HelloRoam offers prepaid eSIM data plans for Greater China from £2.98 a day. Your e SIM connects to local 4G/5G networks the moment you land. Activate by QR code in under two minutes, with no shop visit required. Keep your EE, Vodafone, or Three number live on dual SIM while your e-sim handles data abroad.
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212+
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Your eSIM in China plan with local network coverage
Cheap eSIM for Greater China, starting from £2.98. Local 4G/5G data on top carrier networks in Greater China. Works on all eSIM compatible phones. A China data sim from HelloRoam starts at £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks. Many UK phone plans do not cover Chinese networks, and local SIM registration requires a passport and a Chinese phone number. HelloRoam sidesteps both problems. Plans start from £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks with QR activation before your Heathrow flight. Data is live when you land at PVG or PEK.
How to Set Up an eSIM in Greater China
Follow these steps to get your eSIM sorted on iPhone or Android before your holiday. Works for any eSIM for international travel, no replacement SIM, no shop visit.
Set up an eSIM on your iPhone for travel from the UK
Set up an eSIM on your Android for travel from the UK

Holiday changed? Not to worry, your money is safe.
Plans change. With HelloRoam, you can request a full refund on any unused eSIM plan within 180 days of purchase. No questions asked if the eSIM has not been activated.
Learn more about our refund policyHelloRoam Greater China eSIM vs EE, Vodafone and Three roaming
When comparing eSIM vs a travel SIM card for Greater China, HelloRoam wins on price. EE charges £6/day on their Roam Abroad Pass, Vodafone charges £6.85/day on Xtra roaming, and Three Go Roam applies fair-use data caps. Skip the airport SIM kiosk and get the cheapest eSIM deal from £2.98 with instant QR activation.
| Feature comparison | HelloRoam | UK carrier roaming add-on | Budget eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 180-day refund policy | |||
| Round-the-clock live chat | |||
| £0 activation fees | |||
| Automatic data-usage alerts | |||
| No data overage charges | |||
| Instant QR code delivery | |||
| Premium Greater China carrier networks |
Is a China SIM card better value than a HelloRoam eSIM?
A SIM card for China requires foreign visitors to register with a passport at the carrier counter, a process that can take 30 minutes in a busy Shanghai Pudong or Beijing Capital arrivals hall. An eSIM China from HelloRoam activates by QR before your Heathrow departure on Local network provider 4G/5G from £2.98, with zero registration hassle.
A prepaid SIM card China from a local operator costs roughly CNY 100-200 but most UK phone plans do not roam on Chinese networks, so a local swap is the only alternative. HelloRoam's eSIM China plans start from £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G with instant QR delivery and no paperwork at the airport.
A data sim card China from HelloRoam covers Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, and rural corridors on Local network provider 4G/5G networks from £2.98. Local SIM cards may restrict foreign passport holders to limited data tiers. HelloRoam gives a fixed data plan at full local network speeds and a 180-day refund guarantee for unactivated eSIMs.
The cheapest eSIM for China from HelloRoam keeps your UK number active in your phone's second slot throughout your trip. A physical Chinese SIM card requires a full swap, cutting off your UK number while you are away. Plans start from £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G with instant QR delivery and no contract.
A China travel sim from HelloRoam works on any unlocked dual-SIM iPhone or Android device, activating before your flight with no counter visit. Local prepaid SIM cards are not always compatible with iPhone models sold in the UK. Plans from £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G include a 180-day money-back guarantee on unactivated eSIMs.
eSIMs China from HelloRoam deliver data across the full Great Wall corridor, the Yangtze River region, and all major cities on Local network provider 4G/5G from £2.98. No Chinese bureaucracy, no physical SIM to lose, and a 180-day refund guarantee on unactivated eSIMs. Activate before your Heathrow departure and land in China already connected.
Why UK Travellers Pick HelloRoam e-sim for Greater China
eSIM Prices for Greater China
HelloRoam, the best eSIM Greater China. Compare plans from 1 to 30 days and pick the right data for your trip.
| Number of days | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 day | £3.36 |
| 3 days | £9.56 |
| 7 days | £20.67 |
| 15 days | £40.27 |
| 22 days | £54.63 |
| 30 days | £68.46 |
HelloRoam vs Other eSIM Providers for Greater China
HelloRoam eSIM reviews from UK travellers highlight the 180-day refund policy, no activation fees, and round-the-clock live support. See how HelloRoam compares to Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and other eSIM providers for your Greater China holiday.
| Feature comparison | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180-day refund policy | ||||||
| 24/7 live chat support | ||||||
| £0 activation fees | ||||||
| Automatic data-usage alerts | ||||||
| No data overage charges | ||||||
| Instant QR code delivery | ||||||
| Premium Greater China carrier networks | ||||||
| Own branded carrier identity (SPN) |
What Is an e SIM? How eSIM Works in Greater China
An eSIM card is a digital SIM built into your phone. There is no plastic chip and no SIM tray to open. Scan a QR code to activate your e SIM in under two minutes on any eSIM compatible iPhone or Android. It works as a prepaid international data plan for Greater China travel with no airport SIM shop queue, no replacement SIM card, and no carrier contract. Mobile data through an eSIM connects to local in-country networks, giving you the same wireless connectivity as a resident rather than a roaming tourist. Follow the step-by-step setup guide to get connected before your flight from Heathrow, Gatwick, or any UK airport. guide

