Are you planning to travel to China and want to order an eSIM? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM for traveling to China including a comparison of the best China eSIMs for 2024.
Let me start with telling you that getting connected with an eSIM when traveling to China will make your life so much easier! Based on my own experiences on my recent trip to Shanghai and Shenzhen the internet censorship in China really is a pain and constantly trying to find a VPN that actually works and gives you a fast data connection is a daily challenge.
You can fix it all by buying an eSIM for China and enjoy using data on your phone without any internet restriction and NO VPN NEEDED! How does it work? Keep reading…
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM for China on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes. Below you will find up to date prices as per October 2024, including all specifications per eSIM.
This guide will explain how eSIMs work, show you where and when to order an eSIM, more about the network coverage and 4G/5G data speed, give answers to FAQ about using eSIMs, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for China and of course links to directly order your eSIM for traveling to China online.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Comparison of the best eSIMs for China
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in China
- Where to buy an eSIM for China?
- When to order/activate an eSIM for China?
- How to activate an eSIM
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for China
- Make sure your phone is unlocked
- Which smartphones support eSIMs?
- Can I trust these eSIM providers?
- Can I keep my phone number from home with a China eSIM?
- Can I make phone calls with a China eSIM?
- Does a China eSIM come with a phone number?
- Can I use 5G on a China eSIM?
- Are there eSIMs for China with unlimited data?
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to China?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Already since 2012 I am traveling the world full time and eventually turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In 2024 I visited for example 34 different countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIMs I used throughout the year.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
On Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: USA, Canada, Australia, Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Europe, Turkey, Egypt, Asia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, international eSIMs and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark Traveltomtom and let me help you save money while traveling.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for China are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends the following two eSIMs for traveling to China in 2024:
1. Jetpac eSIM for China for $25 USD
- 15 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in 15 countries in Asia/Pacific
- 5G ready
- Valid for 30 days
- $1.67 USD per Gigabyte
Jetpac has the best value eSIM deals for China and also offers a bunch of extra services on their eSIMs like free lounge access in case of a delayed flight, etc. More about it later. Traveltomtom readers get an exclusive discount on Jetpac eSIMs. More about it later.
Jetpac is a Singapore based eSIM company and is specialized in sim cards for Asia and this is also a major advantage of Jetpac as its China eSIM is also valid in pretty much every other country in South East Asia.
2. Chinacom eSIM from Airalo for $28 USD
- 10 GB data-only eSIM
- Valid in China only
- 5G ready
- Valid for 30 days
- $2.8 USD per Gigabyte
Traveltomtom also recommends an Airalo eSIM for China. Airalo came to the rescue on a previous trip to China and it worked very smooth.
Traveltomtom had great experiences with an Airalo China eSIM. It was the first time I discovered that with an eSIM you DO NOT NEED A VPN! Suddenly I could access every app without any restrictions or internet censorship: Google Maps, Safari, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X, etc. without any issues.
Again... when you order an eSIM for China you do NOT need to use a VPN!
All eSIMs for China are data-only eSIMs and incoming and outgoing calls or sms are not supported. Data is only valid in China.
Is China one of your stops on a trip around the world then also look into getting an international sim card for traveling the world. There are eSIMs that cover multiple countries in Asia as well as Europe and America.
There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an eSIM for China or in general before using an eSIM.
Unlocked phones only
Make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIMs only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.
In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.
If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or eSIM to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.
eSIM compatible phones only
Second, and equally important: eSIMs only work if your smartphone supports eSIMs, also called eSIM compatible. All newer smartphones support eSIMs. If you are not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is eSIM compatible. You will get the answer instantly.
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to China.
However, you can still order a sim card for China on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom’s complete guide for buying a sim card for China in 2024 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024.
Comparison of the best eSIMs for China
Note that you can NOT buy an eSIM on arrival in China. All mobile internet providers in China only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists, no eSIMs.
And even if you would be able to buy an eSIM from one of the China Mobile internet operators it is NOT recommended because of the internet censorship in China.
Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers on the internet that sell eSIMs for China. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in China from one of the well-known eSIM providers like SimOptions, Airalo, Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly, etc. that have proven to be reliable operators.
SimOptions and Airalo have been long time favorites of Traveltomtom, but nowadays there are so many more eSIM providers. Are they still the best and the cheapest? The competition is fierce...
So before you buy an eSIM first read all my tips below!
SimOptions also offers international prepaid sim cards for China. These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to China and it is plug and play when you arrive in the China.
Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and Nomad only sell eSIMs for China.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a fairly new player on the eSIM market and they are trying to gain ground by not only offering eSIM solutions, but add a couple benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. I have tried it out myself and some benefits can come in pretty handy, especially the free VPN subscription.
Jetpac is based in Asia and no wonder they have amazing eSIMs for China. All the China eSIMs are valid in 14 other countries in Asia/Pacific: Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
Here are the Jetpac eSIM plans for China:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $45 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $65 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for China.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on any Jetpac eSIM when applying the discount code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
The Jetpac China eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. The eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE network of China Unicom.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to China, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in China. That moment your days start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
An extra advantage of Jetpac China eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN subscription as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIMs offer. For more info check the Jetpac website.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering an eSIM.
SimOptions eSIMs are always one of my top recommendations and the SimOptions eSIM plans for China are not bad either.
Their 5 GB data eSIM plan for $14.90 USD is actually cheaper than an Airalo eSIM with 5 GB data. However, the SimOptions plan is only valid for 7 days. The same for the 10 GB data plan, which is great value for $21.90 USD and thus for $2.19 USD per Gigabyte, but also only valid for 15 days.
Here are the SimOptions data-only eSIM plans for China for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 5 days = $9.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 7 days = $14.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
Click here to order a SimOptions eSIM for China.
These data-only eSIMs are provided by SimOptions and are only valid in China. Unfortunately SimOptions doesn't specify which mobile network operator in China they use. Most of the SimOptions eSIMs are not 5G ready, only 4G/LTE is supported.
The SimOptions eSIMs for China do NOT come with a phone number and they do not offer incoming/outgoing calls or sms services.
The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM, even if you are not in China. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Airalo
Airalo is another very reputable eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom.
Why using Airalo?
Ordering your eSIM for China through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals.
Airalo has similar eSIM plans as SimOptions but both eSIM providers are more expensive than Jetpac.
For Traveltomtom Airalo came to the rescue on a previous trip to China. Read more about it in my article: buying a sim card at Shanghai Airport.
Basically after two days struggling with my local prepaid China sim card I gave up and tried Airalo and suddenly everything worked. No more VPN needed, no more internet censorship. I could use my phone like in any other country around the world.
Therefore you can understand that Airalo is one of Traveltomtom's top recommendation when it comes to eSIMs for China.
Here are China eSIM plans from Airalo for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $16.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for China from Airalo.
The 10 GB data eSIM plan costs $28 USD which is $2.8 USD per Gigabyte, slightly more expensive than SimOptions, but the Airalo plan is valid for 30 days.
The Airalo eSIMs for China are from Chinacom and operate on the China Mobile 4G/LTE/5G network in China. Yes, the Airalo Chinacom eSIMs for China are 5G ready as of October 2024.
In pretty much all the amazing places to visit in China you will find a 5G signal. The data speed is amazing, even on 4G/LTE it is super fast.
For more info about the best 4G/5G network in China check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for China in 2024, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
All the Airalo eSIMs are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Nomad
Nomad is another trustworthy eSIM provider that sells eSIMs for all over the world. Nomad has gained ground on the eSIM market with some great deals. Especially for China eSIMs they have amazing offers.
Unfortunately the Traveltomtom Team has not tested out Nomad eSIMs in China yet so it is not 100% sure if you don't need a VPN and if everything works like normal with a Nomad eSIM for China.
However, the Traveltomtom Team tested Nomad is lots of other countries and in most cases there were positive reviews, though not all the time.
Nomad has two different types of eSIMs for China: Regular plans and Daily plans.
