VPN and Internet Guide
Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook — all blocked in China. Here's how to stay connected.
⚠️ Install a VPN BEFORE You Arrive
VPN download sites are also blocked in China. You cannot download or set up a VPN after you arrive. Install and test it on all your devices before your flight.
What's Blocked in China
| Blocked Service | Category | Chinese Alternative | Works in China? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search | Baidu (百度) / Bing | Yes | |
| Gmail | Outlook / QQ Mail / 163 Mail | Yes | |
| Google Maps | Maps | Amap (高德地图) / Baidu Maps (百度地图) | Yes |
| YouTube | Video | Bilibili (哔哩哔哩) / Youku (优酷) | Need VPN |
| Social | WeChat Moments / Xiaohongshu (小红书) | Need VPN | |
| Social | WeChat / Weibo (微博) | Need VPN | |
| Messaging | WeChat (微信) | Need VPN | |
| Twitter/X | Social | Weibo (微博) | Need VPN |
| TikTok (Intl) | Short Video | Douyin (抖音) | Yes |
| Netflix | Streaming | iQiyi (爱奇艺) / Tencent Video | Yes |
| Spotify | Music | QQ Music / NetEase Cloud Music | Yes |
| Dropbox | Cloud Storage | Baidu Cloud (百度网盘) | Yes |
| Telegram | Messaging | WeChat (微信) | Need VPN |
| Discord | Messaging | WeChat Groups / QQ | Need VPN |
| Zoom | Video Call | Tencent Meeting / DingTalk | Yes |
| Wikipedia | Reference | Baidu Baike (百度百科) | Yes |
| Forum | Zhihu (知乎) / Tieba (贴吧) | Yes |
VPN Provider Comparison
| Provider | Price | Reliability | Speed | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astrill VPN ★★★★★ | $20/month | high | fast | 4 | 2 |
ExpressVPN ★★★★★ | $13/month | high | fast | 4 | 2 |
Surfshark ★★★★★ | $13/month (2-year plan: $3/month) | medium | medium | 3 | 2 |
VyprVPN ★★★★★ | $13/month | medium | medium | 3 | 2 |
12VPN ★★★★★ | $4-10/month | medium | medium | 3 | 2 |
Mullvad ★★★★★ | €5/month | low | medium | 4 | 2 |
Astrill VPN
Pros
- + Most reliable in China
- + Works consistently
- + Good speeds
- + StealthVPN protocol
Cons
- - Expensive
- - No free trial
ExpressVPN
Pros
- + Very fast
- + Easy to use
- + Good customer support
- + 30-day refund
Cons
- - Can be blocked during sensitive periods
- - Premium pricing
Surfshark
Pros
- + Cheap long-term
- + Unlimited devices
- + Clean interface
Cons
- - Less reliable in China than Astrill/Express
- - Slower speeds
VyprVPN
Pros
- + Own servers (no third party)
- + Chameleon protocol to bypass firewall
- + Works in China
Cons
- - Fewer server locations
- - Can be slow
12VPN
Pros
- + Designed for China
- + Good prices
- + RAILO protocol
Cons
- - Less well-known
- - Smaller network
Mullvad
Pros
- + Very private
- + Anonymous account
- + Cheap
- + Open source
Cons
- - May not work in China
- - No stealth mode
✅ VPN Setup Checklist
Subscribe & Download BEFORE China
Sign up on VPN website. Download the app on ALL your devices. VPN websites are blocked inside China.
Install on Every Device
Phone, laptop, tablet. Test each one. Enable auto-connect and kill switch.
Get a Backup VPN
Primary VPNs can get blocked during sensitive periods. Have a 2nd VPN subscribed just in case.
Set Protocol to Stealth / Obfuscated
Regular VPN protocols are detected and blocked. Use Astrill's StealthVPN, ExpressVPN's Lightway, or obfsproxy.
Download Offline Maps
Download Google Maps offline for your destination cities BEFORE you arrive. Also download offline translations.
📱 SIM Card and eSIM Options
China Mobile / China Unicom
Buy at airport or convenience stores
- • ~50-100 RMB/month
- • Need passport to register
- • Works with all phones
- • Free data + some minutes
Airalo eSIM
Pre-purchase before arrival
- • From $1 for 1GB
- • No passport needed
- • Works on eSIM phones
- • Activate in China with VPN
Ubigi / Holafly
Tourist eSIM specialists
- • ~$5-20 for tourists
- • Data-only plans
- • Good coverage in cities
- • Phone support available
💡 Tip: Get an eSIM before you arrive. Activate it with your VPN connected. This gives you internet from the moment you land.
📲 Essential Apps Summary
MUST HAVE — Install Before Landing
Pay everywhere. Link foreign card or use Tour Pass.
All-in-one: messaging, payments, mini-programs, everything.
Best maps app in China. Supports English. Taxi hailing, walking, transit.
China's Uber. English version available. hailing taxis and ride-sharing.
Best Chinese dictionary. OCR camera translation, flashcards.
VERY USEFUL
Alternative to Amap. Also supports English.
Food delivery, hotel booking, movie tickets, everything local.
Book trains, flights, hotels. English interface available.
Official train booking app. English version available.
Built-in camera translation in WeChat.
Excellent voice and camera translation for Chinese.
Find restaurants and reviews. Like Yelp for China.
NICE TO HAVE
China's travel buzz app. Real experiences, restaurant reviews.
China's Amazon. Almost everything is cheaper here.
China's card network app. Useful backup payment method.