# eSIM for China

The China eSIM costs from $3.99: plans from 1 GB to 20 GB, valid up to 30 days, on the China Unicom (5G) network. The days start at the first connection to a network in China, not at purchase. 12 options in total, including Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps.

URL: https://esimworld.us/esim-china/
Guide: https://esimworld.us/sim-card/china/
Source: eSIM World (esimworld.us)
Prices checked against the catalog on: October 29, 2026

## In short

- **5 GB plan:** 30 days: $11.99, or $2.40 per GB.
- **Install:** The QR code arrives by email after payment; install the profile up to one year after purchase.
- **APN:** Entered by hand on Android: globaldata.

Prices checked in the catalog on October 29, 2026.

You install the profile at home over Wi-Fi, with the QR code that arrives by email after payment. Prices are in US dollars, paid by card: the card is charged exactly the price shown.

## Data plans

| Plan | Validity | Price | Price per GB | Network | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 | $3.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-pvhwbwbapq) |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $6.99 | $3.50 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p0nviututs) |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $8.99 | $3.00 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p8xc70zd3s) |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $11.99 | $2.40 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-ps5qqkca9m) |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $17.99 | $1.80 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p82vv2ktru) |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $27.99 | $1.40 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-pte5lf5993) |

## Plans with a daily high-speed limit

| Plan | Validity | Price | Network | Buy |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 3 days | $10.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-poj5umpm4j) |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 5 days | $18.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p5srtked3c) |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 7 days | $26.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-pw411m1vp2) |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 10 days | $34.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p37cymoesn) |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 15 days | $48.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-py96cntrfb) |
| Unlimited — 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps | 30 days | $68.99 | China Unicom · 5G | [Buy](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#buy-p6ooatla4v) |

## What it costs per day in China

| Plan | Validity | Price | Per day | Data a day |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 | $0.57 a day over the plan’s 7-day validity | 143 MB |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $6.99 | $0.47 a day over the plan’s 15-day validity | 133 MB |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $8.99 | $0.30 a day over the plan’s 30-day validity | 100 MB |
| 5 GB | 30 days | $11.99 | $0.40 a day over the plan’s 30-day validity | 167 MB |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $17.99 | $0.60 a day over the plan’s 30-day validity | 333 MB |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $27.99 | $0.93 a day over the plan’s 30-day validity | 667 MB |

The plan price is what you pay for the trip; a day is that price over the plan’s own days, so a longer plan costs less a day only if you use those days. Pick by trip length first.

## How many GB for China

| Usage | Our estimate | 3 days | 7 days | 14 days |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maps and messaging | about 0.3 GB a day | 1 GB · $3.99 | 3 GB · $8.99 | 5 GB · $11.99 |
| Social media and photos | about 0.8 GB a day | 3 GB · $8.99 | 10 GB · $17.99 | 20 GB · $27.99 |
| Videos and video calls | about 1.7 GB a day | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $10.99 | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $26.99 | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $48.99 |
| Working on a laptop (estimated data if your plan allows tethering) | about 3 GB a day | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $10.99 | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $26.99 | 3 GB/day at full speed, then reduced to 1 Mbps · $48.99 |

Each cell shows a plan’s total data and price for that many days, not your use; a plan with a daily limit shows its high-speed data a day. Our editorial estimates, not measurements: HD video, background sync and backups, and sharing data as a hotspot all use more.

## Network and profile conditions

- Network: China Unicom (5G)
- APN set manually on Android: globaldata
- Days count from the first connection to a network, not from payment
- Time to install the profile: 365 days after purchase
- Add data to the same profile: no

## A week in China: your US carrier vs eSIM

Roaming keeps calls and texts on your US number; our eSIM plans here are data only.

### Postpaid

eSIM $15.98 vs $50.00 (T-Mobile 10-day pass). May be included in some postpaid plans of 5 of 9 US carriers.

