eSIM For U

eSIM China

5G · China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom

Good to know

Starts when you first connect

Top-up available

7 days

15 days

30 days

180 days

Good to know

Starts when you first connect

Top-up available

Before you go

China eSIM: what to expect.

Plans for China range from 1 to 50 GB and 7 to 180 days, plus day plans with a fixed daily allowance. You pay once. No contract, no roaming bill.

Networks and speed

  • NetworksChina Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom
  • SpeedUp to 5G on all three networks. Where there is no 5G, you connect over 4G/LTE.
  • Internet runs viaHong Kong SAR ChinaDepending on the plan. Banking or streaming apps may treat you as being there.

Which plan for your trip

Our pick · 1 week5 GB · 30 days$13.29About 0.7 GB a day: enough for maps, messages, social media and some video.Choose this planOur pick · 2 weeks10 GB · 30 days$17.99About 0.7 GB a day: enough for maps, messages, social media and some video.Choose this plan

Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for $8.39: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 384 Kbps until the next day.

Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for China.

Tips for China

  • Many foreign apps and websites are blocked on local Chinese networks. We cannot promise which apps work in China, so download offline maps and a translation pack before you go.
  • Shops expect Alipay or WeChat Pay, and both now accept many foreign cards. Set them up before you travel.
  • Hong Kong and Macao are not covered by China plans. For all three, see our regional plans.
Travel guideInternet in China for tourists

Questions

Which networks does the China eSIM use?

China Mobile (5G), China Telecom (5G) and China Unicom (5G). Which one your phone uses depends on the plan and on where you are.

Does the China eSIM work on 5G?

Yes, 5G on China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. Your phone needs to support 5G; where there is no 5G signal, it uses 4G/LTE.

Will my phone work with the China eSIM?

Yes, if your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to one carrier. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards do, as do recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models. Check yours in our list of eSIM phones.

Does the China eSIM come with a phone number?

No. It is data only: no phone number, no calls or SMS. Your own SIM stays in your phone, so WhatsApp and iMessage keep working with your usual number.

How much data do I need for a week in China?

About 0.7 GB a day covers maps, messages, social media and some video, so around 5 GB for a week. Our pick for one week: 5 GB · 30 days for $13.29.

What is the cheapest China eSIM?

1 GB · 7 days for $3.69 is the lowest-priced plan. The lowest price per GB is 50 GB · 30 days at $0.79 per GB. A single day with 0.49 GB costs $2.29.

How long is the China eSIM valid?

Plans run for 7, 15, 30 or 180 days. Day plans can be booked for 1 to 30 days.

When does my plan start?

When your phone first connects to a network in China, not when you buy or install the eSIM. So you can install it at home before you travel.

Is there an unlimited China eSIM?

Not at full speed. Day plans come closest: up to 10 GB a day at full speed, then 384 Kbps until the next day.

Can I use the China eSIM as a hotspot?

Yes, your phone can share the connection with a laptop or a second phone. Everything you share counts against your plan. Whether a network limits sharing depends on the plan, so ask us before you buy if it matters. More in our hotspot guide.

Can I top up my China eSIM?

Yes, on plans marked “Top-up possible”: add data under My eSIMs while the plan is still valid. No new eSIM needed.

What happens when I use up my daily data?

On day plans you get full speed up to the daily allowance. After that, the speed drops to between 384 Kbps and 1 Mbps, depending on the plan, until the next day.

Why do some apps think I am in Hong Kong SAR China?

Depending on the plan, your connection runs via Hong Kong SAR China. Websites and apps, such as banking or streaming services, may then treat you as being there.

Can I get a refund?

eSIM purchases are final. If something isn’t right, write to us in Help and we’ll take care of it.

Travelling on?