Great Firewall of China and Facebook

[kpc]

Am currently in Deyang, China having arrived in Chengdu 5 days ago.

Using Privado VPN set to Singapore (not Australia), I can now access most sites eg Google, gmail, Whatsapp, SMH, google maps etc.

However, I haven't been abe to post to Facebook even with a foreign registered SIM card. Any suggestions?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Vodafone $5 international roaming solves all your problems

 

[kpc]

By using a VPN routed to Japan (not Australia ) and using the desktop version of FB, not the FB app, I have managed to climb over the Great Firewall of China

 

[elanshin]

Just a note, i noticed you mentioning google maps. I wouldn't use it at all in China for Chinese navigation unless you want to be completely off where you actually are. Apple maps or baidu (no english though) would be better options.

 

[kpc]

Just a note, i noticed you mentioning google maps. I wouldn't use it at all in China for Chinese navigation unless you want to be completely off where you actually are. Apple maps or baidu (no english though) would be better options.

I have been using A map in China

 

[SYD]

Am currently in Deyang, China having arrived in Chengdu 5 days ago.

Using Privado VPN set to Singapore (not Australia), I can now access most sites eg Google, gmail, Whatsapp, SMH, google maps etc.

However, I haven't been abe to post to Facebook even with a foreign registered SIM card. Any suggestions?

What SIM/eSIM are you using?

I’m surprised you even need the VPN on at all.

Vodafone $5 international roaming solves all your problems

^this but also Optus and Telstra roaming should work, and most foreign eSIMs.

Earlier this year, I used a Saily eSiM worked fine as did some of the other usual go to options. I actually bought a cheapy “China” eSIM from Pelago in case I needed some “local” data but it routed thru HKG and also worked fine for things outside the GFoC.

 

[kpc]

What SIM/eSIM are you using?

This. It was meant to work automatically!

Asia 5G SIM Card 10 Countries - TravelKon

Get your SIM card before your trip, so you can explore Asia and stay connected during your travel! Get 50GB of Data for up to 30 days. Use in 10 different countries!

www.travelkon.com.au

 

[SYD]

This. It was meant to work automatically!

Asia 5G SIM Card 10 Countries - TravelKon

Get your SIM card before your trip, so you can explore Asia and stay connected during your travel! Get 50GB of Data for up to 30 days. Use in 10 different countries!

www.travelkon.com.au

You might be better off getting a small China bundle from one of name brands to cover those things not working in China.

You can get ~1GB / 30D for around $1 (with promo codes).

Send me a PM if interested, I have several codes with various providers.

Edit: I assume you’re travelling elsewhere in Asia? Your existing eSIM ought to be ok outside China.

 

[aaa99]

Used airalo last year and it bypassed everything

 

[kpc]

You might be better off getting a small China bundle from one of name brands to cover those things not working in China.

You can get ~1GB / 30D for around $1 (with promo codes).

Send me a PM if interested, I have several codes with various providers.

Edit: I assume you’re travelling elsewhere in Asia? Your existing eSIM ought to be ok outside China.

Thanks but I have a dual physical SIM phone. I seem to have resolved the issue for now by using a VPN routed via Japan.

 

[SYD]

Thanks but I have a dual physical SIM phone.

Which has the advantage of not worrying about downloading an eSIM app and installing the eSIM before you get to China. Some are blocked or won’t install once you’re there.

I seem to have resolved the issue for now by using a VPN routed via Japan.

Does it work at all with the VPN turned off?

I just read the blurb and it mentions it comes with the VPN to work in China, even though it’s HKG based China Mobile. Setting the VPN to HKG might work also.

 

[kpc]

Which has the advantage of not worrying about downloading an eSIM app and installing the eSIM before you get to China. Some are blocked or won’t install once you’re there.

Does it work at all with the VPN turned off?

I just read the blurb and it mentions it comes with the VPN to work in China, even though it’s HKG based China Mobile. Setting the VPN to HKG might work also.

Yes it does....I bought 20 GB for a 4.5 week trip which is not enough! By using the VPN workaound, I can use hotel / local Wifi networks to save my Sim data. FB app does not work at all, only the desktop version which took me 5 days to figure out

 

[SYD]

Yes it does....I bought 20 GB for a 4.5 week trip which is not enough! By using the VPN workaound, I van use hotel / local Wifi networks to save my Sim data. FB app does not work at all, only the desktop version which took me 5 days to figure out

That’s the problem with China, wifi is generally useless for many things, so you need more than double the mobile data you might normally budget for…

 

[kpc]

Interesting....I have to keep changing the country Im routing the VPN through....first Australia, then Singapore, then Japan and now Philipines...it seems the Firewall works out what you are doing and starts blocking...

 

[SYD]

Interesting....I have to keep changing the country Im routing the VPN through....first Australia, then Singapore, then Japan and now Philipines...it seems the Firewall works out what you are doing and starts blocking...

It’s a Chinese SIM…