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 ?
Oct 28, 2019, 8:02 pm
#256
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
As always, click the link - Follow latest China updates - on the bottom of the EXP app, definitely annoying but things seem better with the latest updates, at least on Android.
Oct 28, 2019, 8:23 pm
#257
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
From EXPs latest news they are aware of the problems. In the last few days they've release app updates for all their platforms. I installed updates to my android phones yesterday and was able to get connections to their recommended servers in China - HK4, TK3, etc. Just now, I tried again on my China Unicom SIM and got a connection to Singapore - Marina Bay quickly. Sorry, I have no idea about IOS or PC as of now.
As always, click the link - Follow latest China updates - on the bottom of the EXP app, definitely annoying but things seem better with the latest updates, at least on Android.
As always, click the link - Follow latest China updates - on the bottom of the EXP app, definitely annoying but things seem better with the latest updates, at least on Android.
Nov 8, 2019, 6:01 pm
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,417
Interesting headache with ExpressVPN for the last few days: My phone will work on cellular data. There's no connection with a local link, though. For a while the VPN would only link on cellular data but would remain up if I brought up the wi-fi, but now even that doesn't work.
My Windows PC obviously can't do cellular data, it hasn't linked for 3 days now. I haven't brought it up with support because we are flying back in a few days anyway.
My Windows PC obviously can't do cellular data, it hasn't linked for 3 days now. I haven't brought it up with support because we are flying back in a few days anyway.
Nov 11, 2019, 12:39 pm
#259
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
Interesting headache with ExpressVPN for the last few days: My phone will work on cellular data. There's no connection with a local link, though. For a while the VPN would only link on cellular data but would remain up if I brought up the wi-fi, but now even that doesn't work.
My Windows PC obviously can't do cellular data, it hasn't linked for 3 days now. I haven't brought it up with support because we are flying back in a few days anyway.
My Windows PC obviously can't do cellular data, it hasn't linked for 3 days now. I haven't brought it up with support because we are flying back in a few days anyway.
Nov 11, 2019, 10:05 pm
#260
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,317
I've looked at both websites and they seem to not have an option to deliver to an address inside (Mainland) China. If you try to select it, you'll get a pop-up message like: "Cross Border King Mainland China-HK Prepaid SIM 4G Hong Kong Number (Stored-value HK$99) does not support this shipping area".
Suspending is totally unnecessary as the monthly fee on my SIM is just HK$6/month.
Nov 11, 2019, 10:10 pm
#261
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,317
On my SIM the outbound call always uses the HK number but both numbers work for inbound.
Nov 11, 2019, 10:22 pm
#262
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,680
My prepaid SIM card that I picked up a few years ago has a mainland number but it doesn't always work for WIFI verifications. This was before they started ID verifications so it's going to be harder now.
Suspending is totally unnecessary as the monthly fee on my SIM is just HK$6/month.
Suspending is totally unnecessary as the monthly fee on my SIM is just HK$6/month.
Nov 15, 2019, 10:59 pm
#263
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,807
The promise of Kuniao, or Coolbird, seems tempting enough: Chinese users can download the browser onto their Windows computers or smartphones and, using the VPN capabilities built into the program, directly delve into Facebook and Twitter — services banned for years by Chinese authorities who keep a tight grip over what information Chinese citizens can receive.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...861_story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...861_story.html
Nov 16, 2019, 2:39 pm
#264
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,680
The promise of Kuniao, or Coolbird, seems tempting enough: Chinese users can download the browser onto their Windows computers or smartphones and, using the VPN capabilities built into the program, directly delve into Facebook and Twitter — services banned for years by Chinese authorities who keep a tight grip over what information Chinese citizens can receive.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...861_story.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world...861_story.html
Nov 29, 2019, 11:00 pm
#265
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,918
For members of the forum that have used both a UK based CMLink SIM card, and a HK based SIM card both with a roaming package for China, can you connect if there is any significant difference in internet connectivity and performance?
Considering trying a UK CMLink SIM rather than order a HK SIM for the next trip to the motherland and just looking for assurance that the service is effectively equivalent... And all traffic is tunnelled back to the home network and is effectively unfiltered.
Cheers
Considering trying a UK CMLink SIM rather than order a HK SIM for the next trip to the motherland and just looking for assurance that the service is effectively equivalent... And all traffic is tunnelled back to the home network and is effectively unfiltered.
Cheers
Nov 30, 2019, 1:10 am
#266
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
IME, roaming connectivity speeds have nothing to do with the home carrier, but I'm not an expert on this.
Switching topics, during my next trip to HK (in ~10 days), I want to stock up on prepaid data sims that work in China. I am interested in recs regarding specific channels in which to obtain these at the lowest price point. I would prefer vendors near Wanchai, but I don't mind going to Stanley...hoping no Mongkok though.
Switching topics, during my next trip to HK (in ~10 days), I want to stock up on prepaid data sims that work in China. I am interested in recs regarding specific channels in which to obtain these at the lowest price point. I would prefer vendors near Wanchai, but I don't mind going to Stanley...hoping no Mongkok though.
Nov 30, 2019, 2:50 am
#267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
IME, roaming connectivity speeds have nothing to do with the home carrier, but I'm not an expert on this.
Switching topics, during my next trip to HK (in ~10 days), I want to stock up on prepaid data sims that work in China. I am interested in recs regarding specific channels in which to obtain these at the lowest price point. I would prefer vendors near Wanchai, but I don't mind going to Stanley...hoping no Mongkok though.
Switching topics, during my next trip to HK (in ~10 days), I want to stock up on prepaid data sims that work in China. I am interested in recs regarding specific channels in which to obtain these at the lowest price point. I would prefer vendors near Wanchai, but I don't mind going to Stanley...hoping no Mongkok though.
Nov 30, 2019, 2:52 am
#268
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
Nov 30, 2019, 3:03 am
#269
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
Nov 30, 2019, 3:07 am
#270
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,057
I don't really care about the carrier, as long as it works. But, one of my HK friends has been buying China Mobile prepaids at Stanley, and he likes them.