Are you heading to China and worried about the government’s internet censorship? If so, this article will be well worth your time. There’s no doubt that China is rapidly becoming a global hub for trade and technology, which is why so many business owners and entrepreneurs visit to expand their products and services worldwide.
The only problem that most expats face in mainland China is internet censorship. Yes, you can’t access websites and apps like Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube in this country in East Asia. Therefore, we will discuss practical ways to approach U.S. applications in China.
Let’s begin.
Practical Tips for Getting Around Internet Censorship in China
Let’s delve into the tips that actually work:
1. Use eSIMs
Usually, Chinese authorities block websites and apps in the country using their Great Firewall (GFW), but when you enter the mainland with an activated eSIM, the situation changes. Yes, one of the best practices for bypassing internet censorship in Beijing is to use an eSIM. These eSIMs have built-in VPN so you can access all block services on the fly.
The best eSIMs for China are Holafly, Airalo, Trip.com, and Saily. However, it is crucial to buy them from nearby countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, or Japan and activate them before entering mainland China.
2. Utilize VPNs
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, are still one of the most common and practical ways to bypass internet restrictions. Although many people believe VPNs don’t work in China, that’s not entirely true. Several well-known 免费 VPNs still function in mainland China. You could find the official websites of some leading VPNs, like Express and NordVPN, blocked in China, but you would also have to use their alternative links to download.
On the other hand, some government-authorized VPNs also work in the country. If you are not dealing with sensitive data or information you don’t want to keep private from the government, using these VPNs is also fine. Withal, whether you are using local or global VPNs, don’t forget to set up the correct configuration to avoid connection issues.
3. Go with Tor Browser
Tor is an alternative to VPN services that still works in China, allowing you to access blocked sites and apps. Hereof, Tor protects your browsing by encrypting your traffic and routing it through multiple nodes. Another technique that Tor uses to confuse GFW is Obfsproxy, similar to a VPN. But this approach could be unsuccessful in some cases.
Another great advantage of using Tor Browser is its open-source and freeware nature. Unlike VPNs, you don’t have to pay for service while using Tor.
4. Rely on Proxies
Proxies also work just like VPN services. Some of them call their approaches “more than VPNs” as well. If we talk about the functionalities of proxies, they work by sitting between you and the internet, helping you access sites that are usually blocked in China. So, your device doesn’t connect straight to restricted sites. Actually, it routes requests through an external proxy server.
Some of the most engaging paid proxy services offering premium IP addresses for China include Smartproxy, Oxylabs, Bright Data, IPRoyal, and SOAX. Correspondingly, some famous proxy protocols are V2Ray and Shadowsocks.
5. Pick Hyphanet
Hyphanet is a P2P platform that lets users communicate and publish content anonymously, without censorship. It doesn’t operate like a conventional VPN or proxy server. Essentially, it builds its own decentralized system, sharing content securely and in encrypted form. Unlike VPNs or proxies, Hyphanet avoids central servers, allowing it to bypass censorship more effectively. Content remains available even if authorities restrict parts of the network.
However, it is always advised to go with the latest and most advanced versions of Hyphanet. Chinese authorities have already blocked its older versions in the mainland.
Final Words
In short, if you want to avoid restrictions of GFW in China, these approaches would help you a lot. Likewise, if you are a foreigner, you can rely on eSIM without slowing down VPNs. Yes, these Sims come with pre-installed and fast VPNs. On the other hand, if you are a local, Tor Browser is entirely free to access blocked sites in China.
