Internet access in China is the colossal problem and getting a decent connection is one of the key issues, which expats constantly face. One of the most common questions foreigners ask is: how do I stay connected with family and friends outside China? Let us explain to you how to bypass the government censorship, and jump over the great firewall.
How to bypass the censorship of the Great Firewall in China?
First and foremost, the Internet in China is censored. This censorship, known as the Great Firewall, makes it impossible to connect to a wide range of international sites. All the websites such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix will not work in China without a VPN . Test here whether your favorite website is blocked in China.
Also, a list of websites blocked in China can be found here.
Hence, in order to be able to chat with your friends on Facebook, or watch a video on YouTube, you will have to get a VPN on your device. VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tunnel between two or more devices, that protects your privacy from private and public networks, like Internet or Wi-Fi hotspots. In other words, all data you send and receive is encrypted and secured. A reliable VPN connection is essential whether you want to access social networking channels, blogs, or other websites, which are temporary or commonly blocked by China’s Great Firewall. Let’s have a look at different options of VPN providers.
What VPN do i need?
Important to mention, that before buying any VPN package, you need to know what you need when using a VPN. Where are you going to use the VPN?
- On your phone only: there are a couple of free apps you can try, Betternet on iOS and Lantern on Android. Although, no doubts, a paid version will give you a better connection.
- If you are going to use VPN on multiple devices, make sure to sign up for the home/family plan, which is cheaper than buying several accounts.
- If you happen to have devices like Apple TV or SONOS, which you would like to use, you can not install a VPN on them; in this case you need to look for VPN router solutions.
- Lastly but most importantly, make sure your house has internet access before you sign up for VPN, as VPN works on top of your local Chinese line.
VPN service review October 2016
There are various VPN providers, however do not rush into signing at any carrier. Pick a VPN with the fastest and the most reliable connection. According to the VPN services review conducted in October 2016, several VPNs were chosen for their performance (see the table below):
ExpressVPN won the first place for its performance and stable connection.
The main features of Express VPN are:
- Compatibility with all devices (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Routers, Linux);
- Unlimited bandwidth;
- Strong encryption;
- Access to all streaming sites;
- 24/7 Customer Support;
- 30-day risk free money-back guarantee;
- It is the fastest VPN operating in China at the moment.
For more details check out their official website.
VyprVPN takes the second place among the most stable VPN providers for its good quality. The main features of VyprVPN are:
- Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android compatibility;
- Unlimited bandwidth;
- Strong encryption;
- Access to all streaming sites;
- 24/7 Customer Support;
- 30-day risk free money-back guarantee.
Their official website does not work in China without VPN access.
Astrill VPN is the big name in the VPN market, however it has certain problems with the connection from time to time, however, their Router Version runs very well compared to computers or phones. The main features of Astrill VPN are:
- Compatibility with Windows, Mac OS, iOS, Android, Linux;
- Unlimited bandwidth;
- Strong encryption;
- Access to all streaming sites;
- Customer Support;
- 7-Day Free Trial.
For more details visit their official website here.
What to expect from a VPN
Make sure you do not set your expectations too high. There are a few issues that should be made clear:
- Chinese Internet service provider (ISP) provides the max speed of 200Mbps, but this speed is only for domestic sites in Mainland China. The speed for international connections for home use is shared among a huge amount of users with the same lines. Thus, the connection can be faster in the morning than in the evenings.
- A VPN does not speed up your Internet connection; it allows you to bypass censorship in China, but in the meantime access to local websites will be slower compared to when not using a VPN.
- It is important to accept the fact that it is not easy to bypass the government Firewall, at times it is even impossible. If your VPN does not work, you should contact the support team of your VPN carrier. Most of the cariers provide 24 hours assistance.
Nevertheless, for China a VPN is one of the most effective tools that allow you to jump over the Great Firewall, and stay connected with the digital world back home.
For more information and insights about Expat life and Business life in China, make sure to check out Maxxelli’s other articles here.
For IT support and purchasing VPN routers, please click here.
about the author: Maxxelli
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