Testing the Best eSIMs for China Travel

You might not know this, but getting a physical SIM card in China is way more complicated than just stopping by a 7/11 in Thailand. You need your passport and have to go to specific provider stores just to get signed up.

Or, you could get an eSIM through your phone before even landing in China, which activates automatically. We know which option we think is best. To make your next China trip the smoothest yet, here’s a quick breakdown of our top recommendations for eSIMs in China after a whole lot of hands-on testing.

Best eSIMs for China Travel: A Quick Overview

	Saily	Jetpac	Holafly	Nomad
Network	Unspecified	China Unicom GSM	CMCC	China Unicom / China Telecom
Data Options	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, or unlimited GB	Unlimited	1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, or unlimited GB
Prepaid Data Plan Lengths	7 or 30 days	1, 4, 7, or 30 days (non unlimited)	N/A	7 or 30 days
Unlimited Plan Lengths	5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 days	3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 21, or 30 days	1-90 days	3, 5, 7, or 10 days
Throttle?	5GB/day without a speed limit	3GB/day at high speed	Unlimited data at 5G/4G speeds (with some exceptions)	After 2GB per day
Lowest Data Plan	1GB for 7 days for $4.49	1GB for 4 days for $4	1 day of unlimited data for $3.90	1GB for 7 days for $4
Highest Data Plan	Unlimited data for 30 days for $71.99	Unlimited data for 30 days for $65.99	Unlimited GB for 30 days for $74.90	50GB for 30 days for $35 or 10 days unlimited data for $33
Built-in VPN?	Yes	Yes	Yes	N

1. Saily - Best for Built-In Security

One thing you’re probably going to get very quickly acquainted with on your trip to China is a VPN. If you want to access your social media, any Google services, or certain streaming platforms, then you’re going to need a good one.

That’s where Saily comes in. It was created by the team behind NordVPN, so not only does it have a built-in VPN with over 115 virtual locations, but it also comes with bonus security perks. We love the free ad blocker and the fact that Saily will automatically stop you from accessing any malicious URLs, both of which stop you from wasting data on things you don’t want to see. 

If that’s not enough, Saily eSIM plans also come in a large range of data sizes and lengths, including great unlimited options. Throttling won’t kick in until after 5GB/day, so unless you’re really guzzling an insane amount of data, you’ll get a consistent high-speed connection.

Specifications

• Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data
• Unlimited Data Throttle: 5GB/day without a speed limit
• Built-In VPN: Yes
• Extra Perks: Ad and malicious URL blocker
• Pros: Easiest option for VPN and heightened cybersecurity
• Cons: Not the cheapest eSIM option

2. Jetpac - Best for All Around Use

Jetpac is an easy stand-out when it comes to China eSIMs for travel. To start with, it gives you free access to apps like WhatsApp Chat and Google Maps even if you’re out of data. We know what you’re going to say…what about the Chinese firewall? Well, Jetpac thought of that too, adding a free built-in VPN to their China plans.

We also love that Jetpac uses not one, not two, but three different networks across China to get you the best connectivity no matter where you are. This pretty much ensures the top chance of 5G/4G speeds out of all the eSIM providers.

Jetpac also has a massive range of plans, and when it comes to price, we had to take note of how good value the longer period unlimited options are. E.g., Jetpac has one of the cheapest 30-day unlimited data plans at $65.99.

Specifications

Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, 20GB, 30GB, 40GB, or unlimited data

Unlimited Data Throttle: 3GB/day without a speed limit

Built-In VPN: Yes

Extra Perks: Free access to WhatsApp Chat, Uber, Grab, and Google Maps

Pros: Uses multiple networks for better coverage

Cons: Unlimited high-speed data limit could be higher

3. Holafly - Best Flexible Unlimited Data

If you know Holafly, then you’ll know that its whole thing is ultra-flexible international unlimited data plans. They let you choose the exact number of days between 1 and 90 that you want your plan to last, and promise zero data throttle in China.

Holafly is another provider that made sure to include a built-in VPN to their China eSIMs so you can use that unlimited data to stream, scroll, and make WhatsApp calls to your heart’s content.

The one small con with Holafly is that they do limit data sharing to just 1GB/day, which isn’t terrible, but definitely can be annoying if you’re trying to tether to your laptop. Our fix? Make sure you always have a great mobile hotspot on standby.