Regular Plans
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for China:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
They have more eSIM plans for those who use a lot of Gigabyte.
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 50 GB data for 45 days = $49 USD
- 60 GB data for 60 days = $60 USD
- 90 GB data for 90 days = $90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for China from Nomad.
Nomad has some of the best value eSIM plans for China. And especially those who are traveling to China for longer than 1 month the Nomad big data plans are an excellent choice.
So why is Nomad not Traveltomtom's first recommendation when it comes to the best eSIMs for China?
This has to do with the reliability of Nomad eSIMs and its performance. The Traveltomtom Team experienced some issues with Nomad eSIMs lately. A Nomad eSIM for China is the cheapest choice, but might not be the best choice.
The Nomad eSIMs for China are from Joytel and are data-only. The Nomad eSIMs for China are 5G ready and they operate on the China Unicom network. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported.
But as I mentioned, Nomad has some of the cheapest rates for China eSIMs and they go as low as $0.98 USD per Gigabyte.
Daily plans
Nomad also has daily plans. These eSIMs could perfect for those going on a short trip to China. You basically get 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB high speed data per 24 hours. Then, after you have used your allowance for the day, the data speed is reduced to 512 Kbps, which is actually useless, basically like an E signal.
Here are the 1 GB per day plans:
- 1 GB data per day for 1 day = $4 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 2 day = $6 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 3 day = $7 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 4 day = $9 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 5 day = $10 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 6 day = $12 USD
- 1 GB data per day for 7 day = $13 USD
Here are the 2 GB per day plans:
- 2 GB data per day for 1 day = $6 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 2 day = $9 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 3 day = $12 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 4 day = $15 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 5 day = $18 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 6 day = $21 USD
- 2 GB data per day for 7 day = $24 USD
Here are the 3 GB per day plans:
- 3 GB data per day for 1 day = $7 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 2 day = $12 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 3 day = $17 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 4 day = $21 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 5 day = $26 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 6 day = $31 USD
- 3 GB data per day for 7 day = $35 USD
Click here to order this Nomad daily plan eSIM for China from Nomad.
At first when I saw the prices for these daily plan eSIMs I was pleasantly surprised. The daily plans with 1 GB data are worth considering, but personally, 1 GB data per day would not be enough for me as I can easily spend more than 1 GB data in just 1 hour bus or train ride.
Watching TikTok videos for about 45 minutes is about 1 GB data, watching Instagram reels for 30 minutes is also already 1 GB data. It depends how many gigabytes you use per day.
Anyway forget about the 2 GB and 3 GB per day plans, these are more expensive than the regular plans. Keep in mind that 2 GB per day for 5 days is 10 GB and you pay $18 USD for that. A Nomad eSIM for China on a regular plan with 10 GB data is only $15 USD!
The Nomad China eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in China. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Holafly sells eSIMs for China with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data, but more about that later.
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD
The Holafly eSIMs for Italy are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/5G network of China Mobile and are 5G ready.
You can not use a hotspot on these Holafly eSIMs.
Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
Imagine being on a long bus or train ride and after 2 hours you get a message that your data speed is reduced and will be reset in 24 hours. Frustrating!
If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data.
Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of eSIMs? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly. Per year I use about 40 to 50 prepaid and eSIMs which makes me the no. 1 sim card for tourists expert.
What is the cheapest eSIM for China?
No eSIM provider can beat the Jetpac eSIM for China for just $1 USD. You get 1 GB data valid for 4 days.
Another cheap eSIM for China is a Nomad eSIM for just $4 USD, it will give you 1 GB data for 7 days. Airalo has the same plan, but charges $5 USD. And SimOptions charges $4.5 USD for this eSIM plan. These eSIMs are only valid in China and do not support calling and texting.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in China
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to China in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to China without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in China with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to China, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to China so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don’t want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
International data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed, but there is at least 4G/LTE in all the amazing tourist destinations in China and actually pretty much everywhere there is 5G. Only unfortunately all the eSIMs for China are not 5G ready.
