM cards are roam-ready by default — no separate activation required. Make sure data roaming is enabled in your device settings. You can confirm your roaming status in the My SIMBA app before boarding.
Check which plan you're on before you book. China roaming is only available from SuperRoam12 and above. If you're on an older or entry-level plan, you won't have China APAC data included. Upgrading before departure is straightforward via the SIMBA app.
Watch your SIMBA Wallet balance. Once your APAC allowance runs out, SIMBA automatically switches to pay-per-use billing at SGD $4 per GB, deducted from your SIMBA Wallet. If your Wallet balance is low or zero, your data connection will stop. Top up before you travel, not after.
Factor in the Great Firewall. SIMBA roaming gives you a working data connection in China, but it doesn't bypass internet restrictions. Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked on mainland Chinese networks. A VPN is the standard workaround, and it's worth downloading and testing one before you land, since the App Store and Google Play are also restricted once you're inside China.
APN settings. In most cases, SIMBA's APN configures automatically when your device connects to a Chinese partner network. If data doesn't work after landing, check that your phone's APN is set to "simba" or try the automatic network selection in your settings.
Consider a secondary eSIM for heavier data use. If you plan to use navigation, video calls, and streaming throughout your trip, your APAC allowance may not be enough for a week-long stay. A dedicated China travel eSIM used alongside your SIMBA line lets you preserve your APAC data for other regional trips in the same month.
SIMBA's APAC roaming covers China, but the shared data pool creates a planning problem. If you're using the same APAC allowance for a South Korea trip in February, a Thailand trip in March, and a China trip in April, you may find the bucket running lower than expected by the time you land in Beijing. The SGD $4/GB pay-per-use fallback keeps you connected, but it's easy to underestimate how quickly data disappears when you're navigating unfamiliar cities.
A dedicated China travel eSIM — installed as a second profile on your phone — keeps your SIMBA APAC data intact for other trips. Your SIMBA SIM stays active on the same device, so your Singapore number remains reachable. You use the eSIM for data in China, switch back to SIMBA for calls and SMS, and don't touch your monthly roaming allowance at all.
This dual-SIM setup is particularly useful for frequent travellers across the APAC region, or anyone visiting China for more than a few days where a predictable data budget matters more than a per-GB fallback.
The challenge with SIMBA’s China roaming isn’t coverage, it’s the shared data pool. Your APAC allowance is one bucket split across nine countries. A trip to China, Hong Kong for a weekend layover, and a work trip to Kuala Lumpur in the same 30 day cycle can drain that allowance faster than expected. Once the Wallet kicks in at SGD $4/GB, you’re still connected, but the bill has become unpredictable.
A TurkSIM eSIM China solves the planning problem with a fixed, dedicated data budget for your China trip. TurkSIM connects through local Chinese partner networks, the same infrastructure SIMBA uses, so you get comparable coverage without the shared pool risk. Your SIMBA SIM stays active on your phone for calls and Singapore banking OTPs. The eSIM handles all data in mainland China. No Wallet top up required, no mid trip surprises.
Before traveling, it is helpful to confirm that your phone is listed among supported eSIM Compatible Devices so you know your device can run both SIM profiles without issues.
For Singaporeans making regular trips to China, whether for business travel to Shanghai, family visits in Guangzhou, or tourism in Chengdu, a pre loaded China eSIM is a straightforward way to keep connectivity costs predictable trip after trip.
Yes, but only on plans from SuperRoam12 and above. China is not included in SIMBA's entry-level SuperRoam10 plan. On eligible plans, China is covered as part of the APAC roaming zone, connecting through China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom.
No. SIMBA does not offer a dedicated China roaming add-on. China is covered as part of the APAC roaming data allowance on eligible SuperRoam plans. There's no separate China pass or daily rate.
Once your APAC roaming allowance is exhausted, additional data usage in China is charged at SGD $4 per GB, billed in 10 MB blocks and deducted from your SIMBA Wallet. Ensure your Wallet has sufficient credit before you travel.
No. China's internet restrictions apply regardless of which carrier or roaming plan you use. Apps including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube are blocked on mainland Chinese networks. A VPN is the standard solution — download and test it before you arrive in China, as the App Store and Google Play are also inaccessible once you're on the mainland.
Yes. Most modern iPhones and Android devices support dual SIM. You can install a TurkSIM China eSIM as a second profile, use it for all data in China, and keep your SIMBA SIM active for incoming calls, SMS, and your Singapore number. This is the most cost-effective setup for heavier data use during a China trip.
SIMBA supports 5G roaming on select partner networks. Whether 5G is available in China specifically depends on the partner operator in that country. Check the SIMBA website or My SIMBA app for the latest list of 5G roaming destinations before you travel.
Log in to the My SIMBA app and check your plan's data usage summary. The app shows your remaining APAC roaming balance and your SIMBA Wallet credit. It's worth checking both before departure, especially if you've used APAC roaming in other countries during the same billing cycle.
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