CHINA · TRAVEL ESIM GUIDE

China eSIM guide: local networks, airport SIM costs & setup

Landing at PVG, PEK, PKX, CAN, SZX, CTU? Prepaid China eSIM data starts from 8.99 € incl. VAT (5 GB for 30 days; custom & group plans — price negotiable). Install your eSIM over Wi-Fi before departure, keep your home number active for WhatsApp and bank texts, and connect to local China Mobile networks as soon as the plane touches down.

See plansfrom 8.99 € · custom & group plans — price negotiable

PREPAID DATA PLANS

Available China eSIM plans

Open full China eSIM page ↗

5 GB · 30 days

China (mainland)

from8.99 €

· custom & group plans — price negotiable

VAT included · data only

Why roaming and airport SIMs cost more in China

Mainland China requires Alipay or WeChat Pay for almost all daily payments, metro gates and Didi rides, which need continuous mobile data.

Local Chinese SIM cards at Beijing (PEK/PKX) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG) require real-name passport facial verification and sit behind mainland firewall filtering.

With a prepaid China eSIM from 8.99 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable), you receive the QR code and iPhone direct-install link right after payment.

Option	Typical price	Setup	Home number
Frog eSIM (China)	from 8.99 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable)	Wi-Fi before flight (1 min)	Stays active for SMS & WhatsApp
Airport SIM kiosk (PVG)	25 € – 45 € tourist pack	Queue + passport check	Removed unless dual-SIM tray
Home carrier roaming	5 € – 15 € per day	Automatic	Stays active

Local networks, 4G/5G speed & coverage in China

4G LTE and 5G across Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi’an via international roaming routing.

Our China plans connect to China Mobile with 5G / 4G LTE speeds where available. Personal hotspot (tethering) is enabled so you can share data with a laptop or a travel companion’s phone.

Partner networks: China Mobile (5G / 4G LTE)
Main arrival airports covered: PVG, PEK, PKX, CAN, SZX, CTU
Hotspot / tethering included at no extra cost
Top up more data onto the same eSIM anytime via My eSIM

How much data do you need for China?

For a 1-to-2-week trip, 5 GB (30 days, from 8.99 € incl. VAT; custom & group plans — price negotiable) covers daily Google Maps navigation, ride-hailing apps, restaurant lookups, boarding passes and WhatsApp calls.

If you run low mid-trip, you can add another data pack to the same eSIM profile in My eSIM without scanning a new QR code.

Google Maps + transit + ride apps: ~150 MB per day
WhatsApp messages, voice notes & 20 min voice calls: ~80 MB per day
Social media browsing & photo uploads: ~300–500 MB per day

4-step setup on iPhone and Android before you fly

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears on screen, your phone has an eSIM chip.

Install the profile over home Wi-Fi the day before departure. Keep the travel eSIM line switched off until you land, then enable it for Mobile Data with Data Roaming turned on for the travel eSIM (and Data Roaming turned off on your home SIM).

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Frequently asked questions

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support@esimkaart.ee ↗

What is the best eSIM for China?

For most trips, the 5 GB / 30-day plan from 8.99 € incl. VAT (custom & group plans — price negotiable) gives instant China Mobile coverage with hotspot support and online top-ups.

When should I install my China eSIM?

Install it over stable Wi-Fi a day before your flight to PVG. Validity starts when the eSIM connects to the partner network at your destination.

Can I keep my WhatsApp number and bank SMS?

Yes. Leave your physical home SIM active for calls and SMS, disable Data Roaming on your home SIM, and set the Frog eSIM as your Mobile Data line.

What if I need more data during my trip?

Open My eSIM on our website, enter your order ID, ICCID or purchase email, and add a top-up directly onto the existing eSIM profile.

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