Key facts
| Routing in China | Singapore and Hong Kong, per Yesim |
|---|---|
| Blocked apps without a VPN | Gets past the firewall |
| Built-in VPN | Yes |
| Hotspot | Yes |
| Phone number | No |
| Refund | Refund within 30 days of purchase if the eSIM hasn't been installed or used; refunds of €10 or less are paid as Ycoins credit |
China plans
| 1 GB · 30 days | $3.36 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
|---|---|
| 10 GB · 30 days | $22.32 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| 30 GB · 30 days | $45.60 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (fair-use limit not published) · 7 days | $30.24 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (fair-use limit not published) · 15 days | $49.20 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
| Unlimited (fair-use limit not published) · 30 days | $75.60 Checked Oct 9, 2026 · source |
Set up before you fly
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your carrier.
- Buy the plan and install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi. Yesim says eSIM downloads get blocked inside mainland China.
- 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
- 1 GB for 30 days costs $3.36
- Says its China plans reach WhatsApp and Google without a separate VPN
- Unlimited plans from $4.32 for 1 day up to 30 days
- Hotspot allowed on China plans
Cons
- No phone number
- Fair-use limit on unlimited plans isn't published
- Installing the eSIM counts as activation, which rules out a refund
- Yesim's own VPN works only on iOS
Alternatives
FAQ
Does Yesim work in China without a VPN?
Yesim says yes. Its China page says its plans let you use WhatsApp, TikTok and other services without restrictions, and its August 2026 blog gives its China routing as Singapore and Hong Kong. Unusual Nomad found Western apps working over Yesim mobile data in Shanghai and Guangzhou without a separate VPN in 2026. It published no IP tests.
Does Yesim include a VPN?
Yes, on iOS only. Yesim's China page lists a built-in VPN, and its help center says Yesim VPN works only on iOS devices with an active data plan. Yesim's pages don't say whether you need to turn it on in China. Its August 2026 China guide still suggests setting up a VPN alongside the eSIM.
Is the unlimited plan really unlimited?
There is no data cap, but speeds can drop. Yesim says it doesn't apply a fair-use policy itself, but partner networks may slow you down after a high-speed allowance until the daily or monthly cycle resets. Yesim doesn't publish that allowance for China.
Does the China eSIM come with a phone number?
No. Yesim's China plans are data only, with no calls, SMS or Chinese number.
Add your report
Sources
- China eSIM plans (Yesim), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Does eSIM work in China in 2026? (Yesim blog), August 2026
- China eSIMs with phone number for 2026 (Yesim blog), September 2026
- How can I use a VPN? (Yesim help center), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Unlimited data plans policy (Yesim help center), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Refund policy and refund guarantee (Yesim), accessed Oct 9, 2026
- Best eSIM for China (Unusual Nomad, affiliate links), September 2026