Uncountable times (mostly American) travel friends have asked me: “can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!” Trust me, get yourself an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to China. Spend a couple dollars extra and be connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM for China?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM for China on the internet through an eSIM provider. There are multiple eSIM providers for China. Traveltomtom compared lots of eSIM providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones are the best eSIM providers for traveling to China in 2024.
When buying an eSIM for China through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.
On arrival in China
None of the mobile internet operators in China sell tourist eSIMs, not on the internet, nor in their stores across China. Updated info as per October 2024.
When you arrive in China and you want to buy a local sim card for tourists then only physical prepaid sim cards are available. Tourists can not get an eSIM.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in China in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in China, including a comparison of the 4G/5G network.
Flying into China and landing in Shanghai or Beijing then you can buy a tourist sim card for China on arrival at the airport. However, there are NO eSIMs sold at airports in China, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists and expect to pay tourist prices when buying a sim card at the airport.
Keep in mind that these local prepaid sim cards for China come with the full internet censorship of the Great Firewall of China which means you are unable to use Google, Safari, Google Maps, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Gmail, Outlook and so on unless you find a VPN that works in China.
Trust me you do NOT want to buy a local prepaid sim card in China. I bought one on my last trip to China and it was a disaster. Pretty much useless. On top of that all the eSIMs mentioned in this article are cheaper.
When to order/activate an eSIM for China?
You can order an eSIM for China pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to China or before. When in China you will need an internet connection AND a VPN to instal your eSIM. Many standard VPN’s like Express, Surfshark and NordVPN do NOT work in China.
Personally it was a struggle to find a VPN that worked, thanks to my Chinese friends. However, the internet speed was very slow. I had no patience for it. It was barely enough to instal my eSIM for China.
So my personal advice is to instal your eSIM for China before you get into the plane and as soon as the plane lands you will be connected without any problems, no VPN needed, no internet censorship from the Great China Firewall.
How do I know all this? Traveltomtom lately visited China and traveled to Shanghai, Dongguan and Shenzhen. For more info about my experiences buying a sim card at Shanghai Airport check out my blog about it.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email. But wait, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code.
When you order an eSIM plan for China you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your China eSIM.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR contains all the information about your China eSIM.
Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for China
Here are some general tips for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for China eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn’t miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to China. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to China or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to China and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for China recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in China.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our article: Honest Review of SimOptions including pro and cons.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
On top of that there is now also Roamless, an eSIM provider with no data expiration. Truly a game changer!
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data including an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
Traveltomtom does NOT sell China eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to China.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a China eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to China. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new China eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with a China eSIM?
No, unfortunately there are no eSIMs for China available that include calling and texting. All the eSIMs from Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly, Airalo and SimOptions are data-only eSIMs and any incoming/outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
Does a China eSIM come with a phone number?
No, none of the China eSIMs that you can buy on the internet come with a phone number which also means you can not receive any phone calls or sms.
In the above China eSIM comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM.
Can I use 5G on a China eSIM?
Yes, most of the eSIMs for China are 5G ready as per October 2024. All the Nomad, Holafly, Jetpac and Airalo eSIMs for China are 5G ready. Some SimOptions eSIMs for China only support 4G/LTE network.
I am sure SimOptions will step up their game soon, because the China 5G network is very extensive and there is pretty much 5G everywhere in China.
Are there eSIMs for China with unlimited data?
Yes, Holafly as well as Nomad offer eSIMs for China with unlimited data, but be careful... unlimited is NOT truly unlimited! This may sound crazy, but unfortunately this is the truth.
Traveltomtom simply does NOT recommended China eSIMs with 'unlimited' data for tourists that have an FUP.
Nomad and Holafly offer eSIMs for China with unlimited data but unlimited data is NOT on max data speed. Mostly the data speed is capped after you used X amount of Gigabytes. This is the so called Fair Use Policy (FUP).
Holafly and Nomad both offer eSIMs for China with unlimited data for China. Nomad specifies the FUP but Holafly does NOT specify what is their exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP). For Nomad the FUP is either 500 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB or 3 GB per day, depending on the plan you choose.
