Do I need data to visit the Panda Base?

Very much so. Tickets are booked online with your passport, the base is a fair DiDi ride north of the centre, and its huge grounds are easier to navigate with live maps. Go at opening for the liveliest pandas.

Will Google Maps and WhatsApp work in Chengdu?

Many travel eSIMs route data internationally, so Google Maps, WhatsApp and Gmail often load without a VPN, unlike local Wi-Fi behind China's firewall. Installing an offline map and a translation app before you fly is still sensible.

Chengdu eSIM.

Name: Chengdu travel eSIM
Brand: My Holiday SIM

From the giant pandas at Chengdu Base to teahouses and hotpot, stay connected in Chengdu.

from $2.59/day · unlimited dataAll of China →

Unlimited data5G where availableInstant QR by emailKeep your number

1 · How many days?

10 daysOther:days

2 · How much data?

3GBBest pricevalid 15 days$7.60$0.76/day

Cheapest plan covering your trip: 3GB, valid 15 days.

Travellers (one eSIM each)

1 × 3GB (valid 15 days) · 10-day trip$7.60

Good to know in Chengdu

The Giant Panda Base is best right at opening around 7.30am, when the bears are active and feeding before they nap off the afternoon heat, so book your timed ticket and a DiDi on data the night before to beat the crowds.

Two simple ways to buy

Chengdu eSIM plans: unlimited, or by the GB.

Every Chengdu eSIM from My Holiday SIM is one of two straightforward types. Pick whichever fits how you travel in Chengdu — you can always top up or switch on your next trip.

Traveller streaming and browsing freely on an unlimited-data travel eSIM

Unlimited plans

High-speed data, nothing to count

Priced per day — the longer you stay, the better the daily rate. Ideal for streaming, hotspot and longer trips where you'd rather not watch a data meter. A fair-use policy keeps speeds fast for everyone; see each plan for the detail.

Best for streaming, video calls & hotspot
Great for longer or open-ended trips
One price per day — no GB anxiety

By-the-GB plans

3GB10GB20GB

A set bundle, brilliant value

A fixed data allowance (say 3 GB or 10 GB) valid for your travel days. The best-value pick for lighter trips built around maps, messaging and a bit of browsing. Running low? Top up in a couple of taps — nothing to reinstall.

Best value for lighter, shorter trips
Clear allowance — pay only for what you need
Top up any time from your phone

Compare plans →Not every destination has both types — the picker shows what's available where you're headed.

Plan your data

How much data do you need in Chengdu?

A rough, honest guide to sizing your Chengdu eSIM so you're not guessing. Most travellers in Chengdu are comfortable on 3–5 GB a week — heavy streamers just go Unlimited.

Traveller checking maps and messages on her phone using a My Holiday SIM eSIM

Not sure? Start with a 5 GB plan — you can top up in seconds if you run low.

Light

~1 GB / week

Maps, messaging & email

Google Maps, WhatsApp, email and the odd search. Plenty for a city break where you mostly need directions.

Suits 1–3 GB plans

Balanced

3–5 GB / week

Everyday holiday use

Everything above plus social scrolling, music, cloud photo backups and a little video. Where most travellers land.

Suits 5–10 GB plans

Chengdu eSIM: your local data guide.

Laid-back Chengdu runs on early panda mornings, lazy teahouse afternoons and fiery late-night hotpot, and you lean on data to time each one and get between them. A Chengdu eSIM keeps DiDi, maps and translation live from arrival, whether you are booking the Giant Panda Base at opening or navigating the lantern-lit crowds of Jinli and Kuanzhai Alley.

One eSIM for Chengdu and all of China. It's the national China eSIM — from $2.59/day with unlimited data, working the same in Chengdu as it does the moment you leave it.

Landing at Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU)?

Install the QR at home, then switch the eSIM on as you taxi in — you're online before you reach the arrivals hall.

Chengdu eSIM pricingbest-value plan · per day

Days

Per day

Total

Saving

3 days1GB

$0.67

$2.00

—

5 days1GB

$0.40

$2.00

−40%

7 days1GB

$0.29

$2.00

−57%

10 days3GBPopular

$0.76

$7.60

—

15 days3GB

$0.51

$7.60

−24%

30 days3GB

$0.35

$10.42

−48%

Each trip length shows the best-value plan that covers it. Total always shown before you pay.

eSIM vs the old ways in Chengdu

eSIM

ROAMING

AIRPORT SIM

Data allowance

Unlimited

Usually capped

Rarely unlimited

Price known upfront

Prepaid

Billed after

Varies at the desk

Ready when you land

Instantly

After the queue

Keep WhatsApp number

SIM swapped

Chengdu eSIM from $2.59/day — the whole bill, agreed before you fly.

On the ground

Where you'll lean on data in Chengdu.

Chengdu Panda Base

Arrive at opening when the pandas are most active; keep data on to book tickets and DiDi out to the north of the city early.

Jinli & Kuanzhai Alley

Translate snack stalls and thread the heaving Qing-era lanes with live maps in hand.

People's Park & Heming Teahouse

Look up the ear-cleaning and tea rituals, then share bamboo-shaded courtyard photos.

Leshan Giant Buddha (day trip)

Data for the high-speed train south and to pull up the walkway route around the giant cliff carving.

The practical bit

Getting around Chengdu on your eSIM.

Apps you'll want online in Chengdu

DiDi— Chengdu's main ride-hailing app; essential for early runs to the Panda Base, English mode built in.
Chengdu Metro (Tianfutong)— Generates QR codes for the expanding subway and links the Tianfu transit card.
Alipay— Links a foreign card for QR payments across teahouses, hotpot joints and shops.
Amap (Gaode Maps)— Reliable local navigation, including trains out to Leshan and Mount Emei.

