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Illustration of the Great Wall of China winding over misty mountains at sunrise, with a watchtower and red lanterns
China · Prepaid data eSIM

China eSIMInstant 5G/4G travel data, delivered by email

Prepaid travel data for China. Scan the QR code, land in China and you are online on China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom — no SIM swap, no airport queue, no roaming bill from your home carrier.

Plans from $0.90 · 35 China plans + multi-country

See China plans How it works
  • QR code by email in minutes
  • China Mobile · China Unicom · China Telecom
  • Keep your WhatsApp & number
Choose by trip length

Which China eSIM do I need?

Most travelers use 1–3 GB a week for maps, messaging and social media. Pick a plan for your trip — you can top up later on refillable plans.

All plans · prices in USD

China eSIM plans & prices

One-time prices, no subscription. Every plan is delivered instantly by email and starts when you first connect in China.

7-day plans

Valid 7 days from first connection · 4 plans
100 MB
7 days
China 100MB 7Days
5GTop-up
$0.90Buy now
500 MB
7 days
China 500MB 7Days
5GTop-up
$1.10Buy now
1 GB
7 days
China 1GB 7Days
5GTop-up
$1.70Buy now
1 GB
7 days
China 1GB 7Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$2.32Buy now

15-day plans

Valid 15 days from first connection · 2 plans
3 GB
15 days
China 3GB 15Days
5GTop-up
$4.10Buy now
3 GB
15 days
China 3GB 15Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$5.14Buy now

30-day plans

Valid 30 days from first connection · 11 plans
3 GB
30 days
China 3GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$4.20Buy now
3 GB
30 days
China 3GB 30Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$5.58Buy now
5 GB
30 days
China 5GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$6.22Buy now
5 GB
30 days
China 5GB 30Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$7.34Buy now
10 GB
30 days
China 10GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$12.00Buy now
10 GB
30 days
China 10GB 30Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$13.86Buy now
20 GB
30 days
China 20GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$20.80Buy now
20 GB
30 days
China 20GB 30Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$27.92Buy now
30 GB
30 days
China 30GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$132.30Buy now
50 GB
30 days
China 50GB 30Days
5GTop-up
$50.30Buy now
50 GB
30 days
China 50GB 30Days
5GTop-upNon-HK IP
$57.50Buy now

180-day plans

Valid 180 days from first connection · 1 plan
50 GB
180 days
China 50GB 180Days
5GTop-up
$64.30Buy now
Online in 4 steps

How a China eSIM works

No shop, no plastic SIM and no passport copy — the whole process takes about five minutes.

Choose your plan

Pick the data and validity that fit your trip. Check your phone supports eSIM.

Pay securely

Verify your email and pay with PayPal. Prices are final, in USD.

Get your QR code

Your eSIM QR code arrives by email in minutes and is saved on the My eSIM page.

Land & connect

Scan the QR before you fly, then turn on the eSIM and data roaming when you arrive.

Tip: install the eSIM while you still have Wi-Fi, and turn on Data Roaming for the eSIM line after landing in China. Roaming is included in the price — there are no extra charges.

Coverage & networks

Stay connected across China

From the Great Wall and the hutongs of Beijing to the Bund in Shanghai and the terracotta warriors of Xi’an, getting around China depends on mobile data: you pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay, book trains on Trip.com and hail a DiDi. A China eSIM connects you to China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom when you land, and because the data is routed through Hong Kong or Singapore, Google, WhatsApp and Instagram normally work without a separate VPN app.

China Mobile China Unicom China Telecom

Popular places covered

  • Beijing
  • Shanghai
  • Xi’an
  • Chengdu
  • Guilin
  • Hangzhou
  • Shenzhen
  • Guangzhou
  • Zhangjiajie
  • Chongqing

Coverage follows the local partner networks: excellent in cities, towns and along main travel routes; remote mountains, jungle and open sea can have weak or no signal, as with any local SIM.

What travelers use data for in China

  • PaymentsAlipay and WeChat Pay with your foreign card — cash is rarely used
  • Trainshigh-speed rail tickets and hotel bookings on Trip.com
  • NavigationAmap or Apple Maps — Google Maps data in China is often out of date
  • MessagingWeChat with locals, WhatsApp and email with home
  • Translationcamera translation for menus and signs
Plan details

China eSIM: key facts

Everything you need to know before you buy, in one place.

Works on eSIM phones

  • iPhone XS, XR and newer (incl. SE 2nd gen+)
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Z Fold / Z Flip
  • Google Pixel 3 and newer, plus many Oppo, Xiaomi and Motorola models

Quick check

Dial *#06# — if your phone shows an EID, it supports eSIM. It also needs to be carrier-unlocked. iPhones bought in mainland China generally do not support eSIM.

China eSIM at a glance

Product
Prepaid, data-only travel eSIM for China
Mobile networks
China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom
Network speed
5G where available, 4G/LTE elsewhere (5G in major cities, 4G LTE across most of mainland China)
Plans
35 China plans + 71 multi-country plans that include China
Validity options
24 hours, 7 days, 15 days, 30 days, 180 days
Price range
$0.90 – $132.30 USD, one-time payment
Delivery
QR code by email right after payment, also available on the My eSIM page
Activation
Validity starts on first connection to a network in China
Top-ups
Available on plans marked Top-up
Phone number
Not included — data only; calls via WhatsApp, LINE, FaceTime, etc.
Payment
Secure checkout with PayPal, prices in USD
Support
By email or the contact form on the Help page — replies within 24 hours
Why China eSIM

Simple, safe and affordable

Why are we affordable?

