I Stopped Using a VPN a Year Ago and I Don’t Miss It

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How many of us have heard that when moving to China, you must install a VPN on all of your devices in order to survive? Well, I’m here to tell you that it just ain’t true. From texting and stalking celebrities to watching funny cat videos and binging all your favorite TV shows (yes, even the overseas ones), the following apps developed right here in China have got you covered.

If you haven’t heard of this one then you’ve been living under a rock, big time. iQIYI （爱奇艺）is basically the Chinese Netflix. Televised entertainment from all over the world can be viewed on this platform. Aside from the biggest American movies, iQIYI has reality shows, comedy shows, all the popular K-dramas, J-dramas etc. It supports multiple screens and allows you to watch content anytime. While some shows require an iQIYI membership, most of the movies and TV dramas are free. Even if the show you want to watch requires purchasing a membership, it’s only RMB 20 (USD 3) a month, which is cheaper than Netflix by USD 7. 

NetEase Cloud Music is the most popular music app in China, and it’s not hard to see why. Artists from all over the world post their music and albums on NetEase. Like Spotify, you’re able to follow other users and artists. But with NetEase, you’re able to post videos of your own, look at performance videos and music videos from your idols, and favorite, like, and comment on those videos. You’re also able to post a “status” by re-sharing another post, sharing a song track or album, or by posting your own music covers. What better way to enjoy music than by listening, sharing, and creating!

Here in China, there's the Chinese version of YouTube. Bilibili （哔哩哔哩）has billons of funny videos, make-up tutorials, gaming videos, restaurant and store reviews, and celebrity performances. Similar to YouTube, you can make your own account and post videos, comment under others people’s videos, like and share other videos, and track your subscriber count. To register as an official member, you’ll have to take a 100-question quiz and go through Real Name Verification to prove you’re a real human. However, if you think the fuss is too much, you’re still able to surf the site and watch videos without an account.

Weibo （微博）is China’s hottest Twitter-like social network. With trending topics, different hashtags, and the ability to follow others, Weibo gives you access to the world and its celebrities. You’re able to post images and videos, comment under other people’s posts, like posts, share posts, and send messages to other users. Like Twitter, there is a “followers” count and a "following" count. In addition to its active users, the site hosts over 400 million business pages, and many celebrities who do not speak Chinese use the site to reach out to their Chinese fanbase. You’re free to stalk celebrities from all over the world and join fan clubs as well.

This is another alternative app for the all-time favorite Netflix. Pumpkin Movie (南瓜电影）allows you to watch any movie that has been released on Netflix, and even has movies available on their platform before they're available at your local cinemas. What better way to watch the newest hit TV shows from the comfort of your own couch. To gain access to all the TV shows, movies, and dramas, you must have a membership, and Pumpkin Movie gives you a one-month free-trial by subscribing to it with your phone number. When your trial is up, you'll need to pay RMB 8 (USD 1.24) per month to access the platform, which is cheaper than Netflix by almost USD 9!

RenRen （人人视频） is a video sharing platform that includes dramas and TV shows from all around the world. With different genres of videos, varying from stand-up comedy to horror films, you'll definitely find something up your alley. You're able to watch videos and write comments without purchasing a membership. However, some TV shows and K-dramas (containing graphic scenes) require a membership to unlock the series. The membership is RMB 9 per month and will also turn off ads, give you the ability to turn off comments, and upgrade your video resolution. There are also yearly memberships and discounts available on the platform that changes from time to time.

So there you go, entertainment apps you can access without a VPN to maximize your leisure time in China. Happy binging!

Images: Unsplash