eSIM in China: which plan to choose in 2026?

The best eSIM for China, compared for you: price, data, coverage and activation.

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See the plans Updated in août 2026 • 26 plans available

Compare eSIM plans for China: data, duration, prices and operators. Find the best offer and activate it now.

What are the best eSIM plans in China?

Each provider's best plan for this country, with the real price.

Provider	Data	Duration	Price	Price/GB
Saily ★ 4.7 · Review	20 GB	30 days	$37.10	$1.86	View →
Ubigi ★ 4.4 · Review	20 GB	30 days	$45.13	$2.26	View →
Holafly ★ 4.6 · Review	Unlimited	5 days	$19.05	—	View →
YesSim ★ 4.3 · Review	10 GB	30 days	$28.08	$2.81	View →
DrimSim ★ 4.1 · Review	5 GB	30 days	$15.70	$3.14	View →

Cheap eSIMs in China

A comparison of the cheapest plans, all providers combined.

Provider	Data	Duration	Price	Price/GB
Saily	1 GB	7 days	$4.01	$4.01
DrimSim	1 GB	7 days	$4.98	$4.98
Ubigi	500 MB	30 days	$5.01	$10.03
YesSim	1 GB	7 days	$6.02	$6.02
Ubigi	1 GB	30 days	$7.02	$7.02
Saily	3 GB	15 days	$9.03	$3.01

Guide expert

Finding the best China eSIM plan is not just about choosing the largest data allowance. In mainland China, the network used, access to Western apps, activation date and the ability to share your connection matter just as much. This guide helps you choose, install and use your eSIM methodically, from landing in Beijing to more remote destinations.

How does an eSIM work in China, and is my phone compatible?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your smartphone: it replaces the small plastic card tray with a mobile profile downloaded onto the device. After purchase, the provider generally sends you a QR code, an activation code or access through its app. You install this profile over Wi-Fi, select the eSIM line for mobile data, and your phone connects to a partner network as soon as you arrive in China. You can therefore buy and install it before departure, avoiding reliance on airport Wi-Fi or a website that may be difficult to access once you are there.

Compared with a physical SIM, an eSIM is primarily more convenient: there is no need to open the phone tray, find a shop or risk losing your French card. On a Dual SIM-compatible device, you can keep your usual SIM for calls and text messages while assigning mobile data to your travel eSIM. However, most tourist eSIMs for China are data-only plans: they provide Internet access but no Chinese number, traditional mobile calls or local SMS.

A travel eSIM is not necessarily an eSIM sold by a Chinese operator to a resident. It usually works through an international roaming agreement with China Unicom, China Mobile or China Telecom. This arrangement explains several important differences: available network, access to foreign services, IP address used and whether tethering is allowed. Read the plan’s technical details rather than just its name: “China” should mean mainland China, not only Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.

iPhone: iPhone XR/XS models and later generations support eSIM in many regions. However, check the exact model: some iPhones sold in mainland China have a different configuration, often designed for dual nano-SIMs.
Samsung Galaxy: Recent models in the Galaxy S, Z Fold and Z Flip ranges, as well as some Galaxy A models, are compatible. The feature may vary depending on the sales country and exact model number.
Google Pixel: Recent Pixel phones generally support eSIM. On some imported or carrier-linked devices, a software restriction may remain.
Other brands: Xiaomi, Motorola, Oppo, Honor and Huawei offer eSIM on selected models only. Check your settings and the manufacturer’s specifications, not just a generic online list.
Unlocked phone: Your device must not be locked to a carrier. A phone still locked to a French operator may reject a foreign profile.
Quick check: Look for “Add eSIM” or “Add mobile plan” in the settings. The **\*#06#** code may also display an EID, an identifier generally found on an eSIM-compatible device.

Which eSIM should you choose for reliable 4G or 5G coverage in China?

