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.

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.
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This article is divided in 2 parts:

• In the first part, we review Tunnelbear, in our opinion the best free VPN in the market, especially if you want to use it in China

• In the second part, we expose 6 reasons for which oftentimes using a free VPN is not a good idea, unless you know exactly what you are doing.

Tunnelbear – The best free VPN for China (in our opinion)

TunnelBear is without a doubt one of the best free VPNs on the market. It’s a secure VPN with a clear privacy policy that doesn’t put ads or malware on your devices (which is very common among other free VPNs).

However, if you want a VPN with good performance in China or to get around geographic restrictions (for example, to watch Netflix), we recommend that you choose one of the premium VPNs that we recommend in this article on the best VPNs for China (updated monthly).

Features

Encryption protocols: OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2

Simultaneous connections: 5 connections

Server count and location: Servers in 20 countries

Server changes: Unlimited

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How to access geographically restricted content

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This article aims to explain in a simple and clear way what VPNs, proxies and Tor are, as well as the differences between them. The article is intended to be understandable for any person, and because of this, it may contain oversimplifications and opinions.

Currently, these three systems have three main uses:

• To avoid internet censorship: As you already know, there exist certain countries with restrictions on internet use. The most famous of them are China and Iran, although internet restrictions are present in many other countries, such as Thailand, Vietnam and Russia. For example, YouTube is blocked in at least 10 countries. While these three systems may allow you to avoid restrictions on certain web sites (such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube), in practice, VPNs are the most reliable system for getting around restrictions to date.

• To unblock websites with geographic restrictions: Another common use for these systems is to unblock content which is geographically restricted, and mainly video content (such as television programs, series or podcasts). For example, they are used to watch series and movies on Netflix when you are in a country in which it does not exist or if you prefer to use the Netflix from another country. While a VPN, proxy or Tor can be used to unblock this content, currently only good VPN providers and certain proxies are able to offer browsing speeds compatible with streaming.

• To improve internet security: A lot of people use these systems to avoid having their banking or personal information robbed by third parties, especially when they connect via public networks (a risk that is getting exponentially larger). However, despite what people think, proxies and Tor do not improve internet security whatsoever (sometimes even the opposite). Only VPNs with good encryption protocols improve the security of your connection.

Important: Not all VPN services are the same. If you want to know what the best three VPN providers are in our opinion, click here.
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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 if you know how.

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

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.

2. An app to get around the Great Firewall

The Great Firewall of China is the reason why many websites and apps aren’t accessible in the country.

To get around the Great Firewall, you don’t need to be an expert. You can simply download an app onto your phone that lets you access a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

Currently, VPNs are the easiest and most efficient way to get around the Great Firewall.

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Born in 2012 as a modest project, NordVPN has become one of the most complete and popular VPNs on the market. Currently, this VPN provider (whether fortunately or unfortunately) is competing to be one of the leading VPNs in China, which is quite possibly the hardest test of the reliability of any VPN service.

Below you will find a complete review of NordVPN.

Features

• Encryption protocols: OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec and IKEv2/IPsec

• Simultaneous connections: 6 simultaneous connections.

• Number of countries with servers and server count: 5,118 servers in 62 countries, including 2,314 in the USA, 2,319 in Europe, 461 servers in Asia and the Pacific and 50 servers in Africa, the Middle East and India.

• Server changes: Unlimited.

• Applications: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS.

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Over the past few years, we have been using VyprVPN in China to browse the internet securely and to access websites blocked in this county. During this time, VyprVPN has demonstrated that it is a fast, reliable, and extremely secure VPN. Below, we describe our impressions of this VPN and why we believe that it is one of the VPNs that offers the best security when you browse the internet.

VyprVPN’s features

• Encryption protocols: PPTP, OpenVPN™, L2TP/Ipsec, Chameleon™

• Simultaneous connections: Up to 5 simultaneous connections (depending on the plan you choose)

• Server count and location: More than 700 servers in 50 countries

• Server changes: Unlimited

• Applications: Apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, Router.

• Money back guarantee: 30 days

• After-sale service: 24 hours a day all year round

• Extras: NAT Firewall

Pros of VyprVPN

• Reliability and stability:VyprVPN is one of the VPNs that we have used with the best results in terms of reliability and stability. However, there are other VPNs which offer similar services.

• Simultaneous connections: The “pro” option allows you to use three simultaneous connections with the same account (you can have 5 with the “premium” option). This is very useful, as it means that you don’t have to disconnect the VPN from your laptop every time you want to use your smartphone. Many service providers offer a discount if you want to buy a second account, but buying and creating another account is not practical whatsoever.

• Security: It is in terms of security, in our opinion, that VyprVPN stands out, an aspect which I will further discuss below.

• Applications: Apps are designed for a broad range of systems, and are very well-designed.

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If you’re reading this article, it’s highly likely that you know that in China, Gmail as well as all of Google’s services are blocked.

In this guide, we will give you a step-by-step explanation on how you can access your Gmail account and any other online service that is blocked for users in Mainland China.