5.6GB for 7 days (0.8GB a day, social media and photos) on a postpaid plan: what it costs with each US carrier, next to the eSIM. “May be included” means some of the carrier’s plans already cover China: check yours.

| Carrier | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| eSIM in China | $15.98 (5 GB · 30 days + 1 GB · 7 days) | $27.99 (20 GB · 30 days) | $39.98 (20 GB · 30 days + 5 GB · 30 days) |
| AT&T | $84.00 (7 × your plan’s data · 1 day; or may be included on AT&T Elite 2.0 (20GB a month at high speed, then up to 512Kbps): China is on AT&T’s list, check yours) | $120.00 (15 × your plan’s data · 1 day · 10 of 15 days charged, if the trip stays in one billing cycle (AT&T’s cruise page); or may be included on AT&T Elite 2.0 (20GB a month at high speed, then up to 512Kbps): China is on AT&T’s list, check yours) | $120.00 (30 × your plan’s data · 1 day · 10 of 30 days charged, if the trip stays in one billing cycle (AT&T’s cruise page); or may be included on AT&T Elite 2.0 (20GB a month at high speed, then up to 512Kbps): China is on AT&T’s list, check yours) |
| Verizon | $84.00 (7 × 5GB a session at high speed, then 3G · 1 day) | $100.00 (20GB · 30 days) | $100.00 (20GB · 30 days · 20GB at high speed of the 24GB a 30-day trip needs, then 3G (our arithmetic)) |
| T-Mobile | $50.00 (15GB · 10 days; or may be included on Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0 (5GB on More and 15GB on Beyond at high speed, then up to 256Kbps): China is on T-Mobile’s list, check yours) | $75.00 (30GB · 30 days; or may be included on Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0 (5GB on More and 15GB on Beyond at high speed, then up to 256Kbps): China is on T-Mobile’s list, check yours) | $75.00 (30GB · 30 days; or may be included on Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0 (5GB on More and 15GB on Beyond at high speed, then up to 256Kbps): China is on T-Mobile’s list, check yours) |
| Xfinity Mobile | $70.00 (7 × 5GB/day, then 3G · 1 day; or may be included on Mobile Plus, Select and Premium Unlimited (10GB a cycle at high speed on Plus and Select, then reduced): China is on Xfinity Mobile’s list, check yours) | $150.00 (15 × 5GB/day, then 3G · 1 day; or may be included on Mobile Plus, Select and Premium Unlimited (10GB a cycle at high speed on Plus and Select, then reduced): China is on Xfinity Mobile’s list, check yours) | $300.00 (30 × 5GB/day, then 3G · 1 day; or may be included on Mobile Plus, Select and Premium Unlimited (10GB a cycle at high speed on Plus and Select, then reduced): China is on Xfinity Mobile’s list, check yours) |
| Spectrum Mobile | $70.00 (7 × 1GB/day at high speed, then reduced · 1 day; or may be included on Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Plus Premium (10GB or 20GB a month at high speed, then reduced): China is on Spectrum Mobile’s list, check yours) | $150.00 (15 × 1GB/day at high speed, then reduced · 1 day; or may be included on Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Plus Premium (10GB or 20GB a month at high speed, then reduced): China is on Spectrum Mobile’s list, check yours) | $300.00 (30 × 1GB/day at high speed, then reduced · 1 day; or may be included on Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Plus Premium (10GB or 20GB a month at high speed, then reduced): China is on Spectrum Mobile’s list, check yours) |
| Visible | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) |
| Google Fi | $60.00 (6 GB at $10.00 per GB; or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) | $60.00 (12 GB at $10.00 per GB, $60.00 at most (Bill Protection); or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) | $60.00 (15 GB at $10.00 per GB, $60.00 at most (Bill Protection) · 15GB at high speed of the 24GB a 30-day trip needs, then 256 kbps (our arithmetic); or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) |
| Cricket | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) |
| Boost Mobile | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) | — (no published figure for Postpaid) |

### Prepaid

eSIM $15.98 vs $50.00 (Cricket 2 × Cricket Passport 5GB for 5 Days). May be included in some prepaid plans of 1 of 9 US carriers.

