Key facts
| Routing in China | Exits in Singapore, per one 2026 test |
|---|---|
| Blocked apps without a VPN | Gets past the firewall |
| Built-in VPN | Not confirmed |
| Hotspot | Yes |
| Phone number | No |
| Refund | Full refund, less payment processing fees, within 30 days of purchase if no data has been used |
China plans
| Unlimited (165+ countries incl. China) · 3 days | $9.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
|---|---|
| Unlimited (165+ countries incl. China) · 7 days | $19.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (165+ countries incl. China) · 14 days | $27.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (165+ countries incl. China) · 30 days | $49.99 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
Set up before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. Maya's terms require an unlocked phone.
- Buy the plan and install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. The Maya eSIM stays on your phone for later trips.
- On arrival, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming for that line.
- 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 $9.99 for 3 days
- The same eSIM and price work in 165+ countries, including China
- Says no VPN is needed in mainland China, and one 2026 test agrees
- Hotspot included
Cons
- Only unlimited plans, and the shortest is 3 days
- Speeds drop after a daily high-speed quota that Maya doesn't publish
- No phone number
- Maya's China page says nothing about VPNs or routing
Related guides
Alternatives
FAQ
Does Maya Mobile work in China without a VPN?
Maya says yes. Its August 2026 digital nomad guide says Maya works in mainland China and gives access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and YouTube with no VPN required. Find Your eSIM tested Maya in China, mainly around Shenzhen, and found Google, WhatsApp and Instagram working, with data exiting in Singapore. It doesn't say which Maya plan it tested.
Does Maya include a VPN?
Not confirmed for the current plan. Maya's China page doesn't mention a VPN, and its August 2026 guide says none is required in mainland China. Maya's old site, which keeps earlier purchases, labels its China plans "China + VPN". Travelastronaut also wrote in February 2026 that Maya's China tariff came with a VPN.
Which network does it use?
China Unicom, with 5G, according to Maya's coverage page.
Is the unlimited plan really unlimited?
Data is never cut off, but speeds can drop. Maya's China page says there is no throttling, but its terms give each plan a daily high-speed allowance, then unlimited data at standard speed until the allowance resets every 24 hours. Maya doesn't publish the size of that allowance.
Add your report
Sources
- China eSIM plans (Maya Mobile), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Digital nomad eSIM guide 2026 (Maya blog), August 2026
- Terms and conditions: plans and refunds (Maya Mobile), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- eSIM coverage (Maya Mobile), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- China eSIM plans, old site (Maya Mobile), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Best eSIM for China (Find Your eSIM, affiliate links), April 2026
- Maya Mobile eSIM review (Travelastronaut, affiliate links), February 2026