eSIM plans for China

Why do you need an eSIM for China?

China is not part of the European Union roaming zone, so the "Roam Like at Home" rate does not apply: as soon as you land in Beijing or Shanghai, your Spanish operator will charge you international roaming at a premium price. Added to this is the Great Firewall, which blocks Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube within the country. Without a prepared solution, you will be incommunicado just when you need maps and a translator most.

The usual alternatives are inconvenient: paying expensive roaming, queuing for a local SIM at the airport (with passport registration and no access to Western apps), or renting a pocket WiFi that needs to be charged and returned. An eSIM for China solves it in a minute: you buy online, receive a QR code, scan it, and land with data. Many plans route traffic outside mainland China, so you can access your apps without a VPN.

How much does roaming cost in China?

As it is outside the EU, Spanish operators apply international zone rates. Daily bundles are around €10-15 per day, and without a contracted bundle, a single megabyte can skyrocket. On a typical 10-day trip, that's €100-150 just for data. An eSIM for China with several GB costs a fraction of that, so the savings exceed 80%, and you know exactly what you're paying from the start.

How much does an eSIM for China cost?

You choose the GB based on how many days you'll be there and how much you use your phone. There's no contract or commitment: you pay once, use the data, and that's it. If you run out, you can top up in seconds without changing anything. See all eSIM plans for China and pick the one that fits your itinerary.

How many GB do I need for China?

It depends on whether you only use maps and messaging or also upload photos and watch videos. With WhatsApp, Google Maps, and some browsing, you'll use little; streaming and social media are what drive up consumption. This table provides guidance based on your travel days:

What is the best eSIM for China?

The best eSIM is the one that connects to the networks with the best coverage in the country. In China, China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom operate, the three giants that cover from megacities to a good part of rural areas with 4G and one of the largest 5G networks in the world. Our plans rely on these local networks and, in many cases, route traffic outside the country so you can use your apps normally.

• Local network of China Mobile or China Unicom with real 4G and 5G.
• Activation in 1 minute with a QR, no paperwork or passport registration.
• Share data via hotspot with your laptop, tablet, or another mobile phone.
• No contract and 24/7 Spanish support if anything goes wrong.

Coverage in China: city by city

• Beijing: 5G throughout the city center, Capital (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) airports, and the entire subway network.
• Shanghai: full coverage in Pudong and Puxi, Pudong (PVG) and Hongqiao (SHA) airports, and the Maglev train.
• Guangzhou and Shenzhen: continuous 4G/5G in the Pearl River Delta and on the high-speed train.
• Xi'an and Chengdu: good signal in the historic center, tourist areas, and high-speed rail stations.
• Guilin and Zhangjiajie: solid coverage in urban areas and viewpoints; in mountainous and river sections, it may occasionally drop.
• Hong Kong: many regional plans include it, with 5G throughout the city and at the airport (HKG).

eSIM, local SIM, or pocket WiFi

A local SIM is cheap, but it requires passport registration, queuing at the airport, and, being a Chinese line, it usually remains behind the Great Firewall. A pocket WiFi can be used for several devices, but it's another device to carry, keep an eye on, and return, with a deposit involved. An eSIM wins in convenience: you install it before leaving home, it doesn't take up the slot of your Spanish SIM, and many plans already bypass app blocking. For most trips, it's the simplest and most predictable option.

How do you activate the eSIM for China?

• Purchase the plan you need and receive the QR code instantly in your email.
• Install it at home with WiFi: scan the QR, and the eSIM is saved on your phone.
• Activate it upon arrival in China by setting it as the data line in your settings.
• Connect and check that you have a signal; you'll be browsing in seconds.

Tips to avoid overspending

• Download offline maps from Google Maps or Maps. Me before traveling to use less data.
• Save video and photo uploads for hotel WiFi whenever possible.
• Estimate your GB with the table aboveonly top up if you run short, without buying too much.
• Activate your phone's data saver and disable automatic background updates.

Traveling to more destinations?

If China is just one stop on a longer trip through the continent, you might be interested in an eSIM for Asia with several countries in one plan. Are you continuing east? Take a look at the eSIM for Japan or the eSIM for Thailand. And if your route crosses several continentsglobal plans, you'll have data in dozens of countries with a single eSIM.