Connectivity
Stay connected in China: eSIM and SIM cards, VPNs, Wi-Fi, and keeping Google, WhatsApp and your usual apps working.
Connectivity3 min read2026-09-06Which Apps Work in China and Which Are Blocked? The State of Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram (2026)Google's full suite, Meta's apps, X, and Telegram cannot be accessed directly from mainland China; Apple services, Bing, Booking, and more work normally. A complete list plus “what you can still do without a VPN” to help you plan your digital life ahead of arrival.
Connectivity4 min read2026-09-06Getting a SIM Card in China: Airport Counters, Carrier Store Rates, Real-Name Requirements, and Key TipsWhat a Chinese SIM card gets you: cheap high-volume data, sign-ups for food delivery and local services, and no more verification-code headaches. The three major carriers' sign-up rules, the process at airport counters and downtown stores, indicative tourist plan prices — and the situations where you don't actually need a Chinese number.
Connectivity4 min read2026-09-06Getting Online in China: How to Choose Between Roaming, eSIM, and Pocket WiFi (2026)A head-to-head comparison of four ways to stay connected in China: home-carrier roaming (bypasses the Great Firewall), international eSIM (depends on exit routing), a local Chinese SIM card, and pocket WiFi. Costs, speeds, and best-fit scenarios—all in one table.
Connectivity3 min read2026-09-06VPNs in China: The Rules, the Realistic Risks, and Legal AlternativesUnauthorized VPN services have no legal protection in mainland China, and administrative penalties for individual users are a documented reality. This guide explains the rules, how enforcement actually works, and the two fully legal workarounds — international roaming and overseas-routed eSIMs.