Internet planning is one of the most important parts of a China trip. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and many other international services may not work normally on mainland Chinese networks. Prepare your connection before departure because VPN websites and app downloads may also be inaccessible after arrival.
Understand your options
International roaming
Roaming through your home carrier is usually the simplest option. Many international roaming plans route mobile data outside mainland China’s filtering system, allowing familiar apps to work without a VPN. Confirm this with your carrier and check the daily price, data allowance, speed cap, and hotspot policy before departure.
Travel eSIM
A travel eSIM is often the best option for a short visit. Buy and install it before departure, then activate it when you land. Many international eSIMs route traffic outside mainland China, but this is not universal. Read the provider details carefully because coverage, routing, hotspot support, and speed limits vary.
Local SIM
A local Chinese SIM is most useful when you need a local phone number, particularly for a longer stay. Registration requires passport verification. Its data uses the mainland internet, so blocked international services will still require another solution.
VPN
No commercial VPN works in China all the time. Performance changes by city, mobile carrier, hotel Wi-Fi network, and political date. Install at least two options before entering China, sign in, and save any setup information you may need offline.
As of August 2026, these are reasonable services to test:
- Astrill: The strongest primary option for travelers who value reliability more than price. It has a long record of use in China, but it is expensive and still experiences occasional connection problems.
- LetsVPN: Cheaper and easier to use, with short subscriptions suitable for tourists. Recent reliability has been inconsistent, so treat it as a backup rather than your only connection.
- Mullvad: A privacy-focused alternative for more technical users. Its Bridge mode uses a Shadowsocks proxy to help with restrictive networks.
- Proton VPN: A useful free backup. Enable Stealth protocol and Alternative Routing before departure, following Proton’s China setup guide. Do not rely on it as your sole connection.
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark may connect intermittently, but they should not be a traveler’s only plan for mainland China.
Proxy subscriptions, often called “airports”
Chinese speakers sometimes call subscription-based proxy services airports (机场). They are normally imported into clients such as Shadowrocket, Stash, or Clash-compatible apps. Once configured, they can be faster, cheaper, and more flexible than a conventional VPN.
They are not necessarily easier for a first-time visitor. Setup requires a separate client and subscription, iPhone users may need a non-mainland App Store account, and small providers can disappear without warning. The operator may also be able to observe connection information. Do not use an unknown provider for sensitive work, banking, or confidential communications.
For most foreign tourists, an airport subscription is an optional technical backup, not the default recommendation.
The simplest setup for most visitors
- Use international roaming or a travel eSIM as your primary phone connection.
- Install Astrill or another tested VPN for laptops and hotel Wi-Fi.
- Keep LetsVPN, Mullvad, or Proton VPN as an independent backup.
- Use a local SIM when you need a local phone number.
- Use a proxy subscription only if you already understand the client and trust the provider.
This combination is more resilient than searching for one perfect VPN. If one route stops working, the other uses a different provider and connection method.