14 plans · from $0.99
Carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
Coverage: 5G, 4G/LTE, 3G
Last updated date: July 17, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Buy now — activate within 90 days
Your QR code will be sent right after payment. Your plan starts when you first connect to a local network at your destination.
14 plans
Find your destination and pick the perfect plan by data volume and days!
Via Faster Payments System or bank card — fast and secure.
Delivered instantly to your email.
Activate your eSIM upon arrival — your internet will start working right away.
In China, internet access via a local SIM card can be restricted because of the Great Firewall. Using an eSIM from an international provider such as Vlex eSIM allows you to bypass many of these restrictions and access your usual online services without having to buy a local SIM card.
Internet speed in China with a Vlex eSIM depends on local carriers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, speeds are generally high and comfortable for everyday use, while in rural areas they can be slower.
Most modern smartphones, such as iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later models, support eSIM. Check your device settings to make sure eSIM is supported before traveling to China.
In major cities and popular tourist spots such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, or the Terracotta Army, internet coverage with an eSIM is generally good. However, in remote regions and rural areas you may encounter zones with weaker signal.
To activate an eSIM in China, download the eSIM profile from Vlex eSIM following the instructions, then scan the QR code on your device. Using an eSIM is often more cost-effective than roaming, helping you avoid high roaming charges and offering a more stable connection, especially for accessing familiar Western services.
Business trip to Shanghai. Data worked right after landing, messengers and email with no extra setup.
Family holiday in Hainan. Solid signal in Sanya, maps and translator worked the whole trip. iPhone 14, installed first try.
Beijing and the Great Wall — coverage almost everywhere, a bit weaker on the Wall itself. Enough for navigation and messengers.
QR arrived a minute after payment. Installed at home over Wi-Fi, data switched on automatically at the arrival airport.
Smooth checkout, QR in about two minutes. Not a single dropout during the trip.
Third purchase here. Pay, scan, go — still works every time.
Carrier and local SIM prices are approximate for comparison purposes.
| Parameter | Vlex eSIM | SIM China | T-Mobile | Verizon | AT&T | Vodafone | Orange |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price per 1 GB | from $1.04 | ~$3.68 | ~$15.79 | ~$18.95 | ~$17.89 | ~$13.68 | ~$12.63 |
| Activation | Instantly via QR | At airport/office | Call/office | Call/office | Call/office | Call/office | Call/office |
| Price transparency | Fixed | Package / MB | Per day | Per day | Per day | Per day | Per day |
| Hidden fees | No | Possible | Possible | Possible | Possible | Possible | Possible |
| Need a physical SIM card | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Availability | Online, 24/7 | On site | Office / Call | Office / Call | Office / Call | Office / Call | Office / Call |
One plan — multiple countries with no switching
