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Planning a visit to China? You've probably scrolled through TikTok's about the landscapes of Zhangjiajie, the Hongya Cave of Chongqing, or the ancient charm of Lijiang. These places are really at the peak of popularity now. And nothing can make your journey smoother than having mobile data in China, which means getting an eSIM. The question arises. What is an eSIM? You can consider it a virtual SIM card, ridding the use of physical cards and, therefore, making internet access easier. But how do you choose the right one? Find out below as we list the 6 best options.
Considerations for Choosing eSIM for China
While getting an eSIM for your upcoming trip to China, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you get connected smoothly throughout the journey. Below are some key points to look out for:
- Network Coverage: Your eSIM plan should offer great coverage in big cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and islands like Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as the more rural areas, to keep you connected throughout.
- Budget: Price should be the prime consideration. Compare the prices of the various eSIMs to match a pocket-friendly one that will be of service to your purpose.
- VPN Service: It is advisable to check if the eSIM provider includes VPN services, as the Great Firewall of China is known to block access to some sites.
- Data and Duration Needs: Consider the quantity of data allowance and length of stay time you will need, depending on your needs.
- Customer Support: Select an eSIM provider with responsive customer support to receive immediate help if any problem arises.
#1 MicroEsim eSIM China
MicroEsim is recognized as one of the best eSIMs for Asia. It offers great coverage for mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, and you can choose the bundle plans or standalone ones. The plans have lots of flexibility, with durations extending from 1 to 30 days and plenty of different data allocations at affordable prices as low as $0.85. You will be able to use the Internet at a reduced speed of 258kbps even after the data is used up without disconnections.
MicroEsim cooperates with well-known local operators in China, such as China Mobile and China Unicom, SmarTone, Macau Telecom, and Chunghwa Telecom, ETC., to provide a reliable signal guarantee and support 5G technology to quickly connect to the Internet. In addition, MicroEsim's special China ESIM plan meets your needs for using Google, YouTube, TikTok, and other mainstream applications. It doesn't even require you to go through the cumbersome eKYC process; just scan the QR code, and it can be activated in seconds. With the hotspot sharing function, you can access data on any device. Therefore, there is no doubt that microeSIM is something everyone should have, especially when traveling to China.
Here are some hit plans from MicroEsim:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price Range（USD） |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mainland China eSIM China Mobile 5G |
1-60 days | Daily/Total/Unlimited 10- 20 Mbps | $0.85 - $57.90 |
| Mainland China eSIM 5G Support TikTok | 1-60 days | Daily/Total | $2.40 - $83.10 |
| Mainland China & Hong Kong & Macao eSIM 5G | 1-30 days | Daily/Total/Unlimited 10Mbps | $1.20 - $96.90 |
| Taiwan eSIM 5G | 1-60 days | Daily/Total | $1.30 - $48.30 |
#2 Airalo eSIM China
Airalo is an old brand and a reliable eSIM provider, so it is appropriate to consider the use of eSIM for international travel. The service supports 5G and offers plans with data of 1 GB- 20 GB and a length of stay of 7-30 days. However, the drawback is that carrier coverage is only with China Mobile, without any other carrier. The service does not cover Taiwan, worse. Its data limits are moderate, but it offers no unlimited data plans. Finally, the activation is done through the download of the Airalo app, thus making the process a little laid back compared to the ease of application when using MicroEsim.
Price packages from Airalo:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price（USD） |
|---|---|---|---|
| China（Activity） | 1 day | Total 1 GB | $0.00 |
| China | 7-30 days | Total 1-20 GB | $5.00 - $49.00 |
| China | 10 days | Unlimited | $35.00 |
Latest Updates
Note: To participate in this activity, you need to download the Airalo app and bind your bank card to receive the reward, and you can only receive it once.
[April 2025 Update]: The price has not changed compared to last year, and is relatively expensive compared to other brands.
#3 Nomad eSIM China
Founded in 2014 as a business line of LotusFlare, Inc., based out of Santa Clara, California, Nomad is also a choice for China eSIM. It offers eSIM support for daily plans and regular plans, although it only partners with China Unicom. Once you've consumed your daily allotment, data usage continues at a throttled speed of 512kbps. Yes, it is 5G speed enabled, but it depends on the network coverage, which varies from place to place and the time of day. Activation requires downloading an app, too. It's important to point out that these regular plans are available for only 7, 30, 45, 60, and 90 days; flexible options like 10 or 15 days are not given, and such data allocation may not be enough for people who do not stay long, yet have huge data needs.
