eSIM for China mainland
Instant deliveryPay onceNot sure how much data you need? Estimate it
China mainland eSIM plans start at $3.99. 11 prepaid packages cover 1 GB to 20 GB plus daily-unlimited over 3 to 30 days. Data runs on China Telecom and China Unicom. Pay once and the QR code lands in your inbox — your regular SIM stays in the phone.
Fixed data
Daily unlimited
App access by network
Will WhatsApp work with a China mainland eSIM?
It depends on the plan’s network route. Compare our checked results for WhatsApp, Google, social apps, AI tools and TikTok before choosing a plan.
| Network route | Google & social appsGoogle, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LINE | AI appsChatGPT, Gemini, Claude | TikTok |
|---|---|---|---|
| China Unicom + China TelecomInternet exits via Singapore | Google & social appsGoogle, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, LINEWorks without a separate VPN | AI appsChatGPT, Gemini, ClaudeWorks without a separate VPN | TikTokWorks without a separate VPN |
We show a family-level result only when every plan in that network family has the same checked answer. Access can change when an app provider or network changes its policy.
Trip data planner
China mainland trip: how much data do I need?
Pick a trip length and how you use your phone. Every answer is a China mainland plan on sale today.
Plan for about 3.4 GB–7 GB for this trip.
Recommended from the current China mainland plans
Its validity and daily high-speed allowance fit this usage profile for 7 days.
Also fits
Every answer for China mainland at a glance
| Trip | Light | Everyday | Heavy | Video-heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days | Light | Everyday | Heavy | Video-heavyNo plan fits |
| 10 days | Light | Everyday | Heavy | Video-heavyNo plan fits |
| 14 days | Light | Everyday | Heavy | Video-heavyNo plan fits |
| 30 days | Light | EverydayNo plan fits | HeavyNo plan fits | Video-heavyNo plan fits |
Planning estimates, not a guarantee: video quality, uploads and hotspot use change real usage. Compare destinations in the data calculator
Using an eSIM in China mainland
Mainland China's main mobile operators are China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, with China Broadnet as a newer fourth network. Large cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, and the high-speed rail corridors between them, are well covered.
Foreign services work differently here. Google, WhatsApp and many other foreign apps have been restricted on mainland networks unless a plan routes traffic outside the country, which is why the network route and the app checks in each package's details are worth reading before you buy.
Good to know
- Check the plan details for the network route and which apps have been checked. The same app can work on one plan and not on another.
- Locals use WeChat for chat and payments, Alipay for payments, Amap and Baidu Maps for directions, and Didi for rides, so many visitors install them before arriving and set up what they need ahead of time.
- Hong Kong and Macau are separate from mainland China for mobile service, so a mainland plan does not automatically cover them.
China mainland eSIM questions
- Will Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work with a China eSIM?
- They have been restricted on mainland networks, and whether they connect depends on the plan's network route. Check the plan details and the checked app results shown for each package before choosing.
- Which apps do I need to get around mainland China?
- Many visitors use WeChat, Alipay, Amap or Baidu Maps and Didi, since these are what locals use for messaging, payments, directions and rides. Install and set them up before you fly, as some sign-ups need verification.
- Does a mainland China eSIM also cover Hong Kong or Macau?
- Not necessarily. They are separate mobile markets, so look for Hong Kong or Macau in the coverage on the package details, or choose a plan made for them.
