eSIM China
Best eSIM for China: 4 Providers, From $2.98
Aug
Best eSIM for China: eSIM4
eSIM4 is our pick for the best eSIM for China in 2026. Plans start at $2.98 for 1GB over 7 days. That is the lowest starting price of the 4 providers on this page.
eSIM4’s China plans run on China Unicom or China Mobile, from 1GB to unlimited data. You buy online, get your QR code by email straight away, and set it up before you fly.
- Network: China Unicom or China Mobile, with 5G on unlimited plans
- Plans: 1GB to 20GB, or unlimited data for 3 to 30 days
- Price: From $2.98, up to 59% off the regular price
- Hotspot: Allowed on every plan
- Setup: Instant email delivery and no ID check
- Calls and texts: Call and text real phone numbers with the Yabb app
China eSIM Plans Compared: 4 Providers
China eSIM prices start at $2.98 with eSIM4. Holafly starts at $3.90 for one day of unlimited data, and Airalo and Nomad start at $4.00. Prices are in USD, checked October 13, 2026.
| Provider | Network | Plans | Starting Price |
| eSIM4 (our pick) | China Unicom or China Mobile | 1GB to 20GB, or unlimited for 3 to 30 days | $2.98 |
| Airalo | China Unicom | 1GB to 50GB, or unlimited for 3 to 30 days | $4.00 |
| Holafly | China Mobile (CMCC) | Unlimited only, for 1 to 90 days | $3.90 |
| Nomad | China Unicom and China Telecom | 1GB to 50GB, or unlimited for 3 to 10 days | $4.00 |
For unlimited data, eSIM4 costs less than Airalo and Holafly at every matching length. Three days cost $9.98 with eSIM4, $11.50 with Airalo and $11.90 with Holafly.
eSIM Providers in China: eSIM4, Airalo, Holafly and Nomad
Each card below shows one provider’s network, plans and setup. All four sell prepaid plans for China.
eSIM4 China: Best Overall
eSIM4 is our top pick for China. It has the lowest starting price of the 4 providers here, $2.98 for 1GB over 7 days. Its unlimited plans also cost less than Airalo’s and Holafly’s.
Each eSIM4 China plan runs on China Unicom or China Mobile, two of China’s big networks. eSIM4 lists coverage across China.
Speed and setup:
eSIM4 lists its unlimited China plans as 5G and its GB plans as LTE. You get your QR code by email straight away, with no ID check. Your plan starts when you activate it, so you can install it at home first.
Calls, texts and top-ups:
eSIM4’s China plans are data plans with no phone number. To call or text real phone numbers, add the Yabb app. It runs over your eSIM data, so you can call your hotel or a tour guide. If you run low on data, you can recharge your eSIM online.
eSIM4 China prices (USD):
| Data | Duration | Price | Savings |
| 1 GB | 7 Days | 59% OFF | |
| 2 GB | 15 Days | 56% OFF | |
| 3 GB | 30 Days | 52% OFF | |
| 5 GB | 30 Days | 50% OFF | |
| 10 GB | 30 Days | 48% OFF | |
| 20 GB | 30 Days | 46% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 3 Days | 52% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 5 Days | 47% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 7 Days | 47% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 10 Days | 46% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 15 Days | 46% OFF | |
| Unlimited | 30 Days | 45% OFF |
Pros:
- Runs on China Unicom or China Mobile.
- Calls and texts to real numbers with the Yabb app.
- Plans from $2.98, up to 59% off the regular price.
- 24/7 customer support and instant QR code delivery.
- Hotspot allowed on every plan.
- No ID check.
Cons:
- To get calls and texts, you need to download the Yabb app.
- Unlimited slows to about 1 Mbps after 3GB a day, until midnight local time.
See our China eSIM plans here and download the Yabb App here.
Airalo
Airalo sells China eSIMs on the China Unicom network. Its China plans are data plans. They run from 1GB for 3 days at $4.00 up to 50GB for 30 days, plus unlimited data for 3 to 30 days. For the same unlimited days, eSIM4 costs less: $25.98 against Airalo’s $27.00 for 7 days.
Pros:
- China Unicom network, with 5G
- Plans from 1GB to 50GB, plus unlimited data
Cons:
- Data plans only for China
- Smallest plan lasts only 3 days
Holafly
Holafly sells only unlimited data for China, priced by the day. Plans run from 1 to 90 days on the China Mobile (CMCC) network, from $3.90 for one day. Holafly allows 1 GB of hotspot sharing a day. Its fair use policy can slow speeds for up to one day (Holafly’s China page). eSIM4’s unlimited plans cost less for the same days: $67.98 against $76.50 for 30 days.
Pros:
- Unlimited data for 1 to 90 days
- China Mobile network
Cons:
- Costs more than eSIM4 for the same unlimited days
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day
- Fair use can slow speeds for up to a day
Nomad
Nomad sells China plans on China Unicom and China Telecom, with 5G. Set plans run from 1GB for 7 days at $4.00 up to 50GB for 45 days. Unlimited plans run for 3 to 10 days. Nomad says its eSIMs support hotspot use (Nomad’s China page).
