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China eSIM
A 5 GB China eSIM costs £6.99 for 30 days on China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom with 5G. Plans start at £3.99 for 100 MB. Delivered by email in seconds.
Chengdu, Xi'an and Shanghai each move at their own pace, and a China eSIM keeps you connected to all three. It runs on China Mobile, China Telecom or China Unicom, so you can use Baidu Maps, Amap and DiDi the way locals do.
- 5G and 4G
- 3 networks: China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom
- Top up anytime
- Instant email delivery
Your China eSIM in two questions
Which China eSIM plan do I need?
Start with how many days you'll be in China and how much you'll use your phone for maps, messages and rides.
- A 3-day city break in Beijing or Shanghai: 2 GB for 15 days suits standard use, such as social media, music and some video.
- A fortnight touring Chengdu, Xi'an and Guangzhou: 10 GB for 30 days suits standard use across two weeks.
- A month in Shanghai on business: 20 GB for 30 days suits standard use.
- A week that takes in Hong Kong: the China & Hong Kong eSIM covers both places. For a week of standard use in China, pick 5 GB for 30 days.
Most plans can be topped up, and for a long stay the longest plan is 50 GB for 180 days.
All 53 China eSIM plans
Prices include any taxes. Price per GB shown so you can compare at a glance.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB | Top-up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB · 7 days | £3.99 / €3.99 / $3.99 | No limit | Choose | ||
| 500 MB · 7 days | £3.99 / €3.99 / $3.99 | No limit | Choose | ||
| 1 GB · 7 days | £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99 | £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99 | Choose | ||
| 2 GB · 15 days | £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99 | £2.00 / €2.50 / $2.50 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 15 days | £4.99 / €5.99 / $5.99 | £1.66 / €2.00 / $2.00 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 30 days | £4.99 / €5.99 / $6.99 | £1.66 / €2.00 / $2.33 | Choose | ||
| 5 GB · 30 days | £6.99 / €8.99 / $9.99 | £1.40 / €1.80 / $2.00 | Choose | ||
| 10 GB · 30 days | £13.99 / €16.99 / $17.99 | £1.40 / €1.70 / $1.80 | Choose | ||
| 20 GB · 30 days | £23.99 / €28.99 / $30.99 | £1.20 / €1.45 / $1.55 | Choose | ||
| 50 GB · 30 days | £57.99 / €68.99 / $74.99 | £1.16 / €1.38 / $1.50 | Choose | ||
| 50 GB · 180 days | £72.99 / €87.99 / $94.99 | £1.46 / €1.76 / $1.90 | Choose |
Networks your China eSIM uses
Your eSIM joins the strongest of these local networks automatically, wherever you are in China.
| Country | Networks | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| China | China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom | 5G |
Good to know
- Data only: your own number keeps working for calls and texts
- Hotspot works where your phone and the network allow it
- Plans start when you first connect; install within 180 days
- Your data routes through Hong Kong, so some sites may show that country
- Top up the same eSIM any time, no new QR code
Travelling further?
These eSIMs cover China and more countries on one plan.
Will my eSIM have signal in China?
Your eSIM joins China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom, so it can use three of the country's main networks. Your phone picks one by itself, and 5G is there where the network offers it. Cities and high-speed rail routes are well covered, while signal thins out in remote western and mountain areas, so plan ahead if you're heading there.
Your data reaches the internet through Hong Kong, a normal setup for travel eSIMs, and the IP address help page explains how. Daily plans slow to 384 Kbps once the day's allowance is used up.
How much data do you need in China?
Light: maps, messages, email (about 0.25 GB a day). Standard: plus social, music, some video (about 0.7 GB a day). Heavy: plus streaming, video calls, hotspot (about 1.8 GB a day).
