Chinacom China (Airalo eSIM): Use Your Phone In China From US$5

Chinacom offers low-cost eSIMs for visitors to China. Plans start from US$5 (~¥36.50) and give you 4G & 5G coverage from China Mobile.

If you're planning a trip to China, one of the easiest ways to use your cellphone whilst you're there is with a Chinacom eSIM. This is only available for foreign visitors to China (as the local handsets purchased in China do not have support for eSIM).

You can get a Chinacom eSIM from US$5 (approximately ¥36.50) at Airalo. This will allow you to use your cellphone in China for up to 7 days. The Chinacom eSIM is available on a pre-paid basis for visitors to China and gives you an allowance of 4G & 5G mobile data to use whilst you're there.

In this article, we'll look at the Chinacom service in China, including how you're able to get it and the best Chinacom eSIM deals. We'll also look at the coverage available on a Chinacom eSIM, and the other ways of using your mobile phone in China (e.g. through international roaming).

Plans From:	US$5 (~¥36.50) for 7 days
Best Deals:	1GB data for US$5 (valid for 7 days) 3GB data for US$11.50 (valid for 30 days) 10GB data for US$28 (valid for 30 days)
Compatible Devices:	Apple iPhone 11 and newer Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer Google Pixel 3 and newer see more...
Coverage:	4G & 5G coverage (China Mobile)
Voucher Code:	Save 10% on all Chinacom eSIMs using KEN10 (new customers only) Save 5% using the KEN5 voucher code (existing Airalo customers)

Chinacom Plans

If you're looking for an affordable way to use your cellphone when travelling in China, you can get a Chinacom eSIM from only US$5 (approximately ¥36.50) for 7 days usage.

To get a Chinacom eSIM, you'll need to have an eSIM-compatible device such as the iPhone 11, Galaxy S20, Pixel 3 or later devices. You can then order your Chinacom eSIM through the Airalo app with instant delivery direct to your phone. There's no need to queue at the airport or to register the Chinacom eSIM with your ID, saving you lots of time.

The following table shows the eSIM plans that are currently available from Chinacom in China:

Plan	Data	Plan Cost
Data-only eSIM No calls included	1GB data	US$5.00 (approx ¥36.50) 7 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	2GB data	US$8.50 (approx ¥62.00) 15 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	3GB data	US$11.50 (approx ¥83.90) 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	5GB data	US$16.50 (approx ¥120.40) 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	10GB data	US$28.00 (approx ¥204.40) 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	No data	US$35.00 (approx ¥255.50) 10 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	20GB data	US$49.00 (approx ¥357.60) 30 days validity	See deal

As a special offer for December 2024, you can get a 10% discount on all Chinacom eSIMs. Simply enter the KEN10 voucher code at checkout. This offer is only available if you're new to Airalo.

If you've already used an Airalo eSIM in the past, you can use the KEN5 voucher code to get a 5% discount on your plan.

See all Chinacom eSIM deals →

Once you've ordered your Chinacom eSIM, it will only activate when your cellphone actually connects to a supported network in China. This means the validity period will only begin when you actually land in China and turn your cellphone on.

Your Chinacom eSIM works with the dual-SIM function on most modern smartphones. This means you can use your regular SIM card alongside the Chinacom eSIM (e.g. to receive incoming phone calls and text messages on your normal phone number).

Alternatives to Chinacom

The main disadvantage of Chinacom is the fact you're getting a data-only service on the eSIM. You will not get a local phone number in China when you're using the Chinacom eSIM in your phone.

If you'd like to call or text whilst you're travelling in China, you'll need to use your normal SIM card instead (on which international roaming fees may apply). Alternatively, you can side-step these charges by making your calls through WhatsApp or other similar apps.

If you're looking for a more fully featured SIM card with a local phone number in China (starting with +86), you could consider getting a regular prepaid SIM card upon arrival instead. This will involve some additional hassle (e.g. queuing up at the airport to get your SIM card, a registration process for the SIM card, etc) but it can be preferable and better suited for longer-term use in China.

Chinacom Coverage

If you're using a Chinacom eSIM, you'll have access to 4G & 5G mobile coverage in China. This is provided by the following partner networks:

Coverage Provider	Network Type	Coverage Area
China Mobile	4G & 5G	China

There's no international roaming available on a Chinacom eSIM. Therefore, you won't be able to use it outside of China. If you're planning to visit multiple countries on your trip, you may need to get a separate eSIM for the other countries you visit.

Other Airalo eSIMs

Airalo's Chinacom eSIM can only be used in China.

If you're planning to visit multiple countries on your trip, you could consider getting a Asialink or Discover eSIM. These eSIM plans will work in China, as well as a number of other countries.

Asialink eSIM

Airalo's Asialink eSIM will also work in China, giving you 4G & 5G coverage from China Unicom. In addition, you'll be able to use it in 17 other countries. The Asialink plans start from US$5 for 1GB of data:

Plan	Data	Plan Cost
Data-only eSIM No calls included	1GB data	US$5.00 7 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	2GB data	US$9.50 15 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	3GB data	US$13.00 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	5GB data	US$20.00 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	10GB data	US$37.00 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	20GB data	US$49.00 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	50GB data	US$100.00 90 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	100GB data	US$185.00 180 days validity	See deal

Discover eSIM

Airalo's Discover eSIM will also work in China, giving you 4G & 5G coverage from CMCC & UNICOM. In addition, you'll be able to use it in 123 other countries. The Discover plans start from US$9 for 1GB of data:

Plan	Data	Plan Cost
Data-only eSIM No calls included	1GB data	US$9.00 7 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	2GB data	US$17.00 15 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	3GB data	US$24.00 30 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	5GB data	US$35.00 60 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	10GB data	US$59.00 180 days validity	See deal
Data-only eSIM No calls included	20GB data	US$69.00 365 days validity	See deal

Discover+ eSIM

The Discover+ eSIM works in a very similar way to the Discover eSIM, also allowing you to use your mobile phone in China. However, it adds the ability for you to make and recieve phone calls and SMS text messages on your eSIM. You'll be assigned a +43 phone number (based in Austria) to use for calling and texting.

The Discover+ plans currently start from US$15 for 10 minutes, 10 texts and 1GB of data:

Plan	Data	Plan Cost
10 mins 10 texts	1GB data	US$15.00 7 days validity	See deal
20 mins 20 texts	2GB data	US$27.00 15 days validity	See deal
30 mins 30 texts	3GB data	US$36.00 30 days validity	See deal
50 mins 50 texts	5GB data	US$50.00 60 days validity	See deal
100 mins 100 texts	10GB data	US$79.00 180 days validity	See deal
200 mins 200 texts	20GB data	US$89.00 365 days validity	See deal

Other Country Specific eSIMs

You can also buy other country-specific eSIMs from Airalo, including the following:

• Yes! Go! (Australia)
• Joia (Brazil)
• Tuque Mobile (Canada)
• Bonbon Mobile (France)
• Hallo! Mobil (Germany)
• Hkmobile (Hong Kong)
• Indicomm (India)
• Indotel (Indonesia)
• Mamma Mia (Italy)
• Moshi Moshi (Japan)
• Chorro Fon (Mexico)
• Choukran (Morocco)
• Fofo Mobil (Portugal)
• CellSA (South Africa)
• Guay Mobile (Spain)
• Merhaba (Turkey)
• Burj Mobile (United Arab Emirates)
• Uki Mobile (United Kingdom)
• Change Mobile (United States)
• Xin Chao (Vietnam)

For more information, read our Airalo review.

More Information

For more information about Chinacom, please see the Airalo website.