What do I need to access my Gmail account from China?

To access your Gmail account, as is obvious, you are going to need an Internet connection as well as a system for getting around the Great Firewall of China.

Currently, the most popular and easiest to use system for getting around the Great Firewall of China is a system called a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

What’s a VPN?

Without getting into the details, a VPN is a system that helps maintain Internet security and anonymity by “tunneling” your connection through a server located elsewhere. The connection between your device and the server selected is encrypted so that third parties can’t see your activities online or the origin of your connection.

On the practical level, a VPN will make your IP address and online activity private (websites or applications online will see the server IP address, not yours), and this lets you get around the Great Firewall of China, as it will look like you’re connecting to the Internet from where the VPN server is located, and not from China.

What VPN to use in China

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As you most likely know, in China, Facebook, just like many other websites that are popular in the West, are blocked. Facebook’s instant messaging app, Facebook Messenger, is also blocked. In this article, we’ll give a step-by-step explanation of how you can access Facebook in China without restrictions.

Keep in mind that if you follow these simple steps, not only will you be able to access Facebook, but also other apps and websites that are blocked in China, such as WhatsApp, all Google services, Line, Twitter and Instagram, among others. In addition, you will be able to browse the Internet without restrictions.

What do you need to connect to Facebook in China?

Accessing Facebook and its messaging app is very easy. All you’ll need is access to the Internet and software to get around the Great Firewall of China (which is the reason for the restrictions on Internet use).

1. Access the Internet

It’s obvious that if you want to use Facebook or its apps, you will need an Internet connection. In China, connecting to the Internet is relatively easy, either through the numerous public Wi-Fi networks or by buying a prepaid SIM card with a data plan.

2. An app to get around the Great Firewall of China

There are multiple ways of getting around the Great Fireball of China that vary in effectiveness, but without a doubt, the most popular and effective way is to use a system called a Virtual Private Network (or VPN).
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Is it still possible to access Reddit in China? Despite the fact that China blocked access to Reddit in August 2018, you can still access Reddit without problems if you know how.

In this article, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to access Reddit and other websites blocked in China in a simple way.

What do you need to use Reddit in China?

To access Reddit or any other website that’s blocked in China, obviously, you are first going to need to be connected to the Internet. After that, you will need a system to “get around” the Great Firewall of China.

1. An internet connection

Accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy. Free Wi-Fi networks are available at many places, such as restaurants, hotels, cafés, and airports, among others. You can also get a SIM card with data just by showing your passport at one of the official stores of China’s three main telephone operators, China Telecom, China Mobile and China Unicom. Getting a prepaid SIM card is relatively cheap, and with around 200 Yuan, you will have all of the services necessary for a month (SIM, data and calls).

2. A system to get around the Great Firewall

There currently exist multiple systems to get around the Internet restrictions of the Great Firewall of China. Among them, the most efficient and easiest-to-use system is without a doubt a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

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For the past few years, Tinder has been blocked in China. However, using Tinder in China is easy if you know how.

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. Last of all, we explain what type of people you can find on Tinder and what alternatives exist in China for dating.

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.

• Public Wi-Fi networks: The majority of public places, including restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels and airports, have free Wi-Fi networks available for their customers. In small cities, it can be a bit more difficult to find places with free Internet, but you can still find it at places like hotels.

• A SIM card with data: If you want to use Tinder in China, the most convenient thing might be to have mobile data access, and unless you want to spend a lot of money on roaming, the best idea is to buy a Chinese SIM card. Getting a prepaid Chinese SIM card is cheap and relatively simple. All you have to do is take your passport to an official store of one of the country’s main operators (there aren’t big differences between them). Normally they will ask you to choose a telephone number from those available and a monthly data plan. For the majority of people, approximately 200 Yuan should be enough for a SIM card, a decent data plan and a bit of credit in case you need to make a call.

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You probably already know that sites such as Facebook, Youtube or Google.com are blocked in China and that the only way to access them is with a VPN.

But what about the other hundreds of web sites that we normally use?

Are we sure that they’ll work in China?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is if a certain website or app, such as Dropbox Google Play, is blocked in China.

In this article we’ll list all web sites, which at the moment, don’t work beyond the Great Firewall of China, or the system developed by the Ministry of Public Security, (MPS) to control access to websites considered “dangerous” for Chinese citizens. [Read more…]

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 but doesn’t offer the services of the most popular VPNs currently used in the country. In any event, this VPN is definitely an excellent alternative to large-scale VPN providers, especially if you consider that it’s one of the few VPNs that includes the possibility of using Shadowsocks.

Features

Encryption protocols: IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, “Shadowsocks”.

Simultaneous connections: Unlimited.

Number of servers and location: Surfshark offers more than 800 servers in more than 50 different countries.

Server changes: Unlimited.

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

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), NoBorders (avoid restrictions).
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At the time of the enactment of China’s new cybersecurity law in 2017, the country initiated a several-month period aimed at increasing controls and restrictions on Internet use. During these months, many media outlets published contradictory news stories on the possibility of VPNs being blocked completely in China in 2018. The first stories said it would happen in January 2018, and then February and finally March.

