Guides / Practical · 5 min
Staying Connected: eSIMs, VPNs & the Practical Internet
Google Maps, WhatsApp and Instagram do not work in China by default. Here is the honest, calm version of what to do about it.
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The first thing every traveler asks is some version of 'will my phone work?' The calm answer: yes, with two arrangements — a data eSIM, and an understanding of which apps are blocked.
Data
Install an international eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, and similar) before departure, or buy a China Unicom tourist SIM at the airport. Hotel and café Wi-Fi is everywhere and fast. Navigation: install Amap or use Apple Maps, both of which work with English search inside China.
The blocked apps
Google services, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook are blocked by the firewall. Travelers who need them install a VPN before arrival — note that VPN apps downloaded inside China often fail to activate, so do it at home. For most trips, the combination of WeChat (for everything local, including your guide) and an eSIM covers 95% of needs.
On our journeys, guides carry working connectivity solutions for the group's coordination, and every pre-departure pack includes a current connectivity checklist.
Where this meets the road
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