Before you land in China, understand one thing: the Chinese internet is a parallel system, not a restricted version of the global one. The Great Firewall of China (technically the Golden Shield Project) doesn't slow down Western apps — it blocks them entirely at the infrastructure level. This is not a technicality you can work around without preparation. Here is what you need to know.
What Is Completely Blocked in China
The following are blocked nationwide, consistently, for all users without a VPN:
- Google — all products: Search, Maps, Gmail, Drive, Translate, YouTube, Chrome sync. Use Baidu (search), Gaode/Amap (maps), Bing (also works inside China)
- Meta products — Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, Threads
- Twitter / X
- YouTube
- Telegram
- Snapchat
- Most Western news sites — NYT, BBC, Reuters (intermittently), WSJ, The Guardian
- Wikipedia (English version)
- Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive (intermittent)
- Slack (business users affected)
- Many VPN apps themselves — the App Store in China does not offer most VPN apps
What Actually Works in China
- WeChat — the essential Chinese super-app: messaging, payments, maps, food delivery, social media, business tools. Download it before you go and set up the payment system if possible (requires a Chinese bank card or linking a foreign card — partial feature access with foreign cards).
- Baidu — Chinese search engine, maps, translate (Baidu Translate handles Chinese well)
- DiDi — China's Uber equivalent, works well in major cities, has an international version with English interface
- Alipay — the dominant payment app; now accepts foreign credit cards for tourist use as of 2023 reforms, making cashless payment significantly more accessible
- Bing — works (with some results filtered), useful for basic search
- Apple Maps — partially works in China (data sourced from partner, not Google)
- iMessage / FaceTime over cellular data — generally works; over WiFi, may be blocked on some hotel networks
- LinkedIn — operates in China with a limited version
- Email via cellular data (non-Gmail) — Outlook, Yahoo Mail generally accessible
VPNs: The Honest Situation
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet traffic through a server outside China, bypassing the Great Firewall. Using a VPN is technically illegal for Chinese citizens and companies without government authorization. For foreign tourists, the legal situation is ambiguous — VPN use by foreigners is rarely prosecuted, and millions of foreign visitors use them annually without incident. However:
- You MUST install your VPN before entering China. Most VPN apps are not available in the Chinese App Store, and VPN provider websites are blocked. If you arrive without one, getting one is extremely difficult.
- Not all VPNs work reliably in China — the firewall actively detects and blocks VPN traffic. The VPNs with the best track record for China are ExpressVPN, Astrill, and NordVPN, though performance varies and the firewall intensifies crackdowns around politically sensitive periods.
- VPN performance is inconsistent — expect significant speed reduction; streaming video will be slow. Email, messaging, and basic browsing are generally functional on a working VPN.
- Set up your VPN on all devices before you land. Test it. Have the VPN provider's emergency IP address or alternative connection method saved locally (not in a browser that needs internet to open).
SIM Cards and Connectivity
You have three practical options for data while in China:
- Roaming on your home carrier — expensive but requires no setup. Check if your carrier has a China roaming arrangement. Some carriers' data roaming bypasses the firewall (carrier-level — not guaranteed, varies).
- Chinese SIM card — local SIMs from China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom are cheap (RMB 50–100 for a tourist SIM) and fast. Purchase at airports or mobile shops. Requires passport registration. Subject to Great Firewall without a VPN.
- eSIM with a non-Chinese carrier — international eSIMs (Airalo, Saily, etc.) using non-Chinese networks can bypass the firewall entirely for data since the traffic routes through that carrier's infrastructure. This is increasingly the practical traveller's preferred solution: no registration, no VPN required for most apps, works in major cities. Check coverage areas.
Practical Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✅ Download and test your VPN (not in China)
- ✅ Download offline Google Maps for your destination cities (usable offline without internet)
- ✅ Download DiDi with the international interface
- ✅ Set up WeChat (required to communicate with most Chinese contacts)
- ✅ Consider an international eSIM plan
- ✅ Screenshot or save: hotel addresses in Chinese characters (taxi drivers may not read English)
- ✅ Set up Alipay or ensure your Visa/Mastercard is registered (China is heavily cashless — WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate; some small vendors don't accept foreign cards at all)