Internet in China: what works and what doesn't
Last verified 9 October 2026 against official sources.
Quick answer
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and X are blocked on Chinese networks. Roaming on your home SIM — or a travel eSIM bought abroad — usually still reaches them; a Chinese SIM card or hotel Wi-Fi does not. Install WeChat, Alipay and Amap before you fly.
What's blocked
On mainland Chinese networks you can't reach Google (Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, YouTube), WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, X, Telegram, Signal, Reddit, Netflix or ChatGPT, among others. Hong Kong and Macau are not affected.
Your three options
| Option | Reaches Google & WhatsApp? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roaming on your home SIM | Usually yes | Traffic goes through your home carrier. Check your carrier's China roaming price. |
| Travel eSIM bought before you go | Usually yes | Many route data via Hong Kong or Singapore. Install it at home while you still have internet. |
| Chinese SIM card | No | Sold at China Mobile, Unicom and Telecom counters in major airports. Needs your original passport and a face scan. |
Hotel and café Wi-Fi in mainland China behaves like a Chinese SIM: blocked services won't load.
What about a VPN?
Many visitors install a VPN before they travel, and individual tourists are rarely, if ever, penalised for using one. Technically, though, only government-approved VPN services are allowed in China, and VPN connections there are often slow or drop out — especially around major events. If you go this way, set it up at home, because app stores and VPN websites are hard to reach once you're in China.
The simplest option is still roaming or a travel eSIM bought before you go: nothing to install or switch on, and Google, WhatsApp and the rest usually just work.
Apps that work everywhere in China
- WeChat — messaging, calls and payments. The easiest way for people in China to reach you.
- Alipay — payments, metro codes and a Didi mini-program for taxis.
- Amap (Gaode) — the main map app, now with an English version. Apple Maps also works in China; Google Maps does not.
- Trip.com — hotels, flights and trains in English.
Before you fly
- Download offline copies of anything you'll need: tickets, hotel bookings, translation packs.
- Save your hotel's Chinese address as a taxi card — it works offline.
- Tell family and colleagues to reach you on WeChat.
FAQ
Does WhatsApp work in China?
Not on Chinese networks or hotel Wi-Fi. It usually works while roaming on your home SIM or with a travel eSIM bought abroad.
Can I use Google Maps in China?
No — use Amap (which has an English version) or Apple Maps, which works in China.
Do I need a VPN in China?
Not if you use data roaming on your home SIM or a travel eSIM bought abroad — these usually reach Google and WhatsApp without anything extra. Many visitors also use a VPN; tourists are rarely penalised, but connections are often unreliable and only approved services are technically allowed.
Can tourists buy a SIM card at the airport?
Yes, at China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom counters in major airports. You need your original passport and a face scan for real-name registration. A Chinese SIM won't reach blocked services like Google.
Sources
- Canberra Times / ACM — using Google and WhatsApp in China (2026)
- Shanghai Government — Amap adds 14 languages (July 2025)