5 Best eSIMs for Traveling China: Our 2025 Ranking

Planning a trip to China? You've probably seen TikToks of the stunning landscapes in Zhangjiajie, the iconic Hongya Cave in Chongqing, or the ancient charm of Lijiang. These destinations are incredibly popular right now. To make your journey even smoother, having reliable mobile data in China is essential, and getting an eSIM is the way to go. Discover the 5 best eSIMs for traveling China below to ensure you stay connected throughout your adventure.

Top 5 eSIM plans for China trip

The eSIM China 1GB – 2GB/day available on Gohub, is an excellent choice for tourists visiting China. This plan is particularly responsive for those engaging in activities such as sharing on social media, using maps, watching videos, or needing frequent connectivity for work. While the eSIM China 15GB for 30 Days is a suitable choice for a long trip to China, it’s just one of the numerous options available. To ensure you make the best decision for your connectivity needs in China, it’s vital to compare leading eSIM China Providers and their Plans for you.

Comparison of Top Providers and their eSIM packages for China

When getting an eSIM for your upcoming trip to China, consider a few essential factors to ensure seamless connectivity throughout your journey. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Network Coverage: Ensure your eSIM plan offers excellent coverage in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and regions like Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as more rural areas.
• Budget: Price is a crucial consideration. Compare the costs of different eSIM plans to find one that fits your budget and meets your needs.
• VPN Service: Check if the eSIM provider includes VPN services. The Great Firewall of China restricts access to some websites, so a VPN can be essential.
• Data and Duration Needs: Evaluate how much data you will need and the duration of your stay to choose an appropriate plan.
• Customer Support: Opt for an eSIM provider with responsive customer support to ensure you can get help quickly if any issues arise.

1. Gohub - 20% Discount for first order

Gohub is a rising star in the world of travel eSIMs, established in 2018. They offer eSIMs that work in over 100 countries and regions globally. For their China eSIM, Gohub partners with top network providers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. These are the three most popular providers in China, known for their balance of price, data capacity, and coverage. Gohub focuses on enhancing customer experience by selecting eSIMs from official network partners worldwide, ensuring a wide range of choices to fit every need and budget. Plus, their 24/7 technical support team is always ready to assist customers throughout their journey. At the time of writing, Gohub boasts a 4.6-star rating on TrustPilot. Ready to stay connected on your travels? Visit the Gohub China eSIM Shop today! [ux_products type="row" width="full-width" columns="3" columns__sm="1" show_cat="0" show_title="0" show_rating="0" show_price="0" show_add_to_cart="0" show_quick_view="0" equalize_box="0" ids="78215,48832,80199"]

2. Holafly

Holafly is a well-known eSIM provider catering to tourists in China, with a global reach extending to over 190 countries and regions. They primarily utilize the China Mobile network  with a wide coverage throughout China, including in rural areas. A key feature of Holafly’s service is their exclusive offering of Unlimited data packages. However, it’s important to note that despite the ‘unlimited’ label, high-speed data usage is cappaed, after which the speed reduces. Therefore, users should be mindful of their data consumption. In terms of pricing, Holafly’s rates are higher compared to other providers offering similar plans. Additionally, their eSIM plans do not support hotspot or tethering features. As of the latest reports, Holafly has earned a 4.7-star rating on TrustPilot.

3. Airalo

Airalo, a pioneer in the eSIM market since 2019, offers eSIM services in over 200 countries and regions worldwide. They provide a dedicated app that enables customers to purchase, activate, and manage their eSIMs conveniently. In China, Airalo uses the China Unicom network, known for its fast and reliable connectivity. Despite being a market leader, Airalo has faced criticism regarding its customer service, with issues such as slow response times and difficulties in reaching support during troubleshooting. Regarding their China-specific eSIM packages, there are six options for China, while the remaining six cater to a broader regional market that includes China. They also offer long-day packages, which use 60 to 180 days with up to 100GB of capacity. At the time of writing this article, Airalo gets 2.5 stars on TrustPilot.

4. Nomad

Nomad is one of the most expensive eSIM brands on the market. It’s particularly well-suited for short-term travelers, frequent globetrotters, and those who visit multiple countries in a single journey. The brand offers a user-friendly app that simplifies the process of purchasing and installing eSIM cards directly on mobile phones. However, the app is currently only available for iOS users in specific countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, Israel, India, UAE, and Morocco. At the time of writing this article, Nomad gets 4.4 stars on TrustPilot.

5. Mobimatter

Mobimatter, founded in 2018 in the UAE, is a provider of mobile internet services. For your trip to China, you can buy Mobimatter’s eSIM packages specifically for China and nearby regions. They offer an app where you can control and recharge your eSIM. However, Mobimatter offers fewer package choices compared to other providers. They mainly offer plans of 30 days or more. Short-day packages are not available yet. At the time of writing this article, Mobimatter gets 4.1 stars on TrustPilot. Below, we will assess the advantages and disadvantages of various eSIM providers for travel in China, enabling you to select the most appropriate option. Below, we will assess the advantages and disadvantages of various eSIM providers for travel in China, enabling you to select the most appropriate option.

eSIM provider	Pros	Cons
Gohub	Numerous choices are available, ranging from short-term to long-term options. Offers excellent and immediate 24/7 Multi-language support in case of troubleshooting issues. Sharing hotspot/ tethering Cheaper prices than other providers	Entered the eSIM market later than other providers.
Holafly	Unlimited data, but only a certain portion is available at high speed; once this is used up, the speed is used at slow speed A well-known provider with many years of experience on the market (since 2018)	Higher prices than other providers No hotspot/tethering and top-up Don't mention about Throttle speed of Unlimited data
Airalo	A leading company in the market, established in 2019. An easy-to-use application for user convenience. Cheaper prices than other providers	Little options for China Tourist No top-up, no hotspot/tethering More bad review about Slow response and customer support
Nomad	Offering China tourists unlimited data eSIM packages, with a note that daily usage exceeding 2 GB will result in a reduced speed of 512 kbps. An application designed for ease of use and user convenience.	Higher price than other competitors For short-term travelers, there will be few options for regular Plans (Not Unlimited Data)
Mobimatter	An application that allows customers to purchase, utilize, and manage their plans Ideal for tourists staying long in China.	No plans for short trips.

FAQs About China eSIM

Does China eSIM include a VPN?

Some providers offer VPN services with their eSIMs, while others do not. You will need to confirm this with your chosen service provider.

Does WhatsApp work on eSIM in China?

WhatsApp is generally inaccessible in China due to the Great Firewall restrictions. However, you can use some eSIMs that support data to access WhatsApp, such as MicroEsim.

How do I activate an eSIM in China?

Follow these general activation steps:

1. Ensure your device supports eSIM. Check the eSIM-compatible devices page.
2. Make sure your device is unlocked from any SIM card carrier.
3. After purchasing, scan the QR code with another device to activate the eSIM. Some eSIMs may require downloading their apps for activation.

Conclusion

Traveling to China can be an unforgettable adventure, filled with breathtaking sights and cultural experiences. Ensuring you have reliable mobile data is key to staying connected and making the most of your trip. After exploring the top 5 eSIM options, it's clear that each provider has its strengths. Holafly, Airalo, Nomad, and Mobimatter also offer solid plans, each with unique features that might suit different travel needs. However, for a blend of affordability, extensive coverage, and customer support, Gohub is highly recommended.