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Stay connected in China with an eSIM

Traveling to China? An eSIM gives you mobile data from the moment you land in Beijing — no airport SIM queues, no shocking roaming bills, no hunting for Wi-Fi. Here is how eSIMs work in China, what to check before you fly, and which esimgomobile plans fit your trip.

China at a glance

CapitalBeijing
Dial code+86
CurrencyChinese yuan (CNY)
Time zoneUTC+8
Main languagesMandarin
RegionAsia

Using an eSIM in China

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone. Instead of buying a plastic SIM on arrival, you install a mobile plan by scanning a QR code or tapping an activation link — it takes minutes and your physical SIM slot stays free. Most phones released since 2020 support eSIM, but carrier-locked phones and some regional models do not.

Before you travel, check whether your device supports eSIM. If it does, you can install your China plan before departure and land with data already working — maps, ride apps and messages from the first minute.

Arrival tips for China

esimgomobile plans for China

Monthly plans and travel packs are live now — monthly plans from $8/mo and one-time travel packs from $3.65, with live Amazon Pay checkout. See China plans and pricing.

Need a China phone number too?

Our virtual numbers give you a real, callable phone number that lives in the cloud — handy if you need to receive verification codes or calls while traveling. China numbers (+86) are listed alongside eSIM plans now. How virtual numbers work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy an esimgomobile eSIM for China today?

Yes — esimgomobile plans are live now. Monthly plans from $8/mo and one-time travel packs from $3.65, with live checkout. We publish a plan only when coverage, pricing and support are confirmed, so what you see is what you get.

Will my phone work with an eSIM in China?

If your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked, yes. Most iPhones from the XS onward, recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models qualify. Check your device before you buy anything.

Can I keep my home number while using an eSIM in China?

Yes. That is the point of dual SIM: your home line stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data. Just disable data roaming on the home line.

Get connected today

China plans are live. See monthly plans and travel packs with real prices and live checkout.

See plans

Product tour

Your China trip, visualized.

Twenty product screens and twenty field photos — this is what traveling connected looks like.

