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Does YouTube work in China?
Part of the blocked Google suite — what to download beforehand and what restores full access.
No — YouTube is part of the Google suite widely reported as blocked in mainland China
YouTube relies on the same Google infrastructure widely reported as blocked since 2010–2014, so the app or site won't load without a workaround. Downloading videos offline before you fly, or using a VPN/foreign eSIM with international routing, are the practical options for travelers.
The details
YouTube is a Google product and depends on the same authentication and data infrastructure as Search, Gmail, and Drive — all widely reported as blocked in mainland China. See our full Google guide for the background.
YouTube's own offline-download feature (Premium) works the same everywhere once videos are saved to your device — download what you'll want to watch before you leave home.
A VPN that connects successfully, or a foreign eSIM plan with international-gateway routing, generally restores full YouTube access, including live streams and comments.
Bilibili and Douyin (China's TikTok) are the closest local video platforms, though they're separate ecosystems with different content, not a way to access your own YouTube subscriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Related YouChina guides
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- Nomad — China eSIM (nomadesim.com)— Nomad· Reviewed 2026-05-30
- Airalo — China eSIM plans (official page)— Airalo (Airgsm Pte. Ltd.)· Reviewed 2026-07-10
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