China eSIM: Prepaid 5G Data Plans
Get connected as soon as you land: high-speed data in China via China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile. Activate instantly with the QR code in minutes, no physical SIM required.
Choose your China eSIM plan
Not sure how many GB you need? Use the data calculator →Traveling to multiple countries? Regional shared package
A single eSIM covering multiple countries, including China: no need to switch plans when crossing borders.
Choose the right plan in 30 seconds
Quick comparison of the most popular China eSIM plans
Mobile network in China
- Carrier
- China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile
- Network
- 5G in covered areas, 4G elsewhere
- Daily plans, after the cap
- 384 Kbps – 1 Mbps depending on plan tier
- Unlimited
- Yes, from Rp19,000/day
Guide for your China trip
Estimate how much data you need for your trip → Check if your phone supports eSIM →
Using mobile data in China: local tips
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay first. Both let visitors link an international Visa or Mastercard and pay by QR code without a Chinese bank account: install and set them up before you fly.
- Maps that work. Apple Maps in mainland China runs on Amap data, and the AMap Global app adds English bus, metro and taxi information.
- Ride-hailing in English. DiDi’s app has an English interface, accepts international bank cards and translates chat with drivers between English and Chinese.
- Train tickets need verification. Book trains on China Railway’s official 12306 platform in English. Your passport must pass real-name verification, online or at a station, before you can buy.
- Blocked services. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are blocked on mainland Chinese networks. Whether they work on a travel eSIM depends on how the plan routes data: contact us before buying if you rely on them.
- 5G reaches towns across China. China reports almost 5 million 5G base stations, with 5G in every town and along major rail and highway corridors. Coverage is much sparser in remote regions such as Tibet: download offline maps.
Checked against official sources in September 2026. Services and coverage change: check the app or operator before you travel.
FAQ
Chinese airport Wi-Fi usually sends a login code by SMS to a Chinese number, so visitors use their passport instead. At Beijing Capital, join AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI-NEW and insert your passport into a Wi-Fi dispenser to print a username and password valid for five hours. Shanghai's airports offer a Passport Identification Login on the free Wi-Fi page, where you capture your passport details with your phone camera.
Yes. Shanghai's Pudong and Hongqiao airports have 14 designated points selling SIM cards and data packages, and Beijing's Capital and Daxing airports have SIM vending machines and staffed counters. If you buy from a China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom or China Broadnet store in the city, bring your passport for real-name registration. Beijing's official guide notes that China uses physical SIM cards, so check your phone still has a SIM tray.
Yes. In April 2025 the Shanghai Communications Administration announced that 5G covers the whole metro network: all 21 lines, 517 stations and 896 km. Its tests found average download speeds above 600 Mbps in stations and tunnels. Whether you see 5G or 4G depends on your phone and plan, but you can keep checking maps and messages between stops.
Yes. Install your eSIM before departure; once you land, simply enable data roaming to connect instantly at the airport.
Most iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later support eSIM. You can check in your device’s Settings.
For most plans, validity starts from the first time your eSIM connects to a network at your destination. You can safely install it at home before flying. Exact details for each plan are clearly stated on its product page.
Most plans allow topping up data or extending validity: supported plans are clearly marked on the plan card and on the product page. You can also purchase a new plan anytime; the QR code is emailed to you within minutes.
eSIM plans for China connect via China Unicom, China Telecom, China Mobile. Your device automatically selects the strongest local network; 5G is available where supported by the carrier, otherwise 4G/LTE applies. The specific carrier for each plan is listed on its detail page.
High-speed data is prioritized; after your daily allowance is used, speeds are reduced but remain sufficient for messaging, maps, and social media. You’ll never lose connectivity.
This data eSIM doesn’t include a phone number. You can still make calls and send messages normally using apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Messenger.
Nearby destinations
View all destinations →
Hong Kong SAR China
From Rp47,000
Macao SAR China
From Rp38,000
Mongolia
From Rp150,000
Laos
From Rp66,000
Daily plans nearby: Hong Kong SAR China · Macao SAR China · Mongolia · Laos