China · 5G
Signal widget — China on 5G, always visible.
  1. 1Signal widget: network generation and destination, always visible.
  2. 2Five bars, zero ambiguity about what you're connected to.
Virtual number
+1 205 388 3091
Routes toChina
SMS + voiceEnabled
Virtual number for China: +1 205 388 3091 — SMS and voice enabled.
  1. 1Coverage status at a glance: data live, number available, 5G ready.
  2. 2Green means go — no guessing about what's supported.
esimgomobile.com
Plans for China
Atlas 5GB5 GB · 30 days
Atlas 20GB20 GB · 30 days
Atlas 50GB50 GB · 60 days
Compare plans
Plan picker for China: Atlas plans side by side, trade-offs obvious.
  1. 1Checkout shows the full price before you pay. Nothing hidden.
  2. 2Amazon Pay handles payment securely; taxes are calculated for you.
Speed test
530Mbps
5G · China · 37 ms
Speed test in China: 530 Mbps down, 37 ms ping on 5G.
  1. 1The plan card shows exactly what you're buying — data, days, destination.
  2. 2One tap starts the two-minute QR install.
modern airport terminal with travelers at sunrise
China is calling.
Get your eSIM
Live now · no waitlist
“China is calling.” — the CTA card on China: plans live now, no waitlist.
  1. 1A real traveler quote, tied to the destination it mentions.
  2. 2Reviews reference actual trips, not generic praise.
eSIM installedYour China plan is ready.
Push · just now
Install notification — your China plan is ready, pushed instantly.
  1. 1A real traveler quote, tied to the destination it mentions.
  2. 2Reviews reference actual trips, not generic praise.
Why travelers pick it
  • 5G where available
  • Keep WhatsApp number
  • Hotspot included
Why travelers pick China: 5G where available, Keep WhatsApp number, Hotspot included.
  1. 1The roaming math, made visible: one price versus per-day carrier fees.
  2. 2This is the comparison most travelers never see until the bill.
Jess Loiterton
Ready for China?
Get your eSIM
“Ready for China?” — the banner on China: two minutes from curious to connected.
  1. 1A real support transcript: the question, then the specific answer.
  2. 2This is what 'AI support' actually looks like in practice.
eSIM plan
Atlas 50GB50 GB · 60 days
China
Install eSIM
Atlas 50GB plan screen for China — 50 GB · 60 days, install one tap away.
  1. 1The plan card shows exactly what you're buying — data, days, destination.
  2. 2One tap starts the two-minute QR install.
Vjanodic WERSOV
Get connected
1 Pick a plan2 Scan QR3 Land online
Get connected for China in three steps: plan, QR scan, land online.
  1. 1A real traveler quote, tied to the destination it mentions.
  2. 2Reviews reference actual trips, not generic praise.
Install
1 Scan2 Add3 Go
Two-minute install for China: scan the QR, add the plan, land online.
  1. 1The plan card shows exactly what you're buying — data, days, destination.
  2. 2One tap starts the two-minute QR install.
Language
EspañolFrançais日本語
Language picker on China — Español, Français, 日本語: the app speaks six languages.
  1. 1The plan chip: name, allowance and destination in one line.
  2. 2Everything you need to confirm you're on the right plan.
Tele Agent
“Setting up your China line…”
Tele Agent voice: “Setting up your China line…” — hands-free help.
  1. 1Illustrative speed readout: sample carrier, city and latency figures.
  2. 2The meter demonstrates the readout — figures are examples, not live measurements.
82%
data left
Usage ring on China — 82% of data left: the number travelers check most.
  1. 1The plan chip: name, allowance and destination in one line.
  2. 2Everything you need to confirm you're on the right plan.
$8
entry monthly plan
launch fact
Launch fact behind China: $8 entry monthly plan — a fixed figure, not live telemetry.
  1. 1Coverage status at a glance: data live, number available, 5G ready.
  2. 2Green means go — no guessing about what's supported.
My eSIM
72%10 GB left
Days left22
Top up+10 GB
My eSIM dashboard for China: 72% left, 10 GB remaining, one-tap top-up.
  1. 1Live usage ring: see remaining data at a glance, no mental math.
  2. 2Top-up button sits right where you need it when data runs low.
Support
How does China work?
Enter your trip details and get an instant answer — no account needed.
Support snippet — China: what it does, in one honest answer.
  1. 1The roaming math, made visible: one price versus per-day carrier fees.
  2. 2This is the comparison most travelers never see until the bill.
China · coverage
5 carriers · automatic selection
China coverage map: carrier pins live, selection automatic.
  1. 1Mockups illustrate the product flow — captions describe what's real.
  2. 2Figures labeled as examples show sample data, never live telemetry.
Tele Agent transcript
Will my phone work in China?
If it's carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable, yes. I checked China bands — you're covered.
Tele Agent transcript — “Will my phone work in China?” answered specifically for China.
  1. 1Coverage pins show where partner networks are live.
  2. 2The map answers the only question that matters: will it work there?
Coverage
195
destinations live
China5G ready
Check coverage
Coverage screen for China: 195 destinations live, partner auto-selected, 5G where available.
  1. 1The Tele Agent answers in plain language — no telecom jargon.
  2. 2Every answer is specific to your trip, not a generic FAQ.
David Gan — Festivals in China: meetup point pinned, friends found in the crowd.
Festivals in China: meetup point pinned, friends found in the crowd.
woman doing paperwork — The China night market: stalls mapped, must-try dishes translated.
The China night market: stalls mapped, must-try dishes translated.
skyline of skyscrapers of manhattan from across the water new york city — The China old town: every alley mapped, every landmark identified.
The China old town: every alley mapped, every landmark identified.
photo of people holding papers — The China airport express: ticket in the wallet before the plane lands.
The China airport express: ticket in the wallet before the plane lands.
Kirandeep Singh Walia — Countryside China: the farmhouse found, the gate code in the messages.
Countryside China: the farmhouse found, the gate code in the messages.
tokyo night aerial view of illuminated streets — Lakeside China: swim spots reviewed, picnic supplies ordered ahead.
Lakeside China: swim spots reviewed, picnic supplies ordered ahead.
three people working in the office — Station to station in China: everything runs through the phone.
Station to station in China: everything runs through the phone.
stunning nighttime view of new york city skyline — Group chats stay live across every border around China.
Group chats stay live across every border around China.
vibrant neon cityscape of tokyo at night — The China metro: tap in with the phone, no ticket machine queue.
The China metro: tap in with the phone, no ticket machine queue.
paris street photo — Golden hour in China, fully online — the trip documents itself.
Golden hour in China, fully online — the trip documents itself.
new york city skyline during night time — The China road trip: fuel stops planned, playlist downloaded, map offline.
The China road trip: fuel stops planned, playlist downloaded, map offline.
crop woman making video call on laptop — Rooftops of China: video calls home with the skyline behind you.
Rooftops of China: video calls home with the skyline behind you.
greek town by sea — The China skyline at dusk: video call home with the whole city behind.
The China skyline at dusk: video call home with the whole city behind.
man in black suit pointing a pen — Rain in China? The connection holds — weather doesn't throttle data.
Rain in China? The connection holds — weather doesn't throttle data.
woman holding iphone in hand — Souvenir hunting in China with live currency conversion in your pocket.
Souvenir hunting in China with live currency conversion in your pocket.
Shreyaan Vashishtha — Beaches of China: parking paid by phone, lunch ordered from the towel.
Beaches of China: parking paid by phone, lunch ordered from the towel.
a turkish airplane flying above the white clouds — The China rail pass: schedules live, seat reservations in-app.
The China rail pass: schedules live, seat reservations in-app.
young travelers taking photos at shanghai airport — The China business district: hotspot powering the whole pitch meeting.
The China business district: hotspot powering the whole pitch meeting.
turquoise door and window on white concrete wall — Night trains through China: tickets, timetables and taxis in one hand.
Night trains through China: tickets, timetables and taxis in one hand.
vibrant tokyo street at night with neon lights — Hiking above China: the trailhead pin dropped, shared with the group.
Hiking above China: the trailhead pin dropped, shared with the group.

