Staying Connected in China
China's Great Firewall blocks many Western services. Without a VPN, you cannot access Google, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter/X, or many news sites.
Before You Fly
- Download and set up your VPN at home — you cannot easily download VPN apps once inside China
- Test it to make sure it works
- Download multiple VPN apps as a backup — sometimes one gets blocked temporarily
What Gets Blocked
- Search: Google → use Bing (works in China)
- Maps: Google Maps → use Apple Maps or Amap (Gaode)
- Messaging: WhatsApp/Telegram → use WeChat
- Social: Instagram/Facebook → use Xiaohongshu (RED)
- Video: YouTube → use Bilibili
VPN Tips
- Hong Kong servers usually give the fastest connection
- VPN speeds can be slow during peak hours — be patient
- Hotel Wi-Fi sometimes works without a VPN for basic browsing
- Keep your VPN on auto-connect so you don't lose access
Chinese Alternatives Worth Trying
Honestly, Chinese apps are excellent. Baidu Maps for navigation, WeChat for messaging, and Xiaohongshu for restaurant recommendations are all worth exploring even if you have a VPN.