5.6GB for 7 days (0.8GB a day, social media and photos) on a prepaid plan: what it costs with each US carrier, next to the eSIM. “May be included” means some of the carrier’s plans already cover China: check yours.

| Carrier | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| eSIM in China | $15.98 (5 GB · 30 days + 1 GB · 7 days) | $27.99 (20 GB · 30 days) | $39.98 (20 GB · 30 days + 5 GB · 30 days) |
| AT&T | $80.00 (2 × 5GB · 7 days) | $120.00 (3 × 5GB · 7 days) | $200.00 (5 × 5GB · 7 days) |
| Verizon | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) |
| T-Mobile | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) |
| Xfinity Mobile | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) |
| Spectrum Mobile | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) | — (no published figure for Prepaid) |
| Visible | $70.00 (7 × 2GB/day · 1 day) | $150.00 (15 × 2GB/day · 1 day) | $300.00 (30 × 2GB/day · 1 day) |
| Google Fi | $60.00 (6 GB at $10.00 per GB; or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) | $60.00 (12 GB at $10.00 per GB, $60.00 at most (Bill Protection); or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) | $60.00 (15 GB at $10.00 per GB, $60.00 at most (Bill Protection) · 15GB at high speed of the 24GB a 30-day trip needs, then 256 kbps (our arithmetic); or may be included on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) |
| Cricket | $50.00 (2 × 5GB · 5 days) | $75.00 (3 × 5GB · 5 days) | $100.00 (30 × data, talk and text for 24 hours; partner networks may be as slow as 2G · 1 day · 10 of 30 days charged, 10 days in a row, then up to 20 more days free within 30 days) |
| Boost Mobile | $60.00 (6 × 1GB · 30 days) | $100.00 (10 × 1GB · 30 days · 10GB of the 12GB a 15-day trip needs (our arithmetic); after 10GB, Boost Mobile doesn’t say) | — (no pass covers it) |

16 US carriers listed; 9 with published passes compared. The sums assume data every day at 0.8GB a day, the same norm as the data calculator. We compare each carrier’s public day passes and travel passes. Some plans have high-speed data abroad built in, then reduced speed (for example AT&T Elite 2.0, T-Mobile Experience More and Beyond, Verizon’s and Google Fi’s top plans), and many include Mexico and Canada, so check your own plan. Carrier prices as published for their own customers; the eSIM at its price, charged by card. eSIM World is not affiliated with these carriers and is not their official site. We sell travel eSIMs.

Sources, checked on October 29, 2026: [AT&T](https://www.att.com/international/day-pass/), [Verizon](https://www.verizon.com/support/travelpass-faqs/), [T-Mobile](https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans/unlimited-calling-data-pass), [Xfinity Mobile](https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/traveling-internationally), [Spectrum Mobile](https://www.spectrum.net/support/mobile/spectrum-mobile-global-day-pass), [Visible](https://www.visible.com/globalpass), [Google Fi](https://fi.google.com/about/international-rates), [Cricket](https://www.cricketwireless.com/support/international-roaming), [Boost Mobile](https://www.boostmobile.com/global-roaming).

## Hong Kong and Macau

Our China plan does not include Hong Kong or Macau, the plan’s own description says, so pick the Hong Kong or Macau plan for those stops. The Asia regional plan lists China, Hong Kong and Macau if your trip takes in all three.

Sources: [China eSIM plans](https://esimworld.us/esim-china/#tariffs), [Hong Kong eSIM plans](https://esimworld.us/esim-hong-kong/), [Macau eSIM plans](https://esimworld.us/esim-macau/), [Countries on the Asia plan](https://esimworld.us/esim-asia/#coverage); checked on October 29, 2026.

## Your US carrier in China

We compare each carrier’s public day passes and travel passes. Some plans have high-speed data abroad built in, then reduced speed (for example AT&T Elite 2.0, T-Mobile Experience More and Beyond, Verizon’s and Google Fi’s top plans), and many include Mexico and Canada, so check your own plan. With 5 of the 9 US carriers below, China may already be in your plan (postpaid or prepaid plans, as named) — check yours; with the others it costs extra. A daily charge or a pass: Verizon, Visible, Cricket and Boost Mobile.

