Internet in China

Internet at Home

China Telecom, China Unicom, and China Mobile all provide internet, and of the three, China Unicom and China Telecom are the most widely used. There is little outside competition for these three big companies, so it is recommended to go with one of them.

To get internet, simply bring some money and your passport to the nearest shop that provides it and tell them you would like to purchase internet. Note that internet in China tends to be slow and that it will likely be significantly slower than the advertised bitrate.

Also, internet is sometimes included in the price of an apartment’s rent. Make sure to check this first before going out to purchase it.

Internet Outside the Home – Internet Cafés

Most cities in China have internet cafés, which vary in quality and type. Some provide both Wi-Fi and computers that you can use for a small fee. The cleaner and more hi-tech the café, the more expensive the cost, so keep this in mind when deciding which to go to. Other internet cafés only provide free Wi-Fi. For these, all you need to do is purchase a drink or snack, and the Wi-Fi password will be on your receipt.

The Great Firewall of China

There are certain websites that are censored by the Chinese government. These include Google and all of its services, sources pertaining to sensitive issues, and illicit content. The best way to get around the censorship is to use a VPN, though sometimes these will not work, either. If you want to get a VPN, you should do so before going to China.