China Facebook and Google

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

What the best and recommended VPN that can be used in China now? Is it still expressvpn?

 

[gumbokins]

Google map can be used in China?

Apple maps was better

 

[dilphinus]

Use Baidu maps

 

[DriftKing]

AFAIK, if you use a (non-China) foreign SIM card to roam in China, Google/Facebook access is not block when using mobile data on the foreign SIM card to access Internet.

Just FYI, one (more) possible option to consider below:

Starhub prepaid SIM card has a feature called Happy Roam -- which supports mobile data roaming to 10 countries -- INCLUDING China.

ALL mobile data purchased on Starhub prepaid can be used at no additional (roaming) cost in those countries supported by Starhub Happy Roam. See HERE:
http://www.starhub.com/personal/mobile/mobile-phones-plans/prepaid-cards/happy-roam.html

As with all other prepaid SIM cards, there are various (mobile) data plans you can use on Starhub prepaid SIM, see HERE:
http://www.starhub.com/personal/mob...ards/data-add-on-plans/prepaid-data-plan.html

You can also "stack" prepaid mobile data plans. An example of prepaid mobile data stacking below...

E.g. from above Starhub prepaid link -- the following mobile data plans are available:
- $5 1GB data plan valid for 3days
- $1 10MB data plan valid for 7days

You can consecutively buy (3 x $5 1GB 3days) + (1 x $1 10MB 7days), total spent is (3x$5 + 1x$1) = $16, combined you get...

(3x1GB + 1x10MB) = 3.01GB valid for 16days (3x3days + 1x7days)

Above is exactly how I stack to get 3GB mobile data valid for 16 days -- using Starhub prepaid SIM -- when I had a 2 weeks overseas trip the last time.

Make sure you activate roaming & set correct settings before using the mobile data on Starhub prepaid SIM overseas, see HERE:
http://www.starhub.com/personal/support/mobile/roaming/prepaid-roaming/happy-roam.html

Starhub also has a mobile app called "Happy Prepaid" which is available on both Google Playstore & Apple app store:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.starhub.happy
https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/happy-prepaid/id981031677?mt=8

The "Happy Prepaid" app makes it easy to check remaining mobile data balance or buy more mobile data (if required).

When come back to Singapore...

Any unused/balance Starhub prepaid mobile data (still) within validity period -- can of course also be used here locally.

Hope the above helps.

Any idea if the days stacking still works?

 

[Lexmerc]

Update on facebook and google.

Payback to HWZ since I benefited so much from here.

I used Starhub prepaid card, bought it at the UOB exchange at Changi Airport. $32. I'm not sure if its a promo or what, but it comes with 2GB of Data and 14GB (or maybe 12GB, can't recall) of local data which you can continue to use when back in SG.

On the whole, I was on data plan majority of the time except when the connection is too slow, I will shift to the free wifi. Mainly used to read HWZ forum, download videos from Whatsapp chats, read gossip news, read up on places of interest, downloaded apps via google play and using GPS, over a 8 days trip, I was left with 300mb.

I could access Facebook and google but it loaded quite slowly. Connection was not very stable if you're moving. Every time I'm on the railway changing to another city, the connection would be lost, but I could connect back the moment the train enters into the next station. If you are on a fixed location, depending on location and I guess phone, the connection is decent. Said that was because my travel partner had no issues while I had.

Whatsapp is still available even if on China Wifi. If you refuse to download baidu, you can always use yahoo.com or msn.com on your google app and search for info via these websites. It works very well. Just cannot do a direct search on google.

As for maps. We used baidu but it can give conflicting info. For example, the first search will tell us that it takes us 45mins to get there. We refresh the search using the same area, suddenly it becomes 7mins. Best to use Google map to contra off. Google map is very detailed but got a lot of places that can't be found because its not as updated as Baidu.

I hope these helps

 

[Lippyt]

I could access Facebook and google but it loaded quite slowly. Connection was not very stable if you're moving. Every time I'm on the railway changing to another city, the connection would be lost, but I could connect back the moment the train enters into the next station. If you are on a fixed location, depending on location and I guess phone, the connection is decent. Said that was because my travel partner had no issues while I had.

I had a very similar experience in Shanghai, except my phone wasn't working on starhub happy prepaid (connected a total of 2 times during my 5 day trip) while my brother's phone worked perfectly. We were both using China edition Xiaomi Mi Maxes and were connected to Starhub's partner telco, China Mobile. My bro's phone had a strong 4G connection, it could use google maps/Didi/Dianping with ease, while mine was connected only on China Mobile 2G meaning no internet.

