What Is Blocked in China?
China's internet censorship system — often called the "Great Firewall" — blocks thousands of foreign websites and apps. Here are the most important ones that tourists notice:
| Blocked Service | Chinese Alternative | Works with VPN? |
|---|---|---|
| Google Search | Baidu (百度) | ✅ Yes |
| Gmail | NetEase / QQ Mail | ✅ Yes |
| YouTube | Youku / Bilibili | ✅ Yes |
| WeChat (微信) | ✅ Yes | |
| Facebook / Instagram | Weibo / Xiaohongshu | ✅ Yes |
| Twitter / X | ✅ Yes | |
| Google Maps | Baidu Maps / Amap | ✅ Yes |
| Dropbox / Google Drive | Baidu Netdisk | ✅ Yes |
| Many news sites (BBC, NYT) | — | ✅ Yes |
Best VPNs for China in 2026
Not all VPNs work reliably in China. The Chinese government actively tries to block VPN services, so you need one that is specifically designed to work within China. Here are the most consistently reliable options:
ExpressVPN — Most Reliable Overall
Best for: Consistent performance, easy to use, excellent for non-technical users.
Cost: About £8–£10 / $10–$13 per month (cheaper on annual plans).
Why it works: ExpressVPN has "Lightway" technology specifically designed to work in restricted regions. One button connects you — no complicated settings needed.
Astrill VPN — Fastest Speeds
Best for: Video calls (FaceTime, WhatsApp calls) and streaming.
Cost: About £12–£14 / $15–$18 per month.
Why it works: Astrill is well-known in the expat community as having the fastest, most stable connections from inside China.
NordVPN — Best Value
Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who still want reliability.
Cost: As low as £3–£4 / $4–$5 per month on a 2-year plan.
Why it works: NordVPN's "obfuscated servers" disguise VPN traffic to get through China's firewall. It works well, though may occasionally be slower during peak censorship periods.
Don't leave this until the last minute. Download the VPN, create an account, and test that it connects successfully from home. This also gives you time to contact customer support if something doesn't work — much easier to sort from home than at an airport!
How to Set Up Your VPN — Step by Step
Choose a VPN — We recommend ExpressVPN for first-timers. Sign up on their official website (not a third-party site).
Download the app on your phone — from your App Store or Google Play while at home. Also consider installing it on a tablet or laptop if you plan to use those in China.
Log in and activate — Open the app, sign in with your account, and tap "Connect". The app should connect to a server automatically. You can choose which country your connection routes through.
Test it works — With the VPN on, try loading Google.com or youtube.com. If they load, your VPN is working correctly.
Save your login details somewhere accessible — write them down in your travel notebook in case you need to log back in while in China.
When in China — Open the VPN app and tap connect before opening any blocked services. Allow 10–30 seconds for it to connect. If one server is slow, try a different one.
Are Free VPNs Reliable for China?
Free VPNs are generally not recommended for China. Here's why:
- Most free VPNs are quickly detected and blocked by China's firewall
- Free VPNs typically have strict data limits (often 500MB or less) — not enough for a day of normal internet use
- Some free VPN apps have been found to contain malware or to sell your browsing data
- Customer support is non-existent when you need help at 11pm in a hotel in Beijing
For a 2-week trip, a reliable paid VPN costs around £15–£25 / $20–$35 total — well worth the peace of mind.
Chinese Apps That Work Without a VPN
These Chinese-made apps work perfectly inside China without any VPN — useful as alternatives for some tasks:
- WeChat — messaging, video calls, and social media (most expats and business contacts use it)
- Baidu Maps — navigation (often more accurate than Google Maps for China)
- Youdao Translate — excellent translation, works offline
- Didi — taxis and rides (essential!)
- Meituan — food delivery and restaurant booking
- Ctrip / Trip.com — trains, hotels, flights, and tours
Tourist SIM Cards with VPN Built In
An alternative to setting up your own VPN is to buy a tourist SIM card specifically designed for visitors to China. These typically route traffic through servers in Hong Kong or Macau, which are not subject to the mainland firewall.
Look for SIM cards from providers like China Unicom (international tourist card) or Hong Kong SIM cards that work on the mainland. You can buy these at major airports or order them online before departure.
Cost: Approximately £15–30 / $20–40 for a 30-day data plan. Very convenient — no setup required.
If setting up a VPN feels complicated, the simplest option is to buy a tourist SIM card before you travel. Insert it at the airport, and you'll have full internet access (including all your usual apps) without any additional setup. Ask for a "tourist SIM for China" when ordering online.