I'm leaving for China in September, and wondering if I should bother tracking down a reliable VPN or proxy before I go. I will want to access only my email (comcast.net) and blog (blogger.com). Facebook would be nice, but not worth setting up a VPN for, I don't think. I'll be in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu and Shanghai. I used a China Firewall Test site at bestvpnservice.com and it indicated that the sites I mention (not FB) are accessible through the Great Firewall.

If I were to go the VPN route, I'm looking at SurfBouncer and IAPS.

Any thoughts/advice?

Just thoughts -- no advice.

How long you plan to be away, how expensive the VPN is (with alternative uses of the cash), and whether you have intermittent access to another person's VPN-equipped computer may be factors...?

I usually do fine getting my email (gmail) when in China but if I am there for an extended time, I do appreciate the convenience of getting all attachments (e.g., youtubes, int'l news items, etc.,) through my partner's employer-equipped computer with VPN. Intermittent access to that b-list stuff is enough.

Perhaps someone else will advise now that this is back at the top.

Thanks marya! The cost is nothing, both VPNs I'm considering are under $15 for a month of service, which is what I'd want them for. I won't have access to anyone else's laptop. The only things I would absolutely need are my email and access to the blog and local weather sites. Otherwise I'll be on an internet vacation.

I used Lamnia http://www.lamnia.co.uk/ when I was in China in January. About $15.00 for the month, and worked a treat.

Will use it again when I am there this month

Thanks, gearsau. Can you post back if it's still good for you? I'll be downloading/paying for it the last weekend in August. Thanks!!

Amyb,

No problems. I will be in Shanghai from August 24th.

Thank you!

amyb,

Just got into Shanghai, and my regular VPN isn't working. Set it up before I left Australia, and now, I cant even open their web site.

Looks like " The Great Firewall " has claimed another scalp.

If if does come good, I will advise...

Ah, good to know! Isn't that crazy! If you find another one that works for you, would love to hear. I'll be there early Sept. Thank you!

AmyB
I have three weeks in China.. I will investigate what these guys have to offer, but, not keen on taking out a subscription, and find it doesnt work.
http://www.bestvpnservice.com/offers...html#price_pay

I suppose I can live with out Facebook" and Twitter for a few weeks
I like Facebook as I use it to post photos etc.

BTW..grey and wet and miserable in Shanghai..in other words..just the usual whenever I get here

Haven't had an issue accessing FB since I started using Freegate 2 years ago. Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet, Beijing, anywhere... And it's free, thanks to US Taxpayers.

Ahh,..wish I knew that

Just tried to access it here in Shanghai, and usual

"Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage "

I have posted about Freegate many times in this forum and others. But for some reason, nobody seem interested and always just keep talking about VPN. Of course, it's accessing important info for work, get a VPN. But for just doing FB, why pay when there's something free?

Thanks, rkkwan, I will look into that one too!

gearsu, I found a way to post photos to FB using email (much like posting to my blog using email) but you can't interact with FB otherwise, just to post the photos. If you go to www.facebook.com/mobile, it will show you a private address you can email photos to. I know that won't help you now, but in the future....

AmyB,

Well , I got in today. Same supplier that I signed up for, just kept on trying various connections. Suggest you investigate FREEGATE as well..

Will I be able to access skype.com in China without using a VPN? I would like to be able to make phone calls back to my business in the US to keep track of things. I have downloaded skype on to my netbook that I'll use for the calls and also on the computer at my office that will receive the calls.

I was looking at reviews of freegate on cnet.com. it doesn't rate very highly with users. They say it goes down after 2 or 3 minutes of use.

Glad you got on gearsau! Thanks for the update.

CNET has lots of old comments. Always download the latest Freegate before a trip. They update very frequently. I have never had issues with being dropped during past 5-6 trips in last 2 years.

AmyB
Well, I was lucky for 5 minutes. After that, no luck.. Suggest that you try FREEGATE..Set it up before you arrive.

Susiesan. No problems with SKYPE. I use it daily here on my trip at the hotel without any problems. Just Facebook, Twitter etc. Some web sites dont open either. No problems with Google and Gmail BTW.

Just trying another VPN that seems to work..Will post details after a few days...