
Find the best eSIM for China
We analyzed 6,541 live offers from 60 providers for China. Compare total cost, usable data, validity and network details, not marketing claims.
5 GB
1 GB
50 GB
Best eSIM for China in 2026
Four concrete scenarios for China: a city break with maps and chat, one week of maps and social, two weeks of video and hotspot, and a month of laptop work. Open the catalog below to filter further.
Maps & chat
3 GB
Maps & social
Unlimited
Video & hotspot
Unlimited
Work & hotspot
Unlimited
Compare 6,541 eSIM plans for your trip to China
Find the best prepaid eSIM for China. Sort by price, data or value and compare top travel providers side by side. 357 plans match the filters below.
| # | Provider / plan | Data | Validity | Network | Coverage | Total | Price / GB | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €3.30 | €0.66 | |||
| 2 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G not stated | €0.55 | ||||
| 3 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €0.65 | ||||
| 4 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G not stated | €3.91 | €0.78 | |||
| 5 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €3.92 | €0.78 | |||
| 6 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €0.71 | ||||
| 7 | 5 GB | 20 days | 5G | €3.97 | €0.79 | |||
| 8 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €0.72 | ||||
| 9 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €4.06 | €0.81 | |||
| 10 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €0.75 | ||||
| 11 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G not stated | €0.75 | ||||
| 12 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €0.76 | ||||
| 13 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €4.28 | €0.86 | |||
| 14 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €4.31 | €0.86 | |||
| 15 | 500 MB/day | 14 days | 5G | €0.55 | ||||
| 16 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €4.40 | €0.88 | |||
| 17 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €0.80 | ||||
| 18 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G not stated | €0.81 | ||||
| 19 | 5 GB | 15 days | 5G | €4.54 | €0.91 | |||
| 20 | 5 GB | 30 days | 5G | €0.82 |
Offer links may be affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you; commissions never change rankings. Disclosure
What one gigabyte really costs in China
Unlimited plans are kept out of €/GB math so the benchmark for China stays comparable.
Lowest effective €/GB among limited-data plans right now.
Median sits at €0.83/GB. Half of eligible plans land in this range.
75% 5G-ready · 67% hotspot · 25d avg validity
What actually matters for an eSIM in China
Practical notes for China — networks, usage and the mistakes that waste the first afternoon.
Mainland China is not a normal roaming market. Travel eSIMs typically land on China Unicom, China Mobile or China Telecom. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many airline apps are blocked or flaky without a working VPN — and some eSIM partners throttle or block VPN traffic. On current catalog labels, travel eSIMs for China most often cite CMCC, China Mobile, CUCC, China Telecom.
WeChat, Alipay/WeChat Pay, Baidu Maps or Apple Maps, and metro QR codes are the real daily stack. Budget extra data if you upload photos to a foreign cloud that retries all day.
Install and test VPN plus the eSIM on Wi-Fi at home. Do not wait for the Beijing or Shanghai arrivals hall. Keep a screenshot of hotel address in Chinese.
- Ask the provider in writing whether VPN is allowed on that SKU before you pay.
- Hong Kong and Macau are separate coverage — a mainland pack does not automatically include them.
- Download WeChat and a translation pack offline; app stores can be awkward on arrival.
Check your phone and data need for China
Two checks before checkout: will the eSIM install, and how many gigabytes this trip actually needs.
Which eSIM providers use which networks in China
Travel eSIMs for China connect through local host operators, not their own towers. Below is the current 2026 catalog mapping: provider, host operator(s), and the radio labels those offers advertise. The host networks that appear most often are CMCC, China Mobile, CUCC. Providers with the clearest operator labels right now include Superalink, MicroEsim, iRoamly.
Each row groups one provider’s China plans by the host operator names found in the catalog. Counts show how often that pairing appears, not a coverage quality score.
| Provider | Avg €/GB | Host operators | Network | 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €1.60 |
| 3G4G / LTE5G | 100% | |
| €0.81 |
| 4G / LTE5G3G | 100% | |
| €4.93 |
| 4G / LTE5G | 100% | |
| €0.55 |
| 4G / LTE5G3G | 100% | |
| €0.70 |
| 4G / LTE5G3G | 100% | |
| €1.17 |
| 2G3G4G / LTE | 0% | |
| €0.78 |
| 4G / LTE5G | 100% | |
| €2.27 |
| 5G4G / LTE | 100% | |
| €1.65 |
| 5G4G / LTE | 100% | |
| €3.17 |
| 5G | 85% |
- CMCC263 offers
- CMCC94 offers
- CUCC89 offers
- CMCC117 offers
- CMCC53 offers
- CUCC46 offers
- China Telecom3 offers
- CMCC46 offers
- CUCC42 offers
- China Telecom3 offers
- China Mobile Communications Co.33 offers
- Ltd.33 offers
- China Mobile63 offers
- China Mobile36 offers
- China Mobile18 offers
- China Telecom16 offers
- China Telecom22 offers
Most common host operators in China
- CMCC573 labeled plans
- China Mobile193 labeled plans
- CUCC177 labeled plans
- China Telecom88 labeled plans
- China Mobile Communications Co.33 labeled plans
- Ltd.33 labeled plans
eSIM provider comparison for China
Every provider in the China catalog, ranked by average €/GB. Compare entry price, 5G share, hotspot and live promo codes, then open a review for setup notes.
