The short answer
The best eSIM for China is the one that fits your trip and your networks. For two weeks of photos, maps and social, NUM picks 5 GB for 30 days at $4.99, as of 3 Nov 2026.
| Plans from | $0.79 on 3 Nov 2026 |
|---|---|
| Networks on local plans | China Mobile |
| A week | 3 GB, 15 days, $3.79 |
| Two weeks | 5 GB, 30 days, $4.99 |
| A month | 10 GB, 30 days, $8.09 |
| Longer | 20 GB, 90 days, $34.19 (regional plan, 20 countries) |
| Phone number | None, data only |
| Payment | Apple Pay, Google Pay or card |
A regional plan may list fewer networks here than a local plan. If you need a particular network, check that plan’s network list in the shop before you pay.
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.
Which China eSIM for your trip
- A week$3.793 GB · 15 days
- Two weeks$4.995 GB · 30 days
- A month$8.0910 GB · 30 days
- Longer$34.1920 GB · 90 days
The shop’s pick for each trip length on 3 Nov 2026, for photos, maps and social. Prices in US dollars; the shop always shows today’s price.
China data plans, cheapest first
| Data | Valid for | Network | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MB | 7 days | China Mobile 5G | $0.79 |
| 1 GB | 7 days | China Mobile 5G | $1.39 |
| 2 GB | 15 days | China Mobile 5G | $2.59 |
| 3 GB | 15 days | China Mobile 5G | $3.79 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | China Mobile 5G | $3.89 |
| 5 GB | 30 days | China Mobile 5G | $4.99 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | China Mobile 5G | $8.09 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | China Mobile 5G | $12.69 |
12 plans in the shop on 3 Nov 2026; the 8 cheapest are shown. See every plan and today’s prices.
How it works
- Pick your trip. Tell the shop how long you’re away and how you use your phone; it picks the plan.
- Pay in seconds. Apple Pay, Google Pay or a card. Then open NUM and join free: your install code is waiting in the chat.
- Install at home, switch on when you land. One tap on iPhone or Android, or scan the QR from another screen. Tell us your landing day and we text you the switch-on steps that morning.
China eSIM by city
China coverage, place by place
| Beijing | A guide rates Beijing as top-tier for coverage, with excellent 4G and dense 5G, and says carrier choice matters little there. |
|---|---|
| Shanghai | A guide rates Shanghai as top-tier for coverage, with excellent 4G and dense 5G. |
| Guangzhou | A guide puts Guangzhou in the top coverage tier with excellent 4G and dense 5G; hotel Wi-Fi stays behind the national firewall. |
| Chengdu | A guide describes very good 4G and strong 5G in Chengdu's core, with all major networks performing well. |
| Xi'an | A guide describes very good 4G with strong 5G in the center and 4G nearly everywhere. |
From network data, travel guides and traveler reports, checked 3 Nov 2026. Signal changes, so treat these as a guide.
Online as you land in China
Switch it on as the plane lands at any of these and you’re online walking off:
Planning China
Questions people ask
What is the best eSIM for China?
The one that fits your trip and runs on China’s main networks (China Mobile). For a week most people need about 3 GB; for two weeks about 5 GB; for a month of social and video, 10 GB or more. NUM lists 12 plans here and picks one for your trip and how you use your phone.
How much does an eSIM for China cost?
On 3 Nov 2026, plans started at $0.79 and went up to $37.19 for the biggest. The shop always shows today’s price, and the price on the pay button is the price you pay.
Which network works well 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.
Why does my eSIM show another carrier’s name?
Many travel eSIMs are issued by one carrier and roam on local networks, so your phone can show the issuing carrier’s name while your data runs on a local network. Keep data roaming on for the eSIM.
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.
When do I install it?
At home, on wifi, before you fly. Then switch it on when you land. Tell us your landing day and we text you the switch-on steps that morning.
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.
What if it doesn’t work?
If we can’t issue your eSIM, we refund you in full. If it won’t install or connect, text us and we help you get connected.
An eSIM with a concierge inside.
Text NUM a table for tonight, a driver at 6 am or a pharmacy that’s open now. Any language, any hour, on the data you just bought.
Get my China eSIM