An eSpeedz China eSIM starts at $9.99 for prepaid, data-only service on China Unicom across mainland China, with plans from 5GB to 50GB. You get a QR code by email, install it before you leave, and it activates when your phone connects in China.
In China, your phone is your wallet, your map and your taxi stand. Arrive connected so Alipay, Didi and Amap work from the moment you clear immigration.
China is close to cashless in big cities. Street food stalls, metro ticket machines, museums and taxis all expect you to scan a QR code with Alipay or WeChat Pay, and both apps now let visitors link a foreign Visa or Mastercard. That means the app needs data at the exact moment you're paying, often with a queue behind you. Public wifi in cafes, malls and stations often wants a Chinese phone number for an SMS login, so it's not something to count on.
Then there's the Great Firewall. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are blocked on local Chinese internet, including hotel wifi. Many travel eSIMs send your data out through Hong Kong, and when that routing is in place those apps generally keep working without a VPN. Our network partner lists Hong Kong as the exit point for these China plans, but routing can change and access isn't something we control, so treat it as likely rather than guaranteed. Save offline copies of bookings and contacts, and have a backup way to reach people.
The local apps are honestly better for getting around anyway. Amap (Gaode) has far more accurate maps and transit than Google in China, Didi is the ride-hailing app everyone uses, and Trip.com or the official 12306 site handle high-speed train tickets in English.
Plans run on China Unicom in China. Data-only, prepaid, no contract. Prices in USD.
| Plan | Data | Validity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China 5GB | 5GB | 30 days | $9.99 |
| China 10GB | 10GB | 30 days | $18.99 |
| China 20GB | 20GB | 30 days | $33.99 |
| China 50GB | 50GB | 30 days | $82.99 |
Prices checked October 1, 2026. All prices in USD, one-time payment.
| Network | China Unicom |
|---|---|
| Phone number | Not included. Data only, your regular number keeps working for calls and texts |
| Validity starts | When the eSIM first connects in China, not when you buy or install it |
| Delivery | QR code by email, usually in about 3 minutes |
| Top-ups | Available |
| Phone needed | eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked |
Plans run on China Unicom in China. Popular stops for travelers:
Your phone does more work in China than in most countries, because maps, payments, translation and ride-hailing all run on data. Plan on 5GB for a one-week trip if you're mostly in cities with hotel wifi as backup. For two weeks, or if you rely on video calls home, 10GB to 20GB is safer. Since public wifi often needs a Chinese number, budget as if you'll be on mobile data most of the day.
April to May and September to October bring the most comfortable weather across most of the country. Avoid the national holiday week starting October 1 and Chinese New Year (early February in 2027) if you can, since trains and attractions get extremely busy. Summers are hot and humid in the south and east, and northern winters are dry and cold.
Sources: visaforchina.cn · chinatravel.com · us.china-embassy.gov.cn · en.nia.gov.cn · chinasimply.com · trip.com. Information checked October 2026. Entry rules and fees change, so confirm with official sources before you travel.