Can I use WhatsApp and Google in China with an eSIM?

China's Great Firewall blocks WhatsApp, Google, Instagram and many other Western services regardless of the SIM used. To access these services a VPN is required. We advise setting it up on your smartphone before entering Chinese territory, since even the sites for downloading VPNs are often blocked from inside China.

Does the eSIM also work in Tibet and in the most remote provinces?

In urban areas and along the main routes coverage is excellent. In Tibet and in the most isolated mountain areas the signal may be limited or absent, as with any operator. The main cities such as Lhasa nonetheless have good 4G coverage. We recommend downloading offline maps before venturing outside built-up areas.

Do I have to register the SIM in my name to use it in China?

With a Datiovunque international eSIM no local registration process is needed in China. On the other hand, local physical SIMs have a mandatory passport requirement and often involve filling in forms in Mandarin. The eSIM completely removes this bureaucracy: everything is managed from Italy, before departure.

What type of power socket will I find in China? Do I need an adapter to charge my smartphone?

China uses type A, C and I sockets. Italian type C plugs often fit, but the three-flat-pin type I configuration (used in Australia and Argentina) is very common and needs a universal adapter. We recommend bringing one from home to avoid surprises on arrival at the hotel.

How do I find my way around China without Google Maps?

Google Maps is blocked in China. The most reliable local alternatives are Baidu Maps (in Chinese) and Apple Maps, which works normally in the country. Many foreign travellers also use the Amap (AutoNavi) app, available in English. With an active eSIM you can use these apps in real time, and they are essential for getting around cities such as Beijing or Shanghai.

How much does an eSIM for China cost?

eSIM plans for China start from €3.99. You pay once for the amount of data you choose — no subscription, no monthly fees and no hidden roaming charges. Plans with more data or longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM or roaming better in China?

A local eSIM in China is almost always much cheaper than the roaming of your Italian operator. In the European Union roaming is often already included ("Roam Like at Home"), but outside the EU the costs can be very high — with an eSIM you know the price in advance and pay only for the data plan you need.

Which operator or network does the eSIM use in China?

The eSIM in China connects automatically to local networks such as China Mobile, China Unicom / China Telecom, China Unicom, China Telecom — on 4G/LTE and, where available, 5G. Coverage reaches about 95% in inhabited areas. Your phone picks the best available network by itself.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in China?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in China. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for China?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

Can I share the connection (hotspot) in China?

Yes. You can share the connection in China through a personal hotspot with a computer, tablet or other devices. Shared data is deducted from your plan, so allow a few extra gigabytes if you expect to use the hotspot often.

eSIM plans for China

Instant delivery

Your eSIM for China is available from €3.99 and active straight away: in China it connects to the China Mobile, China Unicom / China Telecom, China Unicom, China Telecom networks (4G/LTE, 5G where available), coverage 95%. Install it by QR code before you leave — no roaming and no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day returns
Support in Italian
Visa · Mastercard · PayPal (including Pay in 3) · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Satispay

eSIM for China — at a glance

From: €3.99
Local networks: China Mobile, China Unicom / China Telecom, China Unicom, China Telecom
Technology: 4G/LTE & 5G
Network coverage: 95%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended 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 universe of its own: megacities that defy the future, villages suspended among the rice paddies, the Great Wall disappearing into the morning mist. But there is a challenge that no guidebook explains clearly enough: the Great Firewall. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram — all blocked. Without a suitable connection, finding your way becomes an ordeal. With a Datiovunque eSIM activated before departure, you arrive already connected, you contact family back home without going mad over VPNs and you use Maps in the alleys of Chengdu without losing a second of precious travel time.

Flight time from Rome

About 10–12 hours (direct flight to Beijing or Shanghai)

Time zone

UTC+8 — 7 hours ahead of Rome (6 hours in summer with daylight saving time)

Best season

April–May and September–October for mild weather and fewer crowds

Power socket

Type A, C and I — universal adapter recommended

Why an eSIM is essential in China

China is probably the country in the world where having a reliable data connection makes the biggest difference. The Great Firewall blocks most Western services — from Google to WhatsApp, from Gmail to Instagram — making even communication with those back in Italy complicated. A local Chinese SIM requires registration with a passport, forms in Mandarin and bureaucratic procedures that can take hours. With a Datiovunque international eSIM, everything changes: it is activated in a few minutes directly from your smartphone, you will land in Beijing or Shanghai already connected and you can set up a VPN even before boarding. The coverage of China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom reaches 95% of the territory, with widespread 4G/LTE even in rural areas and 5G in the main cities. No queues at the counters, no language problems: just instant connection.

Network coverage in China

Operator

China Mobile

+ China Unicom / China Telecom

Technology

4G/LTE & 5G

Coverage

95%

Installing an eSIM for China: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for China and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in China and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for China and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in China and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits China best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €3.99	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

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