| Carrier | In your plan? | If you pay for it |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AT&T | May be included (on AT&T Elite 2.0 (20GB a month at high speed, then up to 512Kbps): China is on AT&T’s list, check yours) | International Day Pass: $12.00 a day · your plan’s data · postpaid only; International Travel Add-On: $40.00 for 7 days · 5GB · prepaid only |
| Verizon | No country list (Unlimited Ultimate (15GB a month at high speed in 210+ countries and destinations, then 1.5 Mbps): Verizon publishes no country list for it: ask Verizon about China) | TravelPass: $12.00 a day · 5GB a session at high speed, then 3G · postpaid only; International Monthly Plan: $100.00 for 30 days · 20GB · postpaid only |
| T-Mobile | May be included (on Experience More 2.0 and Experience Beyond 2.0 (5GB on More and 15GB on Beyond at high speed, then up to 256Kbps): China is on T-Mobile’s list, check yours) | International Pass 1 Day: $10.00 for 1 day · 2GB · postpaid only |
| Xfinity Mobile | May be included (on Mobile Plus, Select and Premium Unlimited (10GB a cycle at high speed on Plus and Select, then reduced): China is on Xfinity Mobile’s list, check yours) | Global Travel Pass: $10.00 a day · 5GB/day, then 3G · postpaid only |
| Spectrum Mobile | May be included (on Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Plus Premium (10GB or 20GB a month at high speed, then reduced): China is on Spectrum Mobile’s list, check yours) | Global Day Pass: $10.00 a day · 1GB/day at high speed, then reduced · postpaid only |
| Visible | No | Global Pass: $10.00 a day · 2GB/day · prepaid only |
| Google Fi | May be included (on Unlimited Premium (50GB at high speed, then 256kbps): China is on Google Fi’s list, check yours) | Flexible: data abroad: $10.00 per GB, $60.00 at most for data (Bill Protection) |
| Cricket | No | Cricket Passport daily: $10.00 a day · data, talk and text for 24 hours; partner networks may be as slow as 2G · prepaid only; Cricket Passport 5GB for 5 Days: $25.00 for 5 days · 5GB · prepaid only |
| Boost Mobile | No | Global Roaming add-on: $10.00 for 30 days · 1GB · prepaid only |

As each carrier publishes it for its own customers, checked on October 29, 2026. Roaming keeps calls and texts on your US number; our eSIM plans here are data only. eSIM World is not affiliated with these carriers. We sell travel eSIMs.

## Regional plans that include China

| Plan | Covers | From | 5 GB · 30 days |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Asia eSIM](https://esimworld.us/esim-asia/) | 18 countries, one profile | from $2.99 | $8.99 on this plan, $11.99 for China alone |
| [Global eSIM](https://esimworld.us/esim-global/) | 197 destinations, one profile | from $1.99 | $27.99 on this plan, $11.99 for China alone |

## Payment, cancellation and refunds

- Pay by card: you are charged exactly the price shown, in US dollars. The seller is a company registered in the United States, so this is a payment to a US business. Online payments must be enabled on your card. The eSIM QR code arrives by email after payment
- Refunds: conditions at https://esimworld.us/refund-policy/
- Cancel an order: https://esimworld.us/cancel/
- How card payment works: https://esimworld.us/how-to-pay/
- Support: WhatsApp (https://esimworld.us/go/us) and email (support@esimworld.us)

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does a day of cellular data cost in China?

The plan that costs least for the whole trip in China: for 7 days, 1 GB at $3.99 ($0.57 a day); for 15 days, 2 GB at $6.99 ($0.47 a day); for 30 days, 3 GB at $8.99 ($0.30 a day). On plans with a fixed data allowance, the price per day over the plan's validity runs from $0.30 (3 GB for 30 days at $8.99) to $0.93 (20 GB for 30 days). Unused days are not refunded.

### Which network does the eSIM use in China?

Only China Unicom (5G): it is the single partner network for China in the catalog. Where China Unicom has no coverage, this eSIM has no signal either, so on a remote route check that China Unicom covers it.

### What if the eSIM doesn't work when you land in China?

Check, in this order: data roaming is on for the eSIM line, the eSIM is chosen as the line for cellular data, and Airplane Mode is off. Then the APN: on this plan it is entered by hand on Android, globaldata. Give the phone a few minutes to register on China Unicom; that first registration is what starts the plan’s days. Still no connection? See [what to check when the eSIM has no signal abroad](https://esimworld.us/help/esim-no-signal/).