Kornelijus
Affordable and reliable. Traveled to the US for a trip and used blikst. It was much more affordable than other companies and was very
China
Trust score 4.5
Features
- Coverage: China
- Network Provider: China
- Speed: 4G / 5G
- Tethering / Hotspot: Yes
Plan Details
Device Compatibility: Most modern smartphones are fully compatible with Blikst eSIMs. However, a few exceptions exist. Check our detailed compatibility list to confirm your device works flawlessly with our service..
Activation Policy: Enjoy automatic activation by simply scanning the QR code provided after purchase. Your eSIM will instantly activate upon your arrival at China, ensuring immediate connectivity.
Delivery Time: Receive a confirmation email with your eSIM details right after completing your purchase. Quick and seamless delivery ensures you’re ready to go in minutes.
Description
China is the one country where your data plan matters before you even think about cost — because many of the apps you rely on at home (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Gmail, Facebook, most of YouTube) are blocked on local carriers, and the experience depends on whether your eSIM routes traffic through a mainland gateway or not. A Blikst China eSIM keeps you online from the moment you land at Beijing Capital (PEK), Beijing Daxing (PKX), Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA), Guangzhou (CAN), Shenzhen (SZX) or Chengdu (CTU) on 4G / 5G local coverage.
Coverage notes
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Chongqing and all first-tier cities have blanket 5G. The high-speed rail network — Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Guangzhou, Shanghai-Kunming — stays connected for most of the route except in tunnel segments. Tibet interior beyond Lhasa, rural Xinjiang, the deserts of Inner Mongolia, and mountain areas of Sichuan and Yunnan drop to 4G and may have offline stretches. This eSIM does not cover Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan — those are separate jurisdictions with separate plans and networks.
The firewall question
This is the practical factor most travellers miss. Domestic China prepaid SIMs connect to a local gateway and block Google, Meta apps, WhatsApp, and many Western services. Some roaming / travel eSIMs route through gateways that preserve access to those services, and some don't — behaviour can also change over time and under local conditions. Check the current product-listing notes and FAQs for the latest on routing before travel. If your work relies on Gmail, Google Drive, WhatsApp, or Slack, verify accessibility before you land, and have a backup VPN installed before entering mainland China (VPN sites themselves are restricted from inside the country).
Cost vs. roaming
US and European carriers typically charge $10–$15 per day for China roaming, and it's often painfully slow. A Blikst multi-day plan runs well below that even on a one-week stay. Picking up a local China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom SIM in-country requires passport registration, some Mandarin, and may involve real-name verification that takes extra time. The eSIM skips the counter entirely.
Getting connected on arrival
Install the eSIM on home Wi-Fi before you fly — and install everything else you need before you go too (VPN, maps with offline data, translation apps, Baidu Maps as a backup). When you land and switch off airplane mode, the China line registers on local coverage. Turn off data roaming on your home SIM. Arrivals halls at PEK, PKX and PVG are large; having data live means you can navigate to the express train or Didi pickup without a Wi-Fi hunt.
Apps you'll actually use in China
- WeChat (Weixin): Essential. Messaging, payments, QR-code menus, city-bike unlocks, small-shop transactions. You'll want it installed and linked to a card before travel if possible — it's more central than any Western app.
- Alipay (Zhifubao): The other major payment rail. Both now support international cards for foreign travellers under the Tour Card / International Services scheme.
- Didi: Ride-hailing. Has an English-language setting. Essential in any major city.
- Baidu Maps / Amap (Gaode): Chinese mapping is noticeably better than Google Maps inside China for walking, metro, and subway exit numbers — exit numbers matter a lot.
- Trip.com / 12306: High-speed rail bookings. 12306 is the official rail app, Trip.com is the English-friendly alternative.
- Translation: Pleco for Chinese dictionary, Google Translate camera mode for menus. Offline packs help on lower-signal days.