How long to stay in Chengdu

Most travellers spend two to three days in Chengdu for the pandas, teahouses and hotpot, often adding a day trip to the Leshan Giant Buddha or Mount Emei.

How much data for Chengdu

A balanced 3 GB covers DiDi, maps, translation and payments over a relaxed few days; choose 5 GB or Unlimited if you will stream, share panda videos or hotspot a laptop each night.

Coverage in Chengdu

Chengdu has strong China Mobile and Unicom 5G across the centre, metro and both airports, and good signal at the Panda Base; it realistically thins on the mountain roads toward Emei and Leshan.

Where you're headed

Discover Chengdu.

Chengdu, China — skyline and landmarks · stay connected with a Chengdu eSIM from My Holiday SIM

Chengdu, China — streets and everyday scenes · stay connected with a Chengdu eSIM from My Holiday SIM

Chengdu, China — sights worth exploring · stay connected with a Chengdu eSIM from My Holiday SIM

Chengdu, China — a travel moment · stay connected with a Chengdu eSIM from My Holiday SIM

How to activate your Chengdu eSIM.

Full installation guide →

A traveller happily planning her next trip with a map and phone

Buy your plan

Choose your days — the QR code arrives by email in seconds.

A traveller installing her eSIM from the sofa in two minutes

Install at home

Scan the QR on Wi-Fi before you fly. About two minutes, no app needed.

Friends laughing together while packing for a holiday

Fly relaxed

Nothing counts down yet — your days start only at first connection.

A joyful family reunion at the airport arrivals hall

Switch on in Chengdu

Turn the line on when you land. Connected before baggage claim.

New to eSIM in Chengdu?

What is a Chengdu eSIM?

A Chengdu eSIM is a digital SIM that's already built into your phone. Scan one QR code and a local Chengdu data plan installs alongside your home SIM — no plastic, no tray tool, no swap. Your number and WhatsApp stay exactly where they are.

✓ 2-minute install✓ Keep your number✓ Works on phones from 2018+

How eSIM works →Check my phone

A traveller with a backpack smiling at her phone — online abroad with My Holiday SIM

Connected · 5G

Home SIM · calls & WhatsAppHoliday eSIM · unlimited data

30-day refund promiseUnused, uninstalled eSIM? Full refund, no questions.

The price is the billPrepaid and final — roaming charges can't happen.

Days start when you landInstall early with zero pressure; counting begins at first connection.

Humans, 24/7Real people answer, before, during and after the trip.

Peace of mind

Your Chengdu eSIM: data-only, zero bill shock.

Your Chengdu eSIM handles the internet while you travel. Your home number stays exactly where it is — no surprise roaming charges in Chengdu, no swapping your real SIM out.

Keep your number & WhatsApp

The eSIM is data-only and runs alongside your home SIM. Your number, iMessage and WhatsApp keep working exactly as they do at home.

No roaming bills, ever

Turn data roaming OFF on your home SIM and ON for the eSIM. You pay once, up front — no overage, no metered surprises, no bill waiting when you land home.

One thing worth knowing

Because it's data-only, the eSIM can't receive bank verification (OTP) text codes — those still go to your home number. Keep it reachable on Wi-Fi calling, or use app-based codes.

Traveller relaxed and connected on her phone, no roaming bill to worry about

Why travellers choose My Holiday SIM for Chengdu.

Instant eSIM deliveryQR code in your inbox seconds after checkout — even at the departure gate.

No physical SIMNothing to collect, lose or poke out with a paperclip. Your home SIM stays put.

Keep your WhatsApp numberData flows through us; WhatsApp stays on your home number. Family always reaches you.

A traveller at the departure gate, eSIM ready on her phone

eSIM ready in ~2 minutes

No bill shock, everOne clear price before you fly. Roaming charges simply can't happen.

Secure paymentsCards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Klarna — encrypted end to end.

Real human supportReal people — before, during and after your trip. Live chat and email, no bots. Easy top-ups too.

Coverage in China.

5G where available, fast 4G everywhere else

Connected · 5G

Your eSIM joins China's partner networks automatically — no settings to choose, no manual network hunting. If signal drops in a remote spot, toggling Airplane Mode for a few seconds forces a fresh connection.

China Mobile
China Unicom
China Telecom

Popular places covered

BeijingShanghaiXi'anChengduGuilinHangzhouGuangzhouShenzhen

Keep data roaming ON for the eSIM line only — that's the switch travel eSIMs use, and it never adds charges on our plans.

Trusted networks, honest numbers.

No invented star ratings behind your Chengdu eSIM — just the numbers we actually stand behind.

Friendly globe with location pins — coverage on every continent

My Holiday SIMSTAY CONNECTED. ANYWHERE.

200+

destinations — every continent covered

regions covered by a single regional eSIM

~2 min

typical install — QR to connected

Live

chat & email support

Before you fly

Chengdu eSIM questions, answered.

It connects automatically at both the newer Tianfu (TFU), which handles most international flights, and the older Shuangliu (CTU). Your phone latches onto China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom on landing, so DiDi and maps are ready at the taxi rank.

Your Chengdu eSIM glossary.

eSIMA SIM built into your phone's hardware. Plans install onto it digitally — no plastic card involved.

QR profileThe code we email you. Scanning it downloads your holiday plan onto the eSIM. One scan per device.

Data roaming (the switch)The toggle travel eSIMs use to join partner networks abroad. On our plans it never adds charges — keep it ON for the eSIM, OFF for your home SIM.

Hotspot / tetheringSharing your phone's data with laptops and tablets. Included on our plans wherever networks allow.

Top-upExtra days added to a live plan from your account. They append to the end — nothing overlaps.

First connectionThe moment your eSIM first joins a network at the destination — that's when your days start counting, not before.

Travelling wider in China?