China is a fascinating destination, with everything from ancient history and spectacular landscapes to futuristic cities and neon-lit streets. When I visited China, I wanted to soak up the atmosphere, admire the scenery and keep my screen time to a minimum.
But while you can disconnect from your phone for parts of your trip, having the right digital tools set up before you leave will make travelling in China much easier.
Many of the apps and websites you regularly use at home, including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, are blocked on mainland Chinese networks. China operates an extensive system of internet filtering, commonly known as the “Great Firewall”.
I discovered this first-hand and found that some of my usual apps and websites were inaccessible. Here are five things I recommend sorting out before you fly.
I would highly recommend getting an international eSIM. Prepaid travel data plans will work out significantly cheaper than trying to make your regular SIM work in China.
If you install an eSIM that has servers outside of mainland China, you may not require a VPN. For example, if the servers are located in Hong Kong, you should still be able to access your regular apps.
Make sure you install and test the eSIM before you travel. Certain eSIMs may be incompatible with your phone, and it would be good to find out in advance.
My biggest tip would be to install a VPN before you fly. With a VPN installed, you should be able to access most content blocked by the “Great Firewall” (ie. Google, social media, and messaging tools).
You must download the VPN before you leave. Once you land in China and connect to the Chinese network, you won’t be able to browse for VPNs. If you’ve never used one before, I’d recommend getting a VPN with a free trial. A good free trial will allow you to test out the VPN over the course of a number of days. Once the trial period is up, you can decide whether to keep the VPN or not.
WeChat is a must. I wouldn’t have gotten very far without the multipurpose app, which is essential for messaging and payments. China is mostly a cashless society, with many businesses favouring mobile payment apps over physical cash and bank cards. The high level of digital payments helps explain why the country has 810 million WeChat users. Alipay is the other major digital payment app.
Western ride-hailing apps, such as Uber, do not work in China. Therefore, you should download a local alternative. The most popular ride-hailing app in China is DiDi.
Google Maps also does not work in China. Use either Apple Maps or a local alternative. For example, I used Amap (Gaode Maps).
You’ll also need a translation app. You’ll find English translations on signs in major cities, especially in airports and on public transport. You’ll also get English menus in some tourist restaurants and English descriptions in popular museums. However, the quality of these translations varies and may not provide much help.
To avoid confusion, it would be best to download Baidu Translate (Google Translate, obviously, won’t work). Baidu is a free AI-powered app that is known for its high accuracy.
Despite digitally preparing for China, I still found that certain apps and websites didn’t work. Luckily, I had downloaded important documentation before I left. I recommend downloading train tickets, hotel booking confirmations, and other travel documentation ahead of time. If no downloadable files are available, take screenshots of your confirmation emails.
I’d also recommend downloading offline maps of the cities you’ll visit. By doing so, you won’t depend on Wi-Fi or data to find your way around. China has some of the biggest cities in the world, like Shanghai and Beijing. In such vast cities, offline maps are essential.
You can travel to some countries without any digital preparation. China isn’t one of them. In fact, it’s probably the country you’ll need to digitally prepare the most for. The most important thing is preparing a VPN ahead of your trip, as then you should be able to access the same apps and content that you do back home. You should also download several Chinese apps to make transport and communication straightforward.
Note: Internet access and app availability can change, so check the latest situation before your trip.
Great Wall of China
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world on her blog "In Africa and Beyond". Although she has been to 53 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