3 days
- Light · about 800 MB1 GB · 7 days · £3.99 / €3.99 / $4.99
- Standard · about 2 GB2 GB · 15 days · £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99
- Heavy · about 5 GB1 GB a day · 7 days · £7.49 / €8.49 / $9.49
7 days
- Light · about 2 GB2 GB · 15 days · £3.99 / €4.99 / $4.99
- Standard · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 10 days · £5.99 / €6.99 / $7.99
- Heavy · about 13 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £9.99 / €11.99 / $12.99
14 days
- Light · about 4 GB5 GB · 30 days · £6.99 / €8.99 / $9.99
- Standard · about 10 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £9.99 / €11.99 / $12.99
- Heavy · about 25 GB2 GB a day · 15 days · £16.99 / €20.49 / $22.49
30 days
- Light · about 8 GB10 GB · 30 days · £13.99 / €16.99 / $17.99
- Standard · about 21 GB1 GB a day · 30 days · £18.49 / €22.49 / $23.99
- Heavy · about 54 GB2 GB a day · 30 days · £33.99 / €40.49 / $43.99
How to set up your China eSIM
Install at home
On Wi-Fi, tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+), scan the QR code, or type the two codes from your email.
Switch on when you land
Turn on your eSIM line, choose it for mobile data and switch Data Roaming on for that line.
You're online
Your phone joins China Mobile and your plan starts. Check data left on your eSIM page.
Using your phone in China: data tips
- Land and switch on: Touch down at Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong or Guangzhou Baiyun, then switch your eSIM line on and turn on data roaming for it. Install it at home on Wi-Fi first, so arrivals is just a switch.
- Getting around: Google Maps is unreliable here, so locals use Baidu Maps and Amap (Gaode) for walking, driving and transit directions. Book rides with DiDi.
- Blocked apps: Google services, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter) are blocked here. On most China plans your data routes through Hong Kong, so Google, Gmail, WhatsApp and Instagram open as they do at home. Sign in to the apps you need before you arrive.
- Staying in touch: Locals chat on WeChat, so ask your contacts for it before you land. Your home number stays on for calls and texts, and you can keep WhatsApp and your home number working too.
- Data: Standard use, with social media, music and some video, is about 0.7 GB a day. Most plans can be topped up.
China eSIM questions
How much is an eSIM for China?
China eSIMs start at £3.99 for 100 MB over 7 days. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £6.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.
Which networks does the China eSIM use?
Your eSIM connects to China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom in China, with 5G where the network has it. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically.
When does my China eSIM start?
Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in China, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.
Can I top up my China eSIM?
Yes. Most China plans can be topped up from your eSIM page in two taps, with no new QR code. The plan table on this page shows which ones.
Why does my IP address show another country?
China plans route your data through Hong Kong, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. Websites and apps may show that country's content; your speed and coverage in China are not affected.
Does it come with a phone number?
Every eSIMology plan is data only. Keep your own SIM switched on for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over your eSIM's data.
What if my plans change?
Cancel an eSIM you haven't installed within 30 days for a full refund to your card, in two taps from your eSIM page.
Is there 5G in China?
Yes. China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom all run 5G networks, and your eSIM can connect to them. Your phone's status bar shows 5G when it's on one, so you can check it yourself.
Can I use WhatsApp and Instagram in China?
On most China plans, your data routes through Hong Kong, so WhatsApp and Instagram open as they do at home, with no extra app to install. Still, sign in before you leave, as some foreign apps can be restricted.
Does Google Maps work in China?
Google Maps can be unreliable in China, so locals use Baidu Maps and Amap (Gaode) for walking, driving and transit directions. Download one of them before your trip to Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu, and check it loads on your eSIM.
Which ride app should I use in Beijing?
DiDi is the ride app to book in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Install it and set up your account before you land, so you can book your first ride without fuss.
Which eSIM covers China and Hong Kong?
The China & Hong Kong eSIM covers both places on one plan, so you won't need to swap SIMs when you cross the border. If Macau is on your route, pick China, Hong Kong & Macau instead.
Do I need WeChat to message people in China?
WeChat is the local messaging app in China, so that's where locals will reply. Install it at home and sign in before you fly, so you're not hunting for it on the way.
Ready for China?
Buy now, install today, and your plan waits until you land. Full refund if not installed.