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    • Internet in China
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The Best VPN for China Still Working in February 2021 (with Comparison Table)

March 1, 2021 by Sapore di Cina 433 Comments

Best VPN for China

Best VPN for China in 2021

  1. What VPN do we recommend for China
  2. What is a VPN?
  3. Tips for using a VPN in China
  4. How to choose a VPN for China
  5. The best VPNs for China (comparative table)
  6. The most popular VPNs in China (review)
  7. The most commonly used VPNs in China (survey)
  8. Using a VPN in China (frequently asked questions)

What VPN do we recommend for China?

  • ExpressVPN: Easy to use, fast and it has proven to be one of the most reliable VPNs for China over the past years.
  • Ivacy: Less popular in China, but has an excellent performance at a very low price.
  • NordVPN: Very complete and easy to use. It has a good performance in China if you choose the right server.
  • Surfshark: Excellent quality to price ratio, good performance in China and numerous options, including Shadowsocks and WireGuard.

Important: Due to the increased restrictions on internet usage in China, you should always keep your VPN updated to make sure it works at its best.

What is a VPN and why do I need one in China?

As you probably already know, the internet doesn’t work like we would like it to in China, and a large number of websites and apps are blocked by the “Great Firewall.” Among these websites and apps that you can’t access are Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and all Google Services.

There are many other blocked websites, and depending on what you do, it may be virtually impossible for you to work in China without a VPN (Virtual Private Network). In addition, most of the services that aren’t blocked but they are allocated outside China, are extremely slow.

To solve this problem, you can install a VPN, which masks your I.P. address so that your laptop appears to be connected from the U.S. or Japan even if you are in China [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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The List of Blocked Websites in China

February 26, 2021 by Sapore di Cina 183 Comments

The list of blocked websites in China

Do you want access to any website in China without restrictions? Click here to check out our comparison of the top VPNs that actually work in China
  1. Blocked websites in China: highlights and latest news
  2. List of blocked websites in China
  3. List of websites and apps that AREN’T blocked in China
  4. What about Chinese websites?
  5. How to know if a website is blocked in China
  6. How to access blocked websites in China
  7. Is it legal to use a VPN?
  8. Is it true that all VPN access has been blocked?
  9. Other frequently asked questions
  10. What are the best VPNs for China?

You probably already know that websites such as Facebook, YouTube or Google are blocked in China and that the best way to access them is with a VPN.

But what about the other hundreds of websites or apps that we use every day?

Can you be sure that they’ll work in China?

One of the most common questions we get is whether a given website or app, such as Dropbox or Google Play, is blocked in China.

In this article, we list all of the popular websites and apps which currently don’t work behind the Great Firewall of China, which is the system developed by the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) to control access to online services considered “dangerous” for Chinese citizens. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Calling from China: Can I Use Skype, Zoom, or Facetime?

January 18, 2021 by Sapore di Cina 7 Comments

Using Skype or Zoom in China

One of the common questions that people going to China will ask themselves is how they can communicate with people outside of the country. The purpose of this article is to present and analyze each of the possibilities for making calls and video calls from China.

As you should already know, a large number of apps and websites can’t be accessed freely in China, and you are going to need a VPN or an alternative system to get around the Great Firewall of China.

Click here to find out the best VPNs for China (updated monthly)

Calling from China – Best Options

  1. Skype in China
  2. Zoom in China
  3. FaceTime in China
  4. WhatsApp in China
  5. WeChat
  6. Other apps
  7. Conventional calls
  8. Virtual phones
  9. Frequently asked questions

Using Skype in China

Despite the fact that some inaccurate news is still circulating online, Skype is NOT blocked in China.

However, if you try to download the Skype app on the iOS app market or one of the Android markets (Google Play is blocked) once you’re in China, you won’t find it. In addition, if you want to access the Skype webpage, you will be redirected to a Chinese webpage (skype.gmw.cn) where you will download a modified version of Skype that complies with Chinese regulations. Complying with Chinese regulations means that communications are redirected (and monitored) via a Skype partner in China.
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Review of Surfshark VPN – An Alternative for China

January 5, 2021 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Surfshark review

Created in 2018, Surfshark is definitely one of the most promising VPNs at the moment. Despite not having been around for a long time, Surfshark has a broad network of physical servers across the globe, excellent security and privacy services and a broad offering of extra options, all at a very competitive price. Without a doubt, Surfshark is a premium VPN at the price of a budget one.

For users in China, Surfshark offers excellent connectivity, with services that are similar to those of the most popular VPNs currently used in the country. Without a doubt, Surfshark is an excellent alternative to large VPN providers, especially when you consider that it’s one of the few VPNs that includes the possibility of using Shadowsocks.

