Japan to China Travel: eSIM Guide for Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou

Travelers from Japan visiting Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen or Guangzhou often want to keep their Japanese SIM active while using a separate data plan in China. An eSIM can make that setup simpler when the phone is compatible and unlocked.

Why use a China eSIM?

  • Keep your Japanese SIM card installed;
  • Avoid changing physical cards during the trip;
  • Use maps, email, messaging and translation after landing;
  • Prepare the connection before departure;
  • Select a plan based on trip length and data use.

Which data size is right?

5GB: short city trip, navigation, messages and light browsing.

10GB: one week with regular social media, photos and video calls.

20GB: longer stay, remote work, hotspot or large media uploads.

Mainland China only

Choose the China eSIM when your itinerary stays in mainland cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou or Suzhou.

Buy China eSIM

Mainland China plus Hong Kong or Macau

A regional plan is more convenient when the same trip includes Hong Kong or Macau.

Buy China, Hong Kong & Macau eSIM

Buy through Taobao

Taobao is best suited to customers who already have an account and are comfortable using the Chinese interface. The direct store is usually simpler for international buyers who prefer English product information.

China eSIM on Taobao

Setup before departure

  1. Confirm eSIM support in your phone settings;
  2. Check that the device is not carrier-locked;
  3. Install on reliable Wi-Fi;
  4. Read the activation rules;
  5. Enable data roaming after arrival;
  6. Keep your original SIM as the voice or verification line if required;
  7. Disable automatic cloud backup to save data.

Frequently asked questions

Can I receive messages on my Japanese number?

This depends on your Japanese carrier, roaming status and account settings. The travel eSIM provides mobile data and does not control your home number.

Can I share data with a laptop?

Check whether hotspot is supported by the selected plan before purchase.