🇨🇳 Travel eSIM plans for China

From just S$4.82/day*
  • Data without limits
  • 7 days of validity
  • Fast and reliable connectivity
  • Stop paying roaming fees
  • QR code sent to your email
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Length of trip
Longer trips, better value!
7
How many eSIMs
Buy more eSIMs, save more
1
Load your eSIM before you go or while you're away. Your plan starts when you land at your destination and switch on your eSIM.

* Lowest per-day price is based on the longest unlimited data plan available.

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Learn how TPG Mobile compared to other choices in China.

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Asia eSIM

Explore the Region with Asia eSIM

Cover China and all nearby destinations on a single regional eSIM — no swapping SIMs, no hidden charges. Starting from S$2.76.

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Internet restrictions illustration
Heavily restricted

Mobile data in China

China's Great Firewall blocks most major foreign internet services including Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Wikipedia. VPNs are restricted but widely used by travellers — install a trusted VPN before you arrive, as VPN app stores are also blocked inside China.

Extensive censorship Social Networks Messaging apps Voice over IP Politics & News News websites Blocks VPNs

Services affected: Google, YouTube, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter/X, Wikipedia, most foreign news

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eSIM pricing for China

All pricing in SGD

7 days of unlimited data in China costs S$35.25 — about S$5.04 a day on China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom, with no roaming charge and no SIM to swap. In China, 5G is live and median mobile download speed is 150.8 Mbps.

Duration Price Daily rate
1 day S$8.06 S$8.06/day
3 days S$16.69 S$5.56/day
5 days S$25.98 S$5.20/day
7 days S$35.25 S$5.04/day
10 days S$49.15 S$4.92/day
15 days S$72.29 S$4.82/day
30 days S$5.63 S$0.19/day
180 days S$81.92 S$0.46/day
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Which China eSIM plan fits your trip?

Choose your China eSIM by matching the allowance and validity period to your trip, then compare the selected product details with the local network, band and speed references already shown on this page.

Start with the length of your stay, then allow for navigation, messaging, streaming and work use. Each option below is a plan size that is currently available for this destination.

Short trip

1 GB / 7 days

Best for: A short visit with maps, messages and occasional browsing.

This option pairs the 1 GB allowance with a stated validity period of 7 days.

Usage tip: Save maps before longer journeys and use Wi-Fi for large downloads.

Two-week trip

3 GB / 15 days

Best for: A stay of around two weeks with regular navigation and messaging.

The 3 GB allowance remains available across a stated validity period of 15 days.

Usage tip: Keep automatic app updates and cloud backups on Wi-Fi.

Longer or higher use

10 GB or more / 30 days

Best for: A longer stay or more frequent streaming, video calls or work use.

The 10 GB or more / 30 days profile provides a larger data pool than the short-trip options on this page.

Usage tip: Compare the allowance with your normal phone usage and monitor it during the trip.

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Which networks you connect to in China

Your eSIM roams onto China's own operators. These are the networks and the frequencies they run — check your phone supports them before you travel.

Operator 4G / LTE bands 5G bands 5G
China Mobile B3, B8, B38, B39, B40, B41 n41, n28, n79 Yes
China Unicom B1, B3, B8, B40, B41 n78, n1 Yes
China Telecom B1, B3, B5, B40, B41 n78, n1 Yes
150.8 Mbps
Median download
19.9 Mbps
Median upload

Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index, July 2025

Coverage in China

Tibet, Xinjiang, and western desert regions have large areas with no mobile service. China Telecom CDMA/EV-DO network shutdown completed; no 2G/3G fallback for that operator. B39 and B34 are TDD-LTE bands commonly absent from non-Chinese phone models.

How to check mobile coverage in China

The China mobile network source is linked below as a public network reference. Check the places on your itinerary where the source offers local detail, then confirm the network information for the selected eSIM product. The operator table on this page provides the country-level reference, while the selected product details identify which network information applies to your plan.

Accommodation and daily stops

Check your accommodation and the places you expect to visit in China. Indoor reception can differ from an outdoor map, so keep the property Wi-Fi details available as well.

Journeys between stops

Review the full route rather than checking only the arrival city. Save tickets, addresses and maps offline before longer road or rail journeys.

Borders and onward travel

Check the selected product scope for every country on your itinerary. Your China plan and a regional plan may have different included destinations and validity periods.

Phone compatibility in China

Compare your phone with 4G bands B1, B3, B5, B8, B38, B39, B40, B41 and 5G bands n1, n28, n41, n78, n79 in the existing China network table. Support for more of the listed bands gives the phone more options when connecting, while the selected product, location and local network conditions determine the service available.

Set up the China eSIM for your trip

Keep the QR code and installation instructions available offline, and complete each step according to the selected product's instructions.

When validity starts: Validity-start rules can differ by product. Check the selected plan details before installation and travel.

  1. Confirm that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM before purchase.
  2. Save the QR code or manual installation details somewhere you can reach without mobile data.
  3. Use reliable Wi-Fi to install the profile at the time recommended in the product instructions.
  4. When you are ready to use it, select the travel eSIM for cellular data and apply the stated roaming and APN settings.
  5. Keep roaming disabled on your home line if you want to avoid using its travel data.
Network and coverage sources, checked 2026-10-10
China travel guide

Staying Connected While Travelling in China

From the moment you land, reliable internet is essential. Many Western websites and apps, including Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube, are blocked in China. You will need a VPN installed on your phone, laptop, and tablet before you arrive. Free hotel Wi-Fi is often slow or restricted, so a local SIM or an eSIM is a better bet. With a compatible eSIM, you can activate data plans for China directly on your phone without needing a physical card. Whether you are hiking the Great Wall or cruising the Li River in Guilin, having a connection helps with maps, translation apps, and messaging. For travellers based in Singapore, choosing a plan that covers mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau simplifies the trip. Test your VPN and eSIM before you leave home; trying to set them up after arrival can be frustrating.

