Downloading VPN to Your Phone and Laptop Before Traveling to China
My experience arriving in China was nothing short of a small nightmare, all brought to you by my ignorance. I knew Facebook, Youtube and porn are banned in the country, but I didn’t know all Google services are blocked as well. So that Google phone my family sent me after I lost mine in the Himalayas was of no use. I couldn’t open my Gmail account, so I couldn’t email the friend I was supposed to meet and travel with around the country. I also couldn’t download any apps such as Skype or Whatsapp or Google Translate to decipher what people were saying and what I wanted to say (it was surprising how few locals knew English, even those working at the hostel). I couldn’t do much until a fellow traveler helped me create a new email account through a different service by sending a confirmation number to his cell phone. It was complicated, or rather it felt complicated, and when you’ve been traveling for half a year, all these tiny frustrations amount to a behemoth of perpetual tension.
But I am entirely exaggerating. It’s possible my moody temperament was affected by the sub zero temperatures or being awake for nearly thirty hours. Regardless, the kindness of strangers allowed me to communicate through virtual realms again (travel fifty years ago must’ve felt like a real adventure) so I was able to connect with people I knew in Shanghai. It was an ex-boyfriend of mine and he taught me a lot about traveling in China in the two weeks I stayed with him. But one of the most important things he told me was the necessity of downloading a VPN.
Now, of course I couldn’t do this as my phone would not allow downloads, it being a Google product, but in retrospect I will not forget this piece of advice.
A VPN is the crack into the Great Firewall of China, sneaking past internet censorship like an outlaw in prohibited territory. Though China has ruthlessly strict policies regarding online content, a VPN or “Virtual Private Network,” grants you access to restricted sites and shields your browser history from the public. Some are slower than others but the purpose is the same and you’ll soon find yourself with web freedom again (just make sure you download it prior to your arrival in the country).
VPN is not illegal in China because the focus is on censorship not punishment. Though I never ended up using one, friends of mine did and they recommended a few. Their choices are not free but they aren’t costly either and it’s better to have security than to risk VPN failure. Here are some strong choices:
VyprVPN
Chameleon security protocol that allows you to bypass VPN blocking
Unlimited bandwidth
High speeds
24 hour live chat for troubleshooting problems
30-day refund period
Connects 3 devices
Supports: Mac OS / iOs / Windows / Android / Linux
ExpressVPN
Pricier than average but it is the most popular one amongst travelers and locals.
Unlimited bandwidth
Reliable
Impressive speeds
Clean apps for easy use
Email support available instantly through a live chat
30-day money back trial + 3 months free
Connects 3 devices
Supports: Mac OS / iOs / Windows / Android / Linux
Astrill
Secure connection using military grade encryption based on OpenVPN and OpenWeb protocols
Unlimited bandwidth
Support ticket
24 hour live chat for troubleshooting
Remote desktop assistance
7-day free trial
Connects 1 device
Supports: Mac OS / iOs / Windows / Android / Linux