Explore Countries in Greater China

China
From $3
Get HelloRoam data in China covering Shanghai, Beijing, and more. Skip the hassle of local SIM cards.
China Mobile and Unicom run 5G in major cities. Download WeChat and maps offline before crossing.

Hong Kong
From $3
HelloRoam gives you eSIM data in Hong Kong, covering Kowloon, Central, and the New Territories.
CMHK 5G covers Hong Kong. MTR metro has full signal underground. Activate before landing at HKG.

Macau
From $3
HelloRoam gives you eSIM data in Macau, covering the Cotai Strip, Taipa, and the old town.
CTM 5G covers all of Macao. Cotai Strip and Taipa have excellent coverage.
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Reviews
HelloRoam eSIM Reviews from UK Travellers
Real reviews from Trustpilot and the App Store, quoted as written.
40k+ travellers have used HelloRoam
Cat
On a trip to Europe, my hotel Wi-Fi was so slow and outside Wi-Fi was unreliable. I couldn’t take it anymore so I got helloroam for a few days. It was tricky to set up correctly because of the primary settings (with my original number). But I reached out to their customer service via WhatsApp. Super responsive and helpful, with specific and clear steps to troubleshoot. Appreciate having 4G roaming instead of being stuck with in and out Wi-Fi during my trip!!
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

Very good experience! The eSIM was easy to set up and worked great in London. It was much cheaper than it would have been to use my own operator there.
Ilona
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
metulker
Hard to set up but help was good
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
Reuben
Really happy with HelloRoam. Everything worked as expected, from messaging and Google Maps through to streaming without any issues. Easy to use, reliable and affordable. Would happily use them again when travelling.
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer

Angeline
Reliable connection. Reasonable pricing.
Rated 4 out of 5 by this reviewer
Common Questions About Greater China eSIM
Which HelloRoam plan is the best sim for China on an iPhone?
A travel eSIM China from HelloRoam starts at £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks. Every eSIM China plan activates by QR before you fly and your data is ready at Shanghai Pudong or Beijing Capital the moment you clear customs. No physical SIM card, no registration paperwork, and no UK roaming charges.
Does the best SIM card for China cover rural areas outside the main cities?
The cheapest eSIM China from HelloRoam activates by QR code before your flight, giving instant local data on Local network provider 4G/5G networks from £2.98. Every eSIM China plan includes instant QR delivery and no contract. A 180-day money-back guarantee on unactivated eSIMs applies to every HelloRoam order.
Does a China eSIM include access to WhatsApp and Google Maps for British visitors?
A HelloRoam best SIM for China plan connects to Local network provider 4G/5G networks and provides data access from £2.98, but China's Great Firewall blocks WhatsApp, Google Maps, and most Western apps. British visitors should install a reputable VPN on their device before entering China to access familiar apps and services.
How does a China eSIM compare to buying a local China Mobile SIM at Shanghai Pudong?
China Mobile and China Unicom counters at Shanghai Pudong and Beijing Capital require passport registration and can take significant time after a long flight. A HelloRoam best SIM card for China plan activates by QR at home for £2.98 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks. Land at Pudong or Daxing already sorted and skip the registration desk entirely.