Plan sizing for typical trips
A one-week Beijing-Shanghai business trip on hotel Wi-Fi at night works on 3–5 GB. A two-week classic — Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai — fits into 10 GB. Three-week tours adding Chengdu, Guilin, Yunnan, or Tibet push to 15–20 GB. Month-long visitors in Shanghai or Shenzhen should look at 20 GB or more, especially if you're using a VPN regularly — VPNs add overhead and slow speed but use similar data volumes.
Install before you fly, have your VPN and backup maps in place, and land at PEK or PVG already connected. Check the product's current routing notes for Google-service access before you rely on it for work.
Important Information
- This eSIM plan is only compatible with iPhone, Samsung and Google devices.
- To activate this plan, you will need to provide your IMEI, EID/ICCID and preferred eSim Activation Date.
- On the specified date your eSim will be activated automatically in the USA no QR code needed.
- The plan must be purchased at least 2 days before the activation date to allow time for processing.
Our plans
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How to get your Bliskt eSIM data?
Check Device Compatibility
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Follow Installation Instructions
Use the provided step-by-step guide to set up and activate your eSIM in few minutes. Then enjoy your trip.
Learn MoreBlikst eSIM Reviews
Marius
Smooth, simple, just works. Use it again.
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James
Lovely support, got an esim for UK. Had no issues.
Capone
I used to have 3 mobile but the internet connection was not the best, that’s why I started to use Blikst and I find it very useful
eSIM FAQ
The Blikst China eSIM connects to local China coverage at 4G and 5G speeds. You will pick up service the moment you land at the major gateways, including Beijing Capital, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Chengdu. First-tier cities run on blanket 5G, so you get fast data where you spend most of your time, dropping to 4G in remoter regions.
Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Chongqing and all first-tier cities have blanket 5G. The high-speed rail lines such as Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Guangzhou and Shanghai-Kunming stay connected for most of the route, bar tunnel segments. Being honest, the Tibet interior beyond Lhasa, rural Xinjiang, the Inner Mongolia deserts and mountain areas of Sichuan and Yunnan drop to 4G and can have offline stretches. It does not cover Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan.
After purchase you receive a confirmation email with your eSIM details within minutes. Install it over home Wi-Fi before you fly by scanning the QR code provided, which adds the eSIM as a digital line. Activation is automatic and the line registers on local coverage the moment you arrive in China and switch off airplane mode. Remember to install your VPN, offline maps and translation apps before departure, and turn off data roaming on your home SIM.
Most modern smartphones work fully with Blikst eSIMs, though a few exceptions exist, so check our detailed compatibility list to confirm your device. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone you can check eSIM support under Settings then General then About, looking for an EID number; on Android, look in your network or SIM settings. If it supports eSIM and is unlocked, you are good to go.
It depends on your trip. A one-week Beijing-Shanghai business trip, with hotel Wi-Fi at night, works on 3 to 5 GB. A two-week classic of Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai fits into about 10 GB. Three-week tours adding Chengdu, Guilin, Yunnan or Tibet push to 15 to 20 GB. Month-long visitors should look at 20 GB or more, especially if using a VPN regularly, as VPNs add overhead though use similar data volumes.
Yes, tethering and hotspot use are supported, so you can share your connection with a laptop, tablet or a travelling companion's phone. This is handy in large arrivals halls and hotels where you want one device online for everyone. Bear in mind that data shared over a hotspot counts against your plan allowance just as normal browsing does, so heavy video streaming through a tethered device will use through your data faster.
This is a data-only plan, so it does not include a local Chinese phone number for traditional calls or SMS. You can still call and message over the internet using apps like FaceTime, though note that WhatsApp and many Western services may be restricted in mainland China. WeChat is the essential local app for messaging. Because the eSIM is a separate digital line, your physical home SIM and number can stay in the phone for when you return.
Usually, yes. US and European carriers typically charge 10 to 15 US dollars per day for China roaming, and it is often painfully slow. A Blikst multi-day plan runs well below that even on a one-week stay. Picking up a local China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom SIM in-country needs passport registration, some Mandarin and real-name verification that takes time. The eSIM skips the counter entirely and has you connected the moment you land.