Quick answer
Maps, Didi, and WhatsApp text use much less data than YouTube or Facebook video. Daily plans are 1 day · 500 MB/day, 3 days · 1 GB/day, or 7 days · 1 GB/day. Total plans are 5 days · 3 GB, 7 days · 5 GB, 10 days · 10 GB, 15 days · 10 GB, or 30 days · 20 GB. Each day ends at 11:59 PM China time.
What uses a little data, and what uses a lot?
These are rough guides, not a meter reading. Real use depends on video quality and how long you stay in an app.
- Maps, Didi, and WhatsApp text stay small.
- Gmail is light unless you send large attachments.
- YouTube and Facebook video use data quickly. A daily 500 MB or 1 GB plan is a poor fit for long video.
- WhatsApp calls work over data and use more than text.
- Hotspot for a laptop uses the plan fast. Turn off automatic updates on the laptop.
Should I pick a daily plan or a total-data plan?
Daily plans give a fresh allowance each day: 500 MB on the 1-day plan, and 1 GB on the 3-day and 7-day plans. Total-data plans give one pool for the whole trip.
Days start when you install the eSIM. Each day ends at 11:59 PM China time (GMT+8), so the first day can be short. Pick one day more than your stay. There are no top-ups. When the data or the days run out, the eSIM stops.
- One light day: 1 day · 500 MB/day.
- A few days of maps and messages: 3 days · 1 GB/day, or 5 days · 3 GB.
- A light week: 7 days · 5 GB.
- A week with more room, or some video: 7 days · 1 GB/day, or 10 days · 10 GB.
- A longer trip: 15 days · 10 GB, or 30 days · 20 GB.
How can I make my data last longer?
- Use hotel Wi-Fi for video and app updates.
- Set photo backup to Wi-Fi only.
- Download offline maps on Wi-Fi before a day trip.
- If you share a hotspot with a laptop, turn off its automatic updates and cloud sync.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 GB enough for a week in China?
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For light use, yes: maps, Didi, and messaging. If you watch a lot of YouTube or Facebook video, or you use hotspot, look at 10 days · 10 GB or 7 days · 1 GB/day instead.
Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?
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Yes. Hotspot is included, so you can share data with a laptop or another phone. It counts against your plan’s data.
Can I buy a second plan if I run out?
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Yes. Plans cannot be topped up, so buy a new plan on this site. It arrives as a new QR code, which you install as a second eSIM.