When planning our first trip to China, one of our biggest frustrations was accessing accurate information around accessing service providers that are restricted to China.
If you try to find information on how to use Google (or Facebook, or Instagram, or...) in China, you inevitable will come across mostly sponsored or affiliate marketing links stuffed posts about which VPN to use.
Because of fear of being locked out of our e-mail addresses, we purchased 2 different VPN services and created an Outlook e-mail account, just to be sure that we are able to access everything we need.
But this was unnecessary, and caused mainly by misinformation on the internet, which is why I decided to create this blog post to help you make an informed and stress-free decision about whether or not you need VPN.
This post DOES NOT contain any affiliate links and is based purely on our first-hand experiences while traveling to China.
Why Do You Need a VPN to Access Google in China?
You don't, at least not necessarily!
Google usage, including all its services will not work when using WIFI or a local SIM card, but it will work if you are relying on a SIM card from your home country (that does not restrict Google usage).
It cost both me and my husband 30CHF to buy 2 unnecessary VPN subscriptions during our first trip, which is why I am dedicated to showing other uninformed travellers that you don't in fact need that!
Can you access restricted websites in China without using VPN?
YES! Yes, you can most definitely access any website in China, including Google and Facebook, as long as you are using a SIM card from your home country with roaming.
While this option can vary in price, this is by far the EASIEST way you can access any restricted website. It does not require any further configuration like VPN, it just works the same way it works in any country!
So what I would advise anyone doing before going to China is to check with your service provider:
- if you have data package included for China (I was surprised to discover that I had it included in my 79CHF/month subscription)
- whether you can purchase additional data package for China (my mobile provider allows it - it cost me 15CHF for every 2GB of data)
You will most definitely need Internet connections at all times when traveling - people in China alsmost exclusively use WeChat and AliPay for payments.
For that reason, I would encourage you to consider purchasing the data package if you don't already have it included in your mobile subscription.
Why is it worth to buy a data package for a trip to China?
The alternative to having a data package is to get a local SIM card (to be able to pay for stuff on the go) and get a VPN (to access restricted websites).
Both of those are paid services that require extra effort to set up and use.
So my advice to you is to check out the prices of data packages and VPN+local SIM solution and pick yourself.
Just remember that majority of blogs work with affiliates so the reason they promote certain VPN services is to make money from you clicking on a link to purchase the VPN!
When do you need VPN to access Google in China?
You will need a VPN to access Google and other restricted websites if:
- you are connected to WIFI
- you are using a local SIM card
In that case you need a VPN - NordVPN and ExpressVPN are popular choices among travellers.
Are VPNs illegal in China?
VPNs are not illegal in China, but they do not always work and - most importantly - you not necessarily need them!
Unless you are an expat living in China with a local SIM card, you most likely will be better off just purchasing a data package for China.
Conclusion
I really hope this blog post will provide you with information I was personally missing when planning my trip to China.
It is unfortunate that due to the blogging business model which has to be heavily reliant on adverts and affiliate marketing, it is easy to forgo the genuity of information provided to readers for commissions.
And in the world of travel blogging (especially about China), the commissions can be earned the easiest through recommendations of VPNs and SIM cards.
If you know anyone who is going to China and is unsure whether or not they need a VPN, please do share this blog post with them as it is based on first-hand experience and using data package worked for us like a charm on every trip.
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