Does ChatGPT work in China?
ChatGPT in China: did not load in 47 of 48 OONI tests from China, 8 September to 8 October 2026.
Short answer (8 October 2026): Not on a local Chinese network. ChatGPT's website did not load from China in 47 of 48 OONI tests (8 September 2026 to 8 October 2026). A small sample can mislead, and a website test is not an app test.
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What the data says
| Service | Result | Loaded / tests |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT (chatgpt.com) | Did not load | 1 / 48 |
| Claude (claude.ai) | Loaded | 40 / 42 |
| Gemini (gemini.google.com) | Did not load | 0 / 46 |
| Google Search (www.google.com) | Did not load | 0 / 42 |
An anomaly signals possible blocking, not proof. A website test does not show whether the app or an account works. Method and all services: What works in China.
The same OONI run tested other AI sites. The table shows how they compare with ChatGPT in the same period. A website that loads does not prove the product works for you, so check the sign-in and the app before you rely on it.
What to do
- Install ChatGPT and sign in before you fly.
- Use an eSIM that routes data outside China, and turn hotel Wi-Fi off. Compare options in best eSIM for China.
- For a laptop on Wi-Fi, see internet in China for tourists and VPN for China.
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Other apps: Instagram, Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Zoom, Facebook, Telegram, X (Twitter), TikTok (international), WhatsApp.