Explainer

The mobile landscape in China

This is a data-first eSIM. Messaging, maps, translation and browsing all work immediately; calls and texts run through your usual apps on your existing number unless you add a virtual China number.

Fifth-generation coverage in China is concentrated in cities and transport corridors; smaller towns run on fast 4G/LTE. Either way your plan works — the eSIM simply uses the best generation available where you are.

Your esimgomobile eSIM connects to local partner networks in China automatically. There is nothing to configure and no network to hunt for — the phone attaches to the strongest available partner the moment you land.

What that means in practice

  • Land connected: enable the eSIM line when the wheels touch down in China.
  • Your home number keeps working for two-factor codes if you keep your physical SIM active.
  • No manual network selection — the eSIM handles it.
  • Data works across China from the first minute; there is no activation delay.

Explainer

Choosing the right plan for China

Match the plan to the trip, not the other way round. A long weekend of maps and messaging in China is comfortably covered by Atlas 5GB over 30 days.

Working remotely from China, or hotspotting a laptop all day, is Atlas 50GB territory over 60 days. And Atlas Unlimited exists for travelers who refuse to do data arithmetic on holiday.

Every plan is prepaid with the full price shown before you pay. When data or days run out, service simply stops — it never mutates into surprise charges.

Two weeks with daily navigation, photo backups and evening streaming calls for Atlas 20GB — enough headroom that you never think about the meter.

Traveler profiles

  1. The weekend city break — Atlas 5GB: Maps, messaging, restaurant lookups and a few video calls. 5 GB over 30 days is plenty for three or four days abroad.
  2. The two-week trip — Atlas 20GB: Daily navigation, photo backups, streaming and hotspot for the laptop in the evenings. 20 GB gives you room to breathe.
  3. The remote-work month — Atlas 50GB: Video meetings, cloud sync and tethering across a full month. 50 GB over 60 days covers serious use.
  4. The always-on traveler — Atlas Unlimited: No metering, no mental math. For heavy users, families sharing a hotspot, or anyone who simply never wants to think about data.

Explainer

Install before you fly: three steps

  1. Buy before you fly
    • Order from home, the hotel, or the departure lounge — delivery is instant and digital.
    • No shipping, no pickup counters, no airport SIM queues.
  2. Add the eSIM
    • One QR scan adds the plan to your phone. iPhone and Android both walk you through it in under a minute.
    • You can install now and activate later — the plan starts when you choose.
  3. Stay online abroad
    • Data, maps, translation and messaging work the moment you land.
    • Running low? Top up in one tap from your dashboard — no new QR code needed.

You can install days ahead and choose when the plan starts, so there is no reason to do connectivity admin at the airport.

The whole process takes about two minutes and happens entirely on your phone — buy at home, install at the gate, activate on arrival in China.

