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Does Telegram work in China?

GreatFire marks api.telegram.org blocked on the mainland. Set up WeChat at home with a number that receives SMS.

Short answer

No.

GreatFire: api.telegram.org from mainland China is blocked — 100% of the last 4 conclusive tests failed. Chats use that host.

Wikipedia: access was reported blocked in July 2015. GreatFire’s probes are mainland China; Hong Kong and Macau are not that set.

GreatFire · api.telegram.org in mainland ChinaLast checked 29 Aug 2026
At a glance
Telegram chats on a mainland networkNo
telegram.me linksNo
Compare

How the options compare

OptionStatusWhat to do
Hotel or café Wi-FiNoA mainland hotel or café network is the same reachability set GreatFire measures.
WeChat signed up at homeYesNew account — it does not open Telegram chats, channels, or Saved Messages.

Hotel or café Wi-Fi

Status
No
What to do
A mainland hotel or café network is the same reachability set GreatFire measures.

WeChat signed up at home

Status
Yes
What to do
New account — it does not open Telegram chats, channels, or Saved Messages.
Sources for this comparison

Hotel or café Wi-Fi: GreatFire — Is https://api.telegram.org blocked in mainland China?

WeChat signed up at home: Which countries does WeChat support for registering or linking by mobile number? · How do I sign up for WeChat and assistance registration?

Steps

Before you fly

1
On home Wi-Fi, install official WeChat and sign up with your number

Search WeChat in the App Store or Google Play and install only the green icon. Sign Up → Sign up with mobile → your country code → number → SMS code → password.

Start WeChat with a home number
View sources (1)
2
If an assistance QR appears, do not scan your friend’s My QR Code

Some new accounts ask a nearby existing user to scan the on-screen QR. Official alternatives are Verify via Payment Card or Verify and Activate Weixin Pay. The assistance QR is a different screen from My QR Code.

View sources (1)
3
Send your WeChat ID to the people you need to reach

Do this before you fly. Telegram groups, channels, and Saved Messages will not appear in WeChat.

Pitfalls

What travelers get wrong

Pitfalls 1

Treating an open Telegram icon as working chats

The assumption was “the app opened, so messages will send.” The app can stay installed. GreatFire marks api.telegram.org blocked — that is the host chats use.

View sources (1)
Fix before you fly

Plan WeChat for people you must reach. An open icon is not a sent message.

Pitfalls 2

Treating WeChat as your Telegram groups

A WeChat account is not a Telegram login.

The assumption was “WeChat is chat, so my Telegram channels will be there.” They will not. New account, new contacts.

Fix before you fly

Add the people you need on WeChat before you fly. Channels stay in Telegram.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When was Telegram blocked in mainland China?

Wikipedia: access was reported blocked in July 2015. GreatFire has run telegram.me tests from mainland China since 22 January 2015, and has recorded interference with api.telegram.org since 19 August 2019.

Does Telegram work in Hong Kong or Macau?

GreatFire’s probes are mainland China. Hong Kong and Macau reach the internet differently from those probes. Wikipedia’s Hong Kong section is 2019 protest use and later talk of blocking — not a tourist Yes.

Sources6 officialLast checked 29 Aug 2026

Sources for this page's claims

Official references

Updated:

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