is possible in China!When you think of the internet, you think of the many things it can be used for – the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s the major reason the world has now become even smaller and information is now available with just one click.
While there are mostly no censorships on the use of the internet in most countries, it’s not the same in a country like China.
According to Wikipedia, as of September 2018, about 10,000 domain names are blocked in mainland China under the country's Internet censorship policy which prevents users from accessing proscribed websites from within the country.
Due to this strict censorship, the Chinese government created the Great Firewall of China (officially known as the Golden Shield Project). This Firewall detects internet traffic and blocks people from visiting certain websites online.
One of those names is Google. It is believed that China blocked Google in the mainland for the first time in 2002. An agreement to China's censorship rules in 2006 meant that a Chinese version was launched but that didn’t last for long.
Just like Google, all other Google-related websites are inaccessible in China, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, Google Cloud, Google Plus and Google Photos and of course YouTube. The first time the video-sharing Web site was blocked was in 2008 during riots in Tibet.
So whether you’re living in China or you’re visiting, you will be denied access to Youtube videos. If you run a vlog, you will not be able to upload your videos to your YouTube page because of this strict censorship. With YouTube blocked, does that mean that you have to wait till your stay in China is over to be able watch YouTube videos? Do you have to relocate to gain access to YouTube services?
Not at all.
There are different ways to unblock YouTube in China and in the lines that follow, we will be sharing with you different ways that you can use to enjoy access to YouTube in China.
1. Proxy
A proxy server is a tool that serves as the intermediary in the flow of your internet connection. Very commonly used to by-pass filters, using a proxy involves you being connected to the internet via a remote computer (also called the proxy server), thereby shielding your IP from being discovered and allowing you to appear as if you are connecting to the internet from another location entirely different from your current one.
As you will see, a proxy is quite similar to VPNs like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. But while VPNs encrypt your data, a proxy server doesn’t. A proxy allows you to make a request for another server outside of China to access YouTube on your behalf. While you can search out free proxy servers to use on the internet, free can usually come with your internet activity being tracked which can lead to being hacked or being a victim of stolen data.
2. VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) works just like a proxy server. But the difference is that a VPN, while helping you to remotely access the internet, operates in an entirely different mode from that of proxy servers.
A VPN clones your private local area network which in turn extends across a public network which is the internet. VPNs, which come in the form of a software, connect you to a VPN server on the internet which then transfers all your data, anonymously this time around to your required destination.
A VPN changes your IP address and encrypts your data. However, with China implementing new techniques to clamp down on VPNs working from China, only a few VPNs actually help you to have access to YouTube. Below are some of the top VPNs that will help you to by-pass China’s censorship.
By substituting your IP address with the ones ExpressVPN provides, you can effectively access YouTube while in China. The service encrypts all your data that you send through the internet, something that is done via a secure virtual tunnel that exists between the service provider’s servers and your computer.
It is very easy to use ExpressVPN. Likewise, you can configure the utility on as many devices s you want, but do remember that only a single device can be connected to the VPN during any given time. Additionally, both PPTP and OpenVPN protocols are available for the users.
This VPN operates at TCP/IP level meaning any user can securely engage in browsing the web and accessing any website he/she wants. It protects every application, such as the Facebook app, the YouTube app, the web browser, Skype or any online gaming software.
NordVPN utilizes a military-grade encryption mechanism that completely conceals your internet traffic. Without any doubt, the service is speedy with its servers performing excellently well during heavy internet traffic, thereby making them great for HD video streaming. Its protocols are OpenVPN – PPTP – SSL – IPSec – L2TP/IPSec and it supports almost all prominent devices such as iPhones, Android, Macs, PCs, iPads and game consoles. Users don’t face any bandwidth limits.
CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address by connecting you to a separate server through a 128-bit SSL encryption. This enables you to have access to a site like YouTube which is blocked in China. You can also use it to download torrents safely in the knowledge that no one can track you.
Many malicious programs such as malware and spyware require an IP address to work properly, so you can foil them as well. CyberGhost VPN 2 is easy to install and doesn’t even need you to set up an account.
You have just read two ways through which you can access YouTube videos in China. If you’re caught in between on which one to use or are not sure which one works best, we recommend that you go for a VPN. While there are free VPNs around, you can only get unrestricted access to YouTube content when you purchase a VPN.
With these options, you now have unrestricted access to video content/shows on YouTube. Enjoy!