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China eSIM
7 data plans · from £5.00 · instant QR code by email
Choose your plan
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
7 data plans · from £5.00 · instant QR code by email
Travelling as a group? Buy everyone an eSIM in one checkout and the discount is applied automatically — no code needed. See group pricing
Connects automatically to the strongest signal across China Mobile.
Setup
It takes about a minute. Tap the install link we email you, leave the line switched off, then switch it on when you land — and you're online.
On iPhone (iOS)
On Android
China: 35 plans, from 3 to 50 GB. Validity runs from 1 day to 180 days. 35 of them run on 5G where the local network has it.
25 plans can be topped up without installing a second eSIM. Plans run on China Mobile, CMHK, CTM, 3.
Counted from our live catalogue, not a marketing figure — the plan list above this section is the same data.
23 regional plans carry China cover. The widest spans 3 countries — worth it if this is one stop of several rather than the whole trip.
Regional coverage starts at £2.50 for 0.48828125 GB over 1 day.
A China travel eSIM is a digital SIM that downloads straight to your phone — no plastic card, no queuing at an airport counter. You buy online, tap the install link we email you (the QR code is in there too), and your phone adds a second line alongside your normal SIM. It stays dormant until your trip begins, then connects automatically to China Mobile on 5G where available, LTE everywhere else. Your normal number carries on working for calls and texts while the eSIM handles the data.
Maps, messaging and taxi apps use very little data — roughly 300–500 MB a day. If you add photos, social media and the occasional video, expect to use closer to 1 GB a day. For a one-week trip, a 5 GB plan is usually plenty; for two weeks, tethering, or heavy use, opt for 10 GB or more, or choose a top-up plan you can reload as you go. China plans start at £5.00 across 7 sizes, with the per-GB price clearly shown so you can easily spot the best value.
Yes. A China travel eSIM is a local data plan rather than international roaming — you pay the price you saw online, and there are no per-megabyte charges from your home network provider. Set the eSIM as your mobile data line, switch data roaming off on your normal SIM, and nothing unexpected turns up on your next bill. Full refund at any time before installation, so buying ahead costs you nothing.
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
China 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 guide →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
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
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.
Paying for things
Basics
| 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.