If you’re traveling to China, you need an eSIM that does two things: gives you data, and lets you access Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Gmail.
Not all “China eSIMs” do both. We bought and tested 6 of them. Here’s what works and what doesn’t.
The Short Answer
Best overall: Saily — fast, reliable, built-in firewall bypass, from $4.49.
Best budget: Airalo with a separate VPN — cheap plans but needs VPN workaround.
Best unlimited: Holafly — truly unlimited data, but no hotspot sharing.
Our Testing Method
- Location: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen
- Time: May 2026
- Networks tested: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
- Apps tested: WhatsApp, Google, Gmail, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Zoom
- Speed tests: Run 3x daily for 7 days per provider
The Results
| Provider | Price (5GB/15d) | Firewall Bypass | 5G | Hotspot | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily 🥇 | $12.99 | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ✅ | Most travelers |
| Airalo 🥈 | $8.00 | ❌ Needs VPN | ✅ | ✅ | Budget + VPN |
| Holafly 🥉 | $19.00 | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ❌ Capped | Heavy data |
| Ubigi | $12.00 | ✅ Built-in | ⚠️ 4G mostly | ✅ | Stability |
| Nomad | $10.00 | ❌ Needs VPN | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ | Moderate use |
| Trip.com | $13.00 | ✅ Built-in | ✅ | ✅ | Group travel |
Detailed Reviews
Saily — Best Overall
Price: From $4.49 (1GB / 7 days) to $49.99 (15 days unlimited) Networks: China Unicom, China Mobile
What we found:
- Installed in 2 minutes, activated on landing
- Consistent 5G across Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen
- All blocked apps worked without any VPN setup
- Ad blocker and malicious URL blocker included
The catch: No phone number included (data-only, like all international eSIMs).
Airalo — Best Budget (But Read This)
Price: From $4.00 (1GB / 3 days) to $43.50 (15 days unlimited)
What we found:
- Cheapest base prices
- BUT: traffic routes through local Chinese networks — blocked sites remain blocked
- You MUST buy and configure a separate VPN to access Google/WhatsApp
- For short trips, the VPN hassle is worth the savings
The catch: Without a VPN, this is useless for anything blocked. Budget travelers who know how to use a VPN will be fine.
Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data
Price: ~$3.90/day flat rate ($50.90 / 15 days) Network: China Mobile
What we found:
- Actually unlimited — we burned 80GB in a week, no throttle
- Firewall bypass built-in
- 24/7 live chat support, fast response
- Great for streaming and video calls
The catch: Hotspot capped at 1GB/day. If you’re traveling with a laptop or multiple devices, this is limiting.
The Others: Ubigi, Nomad, Trip.com eSIM, Yesim
- Yesim: Built-in VPN for iOS users. Good for Apple-only travelers who don’t want to mess with separate VPN apps. Check Yesim →
- Ubigi: Most stable connection (China Telecom partnership), but mostly 4G, only ~30% 5G. Email-only support.
- Nomad: Flexible Asia plans. No built-in firewall bypass — same VPN issue as Airalo. Average speeds.
- Trip.com eSIM: Good value with VPN-like routing, rated 4.6/5 with thousands of reviews. Billing by usage hours, not calendar days (nice for early morning arrivals).
What About a Chinese Phone Number?
All international eSIMs are data-only. No +86 number.
You only need a Chinese number if you:
- Want to use Meituan (food delivery) standalone app
- Need 12306 train ticket app (Trip.com can book trains for you)
- Register for some local services
For 90% of tourists, data-only is enough. Alipay works with your foreign number. DiDi works through Alipay’s mini-program. You don’t need a local SIM.
The Bottom Line
| Your Situation | Get This |
|---|---|
| “I just want something that works” | Saily |
| “I want the cheapest and know how to VPN” | Airalo + VPN |
| “I stream a lot and travel solo” | Holafly |
| “I need the most reliable connection” | Ubigi |
| “I’m traveling in a group” | Trip.com eSIM |
FAQ
Q: Can I install the eSIM after arriving in China? A: Install BEFORE departure. QR codes and activation links may not load behind the firewall.
Q: Do these work in Hong Kong and Macau? A: Check the plan — “Mainland China only” plans exclude HK/Macau. Look for “Greater China” plans if visiting all three.
Q: Can I make phone calls? A: No. These are data-only eSIMs. Use WhatsApp/FaceTime/WeChat for calls.
Q: Will my phone work with eSIM? A: iPhones (XS/XR and newer), most Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel 4+. Check your phone’s specs.
Affiliate disclosure: We earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you. We test all products with our own money. Rankings are based on our test results, not on who pays us more.