Best for most trips
$4.99
5 GB, valid 30 days · about $1.00 a GB
Networks: China Mobile
Two weeks of maps, rides, social and photos.
Buyer’s guide · checked 4 Nov 2026
The Best eSIM for China, Picked for Your Trip
Short answer: for most China trips, NUM’s pick is 5 GB, valid 30 days for $4.99 on China Mobile. Shop prices on 4 Nov 2026. We sell these eSIMs, so every other brand’s price below links to its source.
The best eSIM for China, trip by trip
Best for a short trip
$3.79
3 GB, valid 15 days · about $1.26 a GB
Networks: China Mobile
A week or a long weekend.
Best for a month
$8.09
10 GB, valid 30 days · about $0.81 a GB
Networks: China Mobile
Long stays, remote work and hotspot.
Best value per GB
$29.09
50 GB, valid 30 days · about $0.58 a GB
Networks: China Mobile
The most data for the money in this list.
Best for crossing borders
$34.19
20 GB, valid 90 days · about $1.71 a GB
Regional plan, 20 countries
One eSIM for 20 countries.
NUM’s shop on 4 Nov 2026, in US dollars. The price on the pay button is the price you pay.
Every China plan by price per GB
eSIM, roaming or a local SIM in China?
| Option | Two weeks | Setup | Phone number |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUM eSIM | $4.99 5 GB | Install at home on wifi, online when you land | Data only; your home number stays on |
| Verizon TravelPass | Nothing to install | Your own number | |
| AT&T International Day Pass | Nothing to install | Your own number | |
| Local SIM card | Set by local shops | Bought after you land; many countries register SIMs to your passport | A local number |
Roaming per line for 14 days, as each carrier publishes it: Verizon (checked 5 Nov 2026), AT&T (checked 5 Nov 2026). NUM: the shop’s price on 4 Nov 2026.
How we picked
- Network: runs on China Mobile
- Days: valid for the whole trip
- Data: about 0.4 GB a day for maps and social
- Price per GB: least money for the data
- Hotspot: works on most plans
Networks in China
- China Mobile5G
Coverage in China: what to know
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked on local Chinese SIMs and Wi-Fi, while Apple services still work. Check how a plan routes your data before you buy: see the Hong Kong route note on this page.
Checked 3 Nov 2026. Source: lonelyplanet.com. Coverage changes, so check your route before you rely on it.
Best eSIM for China: questions
What is the best eSIM for China?
For most trips, NUM’s 5 GB, valid 30 days plan at $4.99 (shop price on 4 Nov 2026), on China Mobile. The best one is the plan that covers your days and data on a strong local network. NUM sells eSIMs, so other brands’ prices on this page are linked to their sources.
What is the best eSIM for a week in China?
3 GB, valid 15 days for $3.79 on 4 Nov 2026: enough for maps, rides, messages and photos.
What is the best eSIM for 2 weeks in China?
5 GB, valid 30 days for $4.99 on 4 Nov 2026, room for social, photos and a few video calls.
Is there an unlimited eSIM for China?
Not on 4 Nov 2026. Plans for China have a set amount of data, and you can add more to the same eSIM if you run low.
Which network is best in China?
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked on local Chinese SIMs and Wi-Fi, while Apple services still work. Check how a plan routes your data before you buy: see the Hong Kong route note on this page.
What is the best eSIM for China and nearby countries?
A regional plan: 20 GB, valid 90 days covering 20 countries for $34.19 on 4 Nov 2026. Check that its list includes every country on your route.
Is an eSIM better than roaming in China?
For data, usually. Two weeks on Verizon TravelPass is $168.00 a line (Verizon, checked 5 Nov 2026); NUM’s two-week pick was $4.99 on 4 Nov 2026. Keep your home line for calls.
Will it work on my phone?
Dial *#06# on the phone you’re taking. If you see an EID number, it takes an eSIM. Every iPhone from the XR and XS on does, and the SE from 2020, as do Google Pixel 3 and later and Samsung Galaxy S20 and later. The phone must be carrier-unlocked. Not sure? Text PHONE and your model and we’ll check.
Does it come with a phone number?
No. It’s a data-only eSIM. WhatsApp, LINE, iMessage and FaceTime all work over it, and your home number can stay on for calls and codes.
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