China eSIM prices
Data plans start at $2.99 for 1 GB valid 7 days, and unlimited plans start at $17.99 for 3 days. Everything is prepaid, data-only and bought in the app: no contract, no deposit, no passport registration.
Data plans
Match the bundle to the trip. Validity begins the first time the eSIM connects to a network in mainland China, not on the day you pay for it.
| Data | Validity | Price | Price per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $2.99 | $2.99/GB |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $6.99 | $2.33/GB |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $9.99 | $2.00/GB |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $19.99 | $2.00/GB |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $34.99 | $1.75/GB |
| 50 GB | 30 days | $62.99 | $1.26/GB Best value |
Unlimited plans
Unlimited plans have no total cap. After 3 GB at full speed in a single day the speed drops for the rest of that day and comes back the next morning — the usual fair-use arrangement on unlimited travel plans.
| Validity | Price |
|---|---|
| 3 days | $17.99 |
| 5 days | $24.99 |
| 7 days | $36.99 |
| 10 days | $45.99 |
| 15 days | $68.99 |
| 30 days | $124.99 |
Prices are shown in USD; the app can also charge in EUR, USD, GBP and TRY. The final amount is on screen before you pay.
Prices last checked on August 24, 2026.
This page covers mainland China. The same app sells plans for more than 200 other destinations, which helps when the mainland is one stop on a longer route, or when the trip continues to Hong Kong or Macau — both separate networks with their own plans.
What every plan includes
5G and LTE on nationwide Chinese networks — in the cities, along the high-speed rail corridors and in most towns.
Data routed through an international network, the way roaming is — so the apps you use at home keep working, with no VPN to set up.
Hotspot and tethering, plus top-ups that land on the eSIM already in the phone — no second install.
Your own SIM stays in the phone for your number, calls and SMS codes. The plan adds no Chinese number.
Pricing questions
How much does an eSIM for China cost?
Plans start at $2.99 for 1 GB valid 7 days. A week of maps, messages, translation and QR payments, with hotel Wi-Fi in the evening, usually lands around $9.99. Unlimited plans start at $17.99.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in China?
For almost everyone, yes, and often by a wide margin. China sits outside every roam-like-at-home zone, so your carrier bills it at its out-of-region rate — for many European operators that is the most expensive line on the tariff sheet. Look yours up before you fly and put it next to a plan here: a larger bundle is $19.99 for 30 days, paid once.
Are there hidden fees?
No. The price on the screen is the whole price: no activation fee, no deposit, no monthly charge, no automatic renewal. The app is free, and plans simply expire.
Which plan should I choose?
A city break with hotel Wi-Fi in the evening is mostly maps, messages, translation and payment QR codes, and does not need much. Take a larger bundle if you work from the phone, share a hotspot, or navigate and video-call all day. Take an unlimited plan if you would rather not think about it.