China Travel eSIM
Prepaid data for China. Scan a QR code and you're online.
Plans & prices
Buy now — the plan activates when you land, not when you pay.
- Fast delivery
- Check your device
- Secure payment
China
Nationwide data coverage
- 5G ready
- Hotspot
- Top-ups
- No ID needed
Coverage & network in China
Land in China, switch the travel line on, and you have data before you reach baggage reclaim. No SIM shop, no roaming surcharge, no swapping out the SIM you already use.
Plan sizes on this page run from short-stay allowances to remote-work territory. Count 100–200 MB a day for maps and messaging, and 1 GB an hour once video is involved.
Where 5G has been rolled out in China you’ll get it on 5G-marked plans; everywhere else the eSIM runs on 4G/LTE. Both are far more than maps and messaging need. Tethering is allowed on every China plan, so a laptop or a travelling companion can share the connection.
Crossing borders on the same trip? The Asia plan covers much of the region on one profile. Otherwise there are separate plans for Hong Kong, India and Indonesia.
How to install it
- 1
Buy in a minute
Pick a China plan and pay. Your QR code arrives by email within minutes — no account, no shipping.
- 2
Install on Wi-Fi
Scan the code before you fly. The profile sits alongside your normal SIM and stays switched off until you need it.
- 3
Land connected
Turn on data roaming for the TravelNet line when you arrive. The plan starts counting down on that first connection, not at checkout.
Will my phone work?
You need an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone: an iPhone XS or newer, a Pixel 3 or
newer, or a recent Samsung Galaxy S, Z or A-series flagship. Dial *#06# — if
an EID number is listed alongside the IMEI, the phone has an eSIM.
Travelling beyond China?
One Asia plan covers up to 21 countries from $4.49 — worth it from the third border.
- Asia from $4.49 · up to 21 countries
- Global from $11.99 · up to 173 countries
-
Hong Kong
from $4.49 -
India
from $4.99 -
Indonesia
from $4.49 -
Japan
from $6.49
Planning a multi-country trip? Find the plans that cover every stop →
China eSIM questions
Which network does the China eSIM use?
We don't publish a single operator name for China, because the profile can attach to more than one partner network and picks whichever is strongest where you are. In practice that means you get the best available signal rather than being locked to one operator's weak spots.
Will I get 5G in China?
On plans marked 5G, yes — where the network has deployed it and your phone supports it. Outside those areas the eSIM falls back to 4G/LTE automatically; you won't need to change any setting.
How much data do I actually need for China?
Count on 100–200 MB a day if you're mostly using maps and messaging, and 1 GB an hour once video is involved. Pick the plan one size up from your estimate — running out abroad costs more hassle than the size difference.
When does my China plan start counting down?
When the eSIM first connects to a network in China, not when you buy it. Install it at home a day or two before you fly — the validity period on the plan you choose runs from arrival, not from checkout.
Can I use my China eSIM as a hotspot?
Yes. Tethering is enabled on every China plan, so you can share the connection with a laptop, a tablet or someone travelling with you. Hotspot data comes out of the same allowance.
Can I keep my own phone number while I'm in China?
Yes. Nothing is removed from your phone. The China profile is added as a second line and set as the one used for data, while your usual number keeps receiving calls, texts and bank verification codes. Switch data roaming off on the home line before you fly.
Do I need to register or show a passport to use a China eSIM?
No. The plan roams on partner networks, so there's no local SIM registration, no ID upload and no shop visit. You buy it, scan the QR code, and it works on arrival.
What happens if I run out of data in China?
You can buy another China plan from the same page and install it the same way. Plans marked as top-up capable can also be extended without a new QR code.
I'm also visiting Hong Kong and India — do I need separate eSIMs?
Not necessarily. The Asia plan covers much of the region including China on a single profile. If China is the bulk of the trip, a country plan is usually the better buy; if you're crossing several borders, the regional plan wins.
Will my phone work with a China eSIM?
If it's an iPhone XS or newer, a Pixel 3 or newer, or a recent Samsung Galaxy S, Z or A-series flagship, almost certainly — and it must be carrier-unlocked. Dial *#06# and look for an EID number: if one is listed, the phone has an eSIM. Our compatibility list has the full set.