“If you are looking for the best eSIM for China, look no further.”
Arriving in China and Everything Breaks (Ask Me How I Know) Best eSIM for China
Picture this.
You land at Shanghai Pudong after a 12-hour flight. You’re tired, slightly grumpy, and just want to message your hotel on WhatsApp. You turn off airplane mode… and nothing works.
- Google? Dead.
- Instagram? Won’t refresh.
- Gmail? Loading forever.
So you try the airport Wi-Fi. Big mistake. It asks for a Chinese phone number to receive an SMS. You don’t have one. The queue at the SIM counter is 30 people deep. Welcome to China.
I live in Xiamen, and I help friends and readers avoid this exact mess every week. Here’s the blunt truth:
You need a China eSIM that bypasses the Great Firewall.
Not “works sometimes.” Not “use with a VPN maybe.”
Just works — the moment you land.
For years, I recommended Airalo. In 2026, I don’t anymore.
I’ve switched to Nomad eSIM, and after months of real use — metro rides, high-speed trains, Alipay payments, QR code scans at Lawson — it’s now my #1 pick for the best eSIM for China.
Let me explain why.
Real Talk: Airalo vs Holafly vs Nomad (From Someone Actually Living Here)
I’m not trying to put down other brands. They are all effective—in most cases. But value for money is important.
Airalo (What Everyone Knows)
Airalo is popular because it was early. Simple idea, decent coverage.
The problem in 2026?
It’s getting expensive for what you get, especially at 10GB and above. The app also feels clunky lately — slow loading, random refresh issues.
I used it for years. It’s fine. Just not the best deal anymore.
Holafly (Unlimited, But Ouch)
Holafly sells unlimited data. Sounds great, right?
Except:
- It’s expensive.
- Fair usage limits exist (they just don’t advertise them loudly).
- You’re paying for unlimited even if you only need 10–15GB.
If you’re a digital nomad streaming YouTube all day, sure.
For most travelers? Overkill.
Nomad (The Hidden Gem I Actually Use)
Nomad is the one I quietly switched to and now actively recommend.
I’ve been using Nomad eSIM in Xiamen, on:
- Shanghai Metro
- Beijing Didi rides
- High-speed trains to Fuzhou
- Coffee shops where I pay with Alipay QR codes “…paying with Alipay (make sure to set up your [Nihao China App] first)…”
It works perfectly, without any issues.
Tested in Beijing & Shanghai: I personally tested this eSIM in Shanghai’s Bund area and Beijing’s CBD, and the 5G signal was consistently strong. Unlike some cheap roaming cards that struggle in crowded subway stations, this one connected seamlessly to China Unicom’s network.
Why Nomad Wins in 2026 (My Actual Testing)
1. The “Goldilocks” Pricing (This Is the Big One)
Most people visiting China stay 7–14 days.
You’re not streaming Netflix all day. But you are:
- Using Google Maps
- Uploading photos
- Messaging on WhatsApp
- Booking trains
- Scanning QR codes constantly
Nomad nails this middle ground.
Compared to Airalo:
- 10GB plans are cheaper
- The 20GB plan is clearly much cheaper.
“For example, a 10GB plan on Airalo might cost you $25, but on Nomad, I grabbed it for just $12. That’s enough savings for a few extra dumplings.”
“Compared to Airalo, Nomad is clearly the best eSIM for China because of the price.”
You’ll get plenty of data without the worry — and without paying Holafly’s prices.
For a 2-week China trip, Nomad is the sweet spot. Not cheap trash. Not overpriced “unlimited.” Just right.
2. The Network: China Unicom (Fast Trains, Stable Signal)
Nomad runs on China Unicom 4G/5G, which matters more than people think.
Real-world examples from my own phone:
- Streaming Spotify on a high-speed train at 300 km/h
- Using Google Maps underground on the Shanghai metro
- Uploading photos while waiting for bubble tea in Xiamen
No random dropouts. No sudden throttling.
China Unicom has better international routing than some local carriers — which is why Nomad doesn’t need a VPN.
3. The App Doesn’t Annoy Me (Underrated but Important)
This sounds minor until it’s not.
Nomad’s app is:
- Clean
- Fast
- Stable
Airalo’s app? Still works, but:
- Occasional loading issues
- Confusing plan refresh
- Too many taps to find basics
When you’re jet-lagged at midnight trying to check your data balance, simple matters.
Nomad vs Airalo vs Holafly (Quick Comparison)
Here’s the no-BS breakdown.
| Feature | Nomad eSIM | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (10GB) | Cheaper (Best Value) | More expensive | Expensive |
| Network | China Unicom 5G/4G | Mixed carriers | Local carrier |
| VPN Needed? | No | No | No |
| Hotspot Supported? | Yes | Yes | Limited |
If you want the best eSIM for China in 2026, Nomad hits the balance of price, speed, and sanity.
How to Set Up Nomad (Do This Before Your Flight)
Please don’t wait until you land. I’ve watched people struggle at Pudong Airport doing this on bad Wi-Fi.
Step 1: Buy Nomad Before You Fly
Go here:
👉 [ NOMAD eSIM ]
Choose your China plan (10GB or 20GB is perfect for most trips).
Step 2: Install the eSIM
- Open the Nomad app
- Scan the QR code
- Install the eSIM (takes about 2 minutes)
Do NOT activate yet if your trip hasn’t started.
Step 3: Land in China & Turn on Data Roaming
This step is crucial and easy to miss.
On your phone:
- Settings → Cellular → Nomad eSIM
- Turn ON Data Roaming
- Turn OFF your home SIM (or keep it for SMS only)
That’s it.
Your Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail — all working before you even call a Didi.
FAQ: The Questions Everyone Asks Me
Do I need a VPN with Nomad?
No.
Nomad routes data internationally.
It bypasses the Great Firewall automatically.
I haven’t touched a VPN in months.
Does TikTok, Instagram, Google, WhatsApp work?
Yes. All of them.
I post Instagram stories from China daily.
Google Docs, Maps, Gmail — zero issues.
This is why “China eSIM no VPN” matters.
Can I use Nomad in Tibet or Xinjiang?
Mostly yes, but expect limitations.
- Coverage exists in major cities
- Speeds can be slower
- Some regions may have restrictions regardless of carrier
This is true for every provider, not just Nomad.
Final Verdict: Stop Overpaying
If this were 2023, I’d still say Airalo.
It’s 2026 now.
Nomad is:
- Cheaper where it matters “…and if you want to save on exchange rates, use your [Wise Card].“
- Faster in real use
- Easier to manage
- No VPN needed
If you’re planning a Travel China 2026 data plan, don’t overthink it.
👉 Check the latest Nomad prices here:
[ NOMAD eSIM ]
“In 2026, my vote for the best eSIM for China goes to Nomad.”
I use it. My friends use it. My readers stop emailing me in a panic.
That’s how I know it’s the right choice.
The “All-in-One” Alternative: Trip.com eSIM
If you are already booking your high-speed trains on Trip.com, you might want to check out their eSIMs too.
- Why consider it: It’s super convenient to have your train tickets and internet data in the same app.
- Performance: They use official China Mobile/Unicom roaming, so it bypasses the firewall automatically (just like Nomad).
- Price: Often comparable to Nomad, sometimes cheaper for shorter trips.