China
Shanghai eSIM plans
Pudong airport is 45 minutes from the centre by the Maglev and metro or an hour by taxi, and with the eSIM on at arrivals Google Maps, WhatsApp and your email work as at home, because the data routes through Hong Kong. China Mobile and China Unicom cover the city with 5G.
The cheapest Shanghai eSIM is $1.10 for 500 MB · 7 days; unlimited data costs $1.38 a day (the first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 384 Kbps under the fair use policy). Plans run on China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom, with 5G. Prices checked 9 November 2026.
Cheapest China plans for Shanghai
Any China plan works in Shanghai. See all China plans →
Prices checked 9 November 2026.
- 500 MB · 7 daysHigh speed500 MBYou get 500 MB at high speed to use within 7 days. When it runs out, you can top up to keep going.Validity7 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorChina Mobile $1.10View plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 500 MB each dayYou get 500 MB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 384 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upNot availableOperatorChina Mobile $1.38per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 500 MB each dayYou get 500 MB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 512 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upNot availableOperatorsChina Unicom +1 $1.43per dayView plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 1 GB each dayYou get 1 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 384 Kbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorChina Mobile $1.79per dayView plan
- 1 GB · 7 daysHigh speed1 GBYou get 1 GB at high speed to use within 7 days. When it runs out, you can top up to keep going.Validity7 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorChina Mobile $1.93View plan
- Unlimited dataFair use policyAfter 1 GB each dayYou get 1 GB at high speed each day. After that, the fair use policy slows data to 1 Mbps until the next day, so you are never cut off.Validity1–30 daysNetwork5GTop-upUp to 9 timesOperatorChina Mobile $2.20per dayView plan
Where you will use it
Around Shanghai
Full coverage in The Bund, French Concession, Jing’an, Pudong, Xintiandi on every plan.
- Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly; most shops and taxis do not take cash or foreign cards directly.
- DiDi is the ride app; it works inside Alipay with an English interface.
- The metro is vast and signposted in English; Google Maps works on the eSIM for routes.
Good to know
Shanghai eSIM questions
How much does an eSIM for Shanghai cost?
Plans start at $1.10 for 500 MB · 7 days. Unlimited daily data costs $1.38 a day (the first 500 MB each day at high speed, then 384 Kbps under the fair use policy). Prices are in US dollars and include everything: no roaming fees, no subscription.
Do Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work in Shanghai on this eSIM?
Yes on plans whose data breaks out in Hong Kong or Singapore, which is most China plans; the plan details say where. Traffic leaves China through the operator’s gateway, so the usual blocks do not apply.
Does the eSIM cover Beijing, Xi’an and the bullet trains?
Yes. A China plan covers the mainland, including the high-speed trains between the cities; it does not cover Hong Kong or Macau unless the plan lists them.
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