Computers with internet access are available in almost all larger international hotels. As of 2025, internet cafés have mostly disappeared in favor of free Wi-Fi, which is now standard in hotels, cafés and restaurants across Chinese cities. Note that China's Great Firewall blocks many foreign sites and apps (including Google, Gmail, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp), so travelers who need them should install a VPN before arriving, since VPN provider websites are themselves often blocked once inside China.
Just ask at your hotel for the nearest internet café.
Foreigners staying longer for study or work and renting their own apartment may find it worth getting their own internet connection. Fiber-optic broadband has long since replaced ADSL as the standard home internet technology in China, with providers such as China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile offering high-speed fiber plans.
