In China, a massive amount of technology, including Pokémon Go, is subject to censorship. Although the game was developed in Japan and the United States, it has not been approved by the Chinese government and has been banned permanently. However, this article will explain how you can still play Pokémon Go in China despite the restrictions.
The ban on Pokémon Go in China is due to the government’s concern about safety hazards. They believe that the game may pose a threat to traffic and personal safety and therefore, to prevent users from exploring dangerous areas like military zones, the game has been banned. This is in response to incidents of stampedes, car accidents, and falls that have occurred in other countries due to users being distracted by the game. Additionally, Pokémon Go utilizes Google Maps, which is also banned in China.
How to Play Pokémon Go in China?
You can use a VPN to bypass the restriction in China and access Pokémon Go. VPN is a tool for protecting people’s internet traffic and keeping their identities private online. Your internet traffic will go through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see when you connect to a secure VPN server.
This is my way to access Pokémon Go and I guess it’s probably the easiest way. Here are 3 steps.
Step 1: Choose the right VPN
The very first step for you is to find a VPN that can work in China. For this first step, a few things you need to be careful of.
- With so many excellent VPN providers available, not all of them are effective in China. Due to the growing strength of the Great Firewall in China, it’s becoming more difficult for VPN providers to bypass it, making it important to conduct research to find the best option.
- It’s essential to have your VPN app and account set up prior to traveling to China, as it’s not possible to download a VPN app once you’re in the country. Attempting to download the file directly from the provider’s website is also not possible as access to the website will be blocked.
- Before traveling, it’s wise to choose the appropriate VPN plan that suits your needs. I recommend opting for a yearly plan or even a multi-year plan if possible, as you wouldn’t want to be stuck without access to a VPN due to a forgotten renewal. However, the length of your stay in China will ultimately determine the best plan for you.
Step 2: Turn on your VPN
After you’ve signed up for a VPN account and purchased a plan, you’re free to use your VPN! There are 2 crucial settings you need to know.
- Choose the right server: Normally, a VPN will provide users with 100+ servers from different countries. Because the network speed could be different by region, you need to test a bit to see which countries’ servers could give you the best network speed.
- Choose the right protocol: VPN protocols are sets of programs and processes that determine how that tunnel is actually formed. There will be a few protocol options for you to choose from in a VPN app.
Step 3: Download Pokémon Go and enjoy it
Once you have access to the internet on your phone or PC, you’re connected to a VPN, which should enable you to log onto Pokémon Go without any problems. Well, It’s surely common to experience some interruptions with your connection, so I suggest you test out the best VPN servers for yourself.
If you’re still having trouble accessing Pokémon Go or other blocked websites, you should contact your VPN’s customer support team for further assistance.
Best VPN for unblocking Pokémon Go in China
I’m recommending NordVPN for anyone in China looking for a fast, secure, and reliable VPN. With a solid overall score of 8.8/10, NordVPN makes sure your internet experience is smooth even with online restrictions.
NordVPN’s performance is impressive, you can stream, work, and browse with little to no slowdowns. Using advanced protocols like NordLynx (based on WireGuard), NordVPN keeps your connection fast and secure.
What sets NordVPN apart is its huge network of over 7,200 servers in 118 countries. This makes it easy to unblock websites and streaming services, which is especially important for users in China who need to bypass restrictions.
The best part? NordVPN offers affordable pricing, starting at just $4 per month (or $60 for the first year). Plus, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it risk-free.
(NordVPN 1 year deal with 58% off for $5.00/mo)
Here’s a quick look at why NordVPN is a great choice:
| Key Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.8/10 |
| Introductory Pricing | $4 per month / $60 for the first year |
| Average Speed Loss | Only 3% drop in download speeds (2025 tests) |
| Global Servers | 7,200+ servers |
| Countries Covered | 118 countries |
| Jurisdiction | Panama |
| Advanced Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, NordWhisper |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
If you want a fast and private VPN with easy access to global content, NordVPN is a great choice. Start using it today for a better, safer online experience and don’t miss NordVPN 1 year deal with 58% off for $5.00/mo!
Why did China ban Pokémon Go?
China banned Pokémon Go due to concerns about potential safety hazards that could pose a threat to traffic and personal safety. The authorities believed that the game could distract users and cause problems like stampedes, car accidents, and falls, as had happened in other countries. Additionally, the game uses Google Maps, which has always been banned in China, further contributing to the decision to ban the game.
An alternative way to play Pokémon Go in China
Adventure Sync is a feature in Pokémon Go that links to either the Apple Health service on iPhone or Google Fit on Android. Once activated, this transforms your mobile device into a pedometer, tracking the number of steps taken and the distance traveled, which then syncs with the Pokémon Go app and adds to your game file. There is no limit to the number of walks Adventure Sync can keep track of, so even if you don’t play Pokémon Go for a month, all your steps will still be imported into your game when you resume playing.
Some of the benefits of Adventure Sync include:
- Easier hatching of Pokémon Eggs: Pokémon Go Eggs can only hatch by walking a certain distance, such as 5 km or 10 km. With Adventure Sync, egg hatching becomes much quicker due to the logged extra steps.
- Earn more Pokémon Candy: By adding a Pokémon as a companion and walking with it, you can earn its specific candy type, which can be used to evolve it or other Pokémon in its evolution chain. The more you walk, the more candy you’ll earn.
- Easier completion of missions: Some field research missions require you to walk a certain distance with a specific Pokémon. Adventure Sync makes these missions much faster and easier to complete.
Where is Pokémon Go still unavailable?
| Country/Region | Status |
| South Africa | Unofficially available |
| Turkey | Unofficially available |
| Qatar | Unofficially available |
| Saudi Arabia | Unofficially available |
| Israel | Unofficially available |
| Russia | Unofficially available |
| Egypt | Unofficially available |
| Belarus | Unofficially available |
| Ukraine | Unofficially available |
| Pakistan | Unofficially available |
| Macedonia | Unofficially available |
| Morocco | Unofficially available |
| India | Unofficially available, Southern/Eastern states geolocked |
| South Korea | Geolocked, Sokcho is unofficially available |
| China | Geoblocked, Northeast provinces only authentication locked |
| Sri Lanka | Geoblocked |
| Maldives | Geoblocked |
| Nepal | Geoblocked |
| Bangladesh | Geoblocked |
| North Korea | Unofficially available but illegal |
FAQ: About Pokémon Go in China
It shouldn’t, as long as you connect to a VPN before changing your device’s GPS location and starting the Pokémon Go app.
Since 2017, Pokémon Go has been banned in China due to its gameplay mechanics. The game is based on augmented reality and requires players to travel to real-world locations in order to catch virtual Pokémon. Regulators considered this to be a significant safety risk and deemed it “a big social risk” due to the potential threat it posed to pedestrians and road safety.
Pokémon Go is available and allowed in Hong Kong. There are no restrictions on the game in Hong Kong and players are able to download and play the game without any issues. However, it’s always advisable to check the most up-to-date information as regulations can change over time.
