Key facts
| Routing in China | Exits via Singapore, per a 2026 review |
|---|---|
| Blocked apps without a VPN | Mixed evidence |
| Built-in VPN | Not confirmed |
| Hotspot | Yes |
| Phone number | No |
| Refund | Full refund if you can't install the eSIM or get a connection; Eskimo's China page says there's no time limit |
China plans
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 1 day | $5 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
|---|---|
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 3 days | $10 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 7 days | $22 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 10 days | $30 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 15 days | $44 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (1 Mbps after 3 GB a day) · 30 days | $69 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
Set up before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked. Eskimo's terms make this your responsibility.
- Install the eSIM before you leave in the Eskimo app or with the QR code. Eskimo says installing needs a reliable internet connection.
- On arrival, choose Eskimo for mobile data and turn on data roaming for the Eskimo line. The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a supported network, not when you buy or install it.
- Test with Wi-Fi off. Airport and hotel Wi-Fi in China is filtered, so WhatsApp won't work over it.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Unlimited data from $5 for one day
- China-only fixed data from $3.90 for 1 GB, with no expiry date
- Hotspot allowed, with no device limit
- One 2026 review found Google, WhatsApp and Instagram working without a VPN
Cons
- Eskimo doesn't say whether WhatsApp and Google work without a VPN, and its China guide tells travelers to install one
- No phone number, calls or SMS
- Unlimited plans slow to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day
- Accounts left unused for over two years are cancelled, and any data left is lost
On October 9, 2026, Eskimo’s China page advertised a limited-time offer of 35% off a first purchase, capped at $12.
Related guides
Alternatives
FAQ
Does Eskimo work in China without a VPN?
Not confirmed by Eskimo. Its China page and terms don't say where China traffic exits. Its China travel guide, from February 2026, says Google, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube don't work without a VPN and tells readers to install one before they arrive. Find Your eSIM, in a guide updated April 2026, says it tested Eskimo in Shenzhen and found Google, WhatsApp and Instagram working, with traffic routed through Singapore. Eskimo's China page also shows a March 2025 customer review saying WhatsApp and social media worked in China.
Does Eskimo include a VPN?
Not confirmed. Eskimo's China page and terms don't mention a built-in VPN. Its China travel guide tells readers to install their own VPN before they arrive.
Which networks does it use?
China Telecom and China Unicom, according to Eskimo's China page.
Are there fixed-data plans for China?
Yes. On October 9, 2026, China-only plans cost $3.90 for 1 GB, $9.90 for 3 GB, $14.90 for 5 GB and $23.90 for 10 GB. Eskimo says this data has no expiry date and isn't slowed. Its terms add that an account with no connection, data use, purchases or transfers for over two years is cancelled, and any data left is lost. These plans have no set length, so they aren't in the plan list.
Is the unlimited plan really unlimited?
Data isn't cut off, but speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Eskimo says the speed resets every 24 hours. Day passes last from 1 to 30 days.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, for new users. Eskimo's China page offers a free 250 MB global trial eSIM with no expiry.
Can I get a refund?
Eskimo's terms, last updated June 1, 2026, say it refunds your purchase if you can't install the eSIM or get a connection for any reason. You ask through the live chat in your Eskimo account. Its China page goes further and promises a full refund, with no questions asked, if you're not satisfied.
Add your report
Sources
- China eSIM plans (Eskimo), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Terms of service: Eskimo Guarantee and data validity (Eskimo), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- How to install eSIM on iOS (Eskimo guide), April 2025
- Things you should know before visiting China (Eskimo blog), February 2026
- Best eSIM for China (Find Your eSIM, affiliate links), April 2026
- Does eSIM work in China in 2026? (Yesim blog, sells its own China eSIM), August 2026