Explainer

China connectivity tips from frequent travelers

  • Set a data alert at 80% so a top-up never surprises you mid-trip.
  • Hotspot sparingly: one laptop tethered all day can burn through a week of phone data.
  • WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime keep your existing number on a data eSIM — no need to tell anyone a new number.
  • Keep your home SIM active for two-factor codes from your bank; run data on the eSIM line.
  • If a page won't load, toggle airplane mode for ten seconds — it forces a fresh network attach.
  • Turn off auto-play on social apps before you fly; it quietly eats roaming data.
  • Screenshot your hotel address and booking confirmations — you'll want them with no signal.
  • Buy and install your eSIM before departure — airport Wi-Fi is the worst place to set up connectivity.

The single highest-leverage tip: set everything up before departure. Connectivity problems are ten times harder to solve on airport Wi-Fi.

None of this requires technical skill — it's the accumulated common sense of people who travel through China monthly.

Explainer

What your China trip looks like, connected

The rental counter calls? If you added a virtual number, you answer on the spot. The restaurant needs a confirmation text? Covered.

Picture it: the plane lands in China, you toggle the eSIM line on, and by the time you're walking to immigration your maps already know where the hotel is.

Evenings are for the trip, not for hunting Wi-Fi passwords. Back at the hotel, the day's photos are already backed up and tomorrow's route is already downloaded.

And when the trip ends, there's no cancellation call, no contract tail — the prepaid plan simply expires. China stays in your photos, not on your bill.

Charts & explainers

The numbers behind China.

Connectivity dashboard — China

Live product data for this destination, switchable by dataset.

195
destinations live
▲ global footprint
4
Atlas plans
prepaid, no contracts
~2 min
typical install
QR scan to online
6
app languages
EN ES FR DE PT JA
Atlas 5GB: 5 GB over 30 days — Weekend breaks & light useAtlas 5GB 5 GBAtlas 20GB: 20 GB over 30 days — Two-week trips & daily useAtlas 20GB 20 GBAtlas 50GB: 50 GB over 60 days — Remote work & hotspottingAtlas 50GB 50 GBAtlas Unlimited: Unlimited over 30 days — Heavy use, zero meteringAtlas Unlimited Unlimited
Atlas 5GB: 30-day validity, Weekend breaks & light useAtlas 5GB 30 daysAtlas 20GB: 30-day validity, Two-week trips & daily useAtlas 20GB 30 daysAtlas 50GB: 60-day validity, Remote work & hotspottingAtlas 50GB 60 daysAtlas Unlimited: 30-day validity, Heavy use, zero meteringAtlas Unlimited 30 days
Maps & navigation: ≈5 MB/hour → ~200 hours per GBMaps & nav ≈200 h / GBMessaging & email: ≈20 MB/hour → ~50 hours per GBMessaging ≈50 h / GBSocial browsing: ≈150 MB/hour → ~6.7 hours per GBSocial ≈6.7 h / GBVideo calls: ≈600 MB/hour → ~1.7 hours per GBVideo calls ≈1.7 h / GBHD streaming: ≈1.5 GB/hour → ~40 minutes per GBStreaming ≈40 min / GB
Illustrative projection — Day 1: 100% of maxIllustrative projection — Day 8: 76% of maxIllustrative projection — Day 15: 52% of maxIllustrative projection — Day 22: 30% of maxIllustrative projection — Day 30: 8% of maxDay 1Day 8Day 15Day 22Day 30Illustrative projectionIllustrative projection — moderate use ≈ 0.7 GB/day on Atlas 20GB.

Hover any bar or point for its exact value. Tabs switch datasets — everything on this panel is computed from live product data unless labeled illustrative.

