China eSIM

China eSIM

Compare the Best eSIMs for China Travel

We’ve listed the top China eSIM providers for easy comparison. Pick the one that best suits your travel needs and enjoy your trip to China. (For VPNs, please check out here). Remember to buy your eSIM before arriving in China, it can’t be activated afterward. Get the best deal today!

The Most Balanced Choice – Saily

Price: $2.4 – $4.5 per GB
Day Validity: 7 or 30 days
Data: 1 GB – 20 GB
Day Validity Flexibility: Only offers 7 or 30 days options
Data Flexibility: pretty flexible but no unlimited option
Price: Higher than average compared to other providers but comes with cash back
Internet quality and coverage: OK connection speed
Works with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Saily is a solid, well-balanced option, sometimes even including free NordVPN, perfect if the validity period aligns with your travel plans

4.5

The Most User Friendly Choice – Trip.com

Price: $0.44 – $2 per GB
Day Validity: 1 – 30 days
Data: 0.5 GB – 100 GB
Day Validity Flexibility: Pretty flexible, offers 1-30 days
Data Flexibility: Pretty flexible with 0.5 GB – 100 GB, but no unlimited plan
Price: Priced lower compared to other providers
Internet quality and coverage: Connection speed can be unstable or slow at times
Works with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Trip.com eSIM is one of the easiest options to set up. No app downloads are required, just simply scan the QR code sent to you and activate it on your phone in minutes.

4.5

The Most Popular Choice – Airalo

Price: $2 – $4.5 per GB
Day Validity: 7, 10, 15, or 30 days
Data: 1 GB – Unlimited
Day Validity Flexibility: Offers fixed options of 7, 10, 15, or 30 days
Data Flexibility: Very flexible, from 1 GB up to unlimited
Price: Higher than average compared to other providers
Internet quality and coverage: Moderate speeds, works reliably in major cities but limited in rural areas
Works with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Trusted by over 20 million users, Airalo is a reliable choice if its validity options align with your travel plans.

4.5

The Most Flexible Choice – Nomad

Price: $1 – $4 per GB
Day Validity: 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, 45, or 90 days
Data: 1 GB – Unlimited
Day Validity Flexibility: Pretty flexible, offers 3, 5, 7, 10, 30, 45, or 90 days
Data Flexibility: Very flexible, from 1 GB up to unlimited
Price: Average compared to other providers
Internet quality and coverage: Connection speed can be unstable or slow at times
Works with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Nomad is a flexible and reliable choice for travelers, offering 12 eSIM plans with different validity periods and data options to suit any trip.

4.5

The Best Choice For Unlimited Data – Holafly

Price: $1.5 – $3.9 per GB
Day Validity: 1-180 days
Data: Unlimited only
Day Validity Flexibility: Very flexible, offers 1-90 days
Data Flexibility: Offers unlimited option only
Price: Average compared to other providers
Internet quality and coverage: Connection speed can be unstable or slow at times
Works with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Holafly is the go-to choice for unlimited data, with reasonable pricing and flexible validity options.

4.4

The Most Budget Friendly Choice – Mobimatter

Price: $0.6 – $1.2 per GB
Day Validity: 5, 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days
Data: 1 GB – 60 GB
Day Validity Flexibility: Very flexible, offers 5, 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, 180, or 365 days
Data Flexibility: pretty flexible but no unlimited option
Price: Priced lower compared to other providers
Internet quality and coverage: Connection speed can be unstable or slow at times
May not work with ChatGPT / TikTok

Summary

Mobimatter is trusted by many travelers for its affordable pricing, but it has some challenges: no unlimited data and may not work with apps like ChatGPT and TikTok.

4.2

The best eSIM for you depends on your travel needs, but here’s what we generally recommend:

What’s eSIM?

This is the most popular choice for travelers to China. An eSIM gives you internet access during your trip, so you can stay online and use your favorite apps like Gmail and WhatsApp. Because of China’s real-name requirement for phone numbers, most eSIMs are data-only. That means they don’t include a phone number, so you won’t be able to make or receive calls or send text messages.

What’s the advantage of eSIM

  • Instant QR code delivery online with easy installation instructions
  • 24/7 customer support through multiple channels
  • Trusted providers with refund guarantees
  • Stay connected with everyday apps like Gmail and WhatsApp

What’s the disadvantage of eSIM

  • Requires installation before arrival in China
  • Older phones may not be supported
  • Some apps (e.g., TikTok, ChatGPT) may not work
  • Signal can sometimes be unstable, sometimes it may not work in very rural areas

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