Staying online in China
Written for visitors and business travellers, including the parts a VPN does not solve.
Start here
Internet checklist before you fly
Ordered by what breaks first if you skip it. Nearly all of it can only be done from outside the country.
Messaging
Does WhatsApp work in China?
It does not — and the reason it works for the person sitting next to you has a simple explanation.
AI tools
Using ChatGPT and Claude in China
A VPN gets you to the site. Getting past the verification loop is a different problem, and most guides skip it.
Looking for shorter answers? The FAQ covers hotel Wi-Fi, Chinese SIMs, paying without a Chinese bank account, and whether it is legal.
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