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The List of Blocked Websites in China

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The list of blocked websites in China

¿Do you want to access any website in China without restrictions? Click here and check out the comparison of the top VPNs that really work in China

Latest important information

VPNs continue to provide access to websites blocked in China

Despite the rumors, VPNs continue to be the best way to get around the Great Firewall of China. Nonetheless, due to an intense campaign during the second half of 2017, many VPNs have stopped working or their services have been affected substantially.

In this article, which we update monthly, you will be able to see which VPNs continue to work in China.

Zoom is blocked in China

Since the beginning of September 2019 Zoom services are inaccessible by users in China. It’s still soon to know if this block is provisional, as a response to the recent commercial tensions, or it will be permanent as many other similar western services. You can follow the blocking status here.

Currently, WhatsApp does not work in China

Since September 2017, WhatsApp has been almost completely blocked in China. Currently, without using a VPN, you can’t send or receive voice messages, videos, images or any other types of files.

Text messages are sometimes capable of getting around the restrictions, but they can arrive hours late.

Skype continues to work in China

In December 2017, the Skype app disappeared from the App Store and other app markets in China. Even so, Skype has never stopped working in China.

VPN apps for Apple are not blocked in China

The apps have not been blocked. Even so, the App Store has blocked downloading these apps for users who are located in China, which means that you will not be able to download the apps or update them unless you have a VPN active on your phone (manually configured or by downloading the app in advance).´

Google maps is still blocked in China
Recent news pointed to the possibility that China may release the block to Google Maps for users in Mainland. However, at the present moment, Google Maps is unavailable in China without a VPN.


You probably already know that sites such as Facebook, Youtube or Google.com are blocked in China and that the only way to access them is with a VPN.

But what about the other hundreds of web sites that we normally use?

Are we sure that they’ll work in China?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is if a certain website or app, such as Dropbox Google Play, is blocked in China.

In this article we’ll list all web sites, which at the moment, don’t work beyond the Great Firewall of China, or the system developed by the Ministry of Public Security, (MPS) to control access to websites considered “dangerous” for Chinese citizens.

Which websites are blocked in China?

Here’s a list of the most popular websites which, at the moment, are blocked in China:

Social

Apps

Search Engines

  • Google (both Google.com and the majority of local versions like Google.com.hk, Google.fr, etcetera)
  • Ask.com
  • Duck Duck Go
  • Yahoo
  • Various foreign versions of Baidu

Video Sharing

Media

  • The New York Times
  • Finacial Times
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • The Economist
  • Bloomberg
  • Reuters
  • the Washington Post
  • South China Morning Post
  • The Independent
  • Daily Mail
  • LeMonde
  • L’Equipe
  • Google News
  • many pages of Wikipedia
  • Wikileaks

Streaming Platforms

  • Netflix (no service, website accessible)
  • Amazon Prime Video
  • Hulu (no service, website accessible)
  • Twitch
  • BBC iPlayer
  • Spotify
  • SoundCloud
  • Pandora Radio
  • Some local versions of HBO, Fox and Syfy
  • NBC
  • Playstation

Email providers and Work Tools

  • Gmail
  • Google Drive
  • Google Docs
  • Google Calendar
  • Generally all Google services
  • Zoom
  • Dropbox
  • ShutterStock
  • Slideshare
  • Slack
  • iStockPhotos
  • WayBackMachine
  • Scribd
  • Xing
  • Android
  • Most of VPN websites

Porn

Porn sites are almost all blocked; I don’t know of any exceptions.

Websites and apps that AREN’T blocked in China

Below is a non-exhaustive list of websites and apps that are popular in the West that haven’t yet been blocked in China:

Calls and Video Calls

  • FaceTime
  • Skype (not very reliable)

Social

  • Linkedin
  • WeChat
  • Douyin

Instant Messaging

  • iMessage
  • WeChat

Streaming Platforms

  • HBO Asia (sometimes it has been blocked temporarily)
  • Vevo

Search Engines

  • Bing
  • Baidu
  • Yandex

Email providers and Work Tools

  • Yahoo mail
  • Hotmail
  • WeTransfer

What can you tell me about Chinese sites?

