Google (all services), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter/X, most Western news. What works fine: Apple services, Spotify (mostly), Amazon
What’s Blocked
Google (all services), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter/X, most Western news. What works fine: Apple services, Spotify (mostly), Amazon, your banking apps (usually), all Chinese apps.
VPN Rules – The Realistic Version
VPNs exist in a gray zone: technically unlicensed ones are illegal but individual use is widespread and enforcement targets providers, not tourists. Reliability varies by period – have 2-3 options installed.
Setup BEFORE Arrival
This is the #1 mistake: download and TEST your VPN at home (can’t download blocked app stores in China). Paid options (Astrill, ExpressVPN historically, Mullvad) outperform free ones massively.
Workarounds Without VPN
iMessage works (WhatsApp doesn’t), email mostly fine, WeChat bridges communication with us (or international roaming keeps your home internet uncensored – calls/data roam outside the firewall).
Plan or Book
Every option above connects to bookable services. For a personalized route, use our free AI trip planner or WhatsApp the travel designer: +86 132 8667 1888.