The goal of this article is to try to organize and clarify all of the information that has come out in 2017 and 2018 on the subject.

Do VPNs work in China?

The short answer is YES. You can check out this complete article on some of the best VPNs that continue to work in China, which we update every month with the most recent information on their functionality and stability. The first version of the article dates back to 2013, and since then, we have continued to monitor the different VPNs on the market and have selected those that work best in China in our opinion.

Despite the fact that since June 2017, many VPNs have been seriously affected in terms of their functionality, or have even been completely blocked, currently, numerous VPNs continue to work quite well in China.

However, if VPNs continue to work in China, what was the reason for this wave of news stories stating the opposite in 2017 and the beginning of 2018? Below, we will try to clarify the information and debunk the myths.
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Can you access Instagram China? Like many other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is blocked in China.

However, there are multiple ways of accessing Instagram and other websites and apps blocked in China. Out of all of these methods, without a doubt, VPNs are the simplest and most effective system.

In this article, we will give you a simple and step-by-step explanation on how to unblock Instagram in China.

Unblocking Instagram in China

To unblock Instagram in China, all you will need is Internet access and a system to get around restrictions.

Accessing the Internet in China

If you’re traveling in China, finding Internet access is relatively easy, as free Wi-Fi networks are available at many businesses such as cafés, restaurants, hotels and airports, among others.

In any event, if you want to always be connected or are going to travel to rural areas, it might be a good idea to purchase a SIM card with a data plan. To get a prepaid SIM card, all you will need is to take your passport to an official store of one of the main telephone operators (China Telecom, China Unicom or China Mobile). If you’re going to be one month or less, 200 Yuan is usually enough to buy the card, a basic data plan and a bit of credit for calls.
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VPNs are an excellent tool to access the Internet securely and without restrictions. Currently, using a VPN is the best way to get around the Great Firewall of China and be able to access all of the blocked apps in the country.

However, how can you objectively assess the performance of your VPN? In this article, we explain how to use an Internet speed test to evaluate the quality of your Internet connection and the functionality of your VPN.

Speed test

Below is a tool designed by Bing that you can use for free to test your Internet connection speed (simply click on Start):

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Is it possible to access Snapchat in China? Like many other messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Line, Snapchat is blocked in China. However, if you have a VPN, you will be able to access Snapchat in China without any problems. In this article, we will give you a simple and step-by-step explanation on how to unblock Snapchat in China.

What do you need to connect to Snapchat in China?

Using Snapchat or any apps blocked in China is relatively simple. You will only need two things: Internet access (obviously) and a system to get around the Internet use controls that exist in China.

1. An Internet connection

It’s obvious that to use Snapchat in China, you will have to have some way to connect to the global network. However, is it easy to access the Internet in China?

Accessing the Internet in China is very easy, whether via one of the many free Wi-Fi networks, a data plan, or even by using roaming:

Wifi: In China, and especially in large cities, finding a free Wi-Fi network is really easy, as the majority of restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels and airports offer free Wi-Fi to their customers.

As you may understand, finding a Wi-Fi network in rural areas can be complicated.

Chinese SIM card: Getting a prepaid SIM card from one of China’s main telephone companies (China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom) is very easy, and all you will need to do is find one of these companies’ stores and present your passport.

Normally, just 200 Yuan will be enough for the SIM card, a basic monthly data plan and a bit of credit for calls.

I don’t recommend any company in particular, as their prices and services tend to be quite comparable. Simply choose the first you find.

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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 if you know how. In this article, we’ll give a step-by-step explanation of how to use YouTube in China.

What do you need to access YouTube in China?

To be able to view or upload your videos to YouTube from China, you will need two things:

1. An Internet connection

It’s more than obvious that you’ll need an Internet connection to access YouTube, whether by Wi-Fi or a data connection. As opposed to what some people think, accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy.

2. Software to get around the Great Firewall

The Great Firewall is the reason why many Western websites are blocked in China.

There are different ways of getting around the Great Firewall, but without a doubt, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are the simplest and most effective way of doing so.

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As you should already be well aware, Twitter, along with the majority of social media platforms, can’t be accessed from Mainland China.

If you’re in China and want to access the Internet without restrictions, you will need a system to get around the filtering conducted by the so-called Great Firewall of China.

Currently, the most effective and simplest system to use to get around restrictions is called a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

In this article, I am going to give you a simple, step-by-step explanation on how to access Twitter and any blocked website in China.

What you’ll need to Tweet in China

Tweeting in China is easy. All you will need is Internet access and a system to get around the Internet restrictions imposed by the Great Firewall of China.

Currently, the most effective and easy-to-use system to get around the Great Firewall is a Virtual Private Networks or VPN.

What’s a VPN and where can I get one?

A VPN is a system designed to redirect all or a part of your online traffic through a server located in another place. The traffic between your device and the server is encrypted, preventing third parties from being able to see your online activities, thus increasing security. [Read more…]