China eSIM plans
Pick a plan just for China, or a regional or global eSIM if China is one stop on a longer trip. Prices are in US dollars and you pay once. There's no contract and nothing to cancel.
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Arriving in China with data
Flying into Beijing Capital (PEK) and Shanghai Pudong (PVG)? Set up the China eSIM at home, leave it switched off, and turn it on after landing. You'll have data before the bags reach the belt.
Getting around usually means DiDi, which runs inside Alipay and WeChat. One plan covers Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu and the rest of China on partner networks.
Signs and menus are mostly in Mandarin Chinese, so a camera-translate app is worth having on mobile data. Prices are in Chinese yuan, and your bank's one-time codes still arrive on your home SIM.
Local tips for China
- Alipay and WeChat Pay are how most of China pays, and both need mobile data. Link a foreign card before you fly.
- Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western apps are blocked on Chinese networks. Travel eSIMs usually route your data through another country, such as Hong Kong, so those apps keep working.
- Check the data breakout shown on each plan below. It tells you which country your traffic exits from.
China coverage and networks
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Best eSIM for China: which plan to pick
Start with your days, then your habits. A light user who sticks to maps and chat needs around 0.5 GB a day; anyone posting video, taking calls or sharing a hotspot should plan on 1.5 GB or more.
- Light0.5 GB/day
- Regular1 GB/day
- Heavy1.5 GB+/day
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Set up your travel eSIM in minutes
Set up your eSIM for China in three steps
- 1Choose your plan
Decide how many days you'll be in China and how heavily you use data, then pick the plan that covers both. Not sure about your phone? See compatible phones.
- 2Install before you fly
Your QR code is ready in your LinkPaLS account a minute after you pay. Scan it on Wi-Fi and keep the new line switched off.
- 3Connect on arrival
In Beijing, switch the travel line on, choose it for mobile data and allow data roaming on it. Our activation guide shows each screen.
eSIM vs local SIM vs roaming in China
| Feature | Best for most tripsLinkPaLS eSIM | Local SIM card | Home roaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set up | At home, before you fly | On arrival, at a shop or kiosk | Already on |
| ID needed | None | Usually a passport | None |
| Your home number | Stays on | Removed while the SIM is out | Stays on |
| Cost | Fixed, paid once | Low, but only after arrival | Often the most expensive |
| Best for | Most travelers | Long stays with a local number | Very short emergency use |
A local SIM can be cheaper on a long stay, but it means a shop visit, often a passport check, and your home number goes dark. For a holiday or business trip to China, the China eSIM wins on time.
Why use a China eSIM
- No roaming billPrepaid data at a fixed price, paid once.
- No paperworkNo passport scan or registration form, just an email address.
- Online at the airportNo SIM kiosk, no queue, no swapping cards when you arrive in Beijing.
- Same number, new dataYour home SIM keeps taking calls and bank codes while the eSIM handles the internet.
- Keep your physical SIM safeIt stays in the phone, so there's no tiny card to lose in a hotel room.
China eSIM questions
Still unsure? Email support@linkpals.store and a person replies.
Which eSIM is best for China?
The best eSIM for China covers your whole trip with enough data. For China alone, pick a country plan; for several countries, a regional or global plan saves switching. Compare the current plans at the top of this page.
Does the eSIM work in Shanghai and Chengdu?
Yes. Your eSIM covers China wherever partner networks reach, including Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. Remote areas may drop to slower speeds or lose signal.
Is an eSIM worth it for China?
Yes, if your phone supports eSIM. You land with working data, skip the airport SIM counter, avoid roaming charges and keep your home number active.
Which networks does the China eSIM use?
It connects to licensed local partner networks in China.
Can I buy an eSIM for China before I travel?
Yes. Install it a few days ahead on home Wi-Fi and leave the line off. The validity period usually starts when the eSIM first connects in China, not when you buy it.
Will WhatsApp keep working in China?
Yes. WhatsApp stays linked to your home number on your physical SIM and uses your LinkPaLS data to send and receive.
What are the downsides of an eSIM?
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked, most QR codes install only once, and LinkPaLS plans are data-only, so you call through apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime.
How do I get around China with my eSIM?
Most visitors use DiDi, which runs inside Alipay and WeChat. Any app you need runs on your LinkPaLS data, and the driver or host can reach you on WhatsApp.