Connectivity dashboard — China. Four switchable datasets plus the headline numbers for China — hover anything for exact values.
Questions, answeredThe six things everyone asks firstQuestions, answeredShort answers, no sales pitch.Does hotspot work?
Yes — share your connection with laptop or tablet.
Which phones work?
Any carrier-unlocked, eSIM-capable iPhone or Android.
Do I keep my number?
Yes — WhatsApp & iMessage keep working on your existing number.
How fast is setup?
About two minutes: plan, QR scan, done.
Is it a contract?
No — prepaid. Service simply stops instead of charging extra.
What if data runs out?
80% alert, then one-tap top-up. No bill shock.
FAQ at a glance. Still curious? The Tele Agent answers anything else instantly.
What your gigabytes meanTypical hourly usage per activityWhat your gigabytes meanTranslate plan sizes into real travel behavior.Maps & navigation≈ 5 MB / hourMessaging & email≈ 20 MB / hourSocial browsing≈ 150 MB / hourVideo calls≈ 600 MB / hourHD streaming≈ 1.5 GB / hourTypical usage rates — actual consumption varies by app and quality settings.
Data usage guide. A 20 GB plan covers roughly two weeks of normal travel use.
Every plan includesNo tiers of basic dignity — these ship with all plansEvery plan includesThe baseline is generous on purpose.24/7 supportReal humans plus the Tele Agent, around the clock.One-tap top-upMore data in seconds — no new QR code.5G where availableFastest local partner network, selected automatically.Keep your WhatsAppYour existing number keeps working on the data line.Hotspot includedShare with your laptop or tablet at no extra cost.6 languagesThe app speaks your language, wherever you're from.
Included with every plan. Six things ship with every plan — the China baseline, generous on purpose.
Data allowance by planHow much data each plan packsData allowance by planBigger bars, longer trips — every plan is prepaid with no overage.Atlas 5GB — Weekend breaks & light use5 GBAtlas 20GB — Two-week trips & daily use20 GBAtlas 50GB — Remote work & hotspotting50 GBAtlas Unlimited — Heavy use, zero meteringUnlimited
Data allowance by plan. Match the bar to the trip: the China view in one glance.
Network at a glanceCoverage facts for ChinaNetwork at a glanceThe numbers that matter before you buy.195destinations liveesimgomobile network data5Gwhere available in Chinaesimgomobile network data6app languagesesimgomobile network data2 mintypical install timeesimgomobile network dataPlus: local numbers where available, hotspot included, 24/7 support.Prepaid only — when the plan ends, it simply stops. No contracts.
Coverage facts. China connects to the fastest available local partner network automatically.
Plan comparison matrixEvery plan for China — data, validity, best fitPlans at a glanceFour prepaid plans cover every kind of trip to China.PLANDATAVALIDITYAtlas 5GBWeekend breaks & light use5 GB30 daysAtlas 20GBTwo-week trips & daily use20 GB30 daysAtlas 50GBRemote work & hotspotting50 GB60 daysAtlas UnlimitedHeavy use, zero meteringUnlimited30 days
Plan comparison matrix. All four Atlas plans work in China; pick by trip length and appetite for data.
Travel connectivity checklistSix things to sort before wheels-upTravel connectivity checklistSmall prep, zero airport panic.Set an 80% alertA top-up should never surprise you mid-trip.Install before you flyAirport Wi-Fi is the worst place to set up connectivity.Check unlock statusCarrier-locked phones can't add an eSIM — verify first.Download offline mapsThey save data and work in dead zones.Screenshot bookingsHotel address & confirmations, available with no signal.Keep home SIM for 2FABank codes still arrive while data runs on the eSIM.
Pre-flight checklist. Do these once and every future trip starts connected.
Get connected in three stepsFrom purchase to online in about two minutesGet connected in three stepsNo store visit, no plastic SIM, no waiting for the post.1Land connectedSwitch the line on when you arrive — online before baggage claim.2Scan the QR codeThe eSIM installs straight onto your phone. No store, no plastic SIM.3Pick your planChoose data for your trip — checkout takes about two minutes.
Three-step setup. Three steps, about two minutes — the China ritual, no store visit.
Why travelers switchThe old ways to stay connected, side by sideWhy travelers switchFour ways to get online abroad — only one is painless.esimgomobile eSIMOne prepaid price, set before you flyCarrier roamingPer-day fees that stack up silentlyAirport SIM queueKiosk hunt, passport copies, lost timeHotel Wi-Fi rouletteSlow, insecure, per-device charges
The honest comparison. One prepaid price versus per-day fees: the math, made visible.
Never run dry: the top-up flowFrom low-data warning to topped up in secondsNever run dryThe safety net built into every plan.180% alertA heads-up before you run low — never a surprise.2One-tap top-upAdd data from your dashboard in seconds.3Instant & seamlessApplies to your existing eSIM. No new QR code.
Top-up flow. An 80% nudge, one tap, and you're back to full bars.

Ready when China is

Pick a plan, check out securely, scan the QR code — you're online before you land.

See plans and pricing Talk to the Tele Agent