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 ?
#91
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 12
While in china, i used vpnchina.io . It worked without any issues.
#92
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
If it were DNS pollution then I should still have gotten through if the VPN dropped. I didn't.
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
WhatsApp and Facebook's location sharing feature doesn't work in China. When I tried to send my location to my friend in Hong Kong, it showed that I was in the middle of the ocean.
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 38,410
#95
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
#96
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,775
#99
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 113
I used Google Fi last month in China and it worked great. I didn't have any VPN installed and I was using google's VPN that comes with Google Fi and had no issue with any US sites. The only major issue I had was uploading pictures or video on google hangout. Uploading to instagram had no issues, so I wonder why hangout gives me trouble.
I had no issue at all in Shanghai.
Xi'an I had no issue but the google map locations for stuff is way off so don't rely on it.
Beijing I occasionally get dropped and I try to manually connect to another carrier and it works again. I had issues with google map labeling my hotel about a mile away from where it is actually so I would avoid relying on the map locations too much.
I had no issue at all in Shanghai.
Xi'an I had no issue but the google map locations for stuff is way off so don't rely on it.
Beijing I occasionally get dropped and I try to manually connect to another carrier and it works again. I had issues with google map labeling my hotel about a mile away from where it is actually so I would avoid relying on the map locations too much.
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,890
#101
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA MileagePlus (Premier Gold); Hilton HHonors (Gold); Chase Ultimate Rewards; Amex Plat
Posts: 6,654
Does any VPN (other than VPN.ac) have the split tunnel feature in its Android app? The split tunnel feature is one reason why I usually sign up for Express and VPN.ac every time I visit China. Express for reliability, and VPN.ac for the split tunnel feature. It's actually useful for being able to test my internet connection without actually disconnecting the VPN, by simply enabling the VPN bypass for an app like WeChat or Firefox and having everything else go through the VPN. Express, unfortunately, lacks this feature.
#102
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
Does any VPN (other than VPN.ac) have the split tunnel feature in its Android app? The split tunnel feature is one reason why I usually sign up for Express and VPN.ac every time I visit China. Express for reliability, and VPN.ac for the split tunnel feature. It's actually useful for being able to test my internet connection without actually disconnecting the VPN, by simply enabling the VPN bypass for an app like WeChat or Firefox and having everything else go through the VPN. Express, unfortunately, lacks this feature.
tb
#103
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Montebello, CA, USA
Posts: 2,365
OpenVPN?
Does anyone have experience with OpenVPN? I have almost no experience with VPNs, but I installed this on my home router and got it to work from Canada without a problem and was able to open USA-only content from there.
However, now that I am in China, when I connect with OpenVPN on my laptop or portable devices, it still looks like I am coming from China. If anyone can explain why this is happening, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Edit: I think I found my answer. Apparently China can see that this is VPN traffic over OpenVPN, so they can block it.
However, now that I am in China, when I connect with OpenVPN on my laptop or portable devices, it still looks like I am coming from China. If anyone can explain why this is happening, I would appreciate it. Thanks.
Edit: I think I found my answer. Apparently China can see that this is VPN traffic over OpenVPN, so they can block it.
Last edited by wcj1; Apr 13, 2019 at 5:21 pm
#104
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 8,999
Any idea if ExpressVPN works well in mainland China? Will be heading there for a week starting tomorrow, and just wondering if I should get my free trial started today before I get there.
#105
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,991
Usually it does. In case you didn't notice, more than 50% of the recs in this thread are for express.