Internet & VPN

Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp do not work in China. Here is how to stay connected anyway.

What Does Not Work in China

China's internet firewall blocks most Western services. Without a VPN, you cannot access:

GoogleGmailYouTubeInstagramFacebookWhatsAppTwitter/XTikTokSnapchatRedditNetflixSpotify

What does work: Baidu (search), WeChat (messaging), Douyin (Chinese TikTok), and most Chinese apps. Hotel WiFi is generally good and free.

VPNs That Actually Work in China

Not all VPNs work in China. The government actively blocks VPN traffic, so you need one that stays ahead of the blocks. Here are the ones that reliably work as of 2024:

ExpressVPN

~$13/month

The most reliable option. Works on all devices. More expensive but worth it for the reliability. Has 24/7 live chat support.

Astrill VPN

~$15/month

Very popular with expats in China. Fast speeds and works consistently. Good for streaming too.

Surfshark

~$2.50/month

Budget-friendly and works well in China. Unlimited device connections. Good value for money.

NordVPN

~$3.50/month

Generally reliable with obfuscated servers. Sometimes needs manual configuration during crackdowns.

Critical: Set Up Your VPN Before You Arrive

This is the most important thing: You cannot download VPN apps once you are in China because the app stores and VPN websites are blocked.

Download and install your VPN app before leaving home
Test that it works before your trip
Sign up and pay for your subscription in advance
Download multiple VPN apps as backup (I recommend having at least 2)
Save the VPN's customer support email or live chat link

Getting a Local SIM Card

A Chinese SIM card gives you fast 5G data and a local phone number (useful for restaurant reservations and Didi rides).

Where to Buy:

At the airport: China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom all have booths at Nanjing Lukou Airport. Staff usually speak some English.
In the city: Any official store of the three carriers. Bring your passport — it's required for registration.

What to Get:

Tourist SIM: ~100-200 RMB ($14-28) for 30 days with 20-50GB data
China Unicom generally has the best coverage for foreigners
Ask for a SIM with data + some call credit

The Real Challenges (And How to Handle Them)

VPNs Fail. Often.

Even the best VPNs have bad days in China. During major political events (Party Congress, National Day), the government ramps up blocking and even ExpressVPN can be down for hours. Do not assume your VPN will work 100% of the time.

How to handle it: Have at least 2 different VPNs installed. When one fails, switch to the other. Also download offline maps, translation packs, and entertainment before you arrive. Do not rely on cloud-based services.

Airport WiFi Requires a Chinese Phone Number

Here is a catch-22: Nanjing airport WiFi requires SMS verification to a Chinese phone number. If you do not have a SIM card yet, you cannot connect to WiFi to order a Didi or message your hotel.

How to handle it: Buy your SIM card at the airport before leaving the terminal. The booths are right after immigration. If you are being picked up, arrange the meeting point in advance via email (which works on airport WiFi without SMS in some cases).

WhatsApp Messages Sometimes Do Not Send

Even with a VPN, WhatsApp can be unreliable in China. Messages may show as "sent" on your end but never arrive. Voice calls almost never work. Your family back home might think you are ignoring them.

How to handle it: Set expectations with family/friends before you arrive. Tell them you might be hard to reach. WeChat works perfectly in China and is what locals use for everything — consider asking key contacts to install it.

My Personal Setup

When I have foreign friends visiting, this is what I tell them to do: (1) Subscribe to ExpressVPN before leaving home, (2) Buy a China Unicom tourist SIM at the airport, (3) Install WeChat before arrival, (4) Download offline maps (Maps.me works without VPN). This combination has never failed anyone I've helped.