Yes, YouTube is banned in mainland China and has been inaccessible since 2009, blocked by the government's "Great Firewall" as part of extensive internet censorship. Accessing YouTube requires using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) or other circumvention tools, as local alternatives like Youku and Bilibili are promoted instead.
Is YouTube legal in China? Even though YouTube is blocked in China, it's not illegal to watch it. There is no precedent of anyone being charged with a crime for watching YouTube or using a VPN. China is well aware of the fact that many internet users are accessing blocked websites using VPNs.
The main Chinese alternatives to YouTube are Bilibili, known for youth culture, anime, and gaming with unique "bullet comments," and Youku (Alibaba) and Tencent Video, which are massive platforms for licensed content like movies/dramas and user-generated videos, often integrated with WeChat. iQiyi (Baidu) is another giant, similar to Netflix, focused on high-quality original shows and licensed content, while Douyin (the original TikTok) dominates short-form video, e-commerce, and live streaming.
Netflix is one of the world's leading entertainment services and is available in over 190 countries. Our library of TV shows and movies varies by country and changes periodically. Netflix is not available in: China.
Can I use Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in China? No, popular Western platforms are blocked by the Great Firewall.
China's "3-hour rule" for minors restricts children under 18 to playing online video games for only three hours per week, specifically from 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, to combat gaming addiction and improve health. Implemented by the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA) in 2021, the rule mandates gaming companies use real-name verification and facial recognition to enforce limits, though some children bypass it using adult accounts.
Like many other famous websites or web services, Spotify doesn't work in China, people living or traveling in China are typically unable to listen their favorite songs and any other song on Spotify.
TL;DR: No, WhatsApp is blocked in China by the Great Firewall. However, travelers can easily bypass this restriction using a travel eSIM (like Nomad eSIM) or a VPN. For most tourists, a travel eSIM is the most reliable and hassle-free solution to ensure WhatsApp works in China for messaging and calling.
China has strict censorship policies, so accessing Google in China can be difficult. With a VPN, users in China can circumvent the Great Firewall of China to escape Internet censorship and access the Internet freely.
TL;DR: In China, many popular apps and sites like Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram are blocked by the Great Firewall and travelers have to rely on VPNs to get around these restrictions.
Dubbed the 'Super App of China', WeChat captivates over 1.3 billion monthly active users. It's not just about chats; it's an integral part of daily life in China.
The Powerhouses: China's Biggest Video Platforms
Social Media. China's strict online censorship means that most traditional social media sites will be blocked. However, through the use of a virtual private network (VPN) travelers can still use their favorite social media sites with relative ease.
Can Foreigners Use a VPN in China? Visitors to China are subject to the same restrictions as locals. Even so, it's possible to use a VPN in China as long as you already had it on your device when you entered.
Breaking down who's watching, India currently has the most annual viewers, with 1.428 billion. China is approaching this number with 1.425 billion annual users – an interesting number because the service is blocked by the Chinese government.
The "Three Ts" in China refer to the highly sensitive topics of Taiwan, Tibet, and Tiananmen Square, which are major taboos and subjects of strict censorship, with discussions often discouraged or forbidden due to their challenge to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) narrative and authority. Foreigners are often advised to avoid these topics to prevent discomfort, legal issues, or awkwardness with Chinese citizens.
Not without a VPN. Google and all its services (Gmail, Maps, Docs, etc.) are blocked in China and require a reliable VPN to access.
Sites like Amazon, Yahoo, Microsoft, Skype, and Zoom are all available. Bing, for example, is available, but in some cases search results may be censored. Sites that are related to business or financial institutions are typically not blocked.
As of 2020, there were 203.67 million people paying for a Netflix subscription. Of those people, over 73 million are located in the United States. Unavailable (China,, Crimea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.)
Social media blocked in China
The “Great Firewall” is the term used to describe China's strict internet regulations. This includes restrictions on foreign websites and apps. Here are some of the major social media blocked in China: Facebook.
China's restrictive government blocks access to tons of websites and online services, and Instagram is one of its victims. If you're traveling to the country or just looking to explore Instagram from China, you need a VPN.
On 3 November 2014, Swift removed her discography from Spotify. Swift had previously delayed the streaming of her 2012 album Red. Swift stated: "I'm not willing to contribute my life's work to an experiment that I don't feel fairly compensates the writers, producers, artists, and creators of this music.
In July 2024, OpenAI took the unexpected step of officially restricting access to ChatGPT and its other services in Hong Kong. The announcement aligned Hong Kong with mainland China, where OpenAI tools have never been available, but came as a surprise to many in the city.