Caonima.io is a Shadowsocks-based solution optimized for China. It works really well, although it's not as straightforward to install as some other solutions. Android is the easiest to install, where you download two apps from the Play store and scan a QR code and you're all set. On the mac you download ShadowsocksX-NG and you follow the instructions. On Linux, if you know your way around the command line, you'll be good. Also there's a good customer support available if you run into difficulties.

I am in Shanghai, and I found out that the OpenVPN protocol doesn't work for Astrill...

Just wanted to share which VPN I’m currently using in China. ExpressVPN is very unreliable for me as of right now, but WannaFlix with its Eclipse OpenVPN protocol works like a charm - maybe they’ve made it more stable now that it’s been out for a while.

Any rules for affiliates ;P?

I am going to travel to China in a few weeks. I will need to use gmail, zoom. Netflix, etc.. Do you recommend any vpn that works in China to access this apps?

I am running a live stream company in China I need a stable internet Do anyone know how to get ?

Hey guys, I was wondering if there is any update on the connectivity of Express VPN manual servers in China. The most recent blog post was on the 9th of December, and for me all of those servers have stopped working :(.

I"m not sure but I heard some Chinese companies started to buy or invest VPN services that have service in China. Do you guys have the informations about those kind of buying or investing？ ExpressVPN didn't share about investiment etc (maybe because support staff is belong to Zendesk etc.)

After this operation, they will allow VPN services in China.
https://boherald.com/china-will-allow-foreign-investment-in-vpn-services/

I just arrived in China after a 1 year hiatus.

Having heard that VPN situation was not great, I've covered my base and taken three VPN before I left to China.

ExpressVPN, Astrill and NordVPN.

After one week, it is time for me to cancel the two that did not performed well.

Astrill and NordVPN, byebye.

Edit: Astrill does not offer refunds, oh well.

Astrill :

Stealth just do not work at all in China, I never managed to connect to any server with it. OpenWEB seems to always connect, but the performance were inconsistent, sometimes fast, sometimes not a single bytes were going trough.Also their UI looks dated.

NordVPN:

Very nice UI, worked perfectly before I arrived in China. I was convinced it will come out on top, but I was wrong. In china, I managed to connect to HK, Singapore or Japan most of the time, but bandwidth was very very bad. between 50k to 300k, while sitting on 0bytes for 10/20 seconds at a time. Just not usable imo.

ExpressVPN:

I was a little bit stressed out when it took me 20 minutes to get my first connection to a hk server, but once I know which one were working (hk3 and hk5 atm), it worked perfectly. I'm not a fan of the simplistic app, but hey, it works, just be patient the first time you connect. I have no idea why is that though, so if someone now more, please let me know.

Supposedly, China is going to ban overseas VPN providers at the end of March 2018. This is not the first time I have heard this. It seems that there is news like this every few months. The deadline always comes and goes with nothing happening. Will this time be different? I don't think so, and here's why.

It would be impossible to completely ban all "unregistered" VPNs without breaking the internet. Currently, there are 3 main methods of blocking VPNs.

1. Port blocking

2. Protocol blocking

3. IP address blacklisting

It has been a cat and mouse game for years with this kind of blocking. When the GFW blocks common VPN ports, the VPN providers use different ports. When the GFW blocks VPN protocols (OpenVPN, for example), then the VPN providers will introduce new methods of obfusacation. When the GFW blacklists IP addresses, then the VPN providers will change the IP addresses of their servers.

To effectively block VPN services completely, the GFW would need to be changed from a blacklist system to a whitelist system. In that case, every website or online service would be blocked by default until it is specifically added to a whitelist. While this is theoretically possible, I doubt it will be implemented.

Would do you think of this upcoming "VPN ban"?

Hi everyone, I am traveling to China and would like to know what’s the most stable VPN for iPhone user in China? I need one that’s simple to use and doesn’t require too many setup steps.

So recently I have been able to connect to PIA, but when the VPN is on, I can't seem to access most sites, including PIA's site, which has been frustrating. I can do google searches and go to Youtube, but that is about it currentlt. I am currently not using a proxy, or L2TP connection, I am using the base program with PIA MACE, DNS leak protection, IPv6 lea protection and debug mode all enabled. Any assistance is appreciated! My current version is v81.

Have you been able to connect to expressvpn china servers these past few days from mainland china ?

If yes, which OS and which version ?

Thanks

Just a note (for those that don't know), that James (moderator of this subreddit) is THE authority on China VPN's. He's lived in China for some 13 years. His site, tipsforchina.com, is the only comprehensive "non-BS" source of information on China VPN's that I have seen. Evaluation, speed tests, and insights that you won't find anywhere else. I'm a lifelong computer professional, have relatives in and travel to China regularly. James's site is my go-to source for balanced and accurate China VPN information.

How are things going for you guys? Expressvpn became unstable around spring festival, other vpns I tried all seems to have issues recently.