Overall, the performance is less usable than HK Unicom cards like "Cross Border King" sim though the price of data is very cheap on the Starhub card.

I would suggest users of Starhub's Happy Prepaid card arrive in China with a backup plan like data roaming on postpaid plans by Singtel/M1.

 

[Arosub]

For VPN ,
Betternet always works for me when I am in China!!

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

I used ExpressVPN.. works voila!!

 

[cheesenanchos]

I'm currently using StarHub prepaid roam in china, connection is almost non existent. I just rely on hotel wifi when I get back.

I could get connected to Facebook using hotel's wifi though.

 

[zwerty]

Hi guys, I intend to rent ChangiWifi for my trip to China and install Betternet on my devices. I asked ChangiWifi and according to them, it would still be impossible to access FB, google and whatever else the Great Wall banned.

For those who rent ChanghiWifi for China, can share how to bypass the Wall?

Thanks.

 

[Bak_Chor_Mee]

Signing up for ExpressVPN (1 month - $18 SGD) package is defintely way cheaper then renting Changi Wifi.. and guarantee works cause i just used it 2 weeks ago in Beijing

 

[DriftKing]

Used Starhub prepaid to Beijing and Xi'an, most places only 'E' connection, newer places and subway and highway have 4G/4G+, when there's full speed the speed is blazing fast.

Does not need VPN or whatsoever to social media. Easy to use app and good tracker of remaining data.

 

[joesph]

Use Baidu maps

amap.com gaode ditu

Sent from Samsung SM-G930F using GAGT

 

[joesph]

For VPN ,
Betternet always works for me when I am in China!!

wasn't good for me last year

Sent from Samsung SM-G930F using GAGT

 

[joesph]

I used ExpressVPN.. works voila!!

very good and their online chat excellent but one month > usd10 if one month contract

Sent from Samsung SM-G930F using GAGT

 

[joesph]

i use S7 can get 4g+ on StarHub pre-paid

(place join the pre-paid thread)

Sent from Samsung SM-G930F using GAGT

 

[madcampus]

How come you gusy got so much hassle trying to connect to China's internet? I'm on M1 mysim (post-paid). Everytime i go China, I simply subscribe to their data passport (data roaming) at $25 + $2 activation fee. Their partner is China Mobile. No issues at all. Facebook, Google, instagram, Twitter all can access. Speed is fast at 4G sometimes 3G.

I'm on iPhone so can even hotspot to my macbook pro for better viewing of google maps and checking writing emails. Yup it's that simple. I believe Singtel and Starhub also have similar data roam activation option. Do check it out.

 

[sparrow01]

that is true, but some local hotel can allow foreigner to surf internet freely

 

[spurman]

Starhub 25bucks for 2gb or 35bucks for 3gb data plans for overseas which now include china....

Use that if u r starhub user.... imho best deal liao as u can definately surf google. Gmails. Fb. Etc...

Heck. At time of writing this. I am using thia service now. In pingyao somemore... fuxking hot weather though... lol

 

[zzxxzzxx]

Starhub 25bucks for 2gb or 35bucks for 3gb data plans for overseas which now include china....

Use that if u r starhub user.... imho best deal liao as u can definately surf google. Gmails. Fb. Etc...

Heck. At time of writing this. I am using thia service now. In pingyao somemore... fuxking hot weather though... lol

Starhub Happy Prepaid:

New SIM:
$15, Get $18 Credit, 05 Days 15 GB Data (Local)
$32, Get $32 Credit, 10 Days 15 GB Data (Local), 10 Days 2 GB Data (Roaming)
$50, Get $50 Credit, 10 Days 15 GB Data (Local), 30 Days 5 GB Data (Roaming)

Data Plans:
30 Days - 1.2GB - $10
30 Days - 2.4GB - $15
30 Days - 3.6GB - $20** Best Data & Days
07 Days - 10MB - $1** Best To Extend Data Expiry
07 Days - 1GB - $7 (WORST PLAN)
03 Days - 1GB - $5
03 Days - 200MB - $4
03 Days - 30MB - $2


NOTE: Data Capped at MAX 100GB Stacked, and Expiry Capped at MAX 30 Days Stacked.

03 Days - 1GB - $5
07 Days - 10MB - $1

10 Days - 1.01GB - $6 (Better Than The "07 Days - 1GB - $7")