ESIMG−10%ESIMG−15%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−15%ESIMG−10%ESIMP−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMP5−5%ESIMP−10%ESIMDEALS10−10%ESIMG−5%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMP−10%ESIMG−15%ESIMP−15%ESIMP10−10%ESIMP−20%ESIMP−5%ESIMP−10%ESIMP−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−10%ESIMG−15%ESIMP−10%ESIMG−15%ESIMG−20%ESIMP15−15%ESIMG−15%ESIMG−10%ESIMDG−10%ESIMPTRIALGiftESIMP−15%ESIMG−15%ESIMG−10%ESIMPNOMAD−20%ESIMP−10%ESIMP−15%ESIMP5−5%SIMP−5%How to install an eSIM for China
Most travelers can install before departure over Wi-Fi, then activate on arrival. Keep your primary SIM available until the travel eSIM is online.
- 01Check device compatibility
Confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked and supports eSIM. Recent iPhone, Google Pixel and many Samsung flagships do.
- 02Buy and receive the QR or install link
Choose a plan for China, complete checkout with the provider, and save the QR code or activation email offline.
- 03Install over stable Wi-Fi
Scan the QR in mobile settings or follow the provider install link before you fly when possible.
- 04Enable data roaming for the eSIM line
On arrival, select the travel eSIM as your data line, enable data roaming for that line, and keep the primary number for calls or 2FA if needed.
Installation steps can vary by provider app. If setup fails, open the provider guide linked from the offer page before contacting support.
China eSIM FAQ
Straight answers built from the live catalog and practical setup guidance for China.
How much does an eSIM for China cost in 2026?
In the current 2026 snapshot for China, the lowest total price tracked is €0.25 across 6,541 plans from 60 providers. The median value on limited-data plans is €0.83 per GB.
What is the best eSIM for China right now?
There is no single winner for every trip in China. Current catalog leaders by plan count include Superalink, MicroEsim, iRoamly. Start with the top ranked plans on this page, then filter by data size, validity and 5G or hotspot needs.
Which local networks do travel eSIMs use in China?
Plans sampled for China most often mention host operators such as CMCC, China Mobile, CUCC. The exact partner network still depends on the provider and plan you buy, so confirm the operator label before checkout.
Do I need unlimited data in China?
Unlimited can help for heavy streaming or long hotspot sessions. This market currently lists 821 unlimited-style plans—use the Best unlimited pick above, then confirm fair-use and speed rules. We still keep unlimited out of the median €/GB benchmark.
Are travel eSIMs in China 5G ready?
75% of tracked plans for China advertise 5G support. Real-world access still depends on your handset, local partner network and the provider policy.
Can I use hotspot with an eSIM in China?
67% of listed plans mention hotspot or tethering. If sharing data with a laptop is critical, filter for hotspot before checkout and re-check the provider terms.
How long do eSIM plans for China usually last?
Average validity across tracked plans for China is 25 days. Short 7-day packs suit weekends; longer 15 to 30 day plans are better for extended stays.
When should I install my eSIM for China?
Install over Wi-Fi before you travel to China when the provider allows it, then enable the line on arrival. Keep your primary SIM active until the travel eSIM shows a stable data connection.
Why choose an eSIM for a trip to China?
A travel eSIM avoids expensive home-carrier roaming and the airport SIM counter. Install it before you fly, keep your primary number for calls and 2FA, and connect as soon as you land. The 2026 catalog currently lists 6,541 plans from 60 providers for China.
Why use our eSIM comparator for China?
eSIM Giga ranks the 6,541 China offers by total price and effective €/GB, not paid placement. Filter by data, validity, 5G and hotspot, then check out with the provider at the listed price. Unlimited plans stay out of the median so the comparison stays honest.
How can I get a free eSIM in China?
A truly free, usable eSIM in China is rare: trial packs are usually tiny or time-limited. The realistic options are a verified promo code or the cheapest plan in this comparison, currently from €0.25. Treat “free” offers with throttled speeds, token data or a hidden subscription with caution.
Can I get a local phone number with an eSIM in China?
Most travel eSIMs for China are data-only and do not include a local number. Keep your primary line on for calls, SMS and 2FA. A few providers sell a virtual number or voice minutes—check the plan details before checkout if you need one.
How do I buy an eSIM for China?
Compare plans on this page, pick the data and validity that match your trip, then complete checkout on the provider site. Save the QR code, install over Wi-Fi before you travel, and activate on arrival. The buying guide above covers plan choice; the setup guide covers the technical steps.
How eSIM Giga ranks this market
- Collect. We normalize live plan prices, data, validity and feature fields.
- Compare. Limited-data plans are measured by total cost and effective €/GB.
- Separate. Unlimited plans never distort the median price per GB benchmark.
- Refresh. The page is regenerated daily from the latest catalog snapshot.
Commercial relationships can affect outbound links, never the formula or the underlying price fields. Read the full editorial methodology, explore more markets in the destinations directory or open provider reviews.








