Saily’s mainland China eSIM starts at $4.49 for 1 GB. A week usually needs 5 GB ($15.99) for maps, translation and payments. Set it up before you fly, because many foreign apps are hard to reach from inside China.
The catch: Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on Chinese local networks. Whether they work on a travel eSIM depends on how the provider routes your data, so check Saily’s China page before you go.
China is one of the trickiest places to get online as a visitor: many Western apps are blocked, and daily life runs on Alipay, WeChat and local maps. A travel eSIM installed at home means you land connected and can sort everything else from there.
Saily mainland China eSIM plans and prices
These are Saily’s fixed-data plans for mainland China, as listed on saily.com on 24 Oct 2026.
| Data | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.49 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $10.99 |
| 5 GB Best value | 30 days | $15.99 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $26.99 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $39.99 |
Saily also sells unlimited data plans for mainland China, from 5 to 30 days. The price depends on the number of days, so check it on saily.com before you buy.
Which plan should you pick for China?
- A short trip or stopover: 3 GB ($10.99).
- A week in Beijing, Shanghai or Xi’an: 5 GB ($15.99).
- Two weeks or more: 10 GB ($26.99), 20 GB ($39.99) or unlimited.
Visiting more than one country?
Saily’s Asia and Oceania plan covers 22 countries from $4.99, and the Global plan covers 121 countries from $8.99. One eSIM covers the whole trip, so you don’t need to switch SIMs at each border.
How to set up Saily for China
- Choose your plan on saily.com or in the Saily app.
- Install the eSIM from the app before you travel, and turn on data roaming for the Saily line.
- Land in China: the plan activates automatically when you arrive.
You have 180 days to activate a plan after you buy it, so you can set everything up at home, days before your flight.
Travel tips for China
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you travel; many places don’t take cash or foreign cards. Download offline maps and any apps you need before you leave, and set up a VPN as a backup. Hong Kong is a separate plan: see our Hong Kong and China guide.
- Plans from $4.49
- Unlimited plans too
- Install before you fly
- 24/7 chat support
- Pricier data than Southeast Asia
- Hong Kong and Macau need separate plans
- Data only
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for China?
Saily is one option: mainland China plans were $4.49 (1 GB), $10.99 (3 GB), $15.99 (5 GB), $26.99 (10 GB) and $39.99 (20 GB) on saily.com on 24 Oct 2026.
Can I use Google and WhatsApp in China with an eSIM?
They’re blocked on Chinese local networks. Some travel eSIMs route data outside China, but check the provider’s China page before you rely on it, and set up a VPN before you leave.
Does the China eSIM work in Hong Kong?
No. Hong Kong is a separate plan on Saily; add one if your trip includes it.
Plans from $4.49 for 1 GB (7 days), checked on saily.com on 24 Oct 2026.