IMPORTANT: Do This Before You Go to China! (Your Pre-Trip Tech Checklist)

by

Picture this: You’ve just landed in China, tired from a long flight. You connect to the airport Wi-Fi to look up your hotel on Google Maps, but it won’t load. You try to message your family on WhatsApp to let them know you’ve arrived safely. Nothing. You panic and try to download a VPN, only to discover the website is blocked and the Google Play Store is inaccessible.

This isn’t a bad dream. It’s a reality for unprepared travelers every single day.

China’s Great Firewall doesn’t just block websites; it blocks the very tools you need to get around it. When it comes to internet in China, preparation is everything.

The Golden Rule: Download and set up everything you need before you leave your home country.

Follow this essential checklist to ensure a smooth, connected trip.

Step 1: Choose and Subscribe to a Proven VPN

This is the most critical step. Don’t leave it until the last minute.

  • Do Your Research: Select a VPN provider that explicitly states they work in China and has a strong reputation for it. They often use special technologies like “obfuscated servers” to avoid detection.
  • Pay for a Plan: Free VPNs are useless and unsafe in China. A paid subscription is a small investment for complete internet freedom and security during your trip.
  • Save Your Login Details: After subscribing, write down or screenshot your username and password.

Need a recommendation? This is the most important decision for your trip. We’ve done the hard work for you.

➡️ Check Out Our In-Depth Review of the #1 VPN for China

Step 2: Install the VPN App on ALL Your Devices

Don’t just install it on your phone. You’ll want it on your laptop and tablet, too.

  • For Phones/Tablets: Download the official app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  • For Laptops: Go to the VPN’s official website and download the client for Windows or macOS.

Step 3: Log In and Test the VPN Connection

This is a crucial step to verify that everything is working correctly before you’re in a position where you can’t fix it.

  1. Open the VPN app on your device and log in.
  2. Connect to a server (any country will do for a test).
  3. Once connected, open a web browser and go to a site like youtube.com or google.com. If it loads, you’re all set!

Step 4: Download Offline Apps and Content

Prepare for moments when you might not have a connection or your VPN might be updating.

  • Offline Maps: In Google Maps or Apple Maps, download the map area for the cities you’ll be visiting. Alternatively, use an app like Maps.me which is fully offline.
  • Translation App: Download a translator app that works offline, like Google Translate or Microsoft Translator. Don’t forget to download the Chinese language pack!
  • Entertainment: Download movies, shows, and music from Netflix, Spotify, etc., for your flight and downtime.
  • Documents: Save flight confirmations, hotel bookings, and a copy of your passport to your device locally or in a cloud service you know you can access (like Dropbox, if you have your VPN).

Step 5: Save Your VPN’s Support Information

Take a screenshot of your VPN provider’s customer support email address or support page URL. If you run into any issues in China, this will be your only way to get help.

Don’t let the Great Firewall dictate your travel experience. A few minutes of preparation is all it takes to guarantee a seamless and connected journey in China.

Leave a Comment