Here are some price packages from Nomad:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price（USD） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Plans | 1-7 days | 500MB/day - 3GB/day, unlimited 512kbps | $2.5 - $35 |
| Regular Plans | 7 days | 1GB | $4.00 |
| Regular Plans | 30 days | 3 GB- 30 GB | $7.00-35.00 |
| Regular Plans | 45 days | 50 GB | $49.00 |
| Regular Plans | 90 days | 90 GB | $90.00 |
#4 Saily eSIM China
Saily is owned by Nord Security, which guarantees users' security and reliable data access. It starts with $4.49, a reasonable price. Saily directly works with Chinese carriers, so the network speed is guaranteed. Plus, activation also needs app download and installation. The plan provided includes 7 and 30-day plans. The data offered is 3GB to 20GB, and hence, this service is only recommendable for users who are more concerned with data security over big data.
Here are price packages from Saily:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price（USD） |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saily China | 7 days | 1GB | $4.49 |
| Saily China | 30 days | 3-20GB | $10.99 - $47.99 |
Latest Updates
Note: Prices have increased compared to last year
#5 aloSIM eSIM China
aloSIM has no roaming fees, 7- to 30-day plans with 1GB to 20GB data, and pricing aligned with Airalo. It offers a free international number to be used for calling and texting, which is accessible in addition to fees. It is also 5 G-supported, though availability depends on the time of day. It claims to provide fully unthrottled data, although it doesn't explicitly state whether data usage caps will result in disconnection. In general, it is an eSIM fit for users seeking communication features rather than using a lot of data.
Here are the price packages from aloSIM:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| aloSIM China | 7-30 days | 1-20GB | $5.00 - $49.00 |
| aloSIM China | 10 days | unlimited | $35.00 |
Latest Updates
Note: The price has not changed compared to last year, but an unlimited data package has been added, which is a bit more expensive
You May Also Like >> 6 Best eSIMs for South Korea Travel [April 2025 Update]
#6 Jetpac eSIM China
Jetpac is a good choice when traveling to China. It offers packages ranging from 1GB to 40GB, which are applicable to 4/7/30 days of traffic, respectively. All packages are specifically marked with the validity period and the coverage area, covering China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. From the date of purchase, if not activated, it is valid for one year. Although Jetpac is not the cheapest package, it is still very affordable for most users. Currently, they have launched a promotional price of 1GB of traffic for 4 days for $1 for new users. You can try it.
Here are the price packages from Jetpac:
| Destinations | Duration | Data Plans | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| JetPac China | 4 days | 1GB | $1.00（*exclusive only to new users） |
| JetPac China | 7 days | 3GB | $8.00 |
| JetPac China | 30 days | 5-40GB | $12.00 - $75.00 |
You May Also Like >> 6 Best eSIMs for Japan Travel [Tested & Updated]
FAQs About eSIM China
Does China's eSIM have a VPN?
Some providers offer a VPN service with their eSIMs; others do not. For this case, you'll need to confirm that with the service provider.
You may need： China Travel Guide: How to Access the Internet in China?
Does WhatsApp work on eSIM in China?
WhatsApp is inaccessible in China because of the GFW restrictions. You can use some eSIMs that support data to access WhatsApp, such as the Mainland China eSIM 5c supports TikTok.
How do I activate eSIM in China?
Follow the general activation guide:
1. Make sure that your device is eSIM-supported. Check the eSIM-compatible devices page.
2. Make sure your device is unlocked from any SIM card carrier.
3. After purchasing, scan the QR code with another device to activate eSIM (some eSIMs require downloading their apps for activation).
Note:
- The device you will use for scanning must have stable internet access.
- The phone you want to travel with should be the one you are using to scan.
- The QR code can be scanned only once.
- Do not delete the eSIM from your phone. Once deleted, it cannot be recovered or reused.
Detailed Guide >> How Do eSIM Cards Work? How to Set Up an eSIM?
China Travel Guide>>China Travel Guide in 2025: Simplify Your Trip with eSIM
Best China travel time>>When Is the Best Time to Visit China? Time Guide
Final Verdict
Of the six options discussed, each having its pros and cons, it is MicroEsim that stands at the forefront. It provides comprehensive coverage, competitive pricing, and a wide variety of plans, giving you a chance to use apps such as Google, YouTube, and TikTok without any limitations in China. Whether you are exploring urban metropolises or off-the-beaten-path routes, for any connectivity, MicroEsim gives you dependable 5G support with multiple local carriers, making it an ideal companion for your travels in China.
