Best overall
Nomad
Reliable speeds, hotspot support, transparent China-mainland coverage.
View Nomad plansBest without VPN setup
Saily
International gateway routing — Google and WhatsApp typically work without a VPN.
View Saily plansBest unlimited
Holafly
Unlimited data option for long trips and heavy streaming — fair-use applies.
View Holafly plansBest budget
Airalo
Lowest entry price for short trips and travelers who just need basic data.
View Airalo planseSIM comparison
| Provider | Price | Data | Validity | Hotspot | Google / WhatsApp / Instagram | Best for | View plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad | from ~$10 / 7 days | 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | Plans from 7 to 30 days | Reportedly yes | Routes via international gateway, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and similar apps generally work without a VPN. Confirm before traveling — provider availability can change. | Best value for travelers who want stable speeds + data rollover | View Nomad plans |
| Airalo | from ~$8 / 7 days | 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | Plans from 7 to 30 days | Reportedly yes | China plans roam on local networks; some travelers report blocked apps still being filtered without a VPN. Verify the current plan description before purchase. | Lowest entry price + global eSIM library | View Airalo plans |
| Holafly | from ~$25 / 7 days | Unlimited (subject to fair use) | Plans from 5 to 90 days | Limited or disabled | Some Holafly China plans bundle a VPN-like feature so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram may be reachable without manually setting up a VPN. Hotspot sharing is reportedly limited. Confirm before buying. | Best unlimited-data option for longer trips and heavy streaming | View Holafly plans |
| Saily | from ~$3.99 / 1 GB | 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | Plans from 7 to 30 days | Reportedly yes | Saily is operated by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. China plans currently route through international networks, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram generally work without a separate VPN. Behavior can change — confirm before traveling. | Travelers who already trust the NordVPN ecosystem | View Saily plans |
- NomadLast checked: 2026-05-18
- Price
- from ~$10 / 7 days
- Data
- 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB
- Validity
- Plans from 7 to 30 days
- Hotspot
- Reportedly yes
- Google / WhatsApp / Instagram
- Routes via international gateway, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and similar apps generally work without a VPN. Confirm before traveling — provider availability can change.
- Best for
- Best value for travelers who want stable speeds + data rollover
- AiraloLast checked: 2026-05-18
- Price
- from ~$8 / 7 days
- Data
- 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB
- Validity
- Plans from 7 to 30 days
- Hotspot
- Reportedly yes
- Google / WhatsApp / Instagram
- China plans roam on local networks; some travelers report blocked apps still being filtered without a VPN. Verify the current plan description before purchase.
- Best for
- Lowest entry price + global eSIM library
- HolaflyLast checked: 2026-05-18
- Price
- from ~$25 / 7 days
- Data
- Unlimited (subject to fair use)
- Validity
- Plans from 5 to 90 days
- Hotspot
- Limited or disabled
- Google / WhatsApp / Instagram
- Some Holafly China plans bundle a VPN-like feature so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram may be reachable without manually setting up a VPN. Hotspot sharing is reportedly limited. Confirm before buying.
- Best for
- Best unlimited-data option for longer trips and heavy streaming
- SailyLast checked: 2026-05-18
- Price
- from ~$3.99 / 1 GB
- Data
- 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB
- Validity
- Plans from 7 to 30 days
- Hotspot
- Reportedly yes
- Google / WhatsApp / Instagram
- Saily is operated by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. China plans currently route through international networks, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram generally work without a separate VPN. Behavior can change — confirm before traveling.
- Best for
- Travelers who already trust the NordVPN ecosystem
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a virtual SIM card stored on a chip inside your phone. No physical card needed — scan a QR code and you are ready. You keep your home phone number and use eSIM data in China. Most iPhone XS+, Galaxy S20+ and Pixel 3+ devices support eSIM.
How to set up your eSIM
- 1Pick a China plan in the Nomad, Airalo, Holafly, or Saily app before you leave home.
- 2Install the QR code from Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
- 3Finish activation before boarding — provider apps may be hard to reach from inside China.
- 4On arrival in China, enable eSIM data and disable local data roaming on your home SIM to avoid surprise charges.
Warning: airport SIMs vs international eSIMs
Local Chinese SIMs sold at the airport (China Telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile) are cheap but go through the local firewall, so Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most foreign apps are blocked. Foreign eSIMs that route via international gateways generally avoid this problem.
Do you still need a VPN?
A VPN is a useful backup. Some travelers report eSIM providers throttle or block certain destinations at peak times, and policies can change without notice. Install a VPN before you fly — most VPN downloads are blocked from inside China.
Continue your prep
- Alipay & WeChat Pay setup
Pay anywhere in China without cash.
- China visa & visa-free entry
Latest 2026 rules for visitors.
- Apps that work in China
Google, WhatsApp, LINE — what works without a VPN.
- China readiness checklist
Everything to set up before you fly.
How we compare providers
- We list eSIM providers that publicly advertise a China-mainland plan and either route through international gateways or document VPN-like behavior.
- Prices, data caps and validity copy come from the provider's own product page. We mark every record with a "last checked" date and re-verify before each report cycle.
- We never claim that a provider definitely bypasses China's firewall. We describe what the provider documents and what travelers consistently report. Travelers should still install a backup VPN before leaving home.
- Affiliate status is disclosed on every commercial link. We do not change provider ordering for higher commission. Provider ranking is based on price, transparency, hotspot support and traveler feedback.
Sources
- China expands 240-hour visa-free transit policy— The State Council of the People's Republic of China· Reviewed 2026-05-18
- Visa-free entry to China — eligible nationalities (latest update)— Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China· Reviewed 2026-05-18
- Alipay Tour Pass for international travelers— Ant Group· Reviewed 2026-05-18
- WeChat Pay — foreign card support— Tencent· Reviewed 2026-05-18
Last updated:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
On eSIMs that route through international networks, WhatsApp, Google, and Instagram usually work without a VPN. Behavior depends on the provider plan — verify on the product page and install a backup VPN.
Not recommended. Provider sites and apps may be blocked. Install and activate the eSIM before you leave home; you can switch on the data once you land.
iPhone XS and later, Galaxy S20 and later, and most Pixel 3 and later models support eSIM. Check Settings > Mobile Data for an "Add eSIM" option.
No. A foreign eSIM only carries data. Your home phone number stays active on your primary SIM. If you need a local number, buy a local SIM after arrival.
Most plans differentiate mainland China from Hong Kong and Macau. Check the destination list on the plan page — some providers bundle Hong Kong, others sell it as a separate add-on.