Pros:
- Plans up to 50GB for 45 days
- China Unicom and China Telecom networks
- Hotspot supported
Cons:
- Data plans only for China
- Unlimited only for 3 to 10 days
How to Use an eSIM in China
Buy your China eSIM online before you go. Install the eSIM at home, then switch it on when you land.
How eSIMs Work in China
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. You do not swap a plastic SIM card. You buy a plan online, scan a QR code, and your phone adds the eSIM profile. In China, the eSIM connects to a local network such as China Unicom or China Mobile.
Coverage in China
The China eSIMs on this page use China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom. eSIM4’s plans use China Unicom or China Mobile. Signal can be weaker in remote and mountain areas, so save maps and bookings before long trips.
Shanghai eSIM: Getting Online When You Land
Your eSIM4 China plan works in Shanghai as it does in the rest of China. Install it at home. Switch it on when you land at Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao.
- Free Wi-Fi at Pudong: You can use the free airport Wi-Fi without a Chinese SIM. Scan your passport photo page on the Wi-Fi login page (Shanghai government, April 2026).
- Backup: Use that Wi-Fi to fix your eSIM settings if the line does not connect on landing.
How to Install the eSIM and Activate It
Step 1: Buy your China eSIM
Choose your China plan on eSIM4. eSIM4 emails your QR code straight away, wherever you are.
Step 2: Install the eSIM at home
Open the email with your QR code. On iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Choose “Use QR Code” and scan the code. Do this on a stable Wi-Fi connection before you fly.
Step 3: Activate it when you land
Label the new eSIM “China Travel”. Set it as your line for Cellular Data, and turn Data Roaming on for it. Turn Data Roaming off on your home SIM. When you arrive in China, switch the eSIM line on. Your plan starts when you activate it.
Tips for Using a Dual-SIM iPhone or Pixel
- For iPhone Users: Go to Settings > Cellular. Tap Cellular Data and select your eSIM4 plan. Tap your primary (home) line and make sure Data Roaming is toggled OFF. To stop your phone from using your home data if the eSIM signal is weak, go to Cellular Data and turn OFF Allow Cellular Data Switching.
- For Google Pixel Users: Go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs. Select your eSIM4 plan and ensure Mobile data and Roaming are toggled ON. Select your primary (home) SIM and ensure Roaming is toggled OFF.
Check Compatibility Before You Buy a China eSIM
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM.
- iPhone: Apple says eSIM works on iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR or later (Apple Support).
- iPhones bought in mainland China: Apple says only iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM there. Other iPhones sold there do not support eSIM.
- Android: Many recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones support eSIM. Check our list of compatible devices.
- Quick check: Dial *#06#. If an EID number shows, your phone supports eSIM on most models. Our EID guide explains more.
How Much Data Do You Need for a Trip to China?
The data you need depends on how long you stay and how much video you watch. Pick a plan by trip length:
| Your Trip | eSIM4 Plan | Price |
| Short stay, maps and messages | 1GB, 7 days | $2.98 |
| Two weeks, light use | 2GB, 15 days | $5.98 |
| A month, light use | 3GB, 30 days | $8.98 |
| A month, normal use | 5GB, 30 days | $13.98 |
| A month, photos and video calls | 10GB, 30 days | $24.98 |
| A month, heavy use | 20GB, 30 days | $38.98 |
| Streaming, hotspot or work | Unlimited, 3 to 30 days | From $9.98 |
eSIM4 unlimited plans give full speed for the first 3GB each day, then about 1 Mbps until midnight local time. If you run out of data on a set plan, you can recharge your eSIM online.
Roaming, Local SIM Card or eSIM in China?
A travel eSIM is the easiest way to get mobile data in China. You skip the SIM counter and the ID check, and you set it up before you fly. Roaming on your home plan can cost a lot more.
How a Local SIM Card Works in China
You buy a Chinese physical SIM card after you arrive, for example at an airport counter. At Shanghai Pudong airport, travelers use a passport or other valid ID to apply for a short-term China Telecom SIM card (Shanghai government). Those counters sit in the arrivals area, so you sort it out after you land.
Why eSIM4 Is Easier
- No ID check: Buy a prepaid eSIM online, from $2.98.
- Set up at home: eSIM4 emails your QR code straight away, and you install it before you fly.
- Works on landing: Switch the line on when you arrive. Your plan starts when you activate it.
- Keep your number: Leave your home SIM on for calls and text codes, with data roaming off.
- Hotspot: Every eSIM4 plan allows it.
China Internet Restrictions: Censorship and VPN Rules
China blocks some apps and websites you may use at home.
The UK government’s travel advice says: “The Chinese authorities control internet access.” It names Google, Facebook, YouTube and X as permanently blocked, and says other websites may sometimes be blocked. People often call this the Great Firewall of China. The same page says China’s cybersecurity laws require VPNs to be licensed by the Chinese government (UK travel advice for China, checked October 16, 2026).
eSIM4’s China product pages do not mention these restrictions. Before you fly, install the apps you need, save your bookings and hotel addresses offline, and set up WeChat and Alipay.
