1 GB
Valid for 7 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€3.99
Buy
China eSIM
12 data plans from €3.99 · instant delivery by email
The China eSIM runs on local networks at a fixed plan price – much cheaper than roaming and without a contract. Choose from 12 data plans from 1 GB to 20 GB or with unlimited data, valid for 3 to 30 days. You use the China Unicom network.
China eSIM data plans
2 GB
Valid for 15 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€4.99
Buy
3 GB
Valid for 30 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€5.99
Buy
5 GB
Valid for 30 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€6.99
Buy
10 GB
Valid for 30 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€8.99
Buy
20 GB
Valid for 30 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
€13.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 3 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€6.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 5 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€9.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 7 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€14.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 10 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€20.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 15 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€29.99
Buy
Unlimited
Valid for 30 days
- Data only (no phone number)
- Starts on first use at your destination
- Network: China Unicom
- Manual APN: globaldata · How to
- Fair use: full speed up to 3 GB per day, then 1 Mbps
€41.99
Buy
Travel guide: China
China isn't a country you can sum up in one trip: between megacities like Shanghai and Chengdu, the karst mountains of Guilin and the deserts of the Silk Road, you'll find entire worlds. Digital services work differently here than in Europe – without a reliable mobile data connection you quickly lose touch. That's exactly why a China eSIM pays off from the very first moment, because it makes you independent of Wi-Fi and local SIM cards. Anyone who embraces the adventure is rewarded with a journey full of contrasts.
At a glance
- Currency
- CNY (CNY)
- Power sockets
- Type A, C, I · 220 V
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Ambulance 120 · Fire 119
- Country code
- +86
- Time zone
- UTC+8
- Driving
- Drive on the right
- Tipping
- Not customary
- Tap water
- Bottled water recommended
- Best time to travel
- Apr–May, Sept–Oct
Mobile internet in China
China's mobile network is one of the largest in the world: China Unicom is one of the three state-owned providers and delivers stable 4G in cities, along high-speed rail lines and even in many rural areas, and often 5G in built-up areas. In remote regions such as Inner Mongolia or parts of Tibet, coverage can be patchy – plan for offline maps for such destinations.
The Chinese internet is a world of its own: Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western news sites are blocked on the mainland. With a roaming eSIM that routes your data traffic through a foreign server, these services usually work without an additional VPN. Conversely, apps like WeChat, Alipay or Baidu Maps are indispensable on the ground – best to set them up before you leave.
For navigation, it's best to rely on Apple Maps (with local map data) or Baidu Maps if you can handle a Chinese interface. Google Maps often works with active roaming but occasionally shows inaccurate data. Also download a translator with a Chinese offline pack – such as Google Translate or Microsoft Translator – and save important addresses in Chinese.
Highlights in China
Shanghai: Skyline and colonial flair
From the Bund you look out at the futuristic skyline of Pudong, while behind you stand the buildings of the 1920s. The former French Concession with its plane-tree avenues invites you to stroll, and from the Shanghai Tower you get a view over the whole city on a clear day.
Zhangjiajie: The floating mountains
The bizarre sandstone pillars in the Wulingyuan area inspired the floating rocks in the film Avatar. A ride on the Bailong Elevator – the tallest outdoor lift in the world – takes you right into this surreal landscape.
Chengdu: Pandas and teahouse culture
At the panda breeding centre outside Chengdu you can watch the giant pandas up close. Afterwards, relax in a traditional teahouse and try the famous Sichuan cuisine – but be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted.
Yunnan: Old towns and rice terraces
Yunnan province in south-west China combines snow-capped mountains, tropical valleys and the cultures of many ethnic minorities. The old town of Lijiang with its canals, Erhai Lake near Dali and the Yuanyang rice terraces are highlights of any trip.
Beijing off the tourist trail
The hutongs – narrow lanes with traditional courtyard houses – show the old Beijing. Hire a bike, visit the Summer Palace with Kunming Lake and discover the 798 Art District, a former factory complex full of galleries and street art.
