Travel Notes
О Китае

Гид по интернету и связи в Китае для путешественников

· #签证攻略#交通指南#游客须知#visa#transport#travel tips#中英双语#Travel Notes

Internet Restrictions

Mainland China blocks Google (including Gmail, Maps), Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, LINE, and other foreign services. Alternatives: Baidu (search), Amap/Baidu Maps (navigation), WeChat (messaging), Weibo (social media), Bilibili (video).

VPN Options

Download and install a VPN before departing — you can’t download them from app stores in China. Reliable options: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill. Free VPNs generally don’t work. VPNs exist in a legal gray area in China — foreign tourists won’t face penalties, but connection stability varies by period and region.

SIM & eSIM

Physical SIM: Buy at China Mobile/Unicom/Telecom counters at the airport; tourist packages ~¥100–200 with 10–20GB data. eSIM: Buy from Airalo, Holafly, etc. before departure — works instantly on arrival, no queuing. eSIM usually doesn’t include a Chinese phone number, so you can’t register for services that require one (like WeChat Pay).

WiFi Availability

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