Click here to try Surfshark!

Features

Encryption protocols: IKEv2, OpenVPN, Shadowsocks, WireGuard®.

Simultaneous connections: Unlimited.

Number of servers and location: Surfshark offers more than 3200 servers in 65 different countries.

Applications: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireTV, Apple TV, Xbox, Playstation, TrustDNS..

Trial period or guaranteed money back: It offers a free trial period of 7 days and 30 days guaranteed money back.

After-sale service: It has a 24/7 seven customer service system via live chat or email.

Extras: CleanWeb (ads and malware blocker), Whitelister (allows certain applications or websites to ignore the VPN), Kill switch, Multihop (connect to multiple countries at the same time), Camouflage Mode (avoid VPN conection to be detected), NoBorders (avoid geografic restrictions).
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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How to Access Tinder in China (and What Alternatives Exist)

October 30, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Access Tinder in China

For the past few years, Tinder has been blocked in China. However, using Tinder in China might not be so difficult as you think!

In this article, we give a simple explanation of what you need to unblock Tinder in China, what a VPN is, and what are the best VPNs for accessing any apps blocked in China. Finally, we explain what type of people you can find on Tinder and what alternatives exist in China for dating.

  1. What do you need to access Tinder in China?
  2. What is a VPN and what is it used for in China?
  3. What VPN should I used to unblock Tinder in China?
  4. Who uses Tinder in China?
  5. Alternatives to Tinder in China
  6. Frequently asked questions

What do you need to access Tinder in China?

1. Internet access: It’s obvious that to access Tinder, you will first need to be connected to the Internet. However, is it difficult to access the Internet in China? As opposed to what some people might think, accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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How to Unblock WhatsApp in China

October 30, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 4 Comments

How to unblock Whatsapp in China

Is it possible to access WhatsApp in China? Despite the fact that since September 2017, China has been blocking video calls, messages, and file transfers on the app, it’s still possible to access WhatsApp in China.

In this article, we will give you a step-by-step explanation of how to use WhatsApp in China.

  1. What do you need to use WhatsApp in China?
  2. What is a VPN?
  3. What VPN do we recommend for China?
  4. What to prepare before going to China
  5. What to do to use WhatsApp once in China
  6. Alternatives to WhatsApp in China
  7. Frequently asked questions

What do you need to use WhatsApp in China?

Using WhatsApp in China is relatively simple and you will only need two things:

1. An Internet connection

It’s obvious that to be able to use WhatsApp, you will need to be connected to the Internet. As I explain below, connecting to the Internet in China is relatively easy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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How to Watch Youtube Videos in China Without Restrictions

October 30, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 2 Comments

accessing YouTube in china

As you most likely already know, YouTube is blocked in China, but is it still possible to access YouTube in the country?

Despite the fact that YouTube has been restricted for use by Chinese users since March 2009, it is still possible to access YouTube to watch videos in China. In this article, we’ll give a step-by-step explanation of how to use YouTube in China.

  1. What do you need to access YouTube in China?
  2. What is a Virtual Private Network (VPN)?
  3. What VPN do we recommend in China?
  4. Suggestions for unblocking YouTube in China
  5. Alternatives to YouTube in China
  6. Frequently asked questions

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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How to Use WeChat (or Weixin): The Complete Guide for Foreigners

October 21, 2020 by Giorgia Borza 11 Comments

How to use Wechat

  1. How to install WeChat
  2. Communicating with WeChat
  3. How to use “Moments”
  4. New friends on WeChat
  5. Personal account and posts
  6. Wallet and operations
  7. Strong and weak points of WeChat
  8. 4 Surreal Uses for WeChat

For those who still are not familiar with, WeChat (微信, Weixin, which means “micro-letter” or “micro-message” in Chinese) is a social network: it’s sort of halfway between WhatsApp and Facebook, with the dual purpose of dividing content on your dashboard besides communication via chat. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, Travel in China

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Review of ExpressVPN: Does it still work in China?

October 10, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 3 Comments

Express VPN in China review

Click here to get 3 months free with your annual ExpressVPN plan

Does ExpressVPN still work in China? The short answer is “YES”!

This article is a complete review and a study of the functionality of ExpressVPN in China, which in our opinion, is one of the best VPNs currently on the market.

If you still don’t know what a VPN is, just go till the end of this article to learn more.

  1. Why ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for China
  2. Technical features of ExpressVPN
  3. The strong points of ExpressVPN
  4. What would improve of ExpressVPN?
  5. Suggestions for using ExpressVPN in China
  6. How much does it cost ExpressVPN?
  7. What is a VPN and why is it useful to me?
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. Try ExpressVPN now!

