Unlimited Internet in China - 3 Days
How to Use Your Unlimited eSIM in China
Purchase & Receive Your QR Code
The moment you buy your China Unlimited plan, your QR code lands in your inbox and dashboard.
Install the eSIM
Go to Settings ā Mobile Data ā Add eSIM and scan the QR code. Stay on Wi-Fi while you install.
Activate & Connect
Switch on the eSIM China data plan in your settings - it'll connect to the network automatically. Already abroad? Turn on Data Roaming.
You're Online!
You've got Unlimited of data for 3 days in China. Keep your primary SIM switched on if you still need calls and SMS.
Important Notes
- ā¢Install your China eSIM before your trip, while you still have Wi-Fi.
- ā¢Your device must be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked.
- ā¢Each QR code can only be scanned once - don't delete the eSIM after installing it.
China eSIM - Frequently Asked Questions
Support
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Why Travelers Choose an eSIM for China
Flying into Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou? A China eSIM is different from every other country on this site ā it's not just about skipping an airport SIM counter, it's about bypassing the Great Firewall. Our China eSIM routes your data through Hong Kong carriers, so Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook work the moment you land at PEK, PVG or CAN without needing a VPN. Activate a plan in two minutes, scan the QR code, and you're online at Tiananmen Square, booking Great Wall Mutianyu tickets, or uploading Shanghai Bund night photos ā all services that normally require a VPN on a physical Chinese SIM. Choose a 7-day 3 GB plan for a Beijing + Shanghai city break, a 30-day 10 GB plan for a full China tour, or China eSIM unlimited data for a longer Shanghai business trip.
eSIM vs Chinese Tourist SIM ā Which Works Without a VPN?
Chinese carriers (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) sell tourist SIMs at every major airport, but they route through mainland Chinese APNs ā meaning Google, WhatsApp, Gmail and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall unless you use a VPN. Our China eSIM routes through Hong Kong, so those services just work.
| eSIM | China Unicom Tourist SIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Access Google/Gmail | yes ā routes via Hong Kong | no ā blocked by GFW, VPN required |
| Access WhatsApp | yes | no ā blocked, VPN required |
| Access Instagram/Facebook | yes | no ā blocked |
| Setup time | ā 2 minutes (QR scan) | 15ā30 minutes (counter + passport) |
| Cost | from ~$0.50/day | CNY 100ā300 (~$14ā42) tourist pack + VPN subscription |
China eSIM FAQ ā GFW Bypass, Google/WhatsApp Access & VPN-Free Travel
Which is the best eSIM for China?
The best eSIM for China is the one that bypasses the Great Firewall so you can use Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram and Facebook without setting up a VPN. Our China eSIM routes your data through Hong Kong carriers, so those services work normally the moment you land in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. A 7-day 3 GB plan covers a Beijing + Shanghai city break, a 30-day 10 GB plan fits a full China tour including Xiāan and Chengdu, and China eSIM unlimited data suits longer business trips.
Does a China eSIM really let me use Google and WhatsApp without a VPN?
Yes ā our best eSIM for China with VPN-free access routes data via Hong Kong, which is outside the Great Firewall. That means Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X (Twitter) all work normally. You don't need to install a VPN before your flight or worry about VPN apps getting blocked mid-trip ā standard Chinese tourist SIMs route through the Firewall, our eSIM doesn't.
How do I get an eSIM in China with a local phone number?
Our standard China eSIM is data-only and uses Hong Kong routing ā it doesn't give you a mainland Chinese phone number. For services that require a mainland +86 number (WeChat new accounts, Alipay registration, some Chinese apps' SMS verification), you would need a physical Chinese SIM, which requires passport registration. For 90% of traveler needs ā maps, messaging apps, hotel check-ins, flight apps ā the data-only eSIM that bypasses the GFW is the better choice.