Verified coverageChina network
Access to top-tier carriers for a stable and fast connection
Need help choosing?
Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
Is your device eSIM-ready?
A quick check to see if your phone supports eSIM.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
eSIM Beijing
Our China eSIM works in Beijing: the same plans at the same prices as on the China page. Data from the moment you land, and your usual number stays on.
Beijing, China eSIM plans and prices
4% in SimCoins- Networks
- China Unicom, China Mobile, and China Telecom
- Mobile network
- 5G / 4G
- Hotspot / tethering
- Yes
- Top-up
- Yes
- Validity
- 30 days
Unlimited Beijing, China eSIM plans: high-speed data every day
- 14-day refund if not activated
- Support within 24 h
- Install before you leave
Need help choosing?
Not sure which plan to pick? Try our data calculator.
100% secure payment
Multiple payment methods accepted
Getting online in Beijing
Beijing is covered by our China eSIM, the same plans as everywhere else in mainland China. Install it before you fly and you have data from Capital or Daxing airport onward. It's data only: your usual number stays active alongside it. Many foreign apps are blocked in mainland China, so set up the local apps you need before you leave.
PEKBeijing Capital International Airport
Shunyi, north-east Beijing; Daxing airport is to the south
Your eSIM connects
As soon as your phone finds a local network. Set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it.
Local SIM cards
At Capital (Terminal 3) and Daxing, China Unicom's service halls and the "Beijing Service" counters issue SIM cards to visitors who show their passport and visa; the process takes about five minutes. Source, Mar 2025
Your networks on the ground
The plans on this page connect to these networks in China.
China Mobile5G
China Unicom5G
China Telecom4G
Along the way
The same plan follows you everywhere in China, day trips included.
- Forbidden City and Tiananmen SquareThe imperial palace and the square at the heart of the city
- Temple of HeavenThe round prayer hall and its park, busy with locals in the morning
- Hutongs and ShichahaiOld lanes around the lakes, by bike or rickshaw
- Summer PalaceImperial gardens on Kunming Lake, in the north-west of the city
- Great Wall at MutianyuA day trip to a restored section of the wall, north of the city
Apps worth installing before you go
- AlipayPayments, metro, rides
- In English. You can link a foreign bank card, pay by QR code in shops and restaurants, and book DiDi rides inside the app. Source, Mar 2024
- AMap GlobalDirections
- Gaode's English map for visitors: routes by car, transit, on foot or by bike, step-by-step navigation and taxi booking. Source, Apr 2025
- WhatsApp, LINE, GoogleBlocked in mainland China
- Freedom House reports that WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, LINE and several Google services (Maps, Translate, Drive) are blocked in mainland China. Install the Chinese apps you need before you leave. Source, Oct 2024
Internet in Beijing: eSIM, SIM card or pocket WiFi?
Four ways to get online when you land, and what changes for you.
For a trip in Beijing, an eSIM is the simplest
Installed at home, online as soon as you land, and your number stays active. No counter, no device to return.
| Simsima.Travel eSIM | Local SIM card | Pocket WiFi | Your carrier's roaming | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | Online, before you fly | On arrival, at an airport counter or store | Rental: a device to pick up, then return | Already in your usual plan |
| When you're online | As soon as you land, installed at home | After buying it locally | After picking up the device | As soon as you land |
| Your number | Stays active on your usual line | Replaced by a local number, your SIM comes out | Stays on your phone | Stays active |
| ID required | None | Passport required to buy source | Depends on the rental company | None |
| Devices | Your phone, hotspot allowed | One unlocked phone | Several devices, battery to charge | Your phone |
| Price | From $1.50 | Depends on the local carrier | Daily rental | Depends on your carrier |
How to install your Beijing eSIM
Install it before you leave: it takes two minutes. These are the real screens of your phone, step by step.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 11
- Open Settings, then Cellular.
- Tap “Add eSIM”.
- Tap “Scan QR Code” and scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account).
- “Activate eSIM” opens: tap Continue.
- Choose Abroad, then tap Continue.
- Choose Data Only, then tap Continue. The eSIM is for data; your usual number keeps calls and texts.
- Tap Done. Your iPhone will remind you to turn on the eSIM once you're abroad.
- When you land, your iPhone may show “Turn On Travel eSIM”: tap the notification.
- Choose “Travel eSIM and Current eSIM”, then Continue. You keep your number for calls and texts (bank codes included); your carrier may charge for calls you receive.
- Low Data Mode saves your plan: tap “Turn On Low Data Mode”, or “Not Now”.
- You're set: Cellular Data shows the new eSIM.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 8
- Open Settings, then Connections.
- Tap “SIM manager”.
- Tap “Add eSIM”.
- Choose “Scan QR code”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then tap Add.
- When you land, turn on your new eSIM in SIM manager. It shows the name of a local or partner carrier.
- Choose the new eSIM for mobile data.
- In Connections, Mobile networks, turn on data roaming.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 7
- Open Settings, then Network & internet.
- Tap “SIMs” (Add a network).
- Tap “Set up an eSIM”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then confirm.
- When you land, open your new eSIM (it shows the name of a local or partner carrier) and turn on “Use this SIM”.
- Turn on mobile data for the new eSIM.
- Turn on roaming. If nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection and pick the network manually.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone.
Before you leave: install your eSIMStep 1 of 8
- Open Settings, then Mobile networks or Network & internet.
- Tap “Mobile network”.
- Tap “Add SIM”.
- Tap “Set up an eSIM”.
- Scan the QR code we email you after purchase (it's also in your account), then confirm.
- When you land, open your new eSIM (it shows the name of a local or partner carrier) and turn on “Use SIM”.
- Turn on mobile data for the new eSIM.
- Turn on roaming. If nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection and pick the network manually.
After you buy, your QR code arrives by email and in your account. Show it on another screen, then follow these steps on your phone. On Xiaomi, Oppo or OnePlus the menus have other names: search for “eSIM” in Settings.
Frequently asked questions
What travelers ask before a trip to Beijing.