For reliable coverage, choose an eSIM that clearly identifies its partner network or networks in mainland China, ideally with automatic selection from several networks. China Mobile has the widest geographical footprint, China Unicom is very often used by international plans and China Telecom is also available depending on the agreements. None of these names alone guarantees the same experience: eSIM routing, the bands supported by your phone and local congestion all affect actual performance.

In major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xi’an or Hangzhou, a good eSIM generally provides very comfortable 4G, and sometimes 5G appears in the settings. For checking maps, booking a train, sending photos or using instant translation, 4G is more than sufficient. 5G can speed up downloads and video calls, but it should not be your first criterion: stable 4G is better than advertised but intermittent 5G.

The situation becomes more variable outside major urban areas. Along railway routes, in tourist cities and around busy attractions, you will often find a decent connection, with possible interruptions in tunnels and mountainous areas. In Tibet, parts of Xinjiang, Qinghai, mountainous Yunnan, Inner Mongolia or rural regions, terrain, remoteness and sometimes local regulations may reduce coverage. Always download offline maps and your bookings before a long journey.

Do not rely on theoretical speeds. Depending on the time, neighborhood, building and partner network, you may go from very smooth browsing to slower speeds in a shopping mall, railway station or crowded trade-show venue. For a business trip, choose a provider that allows hotspot use, offers responsive support and, if possible, provides network switching. For a multi-stop trip, multi-network coverage is often more useful than a plan promising only 5G.

Major cities and business districtsVery reliable 4G and 5G often available in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Chengdu.

Tourist sites, secondary cities and major routesGenerally good connection, with variations in stations, tunnels, historic buildings and long-distance journeys.

Rural areas, high plateaus and mountainous terrainSignal may be weak or intermittent in some areas of Tibet, Qinghai, Xinjiang and mountainous Yunnan.

Check the partner network listed in the terms, as well as whether manual network selection is possible if automatic selection performs poorly.
Never confuse “Asia” with mainland China: Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are frequently treated as separate destinations.
Prepare Google Maps offline, Maps.me or the maps built into your travel app before entering mountainous areas or taking an overnight train.
If the signal is weak, try airplane mode for thirty seconds, restart your phone and then test another network authorized by your provider.
For critical use, keep a backup option: hotel Wi-Fi, a second eSIM, screenshots of addresses in Chinese and saved contacts.

Should you choose a China-only eSIM or a regional Asia plan?

A dedicated mainland China eSIM is generally the best choice if your trip takes place entirely between Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin or Guangzhou. It is often easier to compare, may offer more data for your budget and prevents you from paying for coverage you will not use. Nevertheless, check whether the plan also covers Macao or Hong Kong: these territories have separate networks, entry rules and Internet access.

A regional Asia plan is a smarter option if your itinerary includes several destinations, for example Hong Kong – Shenzhen – Macao, or Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Singapore and China during the same trip. You avoid reinstalling a profile at every border and keep your apps, settings and sometimes your data allowance. In return, the price per gigabyte may be less competitive and partner networks vary from country to country.

Focus especially on the country-by-country list, because the word “regional” can conceal important exclusions. An Asia eSIM covering Hong Kong and Japan does not necessarily include mainland China. Conversely, a China plan may work through roaming in Hong Kong without including Macao. If you cross the land border at Lo Wu, Futian or Zhuhai, anticipate the change rather than waiting to lose service.

Choose a national eSIM for a trip exclusively in mainland China and better control of your data allowance.
Opt for a regional eSIM for at least two countries or territories, especially on an itinerary including Hong Kong, Macao, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam or Thailand.
Check coverage for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan separately: they are not automatically included with China.
Check the validity rule: some regional plans start as soon as the first network is detected in any covered country.

What do recent reviews reveal about travel eSIMs in China?

Traveler feedback is generally positive when the eSIM has been installed before departure and the provider clearly states that mainland China is covered. Users appreciate leaving the plane with a connection without having to find a shop, keeping their French card in the phone and being able to purchase additional data through an app. This simplicity is especially valuable after a long flight or a late arrival in an unfamiliar city.