Chinese sites, in general, all work and moreover are extremely fast. Note that, if you’re using a VPN, some Chinese sites will not work correctly (for example many of the videos on Youku won’t be available). This is caused by the fact that some sites work only in China and, by turning on a VPN, you are “masking” your Chinese IP address with that of another country.

And if the site I’m interested in isn’t on this list?

The list published in this article is not exhaustive and bear in mind that the situation is constantly changing – a site that’s blocked today could work tomorrow – as well as just the opposite – a site that works today could stop working within twenty minutes.

To verify if a given website is blocked just insert the URL in Comparitech or the Greatfire Analyzer.

In addition, there are sites that are partially blocked (on Wikipedia, for example, some pages work perfectly while others don’t work at all), sites that go on and off and sites that despite not being blocked, are so slow that in a practical sense they’re unusable. The classic example is making video-calls on Skype: the connection is often so slow that you’ll want to skip the call.

Is there a solution or do I have to resign myself?

The only solution is to subscribe to a VPN service (here you’ll find the services we currently recommend).

Note however that, especially after 8 PM (Beijing time) sites hosted by servers outside of China (basically all Western sites), are often so slow as to be unusable. I’m not sure as to the reason why, but my theory is that this is the hour in which traffic between China and the West reaches its height (since it’s morning in America afternoon in Europe).

As a result, the data lines are maxed out and say goodbye to your connection! I don’t even know if the problem is a result of the Great Firewall or, more simply, a physical limit between China and the rest of the planet.

Is it legal to use a VPN?

Disclaimer: here at SDC we are not qualified to give any legal advice; therefore if you choose to use a VPN you are doing so at your own risk.

That said, our interpretation is that using a VPN (an acronym for Virtual Private Network) is not an illegal act in and of itself since it has to do with a technology developed to extend the benefits of private networks even to connections that travel on the Internet (or on a public network).

The VPN is, therefore, software designed to improve the security of your connection (click here to learn the technical details). In effect, many universities and – I presume – Chinese government offices use a VPN system to isolate their internal network from the public.

So the problem isn’t so much the use of a VPN, as much as the fact that you’re accessing sites that aren’t permitted in China. Is that a crime? The reality is that we have no idea and therefore can’t offer any advice.

On a practical level, our opinion is that the Chinese couldn’t care less if you use a VPN to log on to your Facebook profile or your Dropbox.

Of course, if you intend to use the Internet fraudulently, VPN or not, be aware that you’re taking a risk both in China and abroad.

Is it true that all VPN access was blocked in February 2018?

This information, published by Bloomberg and originating from an unknown source, was quite doubtful at the time and was quickly debunked by the Chinese Ministry of Industry.

It’s true that China started a campaign to limit VPN use in 2017, which reached its peak in 2018, but it was mainly focused on companies with headquarters in China, such as GreenVPN. Despite one-time attacks, this campaign was not extended to all VPNs, probably for two main reasons: technically speaking, it’s difficult to be able to block access to the global network, and because this could severely affect the Chinese economy (many small businesses and individuals depend on this type of service for their business activities).

In 2017 and the beginning of 2018, many VPNs stopped working or their performance was seriously affected. However, some well-known VPN services (such as those we recommend in this article) continue to work well, and it is unlikely that they will stop working. In fact, these types of campaigns have been common over the years, especially around important political or social events (the Olympic Games, party congresses, etc.).

Other frequently-asked questions

What social media are blocked in China?
The majority of Western social networks are blocked in China, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and many others.

In China, there are multiple local social networks, and the most popular one is currently WeChat.