Why ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for China

We have been using and testing a multitude of VPNs for more than ten years as a way of getting around the Great Firewall of China, which as you know, limits access to innumerable websites and apps, such as Google, WhatsApp, Facebook or Twitter.

Very few VPNs are capable of offering acceptable performance in China, and among the few that currently work, ExpressVPN has shown itself to be one of the most reliable and quickest.

We have been using ExpressVPN in China since 2014, and during this entire time, it has always been a surefire way to continue to access the Internet without restrictions.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Best Free VPNs for China – Everything You Need to Know

July 8, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 4 Comments

windscribe China

  1. Windscribe
  2. TunnelBear
  3. Reasons to avoid most of free VPN

Windscribe

Windscribe is a good option if you look for free VPNs to be used in the Chinese market. It allows you to prevent others from seeing your physical location, get around censorship, and avoid ads and trackers on websites that you visit.

What people like with the application is that it’s flexible with competitive prices. Out of almost 10,000 reviews, Windscribe has a significantly high rating of 4.7/5.0 in Apple Store, which speaks for itself.

However, as mentioned above, if you want to have a VPN that is suitable for China and comes with superior features, you should aim for paid VPNs. You can read more about some of the best VPNs in the article we listed under the section about Tunnelbear. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Internet Security Tips When Working From Home in Asia

June 4, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Internet Security Tips

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 started, millions of people worldwide have been forced to leave their offices and work from home. Along with this, we see more people that talk about the cybersecurity risks of working from home.

The issue here is that your computer is normally protected by a safe and reliable server in an office. However, working from home reduces your protection significantly. Data theft and network hacking are just examples of cyber attacks that could have a devastating impact on your company.

In this article, we explain some of the greatest cybersecurity risks and how you can protect yourself from these risks. If you have any comments or input, feel free to drop a message below.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Best Dating Applications in Singapore: A Complete Guide

May 28, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Best Dating Applications in Singapore

Best Dating Applications in Singapore – Index

  1. Paktor
  2. Tinder
  3. Mat & Minah
  4. Badoo
  5. Coffee Meets Bagel

The online dating scene has risen fast in Singapore and nowadays we see both locals and foreign brands that have penetrated the market. Singapore is well-known for being a developed nation with tech-savvy users, so it’s not strange.

If you plan to move to or already live in Singapore, you might want to try out some online dating. In this article, we list some of the most popular online dating applications and how you can use them. Let’s start with a local brand.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Singapore

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Best Dating Apps in Hong Kong: A Complete Guide

May 27, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Best Dating Apps in Hong Kong

Best Dating Apps in Hong Kong – Index

  1. Tinder
  2. Badoo
  3. WeChat
  4. Coffee Meets Bagel
  5. Bumble

The online dating application market has grown immensely in the past decade and we’ve seen several new big brands popping up.

At a start, people primarily used Badoo and Tinder, but we now see increased competition from companies that offer unique functions, targeting different segments. Hong Kong is a market where we’ve seen new dating applications entering the market in the past years.

In this article, we list some of the most popular dating applications for people traveling or living in Hong Kong.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Hong Kong SAR

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How to Access TikTok from China – The complete guide

May 12, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 29 Comments

How to Access TikTok from China

Well yes, even though TikTok is a 100% Chinese app (the “original” name is Douyin, 抖音), it is blocked in China.

Let me explain: TikTok has two versions, one exclusively for use in China, and one for the rest of the world.

If you find yourself in China you can download and use the Chinese version, Douyin without a problem, but it is in no way interconnected with the international version, which you won’t be able to download.

The reason is that Chinese laws are very different, so the company that owns Douyin and TikTok thought well about resolving the problem like this.

So, if you already have a TikTok account before arriving in China, once you enter the country it will no longer work. You can open a new account with the Chinese version, but you’ll be given a completely new account, and even your feeds will be different.

But all is not lost…

How do I access the international version of TikTok from China?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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How to Download a VPN in China

May 6, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 34 Comments

download a vpn in china

Since 2017, the large majority of VPN providers’ websites have been blocked in China. Besides, Google Play doesn’t work either, and the App Store doesn’t let users located in China download any VPN apps.

Because of this, many people find themselves in the conundrum that to purchase a VPN in China, you first need a VPN.

Nonetheless, if you are already in China and need to download or purchase a VPN, there are still ways of doing so. In this article, we will explain how to do it and provide links accessible from China for some VPNs.