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend China eSIMs with unlimited data plans. There are always restrictions.
On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!
Imagine being on a 15 hour bus or train ride in China and after 3 hours you get a message from your eSIM provider that you used too much data for the day and you will have to wait 24 hours for the data speed to be restored. Very frustrating!
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for China with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 or 3 GB per day, then this might be your favorite eSIM.
But the question is... why would you want an eSIM with unlimited data if the FUP only allows you to use 2 GB data per day on max data speed? Useless if you ask me!
There is a Jetpac China eSIM with 20 GB data for only $28 USD. For most tourists 20 GB data is more than enough data for their trip to China.
There is no real need for an eSIM with unlimited data unless you want to upload your whole camera roll to your Google Drive or iCloud via 4G/5G instead of WiFi.
There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to China in 2024 before choosing your favorite.
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to China?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to China, but are they also the best way to stay connected when traveling to China?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to China:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are often a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. Local prepaid sim cards mostly offer bigger data plans than eSIMs and on top of that local prepaid sim cards come often with unlimited local calls and sms.
First of all a local China prepaid sim card can only be purchased on arrival in China in a phone store or at the airport and NOT on the internet.
Second, as said multiple time before, a China local prepaid sim card is pretty much useless for Western tourists as all our applications are blocked. Not only Social Media, also everything related to Google, so good luck browsing the internet. What about VPN’s? All the well-known VPN’s are also blocked.
More info about the best China sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a sim card for China in 2024.
On top of that buying a sim card in China is also not cheap. The cheapest tourist sim card at Shagnahi Airport was $21 USD and came with 20 GB data.
A reminder there is already an eSIM for China with 20 GB data for just $25 USD and it comes with no internet censorship and no VPN needed.
The advantage of a China local prepaid sim cards is that they are all 5G ready. All of the mobile internet operators in China (China Unicom, China Mobile and China Telekom) allow prepaid users to use the 5G network.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to China. Some of them are great for using in China as well as in all other countries in for example Europe, USA, Asia and you can easily order them online.
If after visiting China you are traveling onwards in Asia then check Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2024 or the best Asia tourist sim cards in 2024.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for China directly online.
International prepaid sim cards for China also come without any internet censorship from the Great Firewall of China, no VPN needed.
eSIMs
There are two different eSIMs:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIMs that you buy in China in a mobile internet provider store
However, as of October 2024 there are no eSIMs for tourists. Traveltomtom personally shopped around in Shanghai and Shenzhen to find out if eSIMs were available for tourists in China and the answer is: NO!
On arrival at the international airports in China they only sell physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. Read all about it in my detailed guide about buying a sim card at Shanghai Airport.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to China, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to China. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.
On top of that you have no issues whatsoever using the internet like you do at home. With an international prepaid sim card or an eSIM for China the Great Firewall of China is not blocking any of your apps and you do NOT need a VPN.
Isn't that the best thing you heard in a while? :)
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists? When we compare China eSIM prices with local prepaid sim cards for China, Traveltomtom comes to the simple conclusion that eSIMs for China that you buy on the internet are in fact cheaper than local prepaid sim cards for tourists that they sell in mobile phone stores in China.
China has so called visitors sim cards for tourists and they are specially designed for foreigners buying a sim card with a non-Chinese passport. They are also specially designed to make a lot of money on tourists.
The cheapest tourist sim cards start from $21 USD and up. You can buy them in the official retail stores of in the city center of every popular tourist destination in China.
After a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected. On top of that there are much better deals online and with these eSIMs as soon as the plane lands you are connected. Therefore Traveltomtom recommends to order one of the listed best eSIMs for China in the comparison above.
Many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for China. Faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator.
For China it is very simple actually since local prepaid sim cards are all on 5G and eSIMs for China are limited to 4G/LTE.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid China sim card.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to China were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM for China right away.
If you still have any questions about eSIMs then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of October 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to China!