Is WhatsApp blocked in China?
Since September 2017 WhatsApp has been almost completely blocked in China. While sending voice messages, images or making video calls is only possible using a system like a VPN, text messages sometimes are able to get through the blockage.

Other instant messaging apps like FB Messenger, Line, Telegram, or Viber are also blocked in China. The only exceptions are the Chinese apps WeChat or Weixin.

Is Skype blocked in China?
Currently, Skype continues to work in China, although often the quality of voice and video calls is quite poor, and these calls may be monitored by third parties. A VPN can help you to improve the quality of Skype’s services and avoid being spied on. In addition, the Skype app cannot be downloaded in China unless you have a VPN.
Is Instagram blocked in China?
The majority of Western social networks such as Instagram are blocked in China, which means that if you want to continue to post your photos on Instagram or see the updates of the people you are following, your only option is to use a VPN or similar service.
Are iTunes and the App Store blocked in China?
Although iTunes and the App Store are not blocked in China, a large amount of their content is filtered and therefore not available. In addition, every once in a while, they stop working for an indefinite period of time, which is very annoying if you don’t have a system to get around blocking.
How can I access Google in China?
a href=”https://www.saporedicina.com/english/unblock-google-china/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener noreferrer”>Google and all of its services (Gmail, Google Play and Google+) are blocked in China, and you won’t be able to access them unless you have some way to get around the Great Firewall. Currently, VPNs continue to be the best solution.
Are Yahoo and Yahoo email blocked in China?

While Yahoo’s website and Yahoo Mail are still accessible, Yahoo’s search engine (search.yahoo.com) has not been accessible in China since September 2018.

Is Pinterest blocked in China?
As of March 2017, like with other social networks, Pinterest is not accessible in China unless you use a system to get around the Great Firewall of China, such as a VPN.
Is LinkedIn banned in China?
For the time being, LinkedIn is not blocked in China and tends to work without too many problems. Nonetheless, keep in mind that websites hosted outside of China normally load slowly.
Is Snapchat allowed in China?
Just like other social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram, Snapchat is blocked in China. Therefore, if you want to use Snapchat during your stay in China, you will have to have a VPN service to be able to use it.
Is Dropbox blocked in China? Why?
Yes. Currently, Dropbox can’t be accessed in China without a VPN. If you have Dropbox installed on your computer, synchronization won’t work either until you connect your VPN.

The reason for the blocking is probably a business reason so that preference is given to local cloud storage systems.

Can I use Facetime in China?
Facetime can be used in China without problems. Even so, just like what happens with Skype over certain connections, its performance is far from optimal.
Does Viber work in China?
Since 2014, Viber, like many other similar services, is blocked in China. Therefore, your only option to access the services of Viber without restrictions during your stay in China is to acquire a service that allows you to get around blocking, such as the VPNs.
Is Quora blocked in China?
Since August 2018, Quora has been inaccessible from China without using a system to get around the Great Firewall, such as a VPN.

Not all other similar question-answer services are blocked in China. While Yahoo Answers and Stack Exchange are still accessible, AskReddit and Answers.com are blocked.

