City in Guangdong, China
Internet in Guangzhou: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Guangzhou?
Median fixed broadband in China is 238 Mbps and mobile is 176 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Fast wifi in cafés and hotels; some logins need a Chinese number. Foreign sites need a VPN or roaming eSIM.
Getting online in Guangzhou
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from China Telecom, Unicom and Mobile is standard; about 100–200 CNY a month for 500 Mbps–1 Gbps. |
| Cafés and coworking | Fast wifi in cafés and hotels; some logins need a Chinese number. Foreign sites need a VPN or roaming eSIM. |
| Tourist SIM | Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom |
| Monthly data plan | ¥50–120 ($7.4–17.9) |
| Blocked services | Google (Search, Gmail, Maps), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, ChatGPT and many foreign news sites are blocked. VPNs are unauthorized but widely used; install one before arrival. Roaming SIMs and travel eSIMs usually bypass the blocks. |
Coworking in Guangzhou
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in East Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 362 Mbps | 89 Mbps |
| Macau | 322 Mbps | — |
| Taiwan | 298 Mbps | 111 Mbps |
| South Korea | 251 Mbps | 251 Mbps |
| China | 238 Mbps | 176 Mbps |
| Japan | 234 Mbps | 66 Mbps |
| Mongolia | 86 Mbps | — |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Guangzhou?
Median fixed broadband in China is 238 Mbps and mobile is 176 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Fast wifi in cafés and hotels; some logins need a Chinese number. Foreign sites need a VPN or roaming eSIM.
Which SIM card should I get in Guangzhou?
Airport counters sell local SIMs with passport registration; a roaming SIM or travel eSIM bought abroad is simpler and avoids blocked sites.
Can I use an eSIM in China?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Guangzhou
Going to Guangzhou solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Guangzhou meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: China
- China Mobile
- China Unicom
- China Telecom
- Guangzhou Metro
- National Immigration Administration
- China Railway 12306
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.