Best eSIM for China: What Works in 2026 and Our Recommendations

Landing in China without the right setup is a shock. Google won’t load, WhatsApp goes dark, and Instagram is gone. The Great Firewall blocks them all, and a regular SIM card won’t get you around it. The best eSIM for China will. It routes your data through servers outside mainland China, so you get the open internet the moment your plane touches down.

No fiddling with physical SIMs, no surprise roaming bills, no messing with VPN apps before you fly. We tested the top contenders across coverage, speed, and day-to-day reliability, and Saily was the one that kept working when others dropped out. Here are the best eSIMs for China in May 2026.

Best China eSIM: Detailed Comparison of Our Top 5

With important notices out of the way, let’s shift our attention to the top 5 eSIMs for China. Here’s why these 5 stood out in our 14-day tests across Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai in 2026.

	Saily 🥇	Ubigi 🥈	Airalo 🥉	Holafly	Jetpac
Network Partners	China Unicom, China Mobile	China Telecom	China Unicom	China Mobile	China Mobile, China Unicom
Start Price	$4.49	$4	$4	$3.90	$4
Data Options	1 GB to unlimited	1 GB to unlimited	1 GB to unlimited	Unlimited only	1 GB to unlimited
Tethering	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited	1 GB/day limit	Unlimited
Extras	VPN, ad blocker, web protection	Windows compatibility	No	1 GB backup data	Lounge access, VPN, free data

1. Saily: Best Overall

We tested Saily upon landing in Beijing, our first destination. It activated immediately (but we bought it a week prior) with 5G data and consistent speeds for streaming on Netflix. Before we arrived, we bought the unlimited plan for 15 days at $49.99, though budget plans, like 1 GB for 7 days for $4.49, are good for shorter trips.

In tests, Saily held to 5G consistently across all three cities; we had only a few drops to LTE. Saily’s network isn’t censored, so we could still chat through WhatsApp, use Google Search, and watch Netflix and Hulu on a phone. With unlimited tethering, we shared data from one China eSIM plan without issues. One thing we found useful was added security.

It’s actually three things: an ad blocker (data saver), a malicious URL blocker, and a VPN with over 115 virtual locations. We used only the first two (didn’t need the VPN), and observed our data consumption. With an ad blocker, we spent about 10% less data than before, good if you’re on a limited plan.

Saily’s low starting price can be even lower with our GIZMODO promo code for 15% off. It’s the #1 eSIM for China overall, and our favorite eSIM for any country, thanks to eSIM plans for over 200 locations.

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2. Ubigi: Best for Strong Coverage

When we tested Ubigi eSIM in China, we enjoyed its 4G and 5G coverage, though Ubigi was mostly 4G (only ~30% of the time was 5G). It didn’t impact the experience, as speeds were still very fast and stable, thanks to Ubigi’s partnership with China Telecom. Ubigi has very flexible China eSIM plans, starting at $4 for 1 GB of data for 7 days.

Given our 2-week trip, we bought an unlimited plan for 15 days at $49. On top of that, Ubigi allowed us to share data limitlessly, so only one eSIM for China was enough (we were three). For users on limited plans, Ubigi allows quick top-ups without an internet connection. Plus, you can use all apps in China without a VPN.

Ubigi activates via a QR code and immediately turns on when you land. But we don’t like the two aspects: email-only customer support, very slow to respond, and the lack of SMS/calls; Ubigi is a data-only eSiM for China.

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3. Airalo: Affordable eSIM for China

While most cheap eSIMs for China typically use LTE networks, Airalo is affordable, with solid 5G coverage from China Unicom. It works without a VPN and lets you use all the apps and sites without restrictions. We picked the 10 GB plan for 15 days at $23, but budget users can start at $4 for 1 GB of data for 3 days.

Airalo even has unlimited data plans, and for 15 days, we’d spend $43.50. Prices are higher for longer stays, so I recommend Airalo for a maximum of 7 days in China. Call/SMS plans are typically offered, but Airalo excludes them from its China eSIM deals. To compensate, it’s activated automatically when you land.

It also doesn’t limit tethering, so you can travel in a group with only one eSIM. If you don’t mind slower-to-respond support, this budget travel eSIM for China is nearly flawless and can replace a VPN in China for the most part.

4. Holafly: Unlimited Data in China

Holafly is a no-compromise eSIM for China with limitless data and a flat fee of $3.90 per day. At least for short trips. We stayed for 2 weeks and spent $50.90 for 15 days (about $3.40 per day in this case). We’re glad we did because Holafly was fast and reliable, with 5G/4G data from CMCC; it was mostly 4G, but still stable for streaming and browsing.

We bought Holafly a week in advance, and our plan started right when we hit the Beijing Capital International Airport. However, we had to buy two eSIMs (didn’t want to spend too much on three), as Holafly allowed us to share only 1 GB of data per day. Still, it’s a step up from the 500 MB tethering in some countries.

Holafly’s 24/7 live chat support also responded within seconds when we contacted it. It’s one of its best features. One of its worst is throttling, which we noticed when we spent the whole day inside a hotel on a rainy day. We streamed Netflix, and at one point, our Full HD stream began to occasionally buffer, while our 5G connection dropped to 4G. We don’t know what the limit is, but if you go overboard, expect Holafly to slow things down.

5. Jetpac: Best for Lounge Access

Jetpac is a trusted eSIM for China with travel perks, like lounge access, helpful if your flight is delayed (thankfully, we didn’t have to try this). During our 2-week test, Jetpac often switched between 4G and 5G networks from China Unicom. We couldn’t measure precisely, but we’d say it was about 50/50, with speed and performance still at a high level.

Each Jetpac plan includes free data (throttled) for basic apps like Google Maps, Uber, Grab, and WhatsApp chat. Exclusive to its China eSIM is a VPN, which helps to bypass geo-blocks and access more content (available in all plans). We used Jetpac’s unlimited data plan for 15 days at $41.99, a fair price.

Shorter trips will cost less, about $4 for 1 GB of data for 4 days or $7 for 3 GB of data for 7 days. Jetpac is a data-only eSIM for China (no SMS/calling), but its customer service wasn’t the fastest in our test, and often took minutes to respond to basic questions. Thankfully, we didn’t really need help or troubleshooting.

Summary: What is the Best eSIM in China in 2026?

Getting online in China shouldn’t be the hardest part of your trip. The right eSIM saves you from hunting for SIM cards at the airport, dodging roaming bills, and staring at apps that won’t load. Any of the 5 eSIMs here will get you connected. It comes down to how you travel. On a budget? Go with Airalo. Heavy streamer? Holafly. Want strong native coverage? Ubigi. Travel perks bundled in? Jetpac.

For most travelers, Saily is the one to beat. It gave us the most consistent speeds in testing, kept blocked apps working without extra setup, and the plans are flexible enough for a weekend in Shanghai or a month across the country. Install it before you fly and enjoy the trip.

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