China is a country you want to arrive in prepared. Shanghai's metro, a high-speed train to Beijing, a hotpot table in Chengdu, a taxi driver who only reads Chinese characters: your phone does a lot of the heavy lifting. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data on a local network from the moment you land at Pudong, without hunting for a SIM shop. Here is what to know, honestly, before you go.
How the data is routed, and what we can and can't promise
Our China plan runs on China Mobile. According to our supplier, the plan's data is routed out through Hong Kong or Singapore. This is how travel eSIMs commonly work in China, and it is the reason many travellers find they can keep using their usual apps on this kind of plan.
We want to be straight with you: we have not tested every app ourselves, and routing like this can change without notice. So treat it as a good chance, not a guarantee, and prepare a backup before you leave home.
Coverage on the ground
China Mobile is a large national network, and coverage is strongest in the cities: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi'an. On a long train ride through the countryside or deep in a mountain area, expect the signal to come and go, as it would anywhere.
How much data does a China trip need?
A week or so in Shanghai and Beijing with maps, messages, translation and a few photos sent home fits well in 3GB; our 3GB plan for 15 days is $5. Camera translation for menus and street signs is worth the data, and it doesn't use much.
Working on the road, uploading video from the Great Wall or staying a few weeks for business? 10GB for 30 days is $14.5, and there's a longer plan if you're staying months rather than weeks.
Landing checklist (60 seconds)
Turn the travel line on, set Mobile Data to it, and switch Data Roaming off on your home SIM. Open your offline map to make sure it's there, send a quick message home, and head for the metro.
Boarding passes for China
Live prices in USD, all fees included.
CN · Nationwide
1GB
7 days · best entry price
$2.50
CN · Nationwide
2GB
15 days
$4.00
CN · Nationwide
3GB
15 days
$5.00
CN · Nationwide
3GB
30 days
$5.00
CN · Nationwide
5GB
30 days
$7.50
CN · Nationwide
10GB
30 days
$14.50
Quick answers
Will WhatsApp and Google work on this eSIM in China?
According to our supplier, the data is routed through Hong Kong or Singapore, which is how travellers commonly keep using their usual apps. We haven't tested every app and this can change, so please download offline maps and keep hotel Wi-Fi as a backup.
Does the China eSIM give me a Chinese phone number?
No. It's a data-only plan, with no local number and no calls. Keep your home SIM active for calls.
When does the plan start counting?
When the eSIM first connects to a network in China, not when you buy it. Install it before you fly, on Wi-Fi.
Does it cover Hong Kong or Macau too?
No. This plan is for mainland China only. If your trip continues to Hong Kong or Macau, you will need a separate plan for those.
New to eSIM? Read the installation guide and check your phone on the compatibility page.