Searching for the best China SIM card for your upcoming trip? Look no further!
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in China in person and online. Weâll also discuss prepaid SIM cards for tourists and China eSIMs plans.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in China. If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Chinese â you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in China.
Itâs important to know that the Internet can be restricted in China. For example, some websites may be blocked or censored, and the speed of connections can sometimes be slow.
To stay connected while in China, itâs best to invest in a local SIM card (or eSIM) and use a reliable VPN to browse freely. I personally use NordVPN.
Best SIM Cards In China
If youâre traveling in China, we recommend using a SIM card from China Unicom, China Mobile, China Telecom, or Airalo.
Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!
That said, if youâre planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In China
You can buy a China prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs look at the mobile data plans offered by China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom.
China Unicom SIM Cards
China Unicom offers a variety of prepaid SIM card plans. The most relevant for tourists include:
- 10 GB data, valid for 30 days, for CNY 20 ($80)
- 20 GB data, valid for 30 days, for CNY 40 ($100)
- 30 GB data, valid for 30 days, for CNY 60 ($120)
China Mobile SIM Cards
China Mobile has several plans available for inbound tourists:
- 2 GB data, valid for 30 days for USD 48
- 3 GB data, valid for 30 days for USD 80
- 18 GB data, valid for 30 days for USD 198
China Telecom SIM Cards
China Telecom offers a number of SIM-only plans for local users:
- 30 GB, valid for 30 days, CNY 129 ($19.12)
- 40 GB, valid for 30 days, CNY 159 ($23.57)
- 100 GB, valid for 30 days, CNY 229 ($33.95)
Please note the China Telecom website is in Chinese and is difficult to use.
Overall, we think China Unicom is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any would do if you canât find their store!
How To Buy A China Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. China is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid China SIM card on SimOptions. Youâll have a few options to pick from.
- 6 GB, valid for 10 days for $19.90
- 6 GB, valid for 15 days for $39.90
Another popular option is to purchase from 3G SOLUTIONS, a local Chinese vendor. They have been selling SIM cards to tourists and business travelers since 2010.
They can deliver your SIM card to your hotel in China. Youâll get data as well as a Chinese phone number.
They offer many different packages, including the following:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $30 (add 100 local minutes & texts for $5, VPN $9 â 12)
- 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $40 (add 100 local minutes & texts for $5, VPN $9 â 12)
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for China or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.
How To Buy An eSIM Card For China
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone. If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards â itâs one of the best options to get mobile datas in China.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM when my mobile phone supported it in 2021. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for China.
Airalo China
If you want to buy an eSIM for China, you could purchase one on Airalo. This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and China.
Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine.
Read our Airalo eSIM review to learn more.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $8.50
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $11.50
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $16.50
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $28
- 20 GB, valid for 30 days for $49
Hereâs an overview of the options available for Asia:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
- 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185
The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 13 countries, including China.
Alternatively, if youâre traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including China.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip. In that case, it might be because youâre connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Holafly China
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.
You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Hereâs an overview of their plans for China:
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
- Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
- Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
- Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139
Nomad China
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available for China:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $4
- 2GB, valid for 7 days for $10
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $9
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $22
- 15GB, valid for 30 days for $28
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $34
- 30GB, valid for 30 days for $80
- 40GB, valid for 30 days for $110
- 50GB, valid for 30 days for $125
Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan in Asia. This plan offers coverage in China.
Hereâs an overview:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69
Restricted Browsing In China
If you thought the internet was free and open to everyone, think again. The Chinese government has been restricting access to websites for years, and theyâre not stopping anytime soon.
For example, China blocks access to websites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google.
Of course, thereâs a way around this. If youâre looking for an unfiltered online experience in China, you can use virtual private networks (VPN).
Theyâre a great way to access the content you want without worrying about restriction.
Get yours in preparation for your trip to China. We recommend NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Final Thoughts On SIM Cards For China
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in China or even an eSIM for your travels in China is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in China if you wish to have data upon your arrival. This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
You need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Psst. Traveling to China soon? Get a VPN! Otherwise, you might have restricted access to the Internet.
Traveling to Asia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
