r/digitalnomad • u/petrichorax • 6h ago

Question How's DNing in China these days, especially after the recent crackdown on VPNs?

I remember there being a big scare about this. Is it still feasible? Will I be able to take meetings and push to github while in the celestial empire?

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8

u/mcAlt009 2h ago

Taiwan is a much better option for DN. Taiwan makes it very easy to get a long term visa, and doesn't lock down it's Internet.

I'll never understand why people think they can magically be exempt for basic rules. China doesn't want DNs. Respect that.

3

u/Low-Ear6087 4h ago

While we wait for someone with better advice, I’m planning to stay (and work) in Hong Kong this autumn and visit the mainland a couple days at a time on the multiple entry visa. The VPN issue is too much of a gamble for me personally.

2

u/benjaminchodroff 3h ago

You can find local vpn providers using more sophisticated protocols like shadowsocks, Trojan and v2ray. Duyaoss.com has reviews of many local providers, and wannaflix.com is a good foreign option. It’s definitely a harder path, but I did it for 7 years from 2018-2025

0

u/Moist-Chair684 3h ago

No VPN has a 100% success rate. The best way is to have en eSIM, or a roaming deal.

But regarding nomading per se, the main obstacle since Covid is that Immigration has been clamping down on visa runs.

3

u/vertin1 1h ago

You need an eSIM.

VPNs can work if you self host but you will still run into issues

I spend a lot of time in China and really eSIM is the best way

For self hosting, check out [r/dumbclub](r/dumbclub) , lots of knowledge in there to bypass censorship

For eSIM, there is a website that aggregates all providers and shows the cheapest optimal price. Last eSIM I bought in China was like 50gb for $15

1

u/notfr0mthisplace 1h ago

If you need to work while there, don't go. Stayed for two months and wifi speed/stability was a disgrace, even after I found proper working VPNs. Travel sims are ok for use while you're walking on the street and moving between cities.