Is my website blocked in China?
Many websites are blocked daily by the Great Firewall. To find out if your website is being blocked for users connecting from China,you can check out this website. You also have to remember that if you have a blog on the free services WordPress or Blogspot, your blog won’t be accessible in China.
Why my website is blocked in China and what to do?
The Great Firewall blocks websites that may contain sensitive content. The problem is that the blocking is carried out on the IP address level, and sometimes websites that shouldn’t be blocked due to their content are blocked due to the content of the sites with which they share a server. If your website has been blocked for this reason, the best solution is for you to get a dedicated IP address from your hosting provider.
What are the alternatives to Facebook in China?
In China, the alternative most similar to Facebook is Renren.com (人人 网). Nonetheless, over the past years, this website has progressively lost its popularity, and currently very few people use it. Currently, the app-within-an-app model called WeChat is much more popular, and in addition to other services, it offers a mobile platform that is very similar to Facebook.
What are the alternatives to Twitter in China?
The microblogging platform similar to Twitter in China is Weibo.com (微博). Nonetheless, as has happened with other “social networks,” Weibo has lost a lot of popularity over the past years due to the appearance of Wechat.
What are the alternatives to Youtube in China?
In China, there are multiple alternatives to YouTube, with the most popular ones being Tudou, Youku, Tencent video and iQIYI. In any event, all of these platforms are grouped on Baidu video (百度视频).
What are the alternatives to Instagram in China?
There are multiple photo sharing websites and apps in China, but for the time being, none of them have become very popular. One of the most popular is Nice, but for the moment, it only has 12 million active users, which is far below WeChat’s 500 million users.
What search engine to use in china?
In China, the most used search engine without doubt is baidu.com (百度). Even so, other search engines such as Yahoo or Bing can be used, although the results will be filtered through the Great Firewall. Unless you want to look up websites in Chinese, for which Baidu is a good option, using a VPN will be the only way to really find what you are looking for (without filters or restrictions).

Best VPNs for China

    • Features
    • Main Advantage
    • Money Back Guarantee
    • Monthly Plan
    • Yearly Plan
    • Support
    • Server Count
    • Countries with Servers
    • Payment Methods
    • Desktop Apps
    • Browser Extension
    • Mobile Apps
    • Simultaneous
      Connections
    • Encryption Protocols
    • VPN Location’s
      Switchings
    • expressvpn
    • Fastest and Easiest to Use
    • 30 days
    • 12.95 USD
    • 6.67 USD/month
      (exclusive offer:
      3 months free)
    • 24/7/365
      (Best service in our
      experience)
    • 1.700+
    • 94
    • Credit Card, Paypal,
      Bitcoin, Alipay, Union
      Pay and others
    • Windows, Mac, Linux
    • Chrome, Firefox, Safari
    • Android, iOS, Windows
      Phone
    • Yes (until 5)
    • OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec,
      SSTP, PPTP
    • Unlimited
    • Try ExpressVPN arrow
    • vyprvpn
    • Most Secure
      (Premium version)
    • 30 days
    • 12.95 USD
    • 5 USD/month
    • 24/7/365
    • 700+
    • 64
    • Credit Card, Paypal
      and Alipay
    • Windows, Mac
    • No
    • Android, iOS, Windows
      Phone, Blackphone
    • Yes (until 5)
    • PPTP, OpenVPN™,
      L2TP/IPsec, Chameleon™
    • Unlimited
    • Try VyprVPN arrow
    • nordvpn
    • Dedicated IPs
    • 30 days
    • 11.95 USD
    • 6.99 USD/month
    • 24/7/365
    • 1.432
    • 61
    • Credit Card, Paypal,
      Bitcoin, Alipay
    • Windows, Mac
    • Chrome
    • Android, iOS, Windows
      Phone
    • Yes (until 6)
    • OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
    • Unlimited
    • Try NordVPN arrow
    • vpnarea
    • Cheapest
      (among the best)
    • 7 days
    • 9.90 USD
    • 4.92 USD/month
    • 24/7/365
    • 200+
    • 70
    • Credit Card, Paypal,
      Bitcoin
    • Windows, Mac
    • Chrome, Firefox
    • Android, iOS,
      Windows Phone
    • Yes (until 6)
    • OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec
    • Unlimited
    • Try VPNArea arrow
    • WHAT’S THE BEST?
    • It depends on your needs!
    • expressvpn
    • vpnarea
    • vpnarea
    • expressvpn
    • expressvpn
    • expressvpn
    • expressvpn
    • expressvpn
    • expressvpn
    • vyprvpn
    • vyprvpn

   

Click here to read more about the VPNs we recommend at the moment!

[Photo Credits (Creative Commons CC0): Pixabay.com]