Too little data and you are hunting for cafe Wi-Fi. Too much and you paid for gigabytes you never opened. Picking a size is easier than it looks.
This guide uses your own phone as the starting point, then maps common trips to haalaan plans. Checkout is not open yet.
Check how much you use at home
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular. The period runs from the last reset, so check the date.
- Android: Settings > Network & internet > Data usage, or Settings > Connections > Data usage on Samsung.
Divide by the number of days in the period. That is a rough daily figure.
Adjust for travel
Some uses go up: maps all day, photos you post, camera translation, calls home on WhatsApp or FaceTime, and ride, booking, and payment apps.
Some uses go down: you may stream less while you are out, and hotel Wi-Fi can take the big downloads.
If you are a heavy user at home, or you will share a connection with a laptop, size up one plan. If you mostly message and use maps, home usage is a fair guide.
Pick a plan
Prices are in USD. Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau). Data is routed through a partner network outside mainland China (exit in Hong Kong, or Singapore on selected plans).
| If the trip looks like this | Plan | Price |
|---|---|---|
| A few days, or a stopover. Maps, messages, a few photos | China 5GB · 30 days | $9.90 |
| About a week. Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, some calls | China 10GB · 30 days | $15.90 |
| About two weeks, or a week of heavy posting and video calls | China 20GB · 30 days | $23.90 |
| Three to four weeks, remote work, or a lot of video | China 50GB · 30 days | $39.90 |
| A packed week, and you do not want to count | Daily 3GB · 7 days | $24.90 |
| Two weeks, and you do not want to count | Daily 3GB · 15 days | $44.90 |
These are suggestions. Your Step 1 number matters more. A Shanghai long weekend is a different trip from a month in Chengdu.
Fixed plans and daily plans
Fixed plans (5, 10, 20, 50 GB) are one pot of data over 30 days, at full speed. A heavy day and a quiet day come out of the same total. A top-up adds data and days. Top-up prices are not published yet. See how to top up.
Daily plans include 3 GB of high-speed data every day. After that you stay connected at up to 1 Mbps until the next day. That is fine for messages and maps, and slow for video. Across a full trip that is a lot of high-speed data: 21 GB over 7 days, or 45 GB over 15 days. A daily top-up adds days, not extra data for today.
Examples
Five days in Shanghai. Maps, WhatsApp, and stories in the evening, with hotel Wi-Fi for uploads. China 5GB is the starting point. A heavier photo habit fits China 10GB. See the Shanghai travel guide.
Eight days in Beijing, Xi’an, and Shanghai. Navigation, trains, translation, and a video call every couple of days. China 10GB each is the usual pick. If one phone is shared, that person should look at China 20GB.
Two weeks on the move. Long travel days and unreliable hostel Wi-Fi. China 20GB or Daily 3GB · 15 days.
A month of remote work. A laptop on a shared connection. China 50GB, with room to top up later. Prices for that top-up are not public yet.
Make the data last
- Download offline maps for each city before you go.
- Set photo backups to Wi-Fi only.
- Turn off video autoplay in social apps.
- Turn off background refresh for apps you will not use.
- Download playlists and shows at home.
If you run out
On a fixed plan, a top-up adds data and days to the same eSIM. On a daily plan, you stay at up to 1 Mbps after 3 GB, and high-speed data refreshes the next day. See how to top up and how to check your data.
When you are ready, open the China eSIM page and the setup guide. You can expect a stable, hassle-free connection where Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and your other apps are designed to work like they do back home.*
FAQ
Is 10 GB enough for a week in China?
For most people using maps, messaging, social apps, and the occasional call, yes. Heavy video use may fit 20 GB better.
Is 5 GB enough for China?
For a short trip or a stopover with light use, often yes. Check your home usage first.
What uses the most data?
Video: streaming, video calls, and short video in social apps. Maps, messaging, and browsing use much less.
Can I share my data?
These plans do not list a separate sharing fee. Email support@haalaan.com before you travel if you need to share. Sharing uses plan data, so size up if you plan to.
When do my 30 days start?
When the eSIM first connects to a network in mainland China, not when you buy or install it.
What happens after the daily high-speed allowance?
You stay connected at up to 1 Mbps until the next day's high-speed data refreshes. Messages and maps still work. Video is slow.
Can I get a refund if I bought too much?
If you have not installed the eSIM, yes: a full refund within 30 days of purchase.
* How apps work depends on the network route and isn't guaranteed. Your data is routed via Hong Kong, according to our network provider. Services and networks can change.
Valid in mainland China (not Hong Kong or Macau).
China eSIM · China travel essentials · China city guides · Help · FAQ