Will Google and WhatsApp work?
Over these eSIMs, usually yes: they route your data outside mainland China, as each plan’s internet location shows.
Prices in US dollars · for US travelers
eSIM for China from the US
Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are blocked on Chinese networks. These eSIMs route your data outside mainland China. See what AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile charge for China, next to a prepaid travel eSIM.
Photo: Aaron Katz on Unsplash
- QR code by emailinstall before you fly
- Keep your numberdata-only eSIM
- 24/7 live chatin the Graba SIM app
- Pay your way
Before you buy: straight answers
Do I need a Chinese number for payments?
No. Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign numbers and cards.
Does it cover Hong Kong and Macau?
Not always. Check the plan’s coverage list.
Buying tips for US travelers
- You pay in US dollars, so there is no currency conversion. Your card issuer may still apply its own fees for a merchant outside the US.
- Phones bought on a payment plan are often locked to AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile until paid off. Check yours is unlocked before you buy.
- Turn off data roaming on your US line before you land. AT&T’s Day Pass and Verizon’s TravelPass charge on each day you use your phone abroad.
- Keep your US line on for texts and two-factor codes; iMessage, WhatsApp and FaceTime work over the eSIM’s data.
What your trip to China costs
Each network’s lowest published option for China, next to the Graba SIM plan with about 0.7 GB a day (regular use) for the whole trip. Network prices use your US plan and include calls and texts; the eSIM is data only.
| Option | Long weekend3 days | A week7 days | Two weeks14 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graba SIM eSIM | $9.253GB / 15 days | $13.995GB / 30 days | $27.7510GB / 30 days |
| AT&TInternational Day Pass | $36.00$12.00 a day × 3 | $84.00$12.00 a day × 7 | $168.00$12.00 a day × 14 |
| VerizonTravelPass | $36.00$12.00 a day × 3 | $84.00$12.00 a day × 7 | $168.00$12.00 a day × 14 |
| T-MobileInternational Pass | $30.003 × 1-day passes | $50.0010-day pass | $75.0030-day pass |
China eSIM
How long is your trip?
Pick the trip that sounds most like yours. Every plan is data only, paid once, with no contract.
Prices in USD
Not sure? Answer 3 quick questionsWe’ll show the maths behind our suggestion.
Swipe to compare plans
On every plan here
- Uses China Mobile, with 5G where available
- Starts when you first connect, so you can install it before you fly
- QR code by emailInstall it in minutes
- Keep your numberData only, your SIM stays in
- 24/7 live chatIn the Graba SIM app
- Pay onceNo contract, guest checkout
More options
Other sizes for different kinds of trip.
- Long weekend1GB · 7 days$3.50
- Light month5GB · 30 days$13.99
- Heavy use50GB · 30 days$117.25
- Long stay50GB · 180 days$149.99
Only need a day?
A day pass gives you full-speed data for one day, then slower data for the rest of the day.
500MB to 10GB a day
From $2.75
See day passesHow we choose these plans
For each trip we pick the current plan that costs the least while lasting the whole trip and gives about 0.3 to 0.7 GB a day, enough for maps, messages and social media. A plan may last longer than the trip. Everyone uses data differently, so check your phone’s recent data use. “Best value” only appears when that plan also costs the least per GB of all the plans that fit.
Arriving in China
- PEK Beijing Capital
- PKX Beijing Daxing
- PVG Shanghai Pudong
- SHA Shanghai Hongqiao
- CAN Guangzhou
- SZX Shenzhen
- TFU Chengdu Tianfu
- XIY Xi’an
Signal where people go
- Beijing and Shanghai
- Strong signal across both cities.
- Xi’an and Chengdu
- Strong in the cities.
- High-speed rail
- Good on most lines.
Networks our China plans use: China MobileChina UnicomChina Telecom
Your US network in China
What each network publishes for China, with the source and the date we checked.
- AT&T
International Day Pass: your US plan’s talk, text and data. In AT&T’s 210+ Day Pass destinations; additional lines on the account are $6 a day, and you pay at most 10 daily fees per line each bill.
Check with AT&T - Verizon
TravelPass: your plan’s talk and text, plus 5 GB of high-speed data a day. In TravelPass countries; charged only on days you use your phone there.
Check with Verizon - T-Mobile
International Pass: high-speed data (2 GB a day, 15 GB for 10 days or 30 GB for 30 days) and calls. Needs a qualifying T-Mobile postpaid plan.
Check with T-Mobile
Sources: AT&T (checked November 6, 2026) · Verizon (checked November 9, 2026) · T-Mobile (checked November 9, 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Graba SIM vs Airalo: the same plans, side by side
Plans with exactly the same data and validity for China, both data-only and priced in USD. Coverage and networks can differ, so check the plan details before you buy.
Highlighted: the lower price for each plan.
Sources: Airalo (checked November 9, 2026). Prices change; check before you buy.
Know before you go
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay at home before you fly: both accept foreign cards.
- Hotel and café Wi-Fi in China runs through mainland China’s internet, where many apps are blocked.
Set it up before you fly
- Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM on our compatibility page.
- Install the plan at home on Wi-Fi with our iPhone or Android guide.
- When you land, set mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for it only.
Questions about China
Will Google and WhatsApp work?
Over these eSIMs, usually yes: they route your data outside mainland China, as each plan’s internet location shows.
Do I need a Chinese number for payments?
No. Alipay and WeChat Pay accept foreign numbers and cards.
Does it cover Hong Kong and Macau?
Not always. Check the plan’s coverage list.
What do US carriers charge in China?
AT&T: International Day Pass: your US plan’s talk, text and data. In AT&T’s 210+ Day Pass destinations; additional lines on the account are $6 a day, and you pay at most 10 daily fees per line each bill. Verizon: TravelPass: your plan’s talk and text, plus 5 GB of high-speed data a day. In TravelPass countries; charged only on days you use your phone there. T-Mobile: International Pass: high-speed data (2 GB a day, 15 GB for 10 days or 30 GB for 30 days) and calls. Needs a qualifying T-Mobile postpaid plan.
What if something goes wrong?
Live chat in the Graba SIM app is open 24/7. Email and contact-form requests are answered Monday to Friday.
More eSIM guides for US travelers
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