China trip guide

How do you stay connected to work on a business trip to China?

Start with your company’s IT team, because many companies have their own VPN and rules for China trips. Gmail, Google Docs and Drive are blocked on Chinese networks, and Microsoft says its services can be slow from China, so set up your work apps at home. For local contacts, plan on WeChat.

Updated 4 Nov 2026

Google WorkspaceBlocked
Microsoft 365Can be slow
Teams callsA better route
SlackInstall at home
WeChatFor local contacts

Fig. 01

Your work apps from a hotel in China, at a glance. Ask your IT team first: many companies have their own VPN and rules.

Ask your IT team first

Many companies have a plan for staff in China. Microsoft describes companies that send their China users’ traffic through a company VPN and private network links, to avoid the congested links out of China. Some organisations also lend laptops for travel abroad.

So ask before you go:

Does the company VPN work from China?
Is there a travel laptop?
Are you allowed to add your own VPN to a work laptop?

Fig. 02

Three questions for your IT team before you go.

Your work apps in China

Google Workspace
Gmail, Docs and Drive are blocked in mainland China. You need a way past the block.
Microsoft 365
Microsoft says the links between China and the rest of the internet are congested, which hurts large files and calls. From a hotel, without a company connection, it can be slow. Microsoft suggests the desktop apps, such as Outlook, Teams and OneDrive, over the web versions, because they keep a copy of your work.
Teams calls
Microsoft has set up a better route with Chinese telecoms for Teams calls and meetings over the local internet. Chat and files don’t get it. If your company has audio conferencing, you can also dial in to a meeting by phone.
Slack
Its apps were taken out of app stores in mainland China in March 2024. Apps you already have keep working, so install and update Slack at home.

Fig. 03

How each work app behaves from a hotel in China. Simplified.

Your devices and data

Canada’s travel advice says authorities in China may review what’s stored on your devices, and that communications may be monitored at any time. MIT advises its travellers to take the least data on the fewest devices they can, and lends laptops for trips abroad. Check what your company expects.

Trade fairs such as the Canton Fair

Suppliers and partners in China use WeChat, so set it up at home, where sign-up is easier. For the April 2026 Canton Fair in Guangzhou, the city ran a service area for the fair in the “OneStop” WeChat mini program, with a section for international visitors on transport, payment and daily services.

15,000+shops accept international bank cards

Nearly 400metro stations let you tap in with one

OneStopthe WeChat mini program with the fair’s services, April 2026

Fig. 04

The city said this for the April 2026 Canton Fair in Guangzhou. Bring a card that works abroad as a backup to mobile payment.

Where Tunnelz fits

Tunnelz is for your own Mac. It sets up your own server, not shared with thousands, and the Smart route sends Chinese sites direct, so WeChat and local sites stay fast. If your server is ever blocked, Replace Server can set up a new one in minutes, as long as the app can reach Vultr. In China that may take eSIM data or another network (how). If your company has its own VPN or rules for China, follow those first.

Your own Mac
Tunnelz sets up your own server, not shared with thousands.
WeChat and local sites
Go direct with the Smart route, so they stay fast.

Fig. 05

Simplified. No route is promised to stay open. If your company has its own VPN or rules for China, follow those first.

Only have a phone? A roaming eSIM usually covers this today; Tunnelz for iPhone is coming.

On a Mac: a 10-day Trip Pass, not a yearly plan.

$29.99 + tax, one payment, nothing to cancel. Your own server, not shared with thousands.

Download Tunnelz for Mac

Tunnelz for Mac needs Apple silicon and macOS 14 or later. iPhone and iPad are coming to the App Store: get notified. Android and Windows: join the Android waitlist or the Windows waitlist.

Monthly $34.99 + tax and Yearly $199.99 + tax start with 3 days free. Every plan covers 2 devices and has a 30-day refund. Your server is billed to you by Vultr, about $5 a month.

Questions

Can I use my company VPN in China?

Ask your IT team. Some companies send China users’ traffic through a company VPN and private links, but whether yours works from China, and how, depends on your company’s setup.

Does Microsoft Teams work in China?

Microsoft says Teams calls and meetings from China can use a better route it set up with Chinese telecoms. Chat, files and other Microsoft 365 services don’t get that route, so they can be slow, and the desktop apps cope better than the web versions.

Can I download Slack in China?

Don’t count on it. Slack’s apps were taken out of app stores in mainland China in March 2024, though apps you already have keep working. Install and update Slack before you fly.

What do I need for the Canton Fair?

WeChat, set up at home, because suppliers use it. The fair’s services for international visitors were in the “OneStop” WeChat mini program in April 2026, and a card that works abroad helps as a backup.

Should I take my work laptop to China?

Ask your company first. Canada’s travel advice says authorities in China may review what’s on your devices. Some organisations, such as MIT, lend travel laptops and advise taking as little data as you can.