Specifications

• Plan Options: Unlimited data only
• Built-In VPN: Yes
• Pros: No data throttling, meaning unlimited 5G/4G data speeds
• Cons: Data sharing is capped at 1GB/day

4. Nomad - Best For Short-Stay Unlimited Plans

If you’re looking for budget-friendly unlimited plans for a shorter China trip, then we have to point you toward Nomad. They have unlimited plan options for 3, 5, 7, or 10 days, which actually work out cheaper than almost all the other eSIM providers we checked.

We’ve found Nomad to have good and reliable coverage, probably due to them using two different networks (China Unicom and China Telecom) to improve country-wide connection. Just be aware that they do drop data speeds after 2GB/day for the unlimited plans.

Specifications

• Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, or unlimited data
• Unlimited Data Throttle: 2GB/day without a speed limit
• Built-In VPN: No
• Pros: Good value short-stay unlimited data plans
• Cons: No built-in VPN, and you only get 2GB/day of high-speed data on the unlimited plans

5. Yesim - Best for Pay-As-You-Go Plans

Yesim has created a name for itself as the pay-as-you-go international eSIM provider. We know firsthand just how annoying it is to leave a country with a bunch of unused, wasted data left over, so we definitely see the appeal of a pay-as-you-go alternative.

For someone who doesn’t necessarily know how much data they need from a China eSIM, you can use the “Get your perfect plan” button. You answer a few questions about your trip and internet use, and it gives you a customized data quote. Yesim does also have more standard plans as well…but they’re a little limited to say the least.

Specifications

• Data Options: 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, or unlimited data
• Built-In VPN: Yes
• Pay-As-You-Go Rate: $6.60/GB (minimum first-time spend of $34)
• Pros: Custom and flexible plan options
• Cons: Limited prepaid data plan options

6. BNESIM - Best for Budget Travelers

When it comes to low-cost fixed data plans, there’s no beating BNESIM. They keep costs low, with a huge range of data options that are not only well-priced, but also come as non-expiring. That means that instead of getting the normal 7/15/30 fixed days before your plan ends, BNESIM non-expiring data doesn’t have an end date.

In other words, if you don’t know the exact length of your trip (and we rarely do), then you don’t have to make any time commitments. We also love that they have a 100GB data plan for people who want essentially endless data without risk of throttle…and better yet, at a lower price than most unlimited plans.

Specifications

• Data Options: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, 100GB, or unlimited GB
• Unlimited Data Throttle: 3GB/day without a speed limit
• Built-In VPN: Yes (but limited)
• Pros: Some of the cheapest prepaid data plans in China
• Cons: Only has one unlimited data plan (which doesn’t allow for hotspotting)

Do eSIMs Need a VPN in China?

Strictly speaking, you definitely don’t need to have a VPN for your eSIM to work in China. From a tech perspective, an eSIM works regardless of whether or not you have one. However, the reason so many providers choose to offer one built into their eSIM is because of something known as the “Great Firewall of China”.

If you didn’t know already, this firewall blocks a whole bunch of go-to Western apps and websites like Instagram, Google, YouTube, and even Wikipedia. Without a VPN, you won’t be able to access them at all, and while that won’t be an issue for some people, if you're anything like us, it can be a huge headache.

That’s why we (and a whole lot of other people) recommend a VPN. Using one lets you change your device’s virtual location and skirt around the firewall completely. Some of the eSIMs on our list, like Saily, have these VPNs built in, but if you need a standalone one, we would highly recommend Mullvad and LetsVPN. They’re by far the best we’ve tested in China.

China eSIMs FAQs

Is there an eSIM that works in China?

Yes. Several international travel eSIM providers offer data plans that work in China, usually by routing traffic through overseas networks so users can access common apps and websites.

Why are eSIMs banned in China?

China has strict telecom regulations, and local carriers generally don’t do eSIM activation because of the tight control over SIM registrations. For tourists, however, international eSIMs are usually allowed. Even though the eSIM networks are Chinese, the providers are technically outside of China, making the international eSIMs legal.

Which is the best eSIM for a China holiday?

While there are some great options for China eSIMs on this list, we would recommend Saily as the best option. This is because it comes with a bunch of extra security perks (including a built-in VPN) to keep your scrolling as smooth as possible.

Can you access Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram with a China eSIM?

Yes and no. Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are all blocked by China’s Great Firewall, and an eSIM alone will not be able to help you access them. But if your eSIM comes with a built-in VPN (or you use it alongside one), then you can access these blocked sites using it.

Do you need a passport to use a travel eSIM in China?

No. Most international travel eSIMs that work in China do not require a passport because the provider is outside of the country. On the other hand, passports are typically needed to buy a physical SIM card in China.