The Best eSIMs for China 🇨🇳
- Updated: November 13, 2022 | Published: August 21, 2022
Are you traveling to China? Then you should definitely not travel without an Internet connection. Whether it’s a personal trip or a business trip to China, you should not travel without mobile internet.
There are several options to connect to the Internet in China, however, an eSIM is our clear recommendation. In this article we compare different China eSIMs.
💡 Click here to see the eSIM comparison table
We will advise you on your choice of the best eSIM China, so that you can always travel connected while on vacation. We pay attention to price, duration, data volume, service, technical support & more.
What is an eSIM?
The eSIM is a new form of the traditional SIM card that we use every day. What makes it special is that the SIM chip is already built into the new smartphones. It is also called an “embedded” SIM, which is where the “e” of eSIM comes from. By integrating the chip inside the phone, it is possible to virtually activate the desired data tariffs.
There are two different ways to do this, either you manage the data rates with the help of an app that serves as a SIM card manager. Or you scan a QR code and the data device activates itself.
Advantages of an eSIM for China
The eSIM offers various advantages over the normal SIM card that you may not have thought of before. These include, for example:
- Greener: Protect the environment by buying an eSIM. Eliminate plastic cards, paper for packaging and CO2 emissions during shipping.
- Save time: Because the delivery is done by email, you save time waiting for the delivery or standing in line at the store. After two clicks you have your eSIM.
- Availability: By getting your eSIM from the online store, you are free to buy your eSIM from anywhere in the world at any time, even if you are already in China.
How do I activate the eSIM with data plan for China?
We were really surprised how easy it was to use. People are sometimes a bit cautious with new technologies, but with the eSIM, you definitely don’t need to be. It’s actually as easy as everyone always says it is.
If you get the data plan in the form of a QR code, then at the appropriate time you go to your settings app on your phone. There, a camera will open up under the “Add Data Plan” section. After scanning, you label the new eSIM for China and select this “profile” as active.
The steps follow one after the other and you are automatically and self-explanatory redirected. Anyone can do this, even those who are not particularly technically experienced. In addition, with most eSIM providers, step-by-step instructions are also added to your email.
What do I have to consider when buying a China eSIM?
To avoid problems later on when using your eSIM China, it is important that you check the compatibility of your device and the product variant before buying.
Compatibility
Because the eSIM is a very new product, it does not work with all phone models. Only the newer smartphones have the new dual eSIM technologies. So that you don’t end up without data in China, you should check compatibility before you buy. We simply checked the list of compatible smartphones on the eSIM provider’s websites. You will actually find all the information you need there.
Which eSIM package should you choose?
You should get an overview of how much data you use on average in advance to be able to estimate which data plan is right for you. We know friends who need significantly more data volume on vacation than at home. This can happen quickly when you want to share your new experiences on Instagram from the road or Google many sights during the city tour to learn more about the history.
However, especially on vacation, you sometimes want to sit in front of screens less, which is why you consciously put your phone away. For this reason, you must first empathize with yourself and think about what you want to use the map for. If you have difficulties, you can also ask experts for advice or look for suitable articles that explain exactly how you can estimate your data consumption.
The Best eSIMs for China
Below you see a curated list of providers that offer eSIMs for China at an affordable price with a reliable internet service in China.
What do I do when the data on my China eSIM is used up?
It’s good to have a data plan that’s perfect for your trip. But don’t worry if you run out of data even before your trip ends. As mentioned before, one of the advantages of China eSIM is that you can order it regardless of your location.
This means that you can order another data plan at short notice if you realize that the planned one will not be sufficient. After all, it can always happen that you have to apply for things due to unexpected events or have to discuss a lot with your family at home.
My phone is not compatible with the China eSIM - is there an alternative?
Too bad… If you found out that your current phone is not compatible with the eSIM, don’t worry yet. There are other internet alternatives for China.
SIM Card
Various providers send the traditional China prepaid SIM cards to your home before you leave. There are almost unlimited options available with different durations.
For the sake of completeness, we also mention the other alternatives for Internet in China. For us, these options are less of an option, but they may be just right for your needs.
Pocket WiFi
The Pocket WiFis are portable WiFi routers, which are especially well-known in Asia. You can connect several devices at the same time, just like with a normal router. However, you always have another bulky device in your luggage, which has to be recharged after 13 hours of runtime.
Public WiFi
It is definitely the cheapest option, but it must be clearly mentioned here that you are not allowed to enter any personal information, transactions or passwords while you are connected to a public WiFi.
The networks are rather insecure and many hackers use this to their advantage. We do check Instagram from time to time if we happen to come across a public wifi during our trip. However, we only use this as a supplement to the China eSIM.
Roaming
Almost everyone knows someone, or was perhaps ready to be someone, who came home unsuspecting and found an incredibly high phone bill at home after a relaxing vacation. Since you can quickly and unintentionally get rid of half a fortune here, we clearly advise against roaming as an Internet option.
Holiday in China
Travel to China is exotic, foreign and overwhelming. There is really no doubt about that. The country is known to many only as the world’s number one exporter, but on a vacation China is an exciting country as a destination.
It all starts in Beijing
Beijing, capital and cultural center of an entire nation presents itself to its guests as very cosmopolitan and hospitable. Travel to China often begins in this metropolis. To see there is of course all hand and a stay in Beijing should last a few days more to really see everything.
The Forbidden City with the Imperial Palace is only one of many highlights that Beijing has to offer. The old and new Summer Palace also attracts visitors and of course Tiananmen Square. Not to forget the Mao Mausoleum.
About 70km before the actual city gates, one already encounters the biggest sight of the country when traveling to China: the Great Wall of China.
Somewhat more modern and therefore also more economical is China’s megacity Shanghai. It is also very high on the list of travel destinations in the country. Shopping, strolling and museums offer above all the culture-interested vacationers something. The numerous and partly quite exclusive restaurants of the city provide for palate pleasures.
The hanging temples
Many people associate a vacation in China with the high art of Kung Fu. In the world-famous Shaolin Temple, you can follow in the footsteps of the oldest martial art. China is famous for its multitude of Buddhist temples.
In Datong even a wonder of the world awaits you: the hanging temples at Heng Shan. This temple complex is over 1,000 years old and testifies to unique Chinese Buddhist architecture.
Other destinations in the People's Republic of China
When traveling through China, you can’t miss Xian. This city became world famous mainly because of its gigantic terracotta army. A piece of history and a must for every traveler who is in the Middle Kingdom.
What would be a vacation in China without the attempt to climb the roof of the world. Tibet is especially for followers of Buddhism a kind of Mecca, which you should have visited once in your life.
It is something unique and extraordinary to see the roof of the world on a trip through China and to experience its culture. Since there are special entry requirements for Tibet and unfortunately these can change very quickly, it is advisable to inform yourself in detail before the trip.
eSIM Reviews
Super value ! And so easy to install.
Super value ! And so easy to install. Better than normal sim card. Very convenient for me to buy it before I traveled to Germany. Like it alot !! [Maya Mobile]
Used the e sim in italy
Used the service in Italy for my wife and I. iPhone and Android. Excellent pricing and no issues with cellular data in italy. It is not entirely easy to install, but it is fairly simple. [Airalo]
need to purchase a new esim to get more data
My only complaint is that, is that there is no top up options and you need to purchase a new esim to get more data [SimOptions]
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