China's internet censorship system, commonly known as the "Great Firewall," blocks many of the websites and apps that foreigners rely on daily. Understanding what's blocked and how to work around it is crucial for anyone visiting China. This guide is updated for 2025 with the latest information on what works, what doesn't, and the best solutions for staying connected.
What is the Great Firewall?
The Great Firewall (GFW) — officially called the Golden Shield Project — is China's system for controlling internet access within its borders. It operates by blocking access to specific foreign websites and services, filtering search results, and monitoring online activity. The system has been in place since 2003 and has become increasingly sophisticated over the years.
For travelers, the practical impact is simple: many apps and websites you use daily at home simply won't work in China. No Google, no Instagram, no WhatsApp. The first time you try to search for something on Google and the page just... loads forever... you'll understand. It's not a slow connection — it's an intentional block.
Complete Blocked Services List (2025)
The following services are confirmed blocked as of early 2025. This list is not exhaustive — China continuously adds and removes blocks — but these are the major services affected:
Search & Email: Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Translate, Yahoo Search, Yahoo Mail
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, TikTok (international version), Reddit, Pinterest, Tumblr, Snapchat, LinkedIn (intermittent), Threads
Messaging: WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, LINE (partially blocked), Discord
Video & Streaming: YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Twitch, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple Music (intermittent)
Productivity: Dropbox, Google Workspace, Notion (intermittent), Slack (slow), Trello (intermittent)
AI Tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity — all major AI assistants are blocked
News: BBC, CNN, New York Times, The Guardian, Reuters, Bloomberg, Associated Press, Washington Post, The Economist
Other: Wikipedia (intermittent — some pages work, others don't), Steam Community (gaming), Twitch, Medium, Substack
What DOES Work Without a VPN
Not everything is blocked. These services work normally in China without any special tools:
Chinese Apps: WeChat (essential), Weibo (Chinese Twitter), Baidu (search engine), Didi (ride-hailing), Meituan (food delivery), Alipay, Douyin (Chinese TikTok), Xiaohongshu (Chinese Instagram/Pinterest)
International: Apple iMessage (limited — text works, media is slow), FaceTime (audio only, video is blocked), Skype (unreliable but sometimes works), Microsoft Outlook (email works), Bing (censored results but accessible)
Browsers: Baidu, Bing — both work but with censored search results
Hotels: Many international hotels provide "VPN-accessible" Wi-Fi that routes traffic through Hong Kong. Ask at the front desk.
Roaming: If you use your home country's SIM card with data roaming, you may bypass the Great Firewall entirely — your traffic routes through your home country. Check with your carrier for China roaming rates. This is expensive but reliable.
VPN Guide: How to Stay Connected
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server outside China, bypassing the Great Firewall. Without a VPN, you'll be cut off from most Western internet services.
Why you MUST download your VPN before arriving in China: This cannot be emphasized enough. Once you're in China, VPN websites are blocked. You cannot download a VPN from inside China without already having a VPN — a catch-22. Download and install your VPN on ALL devices (phone, laptop, tablet) before your flight. Test each one to make sure it works.
Top 3 VPNs for China (2025):
1. Astrill VPN — The gold standard for China. Most reliable connection, fastest speeds, supports multiple protocols. Used by most expats and journalists in China. $12.50/month. The only downside is the price, but if you need reliable internet for work or navigation, this is it. Their "StealthVPN" protocol is specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection.
2. ExpressVPN — User-friendly with good speeds and a large server network. $6.67/month (annual plan). The split tunneling feature is useful — route only blocked traffic through the VPN while keeping Chinese apps (WeChat, DiDi) on your direct connection for better performance. Occasionally has connectivity issues during politically sensitive dates (National Day, Two Sessions in March).
3. NordVPN — Budget option at $3.99/month. Works most of the time but can be unstable during peak hours. Good as a backup VPN but not recommended as your primary option in China. Their "Obfuscated Servers" feature helps bypass blocks but isn't as reliable as Astrill's or ExpressVPN's solutions.
Configuration tips for best performance:
1. Install the VPN app on all devices before travel
2. Test the connection from your home country
3. Enable "auto-connect" and "kill switch" features (kill switch blocks all internet if the VPN disconnects, preventing data leaks)
4. Use the "China" or "Specialty" server option if available
5. If one protocol doesn't work, try switching (OpenVPN → WireGuard → IKEv2)
6. During politically sensitive dates (National Day Oct 1-7, Two Sessions in March, June 4 anniversary), connectivity may be worse — plan accordingly
Alternative Solutions
eSIM Options: If your phone supports eSIM, consider these:
Note: eSIMs from international providers connect to Chinese networks but still go through the Great Firewall. You still need a VPN. However, having a data connection that works immediately upon landing (before you find Wi-Fi) is valuable.
International Roaming: Using your home SIM card with data roaming bypasses the Great Firewall entirely — your traffic routes through your home country's servers. Check with your carrier: T-Mobile US includes slow (2G) China roaming for free; AT&T and Verizon charge $10/day. UK carriers like Three offer roaming in China on some plans. This is the easiest solution but can be expensive for long trips.
Hotel Business Centers: Many 4-5 star hotels have business centers with computers that have VPN access. Not ideal for privacy but useful in emergencies.
Practical Tips: Your Pre-Departure Checklist
Before your flight to China, complete this checklist:
✅ Download and install VPN on phone, laptop, and tablet
✅ Test VPN connection from home
✅ Download offline maps (Amap/Baidu Maps with offline regions)
✅ Download Google Translate offline Chinese language pack
✅ Download Pleco (offline Chinese dictionary)
✅ Screenshot important addresses, hotel confirmations, and train tickets
✅ Download entertainment (Netflix shows, Spotify playlists) for offline use
✅ Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay
✅ Share your itinerary with someone at home
✅ Save your embassy's contact information
Transparency Note
We earn a small commission if you purchase a VPN through our links. We only recommend services we've personally tested in China. Our recommendations are based on real-world performance, not affiliate payouts. If a VPN stops working in China, we'll update this guide regardless of affiliate relationships.