If you’re thinking about accessing the internet in China be prepared for a few hiccups. Whether it’s to let loved ones know what you’re up to or street directions, accessing the internet in China is not always straightforward like it is in the USA, UK or Australia.
Picture this – a time before internet access in China improved to what it is today. You just landed at Beijing Capital International Airport, and you’re keen to let your family back home know you made it to China safely. You switch your phone back on from airplane mode, connect to the airport wifi, and type in Facebook.com, only to be redirected to a “page blocked” error, displayed in Mandarin.
What?! You panic and think something’s happened to Facebook. But let’s reassure you. Facebook is still going strong.
Today, internet access in China is quite different and improving all the time. If your data plan is with a major network, chances are you will enjoy affordable daily data roaming rates, as little as $5 a day, which is a vastly different rate to what we all knew previously; incredibly high fees just to access the internet. The firewall that existed previously is no longer an issue, which means international travelers can enjoy data roaming with their own SIM card. (i.e. no need to purchase a new one in China). This makes data roaming the easiest and most reliable way to access unrestricted internet in China.
It’s also good to know that a newish innovation called ‘eSIM’ are supported by later model smartphones (post 2019), making internet access a much more reasonable cost while traveling. These digital eSIM can be downloaded prior to traveling and allow you to access the internet at super fast speeds. This means you can still visit your beloved Facebook, Google, Twitter, and many more western websites on your China tour.
Let’s look at the ways so you’re ready to click on arrival.
Internet access in China (It’s a BYO affair)
The best way to stay connected in China is to bring your own wifi equipped smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Across China generally, but particularly in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and bars, internet access is good.
Most travelers planning to stay in China for a longer period of time, usually buy a local SIM card, but as we’ve said, this is no longer required. These can be purchased at service booths at major airports, supplier shops (China Telecom, China Unicom, China Mobile), and phone stores, which are on just about every street corner.
Even though the internet is available throughout China, not all internet is available for tourists. In fact, many internet cafes only accept customers with Chinese ID, preventing foreign travelers from accessing what they’d take for granted normally.
Working with the internet in China
With more than 700 million internet users, China has the largest online population in the world. While strict censorship is common in China, online restrictions have increased since the arrival of the internet there in 1996. These regulations mean people in China are blocked from using social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For travelers who want to stay in touch with people back home, we recommend connecting to WeChat and sharing your travel news that way. It’s easy to do. Simply download the WeChat app (it’s free) and connect to your friends. That way you can keep everyone up to date with what you’re doing.
WeChat is a text and voice messaging app, just like WhatsApp. However, unlike WhatsApp, WeChat comes with a range of mini-apps inside the platform.
China would come to a halt without WeChat! Chinese people use WeChat for everything, from playing games to paying bills, and from finding local hangouts to hailing taxis. Even local street vendors use WeChat for accepting payments. It literally is the way China stays connected. And it will keep you connected on your China tour too.
Use a VPN to access the internet in China and stay in touch
The easiest way to access western websites, such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter, is by installing a Virtual Private Network, or VPN. A VPN can be used to access restricted websites in China by shielding your browser activity.
The key to a VPN is that it lends you a temporary IP address and hides the actual IP address from every website or email you connect with.
VPNs are hard to find within the country, so make sure you buy and install a VPN before you arrive in China. You should opt for a paid service, rather than a free one, as free ones can easily be blocked by the Great Firewall.
Auto-forward emails to China-approved email providers
If the only thing you want to access the internet for in China is to check emails, and you use Gmail as your email service provider, there’s another way to get connected to your email without having to purchase a VPN.
Before traveling to China, you can set up auto-forward to automatically forward all of your emails to another, China-approved, email provider, such as Hotmail, Yahoo, or Sina.
Apps that will improve your China experience
In addition to WeChat, there are a few mobile apps that are worth downloading before your journey starts. Here’s our current list of must haves.
Waygo is a visual translator app that can scan a Chinese text and automatically translate it into English, without needing an internet connection. Another one of China’s most popular translator apps is Pleco, which is also useful for those interested in learning the Chinese language.
| Translation | Waygo, Pleco Chinese Dictionary, Baidu Translate |
| Maps | Amap, Baidu Maps, and Tencent Maps are the three most popular apps for finding your way in China. |
| Payment | WeChat, Alipay |
| Transport | Didi (like Uber), China Metro (public transport) |
| Travel bookings | Ctrip, Trip (Note, this is for flights, trains, hotels, and tours only) |
| Food delivery | Meituan (China’s equivalent of Uber Eats and Yelp) |
Since Google Maps is not an option in China, it is a good idea to download a web mapping app that is accessible in China. CityMaps2Go offers many Chinese city maps that are available offline as well. All you have to do is download your desired city map while connected to the internet, and then you’re good to go.
ChinaTours.com
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