All of the VPNs that we mention in this article have good performance in China, but if you want to find out which VPN is best for you, I recommend reading this article first. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Internet in China, VPN

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Best Dating Apps for China: Our Complete Guide

May 6, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Best Dating Apps for China

Best Dating Apps for China – Index

  1. Tan Tan (探探)
  2. Tinder
  3. Badoo
  4. Mo Mo (陌陌)
  5. Tencent’s QQ
  6. WeChat
  7. What should I do if a dating application is blocked in China?

The online dating applications industry has literally exploded and companies receive funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars and are valued in the billions. China is not an exception and there are plenty of both local and foreign companies that target the Chinese online dating market.

If you plan to visit or move to China and look for the best dating applications, don’t look any further. In this article, we list some of the biggest and most popular dating apps you can find.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Travel in China

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Best Dating Apps for Thailand: Our Complete Guide

May 5, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Best Dating Apps in Thailand

Best Dating Apps for Thailand – Index

  1. Tinder
  2. Badoo
  3. ThaiFriendly
  4. Bumble
  5. Coffee Meets Bagel

The online dating scene has literally exploded in the past years and Thailand is not a country that has managed to avoid this transformation. Since a few years back, We’ve seen many online dating applications popping up, Tinder is probably the first that comes to mind.

If you plan to move or travel to Thailand and want to date people, you better download your favorite applications beforehand. In this article, we list some of the most popular dating applications in the market.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Thailand

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Best Dating Apps for Vietnam: Our Complete Guide

May 4, 2020 by Sapore di Cina Leave a Comment

Best Dating Apps in Vietnam

Best Dating Apps for Vietnam – Index

  1. Tinder
  2. YmeetMe
  3. Vietnam Cupid
  4. Badoo
  5. Bumble
  6. VietSocial
  7. Facebook Dating

The online dating scene has exploded in the past 5 years, something that used to be tabu has become completely normal. Vietnam is not an exception and we’ve seen both international and local dating apps that are gaining more and more traction in the country.

If you live in Vietnam and would like to know what are the most popular dating apps, don’t look any further. In this article, we list some of the best and most popular dating apps in Vietnam.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Vietnam

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Virtual Phone Numbers: The Best Way to Receive Calls in China

April 16, 2020 by Sapore di Cina 12 Comments

virtual phone number in china

Click here to skip directly to our comparison of
virtual telephone numbers!

Virtual phone numbers – Index

  1. What is a virtual phone number?
  2. Why you may need a virtual phone number
  3. How does it works?
  4. Comparison of the best virtual telephone number services
  5. Reviews of virtual phone services
  6. Frequently asked questions

What is a virtual phone number?

A virtual number is a phone number that isn’t associated with any physical phone line: all the incoming calls are redirected to another number (for instance your mobile number)

Why you may need a virtual phone number

Have you ever used a roaming service while you were abroad? I did it when I just arrived in China and I ended up paying a huge amount of money (at the time my family needed to contact me quite frequently and I was often offline). After the first crazy expensive bill I decided to find a solution to this problem. This is how I stumbled upon virtual numbers.

Using a virtual number to redirect calls from a local number in your country to your Chinese mobile number is probably the best option to receive calls in China or wherever you are. It’s cheap and you won’t have to teach your grandma to use Skype!
[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Business with China, Work in China

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Swapsy – How to Transfer Money When in China

March 27, 2020 by Manuel Recchia 2 Comments

swapsy

The guide to Swapsy – Index

  1. What is Swapsy?
  2. How to configure Swapsy?
  3. How does Swapsy work?
  4. Which currencies can be transferred with Swapsy?
  5. Which forms of payment are accepted by Swapsy?
  6. Can I use Swapsy if I have a European bank account?
  7. Is Swapsy safe?
  8. How much money can be transferred with Swapsy?
  9. How much does Swapsy cost?
  10. Comparison with Trasferwise
  11. Swapsy’s limitations

At times, living in China can be more costly than you might think, and always requires a certain amount of money. Unless you have a fixed income such as a scholarship (for foreign students), a salary (for foreign workers) or if that’s simply not enough, you’ll need to turn to the savings that are resting comfortably in your home country. Or (I wish you the best with it), you’ll need to transfer the money you have in China directly to your home account.

In the majority of cases, trying to transfer money from China abroad can be very frustrating because you’ll have to deal with a large number of limitations imposed by the government, endless questions about where the money came from and the eventual taxes you’ll have to pay, added commissions and long lines at the bank.

The inverse process can at times be just as complex and/or costly, especially if you withdraw money from a Chinese ATM with a card not belonging to a Chinese circuit.

Besides the methods that you perhaps already know (such as TransferWise, for example) there’s also Swapsy, a money-transfer P2P service.

In this short guide I will explain what Swapsy is, how it works, and other bits of useful information about this new platform.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Internet and Technology Tagged With: Work in China

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