Internet & WiFi

The internet is readily accessible throughout China, with the country boasting the largest cyber citizen population in the world by 2008. As of the end of 2014, there were over 630 million internet users in China. Travelers need not fret about internet connectivity while on the go, as there are numerous internet cafes in every city where they can access the web. Additionally, the rapid expansion of WiFi coverage in China means that travelers can easily find free WiFi in many locations. Tablets and cellphones have become increasingly popular tools for staying connected while traveling.

WiFi in China

Currently, WiFi has become extremely popular in China, with people increasingly relying on it for wireless internet access. By the end of 2014, there were approximately 6.5 million public WiFi hotspots throughout the country, with around 2 million of these being government-owned.

WiFi in Hotels and Other Public Places

In China, the majority of hotels offer Internet access for travelers. While it is common for luxury hotels to provide free WiFi, not all hotels offer this service without charge. Some hotels may require a fee for WiFi usage, so it is important to verify this information when making a reservation.

As Chinese people increasingly rely on free WiFi for communication through social media and to avoid high network traffic costs, many small hotels and hostels now offer complimentary WiFi to meet the needs of their guests. This is a trend that is becoming more prevalent in the hospitality industry.

Similarly, public places such as shopping malls, cafes, restaurants, and tea houses in China also provide WiFi for customer convenience. However, access to WiFi in these locations may require a code, which can be obtained from the service staff. This ensures that customers can enjoy seamless connectivity while on the go.

Attention: Please be aware that WiFi in small hotels or other public places may be slow and unstable due to high usage. We recommend being prepared for this potential situation.

Free Government WiFi Hotspots

The Chinese government has been actively involved in the construction of free public WiFi networks. Since 2011, several cities in China have implemented policies to provide free public WiFi, including Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Guangzhou. These public WiFi hotspots are primarily located in tourist attractions, government buildings, major commercial districts, public parks, hospitals, and public infrastructure such as bus stops and subways. In the near future, it is anticipated that more cities will join this initiative.

Notice:

To access the free government WiFi, travelers must first register with a Chinese cellphone number, which requires purchasing a Chinese SIM card.

Currently, WiFi on trains in China is not widely available, with the exception of the T809 route from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. However, even on this route, WiFi signal can be unstable when the train reaches speeds of 200km/h. Despite this, China Railway is now embracing the “WiFi Era”, and i

Tips for Troubleshooting on China WiFi Connections

If you are having trouble locating nearby WiFi on your screen, try moving your cellphone closer to the router or hotspot. When using a personal WiFi, ensure that the WiFi router is connected to power and turned on. If the WiFi is set as “closed” or “private”, it will not broadcast the network name to WiFi devices. To connect to a “closed” or “private” network, go to Settings > WiFi > Other and enter the WiFi network name, security, and password. If the signal is weak or intermittent after connecting to the network, try moving closer to the router or hotspot and check for any obstructions blocking the signal.

Sometimes, even when connected, you may still be unable to access the Internet. In this case, you can configure network settings such as DNS, IP address, and Search Domain settings. You can reset the settings, including the password for the WiFi network, by selecting “Forget this Network” and then using “Renew Lease” to obtain new information from the WiFi network.

If you are still unable to join the WiFi or access the Internet after trying the above steps, you can try the following: (1) Restart your device; (2) Reset the network settings; (3) If issues persist, consider turning off WiFi and using your cellular data connection.