Do Western apps work in Shanghai without a VPN?

Many travel eSIMs route data via an international gateway, so Google Maps, WhatsApp and Instagram often work straight away, unlike cafe Wi-Fi behind China's firewall. Download an offline map before you fly as a sensible backup.

Is there signal down in the Shanghai Metro?

Yes. The world's largest metro system has consistent coverage across its lines and stations, so you can navigate, message and mobile-pay for tickets underground. Signal is reliable right across the fourteen-plus lines that crisscross the city.

Shanghai eSIM.

Name: Shanghai travel eSIM
Brand: My Holiday SIM

From the Bund's neon waterfront to the French Concession's plane-tree lanes, keep Shanghai online.

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 Shanghai

The Maglev hits 430 km/h between Pudong Airport and Longyang Road in eight minutes, so buy tickets on your phone and it is far quicker than a taxi in rush hour, then connect to the metro for the centre.

Two simple ways to buy

Shanghai eSIM plans: unlimited, or by the GB.

Every Shanghai eSIM from My Holiday SIM is one of two straightforward types. Pick whichever fits how you travel in Shanghai — 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 Shanghai?

A rough, honest guide to sizing your Shanghai eSIM so you're not guessing. Most travellers in Shanghai 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

Shanghai eSIM: your local data guide.

Shanghai moves fast, and you will too, riding the Maglev from the airport, crossing the river to the Lujiazui skyscrapers or getting pleasantly lost in the French Concession. A Shanghai eSIM keeps DiDi, live metro maps and mobile payments running from the moment you land, whether you are photographing the Bund at dusk or booking a Huangpu River cruise.

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

Landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)?

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

Shanghai 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 Shanghai

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

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

On the ground

Where you'll lean on data in Shanghai.

The Bund & Lujiazui

Frame the skyline from the waterfront promenade and book Shanghai Tower observation-deck slots without hunting for Wi-Fi.

The former French Concession

Lean on maps to wander the plane-tree lanes of Wukang Road and find hidden cafes and boutiques.

Yu Garden & the Old City

Translate tea-house menus and thread the crowded City God Temple bazaar with live navigation.

Xintiandi & Tianzifang

Strong signal for restaurant bookings, QR-code payments and sharing shikumen-alley photos.

The practical bit

Getting around Shanghai on your eSIM.

Apps you'll want online in Shanghai

DiDi— Shanghai's go-to ride-hailing app; switch to English to book taxis and private cars citywide.
Shanghai Metro (Metro Daduhui)— The official app that generates scannable QR codes for the vast metro network.
Alipay— Headquartered here; links a foreign card for QR payments almost everywhere in the city.
Amap (Gaode Maps)— Locally accurate navigation and real-time transit for Shanghai's dense street grid.

How long to stay in Shanghai

Most visitors give Shanghai three to four days, enough for the Bund and Pudong, the French Concession, Yu Garden and perhaps a day trip to a canal water town like Zhujiajiao.

How much data for Shanghai

A balanced 3-5 GB covers DiDi, live maps, translation and constant QR payments over a few days; choose Unlimited if you plan to stream, video-call or hotspot a laptop from your hotel.

Coverage in Shanghai

Shanghai has some of China's strongest 5G, blanketing Pudong, the Bund, the metro and both airports; realistically it only thins inside older Puxi lane housing and out at the rural water towns.

Where you're headed

Discover Shanghai.

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

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

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

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

How to activate your Shanghai 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 Shanghai

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

New to eSIM in Shanghai?

What is a Shanghai eSIM?

A Shanghai eSIM is a digital SIM that's already built into your phone. Scan one QR code and a local Shanghai 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 Shanghai eSIM: data-only, zero bill shock.

Your Shanghai eSIM handles the internet while you travel. Your home number stays exactly where it is — no surprise roaming charges in Shanghai, 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 Shanghai.

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 Shanghai 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

Shanghai eSIM questions, answered.

It activates automatically at both Pudong (PVG) and the more central Hongqiao (SHA), latching onto China Mobile, Unicom or Telecom as you land. You will have maps and DiDi ready before you reach the Maglev or taxi rank.

Your Shanghai 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?