How To Access 135 Popular Websites Blocked In China

Those who have spent time traveling through China will have noticed that many popular websites and web services are blocked in the country. The Chinese government even has a name for it harsh Internet censorship. It’s called the Great Firewall of China. Google, Facebook, Twitter, and other Internet giants cannot be accessed within the country using one of the state-sponsored ISPs. There is a way, however, that you can access the 135 popular websites blocked in China. It’s by using a VPN.

What Websites Does China Block?

The citizens of China are denied access to many websites that are based in other countries. It is the 135 of the world’s 1,000 most popular websites which get most of the attention from the block. Some of the websites on this list include:

• Gmail
• Dropbox
• Slack
• Google Play
• WhatsApp
• Facebook
• YouTube

Websites that are considered social media platforms such as Twitter or Instagram are one of the main services that China targets. Some have reported that the mobile Skype app will still work in China, but this is generally not the case with any VoIP applications.

Basically, any website that facilitates access to the world beyond China’s borders is considered a possible threat. As such the Chinese government deems it necessary to block such services.

Access Restored in China to 135 Popular Websites

If you depend upon certain web applications for work, finding them unavailable in China can be very upsetting. You can avoid the stress when you use a VPN to regain access to the 135 popular websites that get shut down by the Chinese ban.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell. You purchase your VPN service from a trusted source like VPNAccounts.com. You are then given the credentials that you need to configure the VPN on your device. There is no software download needed. Almost all devices today have a VPN client installed when you buy them.

You will then connect to an ISP via the VPN. It forms a secure tunnel between your device and the ISP. What is most important, however, to the discussion at hand is that using a VPN will change your IP address to one that belongs to the VPN server. It will appear that you are accessing the Internet from the server’s location.

A good VPN provider will have many server choices for you to choose from. You can select one in the US for access to pretty much anything the Internet has to offer. You can also use a server that is based in the the UK, the Netherlands, or Germany. The choice is up to you.

China Also Targets VPN Providers

In addition to the 135 popular websites that are blocked in China, you will also find that access to many VPN provider websites are also blocked. This is to make sure that a VPN cannot be purchased from within China. If you want to use a VPN you will have to obtain your service before you leave your home country.

In 2019 it is being reported that China may be relaxing its stance on VPN usage by allowing foreign investment in the technology. Until this happens it is still best to get your VPN now if you plan on traveling. Without it your enjoyment of 135 of the world’s most popular websites will be impossible.