Unlike airport kiosks or travel agencies, everything is automated: your eSIM QR code is emailed the moment you pay, and there are no shops, rental devices or airport counters to pay for. The price you see is the full price, paid once.

Why is it safe?

We only sell data-only travel eSIMs that need no personal registration or ID copies. Payment runs through PayPal, so we never see your card details.

Run out of data?

Plans marked Top-up can be refilled from the My eSIM page at any time. Each top-up adds data (and validity) to the eSIM you already installed — no new QR code needed.

Is it fast?

Each eSIM runs on the country’s leading carriers at the 4G/5G speeds listed on each plan. 24-hour passes slow to a reduced speed once the daily allowance is used.

Plan your trip

China travel guides

Practical tips on where to go, getting around, money and staying connected in China.

eSIM & connectivity

China eSIM: The Complete 2026 Guide for Travelers

Everything you need to know about a China eSIM: phone compatibility, China Mobile, Unicom and Telecom coverage, why you usually need no VPN, how much data to buy and quick fixes.

Read guide Destination guide

Google, WhatsApp and Instagram in China: How a Travel eSIM Helps

Which apps are blocked in China, why a roaming eSIM routed through Hong Kong or Singapore usually reaches them without a VPN, and what still will not work on hotel Wi-Fi.

Read guide eSIM & connectivity

How Much Mobile Data Do You Need for a China Trip?

Data estimates for traveling in China, where payments, maps, rides and translation all run through apps — with plan sizes for one, two and three-week trips.

Read guide eSIM & connectivity

Arriving in China: Getting Online at Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen

How to get online the moment you land in China, why airport Wi-Fi can be hard to use, and how to get into the city from Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen airports.

Read guide eSIM & connectivity

Essential Apps for China: Alipay, WeChat, DiDi, Amap and Trip.com

The apps every visitor to China needs — Alipay and WeChat Pay with a foreign card, DiDi for rides, Amap or Apple Maps for directions, Trip.com for trains — and how to set them up before you go.

Read guide

All 5 China guides

FAQ

China eSIM questions, answered

Do I need a VPN with the China eSIM?

Usually not. China eSIM plans route your data through Hong Kong or Singapore (the IP location is shown on each plan page), so Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services that are blocked on local Chinese networks are normally reachable without a VPN app. Hotel and café Wi-Fi in China is still filtered.

Which networks does the China eSIM use?

Depending on the plan, the China eSIM uses China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom — the three national networks — with 5G in major cities and 4G LTE across most of the country. Each plan page lists its network and IP location.

Does it work in Hong Kong and Macau?

China plans cover mainland China only. For Hong Kong, use a Hong Kong eSIM, or choose a multi-country plan that lists Hong Kong or Macau.

What is a China eSIM and how does it work?

A China eSIM is a digital SIM profile that adds a prepaid mobile data plan to your phone without a plastic SIM card. You buy a plan online, receive a QR code by email, scan it in your phone settings, and your phone connects to China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom in China. Your regular SIM stays in the phone.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most phones from 2019 onwards support eSIM, including iPhone XS/XR and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer (plus Z Fold/Z Flip), and Google Pixel 3 and newer. Your phone must also be carrier-unlocked. Quick check: dial *#06# — if an EID number is shown, your phone supports eSIM.

When should I install the eSIM, and when does my plan start?

Install it at home or at the airport while you have Wi-Fi — installation needs an internet connection. The validity period starts when the eSIM first connects to a supported network in China, not when you install it, so installing a few days early does not waste any days.

Do I need to turn on data roaming?

Yes. Switch on Data Roaming for the eSIM line (Settings › Cellular/Mobile › your eSIM). A travel eSIM connects to local China networks as a visiting line, so the phone needs roaming on for it. It costs nothing extra: the data comes from your prepaid plan. Keep data roaming off on your home SIM, and your home carrier has nothing to charge you for.

Does the eSIM include a phone number, calls or SMS?

No — it is a data-only eSIM. Use WhatsApp, LINE, FaceTime, Messenger or other apps for calls and messages. Your home SIM can stay active alongside it for SMS verification codes.

Can I top up if I run out of data?

Yes, on plans marked Top-up. Open the My eSIM page, log in with your email and add more data to the same eSIM — no need to install a new QR code.

What if the eSIM does not work or I change my plans?

Most connection issues are solved by turning on data roaming for the eSIM line and restarting the phone. If it still does not connect, contact support with your order email — we reply within 24 hours, and if a problem on our side cannot be fixed we replace the eSIM or refund it in full. A change of plans is not a reason for a refund: once the QR code is emailed, the eSIM is issued to you and cannot be cancelled, so please check your dates and your phone before you buy.

Ready for China?

Get your China eSIM now and land connected — QR code in your inbox in minutes.

Choose a planAsk a question

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