What is blocked
Google (search, Maps, Gmail, Drive), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, Wikipedia and most Western news sites are not reachable from a Chinese network. This is the single thing that surprises visitors most, and it matters because so many travel habits run through Google.
Two things change the picture:
- Roaming data is routed through your home carrier, so a foreign SIM or roaming eSIM reaches everything you normally use. This is the simplest fix for a short trip.
- A VPN on a local connection also works, but reliability varies and you must install it before you arrive; the app stores inside China do not carry them.
Data options
A travel eSIM that roams onto a Chinese network is the answer for most people: install it at home, activate on landing, and your usual apps keep working. Buy enough data; maps and translation use more than you expect.
The apps that replace yours
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| Google Maps | Amap (高德) or Apple Maps, which works well in China |
| Google Translate | Apple Translate offline packs, or Alipay’s built-in translator |
| Uber | Didi, or the ride-hailing mini-app inside Alipay |
| WeChat, for talking to hosts and guides | |
| Google Search | Bing works; Baidu is Chinese-only |
Download offline maps and translation packs before you land, regardless of your data plan.
Wi‑Fi
Hotels have it and it is fine. Cafés usually require a Chinese phone number to log in, so don’t count on them. Public Wi‑Fi at airports and stations often needs a number too. With a good eSIM you will rarely care.
Practical setup checklist
- Install Alipay and set it up (see Paying in China).
- Install Amap or make sure Apple Maps is ready.
- Download offline translation languages.
- Buy and install a travel eSIM; keep your home SIM active for verification texts.
- If you rely on a VPN, install and test it before departure.
Was this still accurate when you used it?
Change history
- 2026-09 — First published.