China mainland eSIM
1-tap install
Data only
Full refund before installation
1. Select plan
Multi-traveler eSIMs
Group discount up to 15% for 6+
Add 1 more to unlock 5% off. 6+ travelers get 15% off.
2. Fare transparency
Total due
$1.80 / GB · $0.30 / day
$8.99
Refund any plan you haven’t installed, up to 30 days from purchase.
Need setup help?
Support within 24 hours at support@vigxoesim.com
$8.99
China mainland 5 GB · 30 days (×1)
Step 1 of 3
Great for messaging, transit navigation, and staying connected across China mainland.
Great for messaging, transit navigation, and staying connected across China mainland.
Great for messaging, transit navigation, and staying connected across China mainland.
High-speed 5G mobile data for China mainland. Ideal for maps, video calls, social media & hotspot.
High-speed 5G mobile data for China mainland. Ideal for maps, video calls, social media & hotspot.
High-speed 5G mobile data for China mainland. Ideal for maps, video calls, social media & hotspot.
Travelling with someone? Add a second traveller and the whole order is 5% off — it grows to 15% at six.
Order summary
China mainland 5 GB · 30 days
$1.80/GB
$8.99
Total
$1.80 / GB
$8.99
Full refund before installation. Refund any plan you haven’t installed, up to 30 days from purchase.
ContinueBy paying, you agree to immediate delivery and lose the 14-day right of withdrawal.
Refund any plan you haven’t installed, up to 30 days from purchase.
$8.99
China mainland 5 GB · 30 days
Setup
Set the eSIM up before you fly to China mainland
Set up your eSIM before you travel. Install it once from the link in your email, switch it on when you arrive, and you’re online.
On iPhone (iOS)
- After purchase, open the confirmation email and tap the install link — the eSIM adds itself (iOS 17.4+). Older iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → scan the QR from the same email.
- Label the plan (e.g. “vigxo travel”) and set your home line to keep calls/SMS.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the vigxo line — this uses the local partner network, not your home carrier.
On Android
- Tap the Android install link in your email (recent Android) — or Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → Add eSIM and scan the QR.
- Download the profile and set vigxo as your Mobile data line.
- When you land, turn on data roaming for the vigxo line so that line can use the local network.
Good to know
- Works on eSIM-capable phones (iPhone XR/XS+, Pixel 3+, Samsung Galaxy S20+). Older or carrier-locked phones may not support eSIM.
- Install before you fly on Wi‑Fi — you only need to enable it when you land, no signal required to set up.
- Data-only plans: keep your home SIM active for calls and texts. Use WhatsApp/FaceTime over data.
- Prices are final at checkout. Full refund before you install the eSIM.
What you can actually buy for China mainland
6 plans for China mainland, from 3 to 50 GB. Validity runs from 1 day to 180 days. 6 of them run on 5G where the local network has it.
6 plans can be topped up without installing a second eSIM. Plans run on China Mobile.
Counted from our live catalogue, not a marketing figure. The list above shows the best-priced plan for each size and validity; the count here includes every plan.
Regional plans that also cover China mainland
44 regional plans include China mainland. The widest covers 127 countries — worth it if China mainland is one stop of several, rather than the whole trip.
Regional coverage starts at $7.99 for 3 GB over 15 days.
How eSIMs work in China mainland
A travel eSIM for China mainland is a digital SIM your phone downloads — no plastic card, no airport pickup counter. You buy online, tap the install link we email you (a QR code is included too), and it installs a second line alongside your existing SIM. Install it on Wi-Fi before you fly. When you land in China mainland, turn on data roaming for that line so it can use China Mobile on 5G where available and LTE everywhere else. Your home number keeps working for calls and texts; the eSIM carries the data.
How much data do you need in China mainland?
Maps, messaging and rideshare apps are light — roughly 300–500 MB a day. Add photos, social and the occasional video and you’re closer to 1 GB a day. For a one-week trip a 5 GB plan is comfortable; for two weeks, sharing, or heavy use, choose 10 GB or more, or a reloadable plan you can top up on the go. China mainland plans start at $5.99 across 6 sizes, with the per-GB price shown on every one so the right choice is obvious.
What do you pay for data in China mainland?
A travel eSIM for China mainland is a local data plan. You pay the price shown at checkout. Set the eSIM as your data line and turn data roaming off on your home SIM, so your home carrier does not add this trip's data to your bill. Full refund before you install.
Setting up your China mainland eSIM
- 1. Buy a plan — your install link and QR code arrive by email right after payment.
- 2. While you’re still on Wi-Fi before you fly, tap the install link in your confirmation email — or open Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data → Add eSIM and scan the QR.
