VPN and Internet in China: What Actually Works

I landed at Shanghai Pudong, connected to airport WiFi, and tried to check my email.

Gmail: blocked. Google: blocked. WhatsApp: blocked. Instagram: blocked.

Welcome to China's internet.

Here's the thing—I knew this was coming. I had a VPN installed. But I'd downloaded it at the airport, and it immediately failed to connect. Turns out, you can't reliably download or set up VPN apps once you're in China.

Don't make my mistake. Here's everything we learned about staying connected.

What's Actually Blocked in China

Let's be specific. These popular services do not work without a VPN:

Completely blocked:

• Google (Search, Gmail, Maps, Drive, Photos, everything)
• YouTube
• WhatsApp
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Twitter/X
• Telegram
• Snapchat
• Netflix, Disney+, most streaming services
• Many news sites (NYT, BBC, etc.)

Works fine without VPN:

• Alipay
• WeChat
• Apple Maps (limited accuracy)
• iMessage (usually)
• Amap (Gaode)
• Baidu (search and translate)
• Trip.com
• Most Chinese apps

The Setup That Actually Works

After testing various combinations, here's what we recommend:

1. eSIM with Built-in VPN (Primary)

This is the simplest option. An eSIM like Holafly includes VPN tunneling, so all your traffic routes through servers outside China automatically.

Why it works:

• Install before you fly
• Activate on landing
• VPN included—no separate app needed
• Works immediately
• Data speeds are decent

How to set it up:

1. Buy your eSIM online (Holafly, Airalo, etc.)
2. Scan the QR code to install before departure
3. Keep your home SIM active for SMS verification codes
4. On landing, go to Settings → Cellular → eSIM and enable data
5. Switch off home SIM data, leave SMS on

Cost: Usually $20-50 for 2 weeks, depending on data limits

Limitations:

• Data caps can be tight for heavy users
• Speed varies by provider
• Not all phones support eSIM (check before buying)

2. Separate VPN App (Backup)

Even with eSIM, install a standalone VPN as backup. Your eSIM's VPN might struggle during heavy censorship periods or with specific apps.

Reliable options:

| VPN | Pros | Cons | |-----|------|------| | ExpressVPN | Consistently works, fast servers | Most expensive | | NordVPN | Good speeds, lots of servers | Occasional blocks | | Surfshark | Cheap, unlimited devices | Can be slower | | Astrill | Best for heavy users, China-focused | Expensive, less known |

Critical setup steps:

1. Download and install before you leave — you cannot reliably download VPN apps in China
2. Log in and test the connection works
3. Download the app on all devices (phone and laptop)
4. Learn how to switch protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2)
5. Save multiple server locations (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore work best)

3. Backup VPN App (For When Primary Fails)

VPNs get blocked periodically. What works today might not work tomorrow. Install a second VPN from a different provider.

We used ExpressVPN as primary and Surfshark as backup. When ExpressVPN dropped connections during our second week, Surfshark worked fine.

Daily Reality: What We Experienced

What worked well

• Holafly eSIM with built-in VPN handled most needs
• ExpressVPN worked about 80% of the time
• Morning and late night connections were most stable
• Hong Kong and Singapore servers performed best
• Switching to mobile data often fixed WiFi VPN issues

What was frustrating

• VPN speeds varied wildly by time of day
• Hotel WiFi + VPN = very slow
• Instagram stories took forever to load
• Video calls sometimes failed mid-conversation
• About 2-3 total outage hours across 14 days

Our workflow

1. Wake up, test VPN connection
2. If slow, switch to different server
3. If still slow, switch protocol (WireGuard → OpenVPN)
4. If nothing works, use Baidu and Chinese apps until evening
5. Try again after dinner (often better)

When VPN Fails: Emergency Protocol

It will happen. Here's what to do:

Quick fixes (try these first)

1. Toggle airplane mode for 10 seconds, then reconnect
2. Switch VPN protocol (WireGuard → OpenVPN → IKEv2)
3. Change server location (Japan → Singapore → Hong Kong)
4. Switch from WiFi to mobile data or vice versa
5. Close and reopen the VPN app

If nothing works

Use Chinese alternatives:

• Baidu Translate instead of Google Translate
• Amap instead of Google Maps
• WeChat for messaging instead of WhatsApp
• Baidu for search instead of Google

These work without VPN and are actually quite good. You won't be completely offline.

Physical SIM Alternative

If you don't have eSIM support, you can buy a physical tourist SIM at the airport.

Where to get it:

• Kiosks at major airports (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou)
• Requires passport
• China Mobile and China Unicom are common

What you get:

• Local data
• Chinese phone number
• Works immediately

What you don't get:

• VPN (still need separate app)
• Pre-configured setup

If you go this route, definitely install VPN apps before flying.

Working Remotely From China?

Tourists can get by with one VPN and some patience. If you're working, you need a more robust setup.

What we'd recommend for remote work:

• Two VPN providers from different companies
• Dedicated work hours when connections are most stable (early morning)
• TeamViewer on a home computer as emergency access
• Backup hotspot (eSIM + physical SIM)
• Offline work prepped for outage periods

Budget for connectivity: $40-65 for a 2-week work trip

This is genuinely harder than tourist use. Video calls, Slack, GitHub—they all need stable connections. Build in buffer time for technical difficulties.

Pre-Flight Checklist

Do all of this before you board your flight:

• [ ] eSIM purchased and installed (if using)
• [ ] VPN #1 downloaded and tested on phone and laptop
• [ ] VPN #2 downloaded (backup provider)
• [ ] Google Translate offline Chinese pack downloaded
• [ ] Amap installed with offline maps for your cities
• [ ] Know how to switch VPN protocols (practice at home)
• [ ] Multiple server locations saved in VPN app
• [ ] Baidu Translate installed (no-VPN backup)

Cannot stress enough: You cannot reliably download VPN apps in China. Do it before you fly or you'll be stuck.

Honest Assessment: Is It Worth the Hassle?

Look, the internet situation in China is annoying. Your VPN will drop at inconvenient moments. Video calls with family might cut out. Instagram won't load when you want to post that Great Wall photo.

But it's manageable. Millions of expats and travelers deal with it every year. You'll adapt faster than you think.

After 14 days:

• We stayed in touch with family daily (mostly)
• We posted photos when connections were good
• We used Chinese apps for everything local
• Total frustration time: maybe 4-5 hours across the whole trip

Worth it for experiencing China? Absolutely.

If Setup Sounds Like Too Much

Between eSIM configuration, VPN installation, offline downloads, and backup plans—there's a lot to prepare.

If you'd rather have someone walk you through setup or help when connections fail, our Guardian package includes tech setup guidance and 24/7 WeChat support. For $19, it's peace of mind when you're debugging VPN issues at 2 AM.

Quick Reference

Speed Tips

• Best connection times: 6-9 AM, after 10 PM
• Best servers: Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore
• Best protocol: WireGuard (usually), OpenVPN (backup)
• WiFi vs. mobile: Mobile data often more stable

When VPN Drops

1. Airplane mode toggle (10 sec)
2. Switch protocol
3. Change server
4. Switch WiFi/mobile
5. Use Chinese apps as fallback

Apps That Work Without VPN

• Alipay, WeChat, Amap, Baidu, Trip.com
• iMessage (usually)
• Apple Maps (limited)
• Any Chinese service

You've got this. Prepare before you fly, and the firewall becomes a minor inconvenience instead of a crisis.

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Related Guides:

• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners
• Surviving the Language Barrier in China
• How to Use DiDi in China