Alipay and WeChat Pay: How to Pay in China
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly, because most payments in China go through these apps.
The UK government says cashless payments through apps such as WeChat or Alipay are almost universal. Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited (UK travel advice).
- Link your card: Foreign users can link international credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, to Alipay and WeChat Pay (China’s government portal, April 2024).
- No Chinese number: Alipay does not need a Chinese phone number to link an overseas card (Shanghai government, December 2023).
- Limits: Overseas visitors can pay up to 5,000 US dollars in one mobile payment, and up to 50,000 US dollars a year (China’s government portal).
- Set up first: Register and link your card at home, on Wi-Fi, so you can pay from your first hour in China.
How to Make Calls and Send Texts with a China eSIM
Use the Yabb app over your eSIM4 data to call and text real phone numbers. eSIM4’s China plans are data plans with no phone number, so Yabb fills that gap.
- Calls: Call landlines and mobiles around the world from the Yabb app.
- Texts: Send real SMS to any mobile number. Replies come back to the app.
- Pay as you go: Buy credit when you need it.
- Your home number: Keep your home SIM on to receive calls and text codes. Turn data roaming off on it.
Final Pick for Your Trip to China
For most trips to China, pick eSIM4. Start with 1GB for $2.98, or go unlimited from $9.98 for 3 days. Set it up at home and you are online when you land.
Frequently Asked Questions About eSIMs for China
Which is the best eSIM for China?
eSIM4 is our pick for the best eSIM for China. It has the lowest starting price of the 4 providers on this page, $2.98 for 1GB over 7 days. It runs on China Unicom or China Mobile, and every plan allows hotspot use.
Do eSIMs work in China?
Yes, travel eSIMs work in China on local networks such as China Unicom and China Mobile. Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Apple says that in mainland China, only iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone 17e and iPhone Air support eSIM, so check your model if you bought your iPhone there.
Can I use my American iPhone in China?
Yes, if it is unlocked and supports eSIM. Apple says iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later support eSIM. Install your China eSIM at home before you fly.
Can I use Google and WhatsApp in China with an eSIM?
China blocks some foreign services, and eSIM4’s China product pages do not mention these restrictions. The UK government’s travel advice names Google, Facebook, YouTube and X as permanently blocked, and says VPNs need a licence from the Chinese government. Cashless payments through WeChat and Alipay are almost universal in China.
Does a China eSIM work in Hong Kong and Macau?
eSIM4’s China product pages do not list Hong Kong or Macao, so plan on a separate eSIM for them. eSIM4 sells Hong Kong and Macao plans, and its Asia plan lists networks in China, Hong Kong and Macao, so one eSIM can cover all three. See our Hong Kong, Macau and Asia eSIM guides.
Does an eSIM work in Shanghai?
Yes, an eSIM4 China plan works in Shanghai on China Unicom or China Mobile, as it does across China. At Pudong airport, travelers without a Chinese SIM can also log in to the free Wi-Fi by scanning their passport photo page.
Do I need to register my passport for a China eSIM?
No, eSIM4 needs no ID check: you buy online and install the eSIM at home. A local SIM card is different. At Shanghai Pudong airport, you need a passport or other valid ID for a short-term China Telecom SIM.
Can I get unlimited data in China?
Yes, eSIM4 sells unlimited data for China for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days, from $9.98. You get full speed for the first 3GB each day, then about 1 Mbps until midnight local time.
Is Holafly good for China?
Holafly works in China on China Mobile and sells unlimited plans only, but eSIM4 costs less for the same days. Unlimited data costs $9.98 with eSIM4 against $11.90 with Holafly for 3 days, and $67.98 against $76.50 for 30 days. Every eSIM4 plan also allows hotspot use.
When should I install my eSIM?
Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly to China. Then activate it when you land. Your eSIM4 plan starts when you activate it, so you lose no days on the flight.
Can I make calls with a China eSIM?
Yes, through an app. eSIM4’s China plans are data plans with no phone number, so use the Yabb app to call and text real phone numbers over your data.
Do I need an eSIM for China?
You need an eSIM or another data plan if you want to be online away from Wi-Fi. In China, most payments go through phone apps such as Alipay and WeChat Pay. An eSIM gives you data from the moment you land, with no SIM counter and no ID check.
What are the downsides of an eSIM for China?
A travel eSIM gives you data, not a Chinese phone number. Your phone must also be unlocked and support eSIM, and only four iPhone models sold in mainland China support it. Use the Yabb app if you need to call or text real numbers.
Can I use my eSIM as a hotspot in China?
Yes, every eSIM4 plan allows hotspot use. Share your data with a laptop or a travel partner.
What happens if I run out of data?
You can recharge your eSIM4 China eSIM online and keep using it. You can also switch to an unlimited plan for heavy use.
