Who's Been to China?

[PCH]

Hey guys,

I know some of you peeps have been to China, so this question is aimed at you. Jeez I hope it doesn't come across as dumb.

I'll be going to China for a short holiday in March and since I use the internet a lot for my work I just need to know if the internet is accessible from inside China?

Facebook? Youtube? Google? What works and what doesn't?

Any info greatly appreciated :)

[Merlin66]

Paul,
Unfortunately you have to assume only WeChat works....
We were there for a couple of months last year and it was extremely difficult.
We also found problems with cash and credit cards in some places - not accepted! They seem to all use their phone apps to pay based on a local Chinese bank account.....
Are you going in a group tour??

[gary]

Hi Paul,

This Wikipedia page on "Websites blocked in mainland China" might help your planning :-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Websites_blocked_in_mainland_China

You are out of action with Google, Gmail, Facebook,
YouTube, Instagram and about 10,000 other sites.

Don't assume your communications back to work are secure.

Have a great trip.

Best Regards

Gary

[Shark6]

Fixed that for you Gary.....:thumbsup:

[IanT]

Wechat works very well. VPN’s such as ExpressVPN also work and nearly every student uses them to access Google etc when out of the office. Who knows if transmissions are monitored? Probably ours in Australia are as well! I used a University wifi connection in Shanghai last October and was always in contact with Aust. Wifi also worked in hotels in Urumchi in the far west but I guess amywhere in the country may have dodgy wifi - just like here in Tasmania ��. The phone app linked to a bank account is how everything is paid for in big cities but as a westerner this is difficult to arrange. Pre-paid hotel accommodation may be the best bet, otherwise real money works too. Banks usually have a foreign money desk/counter. It’s all easier than you think, just don’t panic! The most dangerous things you will encounter are silent electric motor scooters/bicycles at night with no headlights on.

[PCH]

Thanks for that info Gary, - much appreciated.

I don’t suppose a VPN gets around any of that?

Whoops - I see that’s already been mentioned :)

[bojan]

You can get cash from your VISA at street ATM's...
However the machine may give you fake 100Y notes (because they are also used for deposit).
Othervise, my 4-months stay in Beijing couple of years ago was very pleasant and interesting...

[Merlin66]

We visited food malls in Shanghai and Xi'an where they would not take cards or cash!!!! Phone payment only......

[bojan]

This is probably a recent development, to avoid fake currency circulation..

[Stonius]

There are a lot of fakes over there. Even exceptionally high-quality ones for high-end electronics. Fake iphones are common.

When I was there a while back, VPN's were the only way to access banned sites, such as Facebook. However, they try to ban the VPN sites themselves so you end up with a continuously evolving list of VPNs that work.

Good luck

M

[PCH]

Thanks all you guys. It sounds like it’s gonna be a hell of a break one way or another. Fingers crossed!

[LewisM]

You'll be spied on and your messages read about the same as in the USA, UK and Australia, perhaps even a bit less, so don't get paranoid about that. Using Facebook is just asking for trouble anyway, so who cares about that really.

[Star Catcher]

Most good VPN's will get you access out of the country. I used Panda VPN last time and it worked flawlessly. I have been to China several times over the years. I never had any problems getting cash out of ATM's which are widely available. Relax and enjoy!

Ted

[PCH]

Thanks Ted :)