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VPN & Internet Guide

Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook — all blocked in China. Here's how to stay connected.

⚠️ Install 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 ❌ → ✅ Chinese Alternative

Blocked Service	Category	Chinese Alternative	Works in China?
Google	Search	Baidu (百度) / Bing	✅
Gmail	Email	Outlook / QQ Mail / 163 Mail	✅
Google Maps	Maps	Amap (高德地图) / Baidu Maps (百度地图)	✅
YouTube	Video	Bilibili (哔哩哔哩) / Youku (优酷)	❌ Need VPN
Instagram	Social	WeChat Moments / Xiaohongshu (小红书)	❌ Need VPN
Facebook	Social	WeChat / Weibo (微博)	❌ Need VPN
WhatsApp	Messaging	WeChat (微信)	❌ Need VPN
Twitter/X	Social	Weibo (微博)	❌ Need VPN
TikTok (Intl)	Short Video	Douyin (抖音)	✅
Netflix	Streaming	iQiyi (爱奇艺) / Tencent Video	✅
Spotify	Music	QQ Music / NetEase Cloud Music	✅
Dropbox	Cloud Storage	Baidu Cloud (百度网盘)	✅
Telegram	Messaging	WeChat (微信)	❌ Need VPN
Discord	Messaging	WeChat Groups / QQ	❌ Need VPN
Zoom	Video Call	Tencent Meeting / DingTalk	✅
Wikipedia	Reference	Baidu Baike (百度百科)	✅
Reddit	Forum	Zhihu (知乎) / Tieba (贴吧)	✅

VPN Provider Comparison for China

Astrill VPN

★★★★★

$20/monthReliability: highSpeed: fast

✅ Pros

• Most reliable in China
• Works consistently
• Good speeds
• StealthVPN protocol

❌ Cons

• Expensive
• No free trial

iOSAndroidWindowsMacLinuxRouter

ExpressVPN

★★★★★

$13/monthReliability: highSpeed: fast

✅ Pros

• Very fast
• Easy to use
• Good customer support
• 30-day refund

❌ Cons

• Can be blocked during sensitive periods
• Premium pricing

iOSAndroidWindowsMacLinuxRouter

Surfshark

★★★★★

$13/month (2-year plan: $3/month)Reliability: mediumSpeed: medium

✅ Pros

• Cheap long-term
• Unlimited devices
• Clean interface

❌ Cons

• Less reliable in China than Astrill/Express
• Slower speeds

iOSAndroidWindowsMacLinux

VyprVPN

★★★★★

$13/monthReliability: mediumSpeed: medium

✅ Pros

• Own servers (no third party)
• Chameleon protocol to bypass firewall
• Works in China

❌ Cons

• Fewer server locations
• Can be slow

iOSAndroidWindowsMac

12VPN

★★★★★

$4-10/monthReliability: mediumSpeed: medium

✅ Pros

• Designed for China
• Good prices
• RAILO protocol

❌ Cons

• Less well-known
• Smaller network

iOSAndroidWindowsMac

Mullvad

★★★★★

€5/monthReliability: lowSpeed: medium

✅ Pros

• Very private
• Anonymous account
• Cheap
• Open source

❌ Cons

• May not work in China
• No stealth mode

iOSAndroidWindowsMacLinux

VPN Setup Checklist

Subscribe & Download BEFORE 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" or "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 / 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 $5 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. You can always buy a local SIM later.

📲 Essential Apps Summary

🔴 MUST HAVE — Install Before Landing

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Alipay支付宝

Pay everywhere. Link foreign card or use Tour Pass.

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WeChat微信

All-in-one: messaging, payments, mini-programs, everything.

📱

Amap (高德地图)高德地图

Best maps app in China. Supports English. Taxi hailing, walking, transit.

📱

Didi滴滴出行

China's Uber. English version available. hailing taxis and ride-sharing.

📱

PlecoPleco

Best Chinese dictionary. OCR camera translation, flashcards.

🟡 VERY USEFUL

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Baidu Maps百度地图

Alternative to Amap. Also supports English.

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Meituan美团

Food delivery, hotel booking, movie tickets, everything local.

📱

Ctrip/Trip.com携程

Book trains, flights, hotels. English interface available.

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1230612306

Official train booking app. English version available.

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WeChat Translate微信翻译

Built-in camera translation in WeChat.

📱

Tencent Translate腾讯翻译君

Excellent voice and camera translation for Chinese.

📱

Dianping大众点评

Find restaurants and reviews. Like Yelp for China.

🟢 NICE TO HAVE

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Xiaohongshu小红书

China's travel buzz app. Real experiences, restaurant reviews.

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Taobao淘宝

China's Amazon. Almost everything is cheaper here.

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UnionPay云闪付

China's card network app. Useful backup payment method.