Travel Notes
China Knowledge

Staying Connected in China

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Internet Landscape

China’s internet is regulated by the Great Firewall (GFW). Google, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter are inaccessible without a VPN. Baidu replaces Google Search; WeChat replaces WhatsApp; Weibo replaces Twitter; Youku/Bilibili replace YouTube.

SIM Card Options

All three carriers sell tourist SIMs at airport counters. China Unicom’s “Foreigner Card” includes calls + data for ¥99/30 days with 20GB. China Mobile’s “Global” plan has wider coverage at slightly higher cost. Passport required; activated on the spot.

Using a VPN

Download and test a VPN before departure (recommended: ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill). Free VPNs are usually unreliable in China. Expect some speed reduction; choose the nearest server node for video streaming. Purchasing VPN subscriptions from within China is difficult — prepare in advance.

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