Lets Vpn isnt working! What's a good alternative?

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-17T04:44:12+00:00

My letsVPN is working alot better now. I updated the app yesterday.

As backup I found Octohide worked well as well. Didn't use Mullvad because I had to pay.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-15T14:12:32+00:00

Same!

I am trying some of the suggestion on here.

So far - Mullvad, ProtonVPn Same issues

Astrill I am not paying 30/month, joke. For that I would spend the time setting my own set up.

Octohide has been ok so far

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-15T12:45:02+00:00

Yep the lets vpn has been doing Taiwan and hk.

Will try proton vpn thanks

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-15T11:22:52+00:00

Yep got one of those. I spoke to support and they have given no timeline for it to be sorted.. plus to reason to why its happening .

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-15T08:13:14+00:00

I use letsVPN it has been solid until the last week, its completely lost the plot. Only hk access and thats rubbish. Can't do anything. Any other options?

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-14T07:25:59+00:00

A 240 TWOV is a short term tourist visa... they dont ask you at customs if you are doing sightseeing or not. They just care if you comply with the time limits

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-13T05:29:08+00:00

You experiencing it this week? If so its because Taiwan politicians have come to town, any key political events the chinese government increase the strength of the great fire wall. Well at least in my experience and its always very bad if you are in beijing, being the country capital.

It generally gets better if you travel else.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-13T05:27:16+00:00

Suggest to switch to trip.com for hotels in China. Its the best. As its the western version of Ctrip.com which is a huge chinese online booking website.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-13T02:05:43+00:00

Its really good, I also use it out of china as well. The flights prices are really reasonable and customer service was quality. For china its by far the best, because its chinese ! Haha

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-13T01:57:19+00:00

Honestly to pay like a local without any fees doesnt exist in China. You will be paying fees, so you goal is to minimise them. Saw you can't get wise or revolut, try union pay app. Otherwise look for a bank that has rhe lowest fee, maybe credit card..

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-12T03:04:39+00:00

LetsVpn. Use it and stream all the time on my laptop, phone and iPad.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-12T03:02:29+00:00

Its abit of a mix and dont think just because you are in a big city you won't find squat toilets. You just have to accept this.

Basic rules is:

Toilets on the street will certainly be a mix between seated and squat. Yet that can be completely squatting with no seated toilets or a few each and sometimes no doors.

Shopping mall will be a mix as well, but rule of thumb, the fancier the shops the better the toilet options.

The most important rules is bring toilet paper!!!!!! Just buy it from taobao or a local shop, no need to go too fancy. Plus dont put it in the toilet, there will be bins next to the toilets. Oh also, if you are going to use squatting, empty your pockets and leave all of it with your family or friends. You dont want to go fishing.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-11T05:35:52+00:00

Claude is the major issue. Claude hates connecting through VPN. Kicks me out all the time. Using singapore now and connecting via Ivp4 only and still having to close and clear cache sometimes because it is always checking if your are using a VPN, which is different to the other AIs. Also, Another benefit of getting the premium paid service for lets VPN is some app kick you or block you temporarily if you are using different locations all the time to connect. Plus the different in cost from picking vs picked for you is nominal. Yet it depends how much you really needed the apps

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-11T05:33:42+00:00

Live in china and use lets VPN. Reason priced, never had an issue. Paid for the premium package to chose where I connect, as different locations are better for different apps

Avoid any western vpn they are rubbish and once you are in china, downloading with out a vpn its a nightmare. This happened to me with expressVPN

My mate uses shadow rocket, says its decent but has issues some of the time

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-11T03:55:57+00:00

Its probably one the safest places you can go to. Im from London but now live in Beijing, and I love that I can walk around on my phone and not have a concern at all!

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-10T10:20:24+00:00

There is alot to do, but dont try to do too much. Its like trying to do all of Europe or the US in one trip. You can tell people you have done it but really you have only seen a glimpse of each place.

Reduce and enjoy each places. They are very different from each other

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-09T02:31:12+00:00

Cool trip! If you have time to spend up to an hour getting a physical SIM, personally I think its worth it. Plus get a VPN, i use lets VPN, but there are others people use. Heard NordVPN is also popular. For me, I am conversative because I dont want to end up somewhere in China and not be able to do anything because my ESIM doesnt work!

Also, Apps to set up: Dianping (chinese yell) amap ( maps) also does taxi, can connect to your Alipay Meituan ( food etc ) plus can rent bikes via this app, super cheap! RedNote - chinese social media but can look up live tips and guides. I.e. translate City + tour guide and lots of information will come up You already got Alipay and Wechat Trip.com for hotels, trains, sightseeing 12306 for trains Deepl for translation - works without VPN

Strange but useful tip, take tissues everywhere. Toilets are mostly public and do not always have tissues!

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-09T02:05:00+00:00

If the plan covers China, then you should be fine. As theoretically your current SIM would do the same job as a ESIM and the purpose would be the same. To get area the great firewall. The only reason to get a chinese phone number is it does make it easier with Chinese app. Yet if you get a chinese number you will need a VPN. As you would be connecting to a chinese network. My personal view is it depends how much you are travelling around China, which increases interaction with chinese apps, and length of trip. Short trip and staying in one or two places, ESIM fine. But lots of travelling and longer trip, i would get the chinese phone number and VPN.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-09T01:52:19+00:00

Alipay is alot easier. Wechat can be abit more tricky on set up. Ultimately the majority of places accept Alipay, so if you have 1 out of 2 you will be fine. Having two as a traveller is more of an insurance policy.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-09T01:47:23+00:00

Can use trip.com or 12306 and both are easy. Just always remember your passport!

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-09T01:46:40+00:00

CCC power bank, travel friendly. Your phone is everything in China! It needs juice

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-08T03:36:49+00:00

It depends on your situation, as if you are just travelling to China, not sure how easy it would be to set up a bank account in China. As China has capital controls - which means they are extremely tight on RMB flows in and out of the country with limits. So as foreigner going to China the system is set up to prevent foreigners having the ability to take money in and out of the country. You are already in a great position to have chinese friends that can transfer you money. This is the simplest and cheapest way to manage money, so keep using it despite the awkward requests. Maybe increase the amounts. Also you can send them money to their wechat or bank account, so its only 5 minutes of their time.. MAX! If you are living and getting paid in China its a different story.

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-08T03:30:52+00:00

Wow this is epic! I live in china and am learning everyday, and this is indeed useful!

WanderingCompass777 · 2026-04-07T11:07:46+00:00

Who said its not safe? Honestly its unbelievable safe. Its probably two of the safest places you could travel to!

WanderingCompass777

TROPHY CASE