Top Attractions to Plan Around

The Great Wall of China - For a less crowded experience, hike the Mutianyu or Jinshanling sections. Both offer restored watchtowers and striking mountain views, and are about two hours from central Beijing.

The Forbidden City, Beijing - Book tickets online days in advance; same-day entry is rarely possible. Allow at least half a day. Arrive early to avoid the worst queues.

The Bund & Pudong, Shanghai - The colonial-era Bund faces the futuristic Pudong skyline. Cross the river by tunnel or ferry for the best photo angles.

Terracotta Army, Xi'an - Three pits display life-sized warriors. Pit 1 is the largest. Go early in the morning before tour groups arrive.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park - The towering sandstone pillars inspired the film Avatar. The glass skywalk and cable car rides are not for those afraid of heights.

Li River Cruise, Guilin - The four-hour boat ride from Guilin to the rice-terrace town of Yangshuo passes dramatic karst peaks. Book the scenic cruise, not the express boat.

Essential Chinese Dishes to Try

Peking Duck (北京烤鸭) - Slow-roasted in a wood-fired oven, the skin is served crisp, often with pancakes, spring onions, and hoisin sauce. Head to a specialist restaurant in Beijing for the full carving ritual.

Xiaolongbao (小笼包) - Shanghai's famed soup dumplings hold a hot, savoury broth inside a delicate wrapper. Bite carefully to avoid scalding. Order them fresh at any reputable dim sum house.

Hot Pot (火锅) - A bubbling pot of spicy or mild broth sits at the centre of the table. Diners cook their own raw meats, vegetables, and tofu. Chongqing-style is famously fiery; Cantonese versions are more herbal.

Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) - A Sichuan classic: silken tofu in a chilli-rich sauce with minced pork and fermented black beans. The numbing heat from Sichuan pepper is its hallmark.

Dan Dan Noodles (担担面) - Another Sichuan street-food staple, tossed with sesame paste, chilli oil, and minced pork. Usually cheap and quick, it is a perfect lunch.

When to Visit China

Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable seasons for most of China. Temperatures are mild, skies are clearer, and humidity is lower. Beijing and Shanghai are pleasant for sightseeing, and the foliage in Zhangjiajie and Huangshan is outstanding. Summer (June to August) brings heat, heavy rain, and large domestic crowds, especially during Chinese school holidays. Yunnan and the Tibetan plateau stay cooler in summer, so they are good alternatives. Winter (November to February) can be bitterly cold in the north, but it is also the low season for tourism. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City are far less crowded. Southern destinations such as Guilin and Hong Kong remain mild. If you plan to visit multiple regions, aim for spring or autumn; the weather is more predictable, and flights and hotels are easier to book.

What to Pack for a China Trip

VPN-ready device - Many Western services (Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube) are blocked. Install a reliable VPN on all your devices before departure. Without it, you may lose access to maps and messaging.

Cash (Chinese Yuan/RMB) - Alipay and WeChat Pay are ubiquitous, but smaller shops and taxis still prefer cash. Keep small notes for street food and tips (though tipping is not customary).

Comfortable walking shoes - Expect long days on foot, especially at the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and temple complexes. Uneven stone paths are common.

Layers for variable weather - A light jacket, a fleece, and a rain shell cover most situations. Air-conditioned trains and malls can be surprisingly cold in summer.

Power adapter (Type A/C) - China uses the same two-flat-pin plug as the US and Japan. If your devices use a different plug, bring an adapter.

A travel eSIM - A pre-loaded eSIM saves you hunting for a SIM card shop. Activate it before you fly so you have data the moment you land.

Common questions about travel eSIMs

Answers to the questions travellers most often ask about using an eSIM overseas, from choosing a data plan to setting up before departure. China eSIM

No. Tibet, Xinjiang, and western desert regions have large areas with no mobile service at all. Your eSIM will work in cities and along major routes, but expect long stretches without coverage in those regions.

China Mobile uses TDD-LTE bands B38, B39, B40, and B41. Band B39 is commonly absent from non-Chinese phones. Without it, you will likely still connect using B38, B40, or B41, but coverage may be weaker in areas where B39 is the only available band.

Band B34 is a TDD-LTE band used in China but absent from most non-Chinese phones. No major Chinese operator lists B34 in their 4G bands above. Your eSIM will still work on available bands like B1, B3, B40, or B41, so this omission should not affect connectivity.

Your eSIM will connect to either China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom, depending on signal strength and roaming agreements. All three operators have nationwide 4G and 5G networks, but China Telecom no longer offers 2G or 3G fallback.

China Telecom completed its CDMA/EV-DO network shutdown. This only affects devices that rely solely on CDMA for voice or data. Your eSIM uses LTE or 5G, so it will work normally on China Telecom and the other operators without any issue.

Compare 1 GB / 7 days, 3 GB / 15 days and 10 GB or more / 30 days. Use the shorter profiles for lighter maps and messaging use, then compare the larger allowance for streaming, video calls or work apps.

The start rule is product-specific. Review the selected plan details before installing it so you know whether any action is required before arrival.

Save the QR code, manual installation details, APN guidance and the support instructions supplied with the selected plan.
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