Disappointments most often result from an overlooked detail: the profile is installed but data roaming is disabled, the phone is locked, the plan was activated too early or the partner network is unavailable in a particular area. Some travelers also expect an eSIM to provide a local number and traditional calls, while many plans are mobile data-only. Conditions regarding hotspot use, fair-use policies for unlimited plans and foreign traffic handling should be read before payment.

Access to Western apps also causes considerable confusion. An international eSIM using roaming may sometimes route traffic through a third country and provide access to services usually blocked in China, but this is neither universal nor something to assume. A connection that works today may change depending on routing, the network and local rules. Keep alternatives installed and do not choose a plan solely because of a vague “VPN included” promise.

Recurring positives: fast installation, a connection available on arrival and the ability to keep your French SIM.
Network caution: quality depends on the city, partner network, phone model and user density.
Unlimited-plan caution: check whether speeds are reduced, hotspot use is limited or a fair-use policy applies.
Support caution: prioritize assistance available by email or chat outside apps that may potentially be blocked.

How do you buy, install and activate your eSIM for China?

Install the profile at home or at your hotel before departure, then activate travel data only when specified in the plan’s terms. This ten-minute preparation prevents most arrival-related issues.

1
Check compatibility
Confirm that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. Also check that it can use two lines simultaneously if you want to keep your French SIM active. Install system updates before traveling: an outdated version can make adding the profile more difficult.
2
Buy and receive the QR code before departure
Choose the volume, duration and coverage area you actually need, then keep the QR code, manual code and instructions in your offline files. Never share this QR code: it is often for one-time use. Check the validity start date, as some plans begin upon installation while others start only when first connecting to a Chinese network.
3
Install the profile on iPhone and Android
On iPhone, open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM, then choose “Use QR Code” or manual entry. On Android, the path is often Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add eSIM, or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM on Samsung. Labels vary slightly: follow the setup assistant without deleting your primary line.
4
Activate on arrival and configure the APN
On arrival, activate the eSIM line, set it as your mobile data line and enable data roaming for this eSIM if required by the provider. Disable data on your French line to avoid roaming charges. The APN is often configured automatically; if requested, enter exactly the one supplied by the provider, without adding spaces.
5
Troubleshoot if Internet does not start
First check that the eSIM is active, assigned to mobile data and that roaming is authorized on this line. Turn on airplane mode for thirty seconds, restart the phone and then try automatic or manual network selection if permitted by the instructions. If the problem persists, send support screenshots of your settings, your phone model and your location; do not delete the profile before receiving their reply, as it may not be reinstallable.

Can I keep my number, make calls and share my connection with a China eSIM?

Yes, you can keep your French number while using a China eSIM for Internet, provided your phone supports two active lines. In the settings, leave your French SIM active for calls and SMS if necessary, but be sure to disable its mobile data and roaming. Note that receiving an SMS may be included depending on your French operator, while receiving or making calls abroad may incur charges. Check your plan before departure, especially for banking or two-factor authentication codes.

Most travel eSIMs are data-only. They therefore do not provide a Chinese number for calling a taxi or receiving local SMS. However, WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, FaceTime Audio, Skype or calls through WeChat use data: your WhatsApp account will normally continue to display your usual number, without changing cards. The availability of certain apps and their calls nevertheless depends on the connection, its routing and local restrictions.

Hotspot use allows you to connect a computer, tablet or travel companion’s phone to your eSIM, if the plan allows it. This is very useful for handling emails or a work emergency, but computers consume data quickly: cloud synchronization, updates, video calls and automatic backups can use several gigabytes in a short time. Disable background updates and protect the hotspot with a strong password.

If you are approaching your data limit, top up through the provider’s website or app, ideally before reaching zero. A top-up may add gigabytes, extend validity or create a new plan: these are not the same thing. If no top-up is available, buy a new profile only after checking that your device accepts multiple eSIMs and that you can install it with your remaining connection or reliable Wi-Fi.

