Do WhatsApp and Google work with an eSIM in China?

In China, Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western services are blocked by the state firewall. That applies whether you use an eSIM or a local SIM. For communication we recommend WeChat, which is used universally in China. To reach Google services you need a VPN, and you should definitely install and test it before you enter the country.

Do I have to register the eSIM with the Chinese authorities?

No. International eSIM plans through Reisechip do not require registration with the Chinese authorities. Unlike local SIM cards, for which foreigners often have to show a passport and additional identification, your eSIM works without the bureaucratic effort.

How good is network coverage in remote regions such as Tibet or Xinjiang?

In urban centres and tourist regions, 4G coverage is excellent. In truly remote areas such as the Tibetan plateau or the Taklamakan Desert, reception can be limited. For Lhasa and the main tourist routes, though, you can expect a stable signal.

Can I make phone calls with the eSIM in China?

The eSIM provides data only. For calls, use apps such as WeChat (widely used in China) or FaceTime. Your German SIM card stays active and still receives calls and texts, but note that roaming charges from your German provider may apply.

Which apps should I install before my trip to China?

Be sure to install these before you leave: WeChat (communication), Baidu Maps or Amap (navigation in Chinese), DiDi (taxi app) and a VPN of your choice. Set all of these up while you are still in Germany, as downloads from the App Store in China can be restricted.

How much does an eSIM for China cost?

eSIM data plans for China start at €3.99. You pay once for the data you choose — no contract, no monthly fee and no surprise roaming bill. Bigger data packs and longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in China?

It depends on the destination. Inside the EU your German plan usually includes roaming, often with a fair-use data cap; outside the EU, roaming is typically charged per day or per megabyte, and a travel eSIM is usually much cheaper. With an eSIM you see the full price before you buy and pay only for your data pack.

Will I keep my German phone number with an eSIM in China?

Yes. Your German SIM and number stay active, and the travel eSIM runs alongside it as a data-only plan. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or over Wi-Fi while browsing on the local network. Normal calls and texts still go through your German number, where roaming charges may apply.

Can I top up or extend my China data plan?

Yes. When your data runs out or the plan expires, just buy another pack. The eSIM profile already on your phone stays in place, so there is nothing to reinstall and you stay online without a break.

Can I use the eSIM as a Wi-Fi hotspot in China?

Yes. You can share the connection with a laptop, tablet or a travel companion through your phone's personal hotspot. Hotspot use comes out of the same data allowance, so choose a slightly larger pack if you plan to tether.

How much data do I need for a trip to China?

For maps, messaging and some browsing, 1–3 GB is usually enough. Add social media and photo uploads and around 5 GB is safer; for streaming, video calls or hotspot use, plan on 10 GB or more. If you run short, you can buy another pack at any time.

Will the eSIM work on my phone?

It works on any eSIM-capable phone, including iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later and Google Pixel 3 and later. The phone must also be unlocked (not tied to one network). To check yours, look for "Add eSIM" under Mobile Data or Connections in your settings.

eSIM plans for China

Instant delivery

China: your travel eSIM from €3.99 works as soon as you land and connects to China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom (4G/LTE where available), network coverage 95% of the population. Install it by QR code before you leave Germany — no roaming charges, no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day refund on unused eSIMs
Support in English
Visa · Mastercard · Maestro · Apple Pay · PayPal

eSIM for China at a glance

Price from: €3.99
Local networks: China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom
Technology: 4G/LTE & 5G
Network coverage: 95% of the population
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Suggested data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for China

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€4.09
Unlimited	3 days	€9.99
Unlimited	5 days	€14.99
Unlimited	7 days	€20.99
Unlimited	10 days	€28.99
Unlimited	15 days	€40.99
Unlimited	30 days	€57.49
1 GB	7 days	€3.99
2 GB	15 days	€9.99
3 GB	30 days	€9.99
5 GB	30 days	€15.99
10 GB	30 days	€28.99
20 GB	30 days	€46.99
50 GB	30 days	€59.99

China is a destination of extremes: the Great Wall, which can be seen from space, Shanghai's futuristic skyline, the ancient temples of Xi'an and the rice terraces of Guilin. Yet hardly any other country poses such particular challenges online. Familiar apps and services are blocked by China's firewall. With a Reisechip eSIM on the network of China Mobile or China Unicom you are online from the first minute: no tiresome SIM swap at Beijing airport, no expensive roaming charges and full connectivity for navigation, translation and communication.

Flight time from Germany

about 9–11 hours

Time zone

UTC+8 (7 hours ahead of CET)

Best time to travel

April–May & Sep–Oct

Plug type

Type A/C/I (adapter needed)

Why get an eSIM for China?

China is one of the few countries in the world where mobile internet follows its own logic. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and many Western services are blocked by the so-called Great Firewall. International eSIM plans for China are designed so that you can still navigate and communicate with a stable data connection, for example through WeChat, the messaging tool that is everywhere in China. Local SIM cards often mean registration effort and language barriers for foreigners. A Reisechip eSIM avoids that effort completely: you install the profile at home, and as soon as you land in Beijing, Shanghai or Chengdu you are connected at once. On top of that comes excellent network coverage of 95%; even in the countryside and in remote regions such as Yunnan or Tibet you can usually count on stable 4G.

What is network coverage like in China?

Network operator

China Mobile

+ China Unicom

Technology

4G/LTE & 5G

Coverage

95% of the population

How do I install an eSIM for China?

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for China that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in China and you are online straight away.

1
Buy a plan
Pick the data plan for China that fits your trip and check out.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email with your QR code and scan it with your phone's camera while you are still in Germany.
3
Add the eSIM
Follow the steps on your phone to add the eSIM as a data plan. Your German SIM stays in place.
4
Go online
Switch on the eSIM when you land in China and you are online straight away.

Which eSIM plan suits me?

Holiday

Away for 1–2 weeks? A 3–5 GB plan covers maps, photos and messages.

Business trip

For video calls and email on the go, choose at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpacking

On longer trips, a 10 GB+ plan or a regional plan for several countries pays off.

Family

With several devices, pick a plan with hotspot support and enough data for everyone.

eSIM vs. local SIM vs. Wi-Fi hotspot — what works best for China?

	eSIM	Local SIM card	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Buy on arrival	Pick-up or delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €3.99	€5–30	€5–15 per day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up any time	Fixed allowance	Daily rental
Best for	Most travellers	Long stays	Groups and families

eSIM for China: frequently asked questions

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