Travel eSIM China + VPN

No, eSIMs aren’t banned in China. The confusion usually comes from the fact that devices made and sold within Mainland China don’t support eSIM technology due to local security and economic policies. If your phone was bought outside of China and supports eSIM, you’ll have no problem using it during your trip.

Yes, it does! The China eSIM comes with a built-in VPN, so you’ll be able to access all your favourite apps and websites without restrictions - including social media, Google, and more.

Absolutely. Thanks to the included VPN, you’ll be able to use Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other blocked services in China just like you do at home. It makes staying connected smooth and stress-free.

No, the China travel eSIM is data-only. It won’t give you a cellular voice line. If you want to call, just fire up WhatsApp, Telegram, or FaceTime using your data allowance.

Yes! You may install the China eSIM up to 30 days before you travel. It won’t connect or start using data until you arrive.

Early installation ensures you’re ready on arrival, and it won’t drain your plan until you’re in China.

If you encounter an activation message on iPhone before landing, it’s usually safe to ignore - see our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide for more info.

Our China travel eSIM is strictly for data; it doesn’t come with a phone number or traditional call/SMS service. You will need to use an internet based app for communication.

Your eSIM will activate automatically once you arrive in China. We advise installing your China Travel eSIM before you travel (installation is distinct from activation).

To install, just scan the QR code we send or install via the ZenSim app over WiFi. On landing in China, the eSIM will switch on by itself.

If you have any problems, check our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or contact us 😊

Once you arrive in China, your eSIM activates automatically if it’s already installed.

If you install it after arriving, the eSIM will activate and begin working immediately.

For any setup or connection problems, refer to our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or contact our support.

Good question! Opting for a travel eSIM instead of roaming in China offers clear advantages:

Lower Costs: Say goodbye to outrageous roaming bills by switching to a local travel package designed for China.

Seamless Switching: Change between data plans without fumbling with physical SIM cards - perfect for spontaneous travellers.

Budget Control: Track data usage in real time and avoid surprise charges or overages.

No - the plan’s data and days only start when you arrive in China. Installation beforehand simply sets it up for activation on landing.

We recommend installing before departure since you will need WiFi to complete the installation process and this way you will be connected as soon as you land.

If you need help connecting, check our eSIM Troubleshooting Guide or reach out to us.

Of course! At ZenSim, we offer eSIMs that support over 200+ destinations, including China. On top of this we also provide regional eSIMs which cover multiple countries within one eSIM, please see our Travel eSIMs page for more info on these.

Connectivity Troubleshooting: Check our troubleshooting guide if your eSIM won’t connect. Still stuck? Hit up our support team and we’ll get you back online fast.

eSIM Installation Help: For help setting up your eSIM, visit our installation guide, or simply contact us - we’re happy to assist.

Other Inquiries: Have another issue? Head to our contact page and we’ll respond ASAP.

Most ZenSim eSIMs can be topped up directly inside the app. If you ever need extra data, additional days, or want to include a new destination on the same eSIM, the Zen Garden is where you can do it.

Simply log in, tap into the Zen Garden, and you’ll find the option to top up right there.

Available top ups: For China, the top up plans are identical to the ones on the site, but you get a 10% discount.

Extending your stay: Planning to be away longer than 30 days? You can buy multiple top ups ahead of time. They activate one after another, so there’s no risk of replacing your current plan.

More than one country: Many eSIMs now let you attach extra countries through a top up. For example, while using a Europe eSIM you can add Singapore as an extra destination. It will activate automatically when you land in Singapore.

Once activated in China, your eSIM typically won’t function outside that country.

If you're planning to hop between countries, we recommend checking out our regional Travel eSIMs - they’re made for multi-country use and cover most major regions.

Yep, you can, can you should! For every friend or family member you refer to purchase a China eSIM, you will earn a A$5 voucher to use on your next purchase AND they will save A$5 on their purchase.

All you have to do is share your unique referral URL with them, which you can access after purchase, and if they click it and purchase the savings are automatic.

You can monitor your referrals and find your personal referral URL directly in the ZenSim app. Read our terms for full details.

Only if you're on one of our unlimited plans - these come with a 3GB daily allowance, which covers the vast majority of travellers comfortably, since most people only use under 1GB a day.

Go over 3GB in a day and your speed will drop to 1Mbps for the rest of that day, resetting back to full speed at midnight.

If you've gone with a fixed-data plan (like 10GB or 20GB) instead of unlimited, there's no daily cap to worry about - you can use your data however you like until it's gone. We'll notify you before you run out, and you can top up instantly through the ZenSim app.

Your plan won't start using data or counting down days until you actually arrive in China - so there's zero risk in installing it early.

As long as you've already installed your eSIM, it'll automatically activate the moment you land, and that's when your days and data officially kick off.

From there, your eSIM expires when either your data or your days run out, whichever comes first (unless you're on an unlimited plan, in which case it's purely down to the days). So if you grab a 30-day plan, it'll run out 30 days after you arrive in China, not 30 days from when you bought it.

Quickest way to check is through our eSIM compatibility checker - it'll let you know in seconds if your phone plays nicely with our China eSIM and the networks it runs on.

If anything's unclear or you'd rather double check with a human, reach out to us anytime. And if your phone ends up not being compatible, you're covered by our refund policy - full refund, no hassle - so it's worth just giving it a go.

You're covered - our 100% money back guarantee exists for exactly this situation.

Trip cancelled? Phone not eSIM-compatible? Plans changed and you just don't need it anymore? All of these are covered.

The full details sit in our refund policy, but in short: if you can't install or use the eSIM, we'll give you a full refund. You shouldn't have to pay for something you can't use.