Silk Road: Dunhuang and the Mogao Caves
In western China lies the ancient trade route with the Mogao Caves near Dunhuang, which house Buddhist murals over 1,000 years old. The singing sand dunes and the picturesque Crescent Lake round off the experience.
Practical travel tips
- Install WeChat and Alipay before your trip and link your foreign credit card. Many small shops, street stalls and even taxis no longer accept cash – mobile payment is the norm.
- It's best to book train tickets online via the official 12306 app or through Trip.com. You need your passport for every train journey, and stations have separate counters for foreigners, though these often have long queues.
- Air quality in big cities like Beijing or Xi'an can be poor, especially in winter. Check the air quality index (AQI) daily and keep an FFP2 mask handy for days with high pollution.
- Learn a few words of Mandarin – “Nǐ hǎo” (hello), “Xièxie” (thank you), “Duōshao qián?” (how much does this cost?). Outside tourist hotspots hardly any English is spoken, so a translator with an offline pack is worth its weight in gold.
- On many public Wi-Fi networks – at airports or train stations, for example – you have to sign in with a Chinese mobile number. With an eSIM you stay independent of all that and surf continuously through your own data plan.
- Always carry some cash (around 100–200 CNY). Some public toilets, small shops in rural areas or older taxi drivers don't accept mobile payment.
Do’s
- Use both hands when giving or receiving money, business cards or gifts – it signals respect and is greatly appreciated in China.
- In restaurants and teahouses, call the staff with a friendly “Fúwùyuán!” (waiter!) when you need something – waiting for eye contact rarely works in China.
- Take your shoes off at the door in private homes if your hosts do or slippers are provided. Similar rules apply in temples, so watch the entrance area.
- Do haggle calmly and cheerfully at markets and in small shops – a counter-offer of about half the starting price is normal, and a smile often helps more than perfect pronunciation.
- When visiting temples or monasteries, don't disturb monks and worshippers at prayer and keep photography to a minimum – best to ask beforehand.
Don’ts
- Don't point at people with your index finger – it's considered rude in China; use an open hand or a nod instead.
- Never stick chopsticks upright in rice or stab food with them – it recalls funeral rituals and is considered a bad omen.
- Don't make loud phone calls, listen to music or watch videos without headphones on public transport – Chinese cities have a strict code of quiet that is enforced.
- Don't step on the raised thresholds of temples – they are considered the seat of guardian spirits and should be stepped over.
- Don't take flash photos in temples or photograph monks and worshippers at prayer without asking – it's disrespectful.
Entry, visa and safety: please check your government’s current travel advice before you go. Last updated: October 2026.
China eSIM – frequently asked questions
Which China eSIM plan do I need?
That depends on how much data you use: for navigation, messaging and occasional browsing 1–3 GB per week is usually enough; for social media, video calls or hotspot rather 5 GB or more. The plans cost between €3.99 and €41.99.
When does the validity of my eSIM start?
Validity only starts when the eSIM connects to a network at your destination for the first time. So you can safely install it before your trip.
Will my normal phone number stay reachable?
Yes. This is a data-only eSIM installed in addition to your SIM card. Calls and SMS still use your normal number – mind your provider’s roaming prices.
Does the eSIM work with my phone?
Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. This includes all iPhones from XS/XR, Samsung Galaxy from S20 and Google Pixel from 3. See “Compatible devices” for the full list.
How do I set up the eSIM?
After purchase you receive a QR code by email. Scan it in your phone’s mobile network settings, select the eSIM for mobile data and switch on data roaming for the eSIM at your destination.
Do I need to set an APN?
Yes. After installation, enter the APN globaldata in the eSIM’s mobile network settings. We show you how, step by step, after your purchase.
Do WhatsApp, Google and Instagram work with the eSIM?
In most Asian countries, yes, without restrictions. In some countries (e.g. China) certain services are blocked on local networks; travel eSIMs usually route data abroad, so these services generally remain available. We cannot guarantee this, though.
Is an eSIM cheaper than a SIM card at the airport?
Often, yes – mainly because you do not lose time at the airport, do not need to show your passport and know the exact price in advance. Your normal SIM also stays in your phone.