- 3. Land in China mainland, turn on data roaming for the eSIM line, and you’re online.
China mainland connectivity guide
China has excellent physical mobile coverage — dense, fast and reaching further into remote terrain than most countries manage. The question visitors actually have is different: which parts of the internet will work. This guide is direct about that, including where the honest answer is that it depends and cannot be guaranteed. It then covers the networks, the coverage, the payment problem that catches more visitors than connectivity does, and how much data a China trip really consumes.
Read the full China mainland guide →What to eat in China mainland
Peking Duck
Roast duck known for its thin, crispy skin. Usually sliced in front of diners and wrapped in thin pancakes with scallions, cucumber, and sweet bean sauce.
Beijing
Xiaolongbao
Delicate steamed soup dumplings filled with pork and a rich, hot broth.
Shanghai
Hot Pot
A communal dining experience where diners cook various raw meats, vegetables, and noodles in a boiling, often spicy, central broth.
Chengdu or Chongqing
Dim Sum
A large range of small dishes, including steamed buns, dumplings, and rice noodle rolls, traditionally served with tea.
Guangzhou
Mapo Tofu
Soft tofu set in a spicy, pungent chili and bean-based sauce, typically cooked with minced pork or beef.
Sichuan Province
Biangbiang Noodles
Thick, wide, hand-pulled noodles served with a generous amount of chili, garlic, and vinegar.
Xi'an
Roujiamo
Often called a Chinese hamburger, it consists of minced, braised meat stuffed inside a baked, flat dough bun.
Xi'an
Char Siu
Cantonese-style barbecued pork, characterized by its sticky, sweet, and savory red glaze.
Guangzhou
What to see in China mainland
Great Wall of ChinaBeijing
One of the greatest architectural feats in history. Sections like Mutianyu offer breathtaking views and hiking.
Half day to full day · book ahead
Forbidden CityBeijing
The massive imperial palace complex from the Ming to Qing dynasties, featuring incredible traditional architecture.
3-4 hours · book ahead
Terracotta ArmyXi'an
Thousands of life-sized clay soldiers, horses, and chariots built to protect the first Emperor of China in the afterlife.
3-4 hours · book ahead
The BundShanghai
A famous waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings, offering a stunning view across the river to the futuristic skyline.
1-2 hours
West LakeHangzhou
A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its serene beauty, classical gardens, pagodas, and artificial islands.
Half day
Li RiverGuilin
Famous for its dramatic karst mountain peaks along the river, best experienced on a cruise to Yangshuo.
Full day · book ahead
Zhangjiajie National Forest ParkZhangjiajie
Towering sandstone pillars that inspired the floating mountains in the movie 'Avatar'.
1-2 days · book ahead
Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingChengdu
The best place to see giant pandas and their cubs up close in a conservation environment.
Half day · book ahead
Getting around China mainland
High-Speed Rail (HSR)
The world's largest high-speed train network connects almost all major cities. Buy tickets via Trip.com or 12306 app.
200-600 RMB per intercity trip
Metro / Subway
Most major cities have massive, modern subway systems. Signage is in English. Use Alipay.
3-7 RMB per ride
Public Bus
Extensive city networks. Can be paid via Alipay or WeChat Pay.
1-2 RMB per ride
Taxi
Metered taxis are common. Fares can be paid by WeChat/Alipay. Drivers rarely speak English.
15-50 RMB per urban trip
Ride-hailing
DiDi
DiDi is the Uber equivalent in China. It has an English interface and can be linked to foreign credit cards directly or via Alipay.
Practical things worth knowing in China mainland
Paying for things
- Physical credit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are rarely accepted outside of large international hotels.
- Limited utility since foreign cards are rarely accepted natively. You must use local wallets.
- Cash still useful for: In very rural areas, As an emergency backup if your app fails
- Local wallets: Alipay, WeChat Pay
Basics
- Emergency number: 110 (Police), 120 (Ambulance), 119 (Fire)
- Plugs: A, C, I · 220V
- Tap water: no
- Tipping is not part of Chinese culture and is generally not expected or accepted, except for specialized tour guides.
Public holidays in China mainland
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Minor holiday; short trips by locals, but less disruptive than major festivals. |
| International Women's Day | March 8 | Half-day off for women, minimal impact on travel. |
| Labour Day | May 1 | Massive domestic travel period. Attractions will be incredibly crowded. |
| National Day | October 1 | The 'Golden Week' holiday. Extremely crowded at all tourist sites and massive strain on transport networks. |
Recurring dates — the day these fall on moves year to year.