Set your French SIM for calls/SMS and the China eSIM for data; disable cellular data on your French line.
Keep banking SMS available if necessary, but check the costs of receiving calls abroad.
Your WhatsApp account remains linked to your existing number; do not create a new account on arrival.
Test the hotspot before an important task and explicitly check that it is allowed by the selected plan.
Monitor usage in your phone settings and disable photo backups, updates and automatic video playback.

What guidelines help you choose the best China eSIM plan and avoid pitfalls?

As a guideline, allow around 1 to 3 GB per week for maps, messages and emails, 5 to 10 GB for ten to fifteen days with social media and photos, and more for video, hotspot use or remote work. The right plan is one that covers your itinerary and usage without making you pay for unnecessary data.

Do not choose based solely on the advertised price. Compare the actual volume, number of days, possible taxes, top-up options, hotspot access and partner network: a cheap plan that is valid for too little time often costs more after purchasing add-ons.
Check the validity start before scanning anything. If the days begin upon installation, wait until the day before departure; if they start upon first connection, you can install the profile comfortably several days in advance.
Distinguish unlimited from unrestricted data. Some plans reduce speeds after a certain daily usage, limit hotspot sharing or apply a fair-use policy; this can interfere with streaming and video calls.
Install the eSIM and essential tools over Wi-Fi before your flight: the provider’s app, offline maps, an offline Chinese translator, a VPN if you decide to use one and copies of your bookings. Do not rely on app stores once you are there.
Prepare for Chinese usage: WeChat is ubiquitous for communication and some bookings; Alipay and WeChat Pay may be useful depending on your situation. Internet access does not always replace registration, payment or identity-verification procedures.
Do not assume Google, Gmail, Instagram, YouTube or WhatsApp will behave the same way as in France. An international eSIM may sometimes facilitate access through its foreign routing, but no solution is foolproof; prepare alternatives and follow local rules.
Choose a rechargeable eSIM if your trip length is uncertain. Also check whether topping up extends the expiry date: adding gigabytes to a plan expiring tomorrow does not necessarily solve the problem.
Avoid using your phone as a modem continuously. A hotspot is valuable in an emergency, but it quickly drains your allowance and may be throttled; connect your computer to secure hotel Wi-Fi for heavy tasks.
Always keep a practical backup plan: the hotel address written in Chinese, screenshots of tickets, a local contact and downloaded maps. An eSIM is very useful, but no mobile coverage is guaranteed in every tunnel, valley or building.

Questions fréquentes

Will my eSIM work as soon as I arrive at the airport in China?

In principle, yes, if the profile is already installed and you activate the data line with the required roaming. At major airports such as Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong and Guangzhou Baiyun, coverage is usually good. However, keep airport Wi-Fi as a backup for initial troubleshooting.

Exactly when do the validity days of my plan begin?

It depends on the provider: validity starts either upon first connection to the network, or upon installation or activation of the profile. This rule is stated in the plan’s terms. Check it before scanning the QR code, especially for a short-term eSIM.

Can I use a single China eSIM on several phones?

No, an eSIM profile is normally linked to one device, and its QR code can often be used only once. To connect several devices, use hotspot sharing if your plan allows it, or buy a separate profile for each phone.

Can I call emergency services with a data-only travel eSIM?

Do not rely on a data-only eSIM for traditional emergency calls. In China, the usual numbers include 110 for the police, 120 for an ambulance and 119 for the fire service. Keep a line capable of making calls, ask your hotel for help or contact local services if necessary.

Can I get a refund if my eSIM does not work?

Refund policies vary considerably: a profile that has already been installed or activated is often excluded from refunds because it may not be resalable. Before purchasing, read the provider’s policy, keep screenshots of the error and contact support before deleting the eSIM.