At a glance
- 1PelesimMost visitors who want a fixed data plan at a low price$1510 GB, 30 days
- 2UbigiTravellers who buy well before the trip$1710 GB, 30 days
- 3NomadPeople who share data with a laptop and want plan choice$1910 GB, 30 days
- 4AiraloPeople who want round-the-clock chat support$26.5010 GB, 30 days
- 5HolaflyTravellers who need Google and Western apps and want the VPN handled for themUnlimited only
How we picked
We compared the plan most visitors to China buy, 10 GB for 30 days, plus 5 GB for lighter users and each provider’s unlimited option, networks, hotspot rules, refunds and support. Prices were read from each provider’s own China page on November 5, 2026. Pelesim prices are shown before VAT; other prices are as each site displayed them, and local taxes may apply.
Blocked apps and the Great Firewall
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube are blocked on Chinese home connections, hotel Wi-Fi and local SIM cards. Of the five, only Holafly says outright that its China eSIM includes a VPN. Pelesim’s China page lists WhatsApp, Google Maps and Instagram among the apps you keep using. The other three do not say either way on their China pages. Download Alipay or WeChat before you leave as well, since most shops and taxis expect to be paid through one of them.
Which plan for your trip
- A week in Beijing and Shanghai on maps, Didi and messaging: Pelesim 5 GB for $7.80.
- Two weeks or more, or regular video calls: Pelesim 10 GB for $15, or 20 GB on China Unicom 5G for $22.
- Streaming every day: Pelesim’s 5G pass, 3 GB a day at full speed for 7 days, $23.
- You want the VPN handled for you: Holafly, $27.50 for 7 days under its fair-use policy.
China only, or Japan and Korea too?
The Pelesim plans above cover mainland China only, so a stop in Hong Kong or Macau needs its own plan. If the same trip takes you to Seoul or Tokyo, compare our best eSIMs for South Korea and best eSIMs for Japan, and our Japan travel guide covers money, trains and getting around.
No. 1, our pick
Pelesim
Best for most visitors who want a fixed data plan at a low price
The lowest 10 GB price of the five, on China Unicom and China Telecom, plus a daily-unlimited week for under $10.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $15
- 5 GB for 30 days for $7.80, about half the price of Nomad or Airalo
- Unlimited day passes, 7 days for $9.20 (1 GB a day, then 384 Kbps)
- Refund within 30 days if the eSIM is not activated
Keep in mind
- Data only, no phone number
- The $9.20 pass runs on China Mobile and slows to 384 Kbps after each day's 1 GB
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $15
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $7.80
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $9.20
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- China Unicom, China Telecom
No. 2
Ubigi
Best for travellers who buy well before the trip
A carrier-backed plan on China Telecom that starts on arrival and keeps for six months, two dollars above Pelesim for 10 GB.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $17
- Starts when it activates on arrival in China, with 6 months to do so
- Top up in the app, even with no data left
Keep in mind
- One network, China Telecom
- No 5 GB plan, only 3 GB ($7) or 10 GB
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $17
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No plan
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $24
- Hotspot
- Data sharing allowed
- Networks
- China Telecom
No. 3
Nomad
Best for people who share data with a laptop and want plan choice
Hotspot-friendly, on China Unicom and China Telecom, with a sale price on 10 GB that still sits $4 above Pelesim.
What we like
- Hotspot and tethering supported
- Starts when your phone connects to a Chinese network
- 50 GB for 45 days for $37
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $19 on sale, $22 at full price
- Must be activated within 60 days of purchase
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $19
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $14
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $25
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- Some plans
- Networks
- China Unicom, China Telecom
No. 4
Airalo
Best for people who want round-the-clock chat support
The biggest name in eSIMs, with 24/7 support on WhatsApp, but its China Unicom plan costs the most of the five for 10 GB.
What we like
- 24/7 multi-language support, including WhatsApp
- Short plans from 1 GB for 3 days for $4
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $26.50
- Its China page does not state the unlimited plans' fair-use terms
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $26.50
- 5 GB / 30 days
- $15.50
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $27
- Hotspot
- Not stated
- Networks
- China Unicom
No. 5
Holafly
Best for travellers who need Google and Western apps and want the VPN handled for them
Unlimited-only passes on China Mobile with a VPN included, the one pick that addresses blocked apps head-on, at the highest price.
What we like
- VPN included at no extra cost, according to Holafly
- Every plan is unlimited, under a fair-use policy
- Refunds can be requested for up to 6 months
Keep in mind
- 7 days is $27.50, 30 days is $76.50
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day
- 10 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- 5 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $27.50
- Hotspot
- 1 GB a day
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- China Mobile
Compare all five
| Our pickPelesim | No. 2Ubigi | No. 3Nomad | No. 4Airalo | No. 5Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB / 30 days | $15 | $17 | $19 | $26.50 | No fixed plans |
| 5 GB / 30 days | $7.80 | No plan | $14 | $15.50 | No fixed plans |
| Unlimited | 7 days for $9.20 | 7 days for $24 | 7 days for $25 | 7 days for $27 | 7 days for $27.50 |
| Hotspot | Allowed | Data sharing allowed | Allowed | Not stated | 1 GB a day |
| Phone number | No | Not listed | Some plans | Not listed | No |
| Networks | China Unicom, China Telecom | China Telecom | China Unicom, China Telecom | China Unicom | China Mobile |
Common questions
How much does an eSIM for China cost?
In prices checked on 5 November 2026, 10 GB for 30 days in China cost $15 with Pelesim (before VAT), $17 with Ubigi, $19 with Nomad on sale and $26.50 with Airalo. For 5 GB, Pelesim is $7.80, Nomad $14 and Airalo $15.50; Ubigi has no 5 GB plan. Holafly sells unlimited plans only, at $27.50 for 7 days and $76.50 for 30 days.
Can I use Google and WhatsApp in China with an eSIM?
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western sites are blocked on Chinese hotel Wi-Fi and local SIM cards. Holafly says its China eSIM includes a VPN for apps the Great Firewall restricts, and Pelesim's China page lists WhatsApp and Google Maps among the apps you keep using. Ubigi, Nomad and Airalo do not address it on their China plan pages, so if one app matters for work, ask support before you fly.
How much data do I need in China?
Maps, ride-hailing, translation and messaging use less than people expect, and 5 GB covers a typical week. Choose 10 GB or more if you will make video calls, share a hotspot or stay two weeks or longer. A daily-unlimited pass removes the guesswork if you cannot predict your use.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for China?
Yes. Pelesim sells a 7-day pass for China for $9.20, with 1 GB a day at full speed and then 384 Kbps, and a 5G pass with 3 GB a day for $23, checked 5 November 2026 and shown before VAT. Ubigi lists 7 days of unlimited data for $24, Nomad $25, Airalo $27 and Holafly $27.50. Each runs under its own daily limit or fair-use policy.
Which networks do China eSIMs use?
In this ranking Pelesim and Nomad use China Unicom and China Telecom, Ubigi uses China Telecom, Airalo uses China Unicom, and Holafly uses China Mobile. Pelesim's cheapest unlimited pass also runs on China Mobile. A plan with two networks lets your phone switch when one signal is weak.
Can I install a China eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, then switch it on and enable data roaming for that line when you land. Ubigi's plan starts when it activates on arrival, and Nomad's when your phone joins a Chinese network. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, since most of these plans are data only.
