May 24, 2019, 11:11 am
Last edit by: moondog
If you want to use sites like Google, FB, and Twitter in China, you need a means to bypass government imposed blocks.
Roaming on your home country's network works like a charm, but this can be slow and/or expensive.
Most of us use VPNs or Shadowsocks (the latter requires a bit more legwork because you need to find, and pay for, a good server on your own you want good results).
While this topic is not illegal, we have definitely noticed that over plugging solutions that work well often results in diminished performance (because this makes them targets).
As such, my hope is that we can refrain from using buzzwords or complete company names in this thread. By way of example, "E" is impossible to catch via search, while the company name is easy.
Roaming on your home country's network works like a charm, but this can be slow and/or expensive.
Most of us use VPNs or Shadowsocks (the latter requires a bit more legwork because you need to find, and pay for, a good server on your own you want good results).
While this topic is not illegal, we have definitely noticed that over plugging solutions that work well often results in diminished performance (because this makes them targets).
As such, my hope is that we can refrain from using buzzwords or complete company names in this thread. By way of example, "E" is impossible to catch via search, while the company name is easy.
Best and Fast VPN for China ?
Jun 28, 2019, 2:12 am
#166
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Hamburg
Posts: 484
During my first stay in China last week I used the VPN Connection provided by my university. It was surprisingly stable and reasonably fast (Youtube Videos worked in acceptable resolution).
It runs with a cisco client.
It runs with a cisco client.
Jun 28, 2019, 4:21 am
#167
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
I'm not actually in China at the moment, but the person I was messaging is, and she was sending and receiving actual messages without being on the VPN...
Jun 29, 2019, 9:55 am
#169
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 30
has anyone who's more technical in the thread tried using a self hosted vpn?
I often find that sites that block known VPNS or throw up excessive captchas let self hosted VPNs through.
(You lose the anonymity of having multiple people share the tunnel, but if all you want is to punch out confidentially it's a good solution, I use it for my laptop for domestic travel since I often use random wireless access points)
I know of one solution that places like Digital Ocean, AWS, Azure etc can all run. (The protocol is Wireguard), not going to name the specific implementation
I often find that sites that block known VPNS or throw up excessive captchas let self hosted VPNs through.
(You lose the anonymity of having multiple people share the tunnel, but if all you want is to punch out confidentially it's a good solution, I use it for my laptop for domestic travel since I often use random wireless access points)
I know of one solution that places like Digital Ocean, AWS, Azure etc can all run. (The protocol is Wireguard), not going to name the specific implementation
Jul 3, 2019, 7:45 pm
#170
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
I'm trying to find some information on what the cost is and can you connect multiple devices to one host?
Jul 4, 2019, 1:02 am
#173
Join Date: May 2009
Location: MAD/LAX/MNL/PIT
Programs: DL DM, PR, TG, UA, CX (Asia Miles), BT, AY, AA
Posts: 906
I’m surprised it works because in the past, it didn't. Last year, when I was in Guangzhou (also the last time I was in China for a significant period of time), it didn’t work at all so I had to use AT&T roaming just so I could use the Internet on my laptop.
That said, I can’t rely on AT&T this time around for mobile data tethering (I’m already at 90% of my limit for the month, and with work I’m bound to go over, meaning I’ll be stuck browsing at 128kbps speeds until it resets when it does), so my VPN working is a godsend.
That said, I can’t rely on AT&T this time around for mobile data tethering (I’m already at 90% of my limit for the month, and with work I’m bound to go over, meaning I’ll be stuck browsing at 128kbps speeds until it resets when it does), so my VPN working is a godsend.
Jul 5, 2019, 7:14 pm
#176
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
1. Get on live chat with them before your trip (it's not super hard to reach them from within China, but it's really easy to reach them pretty much everywhere else)
2. Tell them what devices you'll be using, and they'll send you most reliable app versions for all
3. I ask for advice about good servers based on my locations, but this is usually pretty easy to figure out (e.g. I have a short list of 10 servers, and usually stick with my favourite 2 or 3)
Jul 7, 2019, 6:24 pm
#177
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 30
I don't think we're thinking of same thing. This is a self hostel VPN - you put the software in a place like AWS and run it yourself
Jul 8, 2019, 7:04 pm
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,233
EXP hasn’t worked for me for the last month, this is despite downloading their latest app when I was out of China last week. The government is definitely stopping these things from working at a much more efficient pace than before. Maybe I’m doing something wrong because I’m not tech savvy, but based on my experience I’d not recommend Exp to anyone now.
Jul 8, 2019, 9:51 pm
#179
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
I have spent many hours chatting with exp over the years, including during some especially dire periods. While patience is often required, they always make sure that things are working smoothly before ending sessions. One tip on this point: since you might not be able to access their normal URL when you're not connected to VPN, bookmark a few others (e.g use google to find) that are not blocked. You can also ask people here to PM you URLs.
Aug 2, 2019, 7:47 pm
#180
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 7
People, if you don't mind spending a few bucks, ExpressVPN should be your first VPN choice in China. Otherwise, I'd recommend PandaVPN, which is a newcomer VPN that works perfect in China, they're offering buy one year get one year free for first-time signups coupons recently.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Aug 6, 2019 at 1:43 pm Reason: Removed referral links