In the ever-expanding universe of social media and visual discovery, Pinterest stands as a unique platform that allows users to explore, discover, and curate inspiration through images and ideas. However, if you find yourself in China, you might wonder how to unlock the creative potential of Pinterest in a region where internet regulations can be quite stringent.
Fear not, for this article will guide you through the steps on how to use Pinterest in China while staying in compliance with local laws and regulations.
Why is Pinterest blocked in China
Before we dive into using Pinterest in China, it’s crucial to understand the digital landscape of this vast and dynamic country. China has its own set of internet regulations and censorship mechanisms, often referred to as the “Great Firewall.” This system blocks access to many international websites and platforms, including popular social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Pinterest, like many other foreign websites and platforms, is not available in China primarily due to the country’s strict internet censorship policies and the Great Firewall. Several factors contribute to this unavailability:
- Content Control: Pinterest is a platform where users can freely share and discover content, including images and ideas. China’s government exercises strict control over online content to maintain its preferred narrative and prevent the spread of information that it deems politically sensitive or harmful to social stability. Pinterest’s open and user-driven nature makes it challenging to control the content shared on the platform.
- Foreign Platforms: The Chinese government favors domestic platforms that can be closely monitored and controlled. As a foreign platform, Pinterest falls outside the scope of platforms that are actively promoted and allowed in China. Instead, the government encourages the use of homegrown social media networks like WeChat and Weibo.
- Censorship of Visual Content: Pinterest’s visual nature poses challenges in terms of content censorship. Images can convey information and ideas more quickly and effectively than text, making image-based platforms like Pinterest a concern for censorship authorities.
- Political Sensitivity: Content related to political topics, human rights, and activism often faces strict scrutiny and censorship in China. Pinterest’s potential to host discussions or imagery related to these topics could contribute to its blockage.
To access Pinterest in China, individuals often use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the Great Firewall and access blocked websites and platforms. However, it’s essential to note that the use of VPNs for circumventing censorship is also subject to regulation in China, and the availability and effectiveness of VPNs may vary over time.
How to unblock Pinterest in China?
You can use a VPN to bypass the restriction in China and access Pinterest. VPN is a tool for protecting people’s internet traffic and keeping their identities private online. Your internet traffic will go through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see when you connect to a secure VPN server.
This is my way to access Pinterest and I guess it’s probably the easiest way. Here are 3 steps.
Step 1: Choose the right VPN
The very first step for you is to find a VPN that can work in China. For this first step, a few things you need to be careful of.
- If you’re planning a trip to China and want to use a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall, not all VPNs are created equal. The Chinese government has gotten pretty good at blocking VPNs, so it’s important to do your research and find one that will actually work.
- Make sure to download and set up your VPN app and account before you go to China, because you won’t be able to download it once you’re there. And forget about downloading it directly from the provider’s website, because that’s blocked too.
- Before you head off on your trip, take some time to figure out what kind of VPN plan you need. I suggest going for a yearly or multi-year plan so you don’t get caught without access due to a forgotten renewal. But of course, it all depends on how long you’ll be staying in China.
Step 2: Turn on your VPN
After you’ve signed up for a VPN account and purchased a plan, you’re free to use your VPN! There are 2 crucial settings you need to know.
Choose the right server
Normally, a VPN will provide users with 100+ servers from different countries. Because the network speed could be different by region, you need to test a bit to see which countries’ servers could give you the best network speed.
Choose the right protocol
VPN protocols are sets of programs and processes that determine how that tunnel is actually formed. There will be a few protocol options for you to choose in a VPN app. For example, in ExpressVPN, there are 7 protocols.
- Lightway: It’s a next-generation VPN protocol that provides the best in speed, security, and reliability.
- OpenVPN: It is a very popular and highly secure protocol used by many VPN providers.
- IPSec/IKEv2: It sets the foundation for a secure VPN connection by establishing an authenticated and encrypted connection.
- Wireguard: It is the newest and fastest tunneling protocol the entire VPN industry is talking about.
- SSTP: Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is a fairly secure and capable VPN protocol created by Microsoft.
- L2TP/IPSec: It’s simply a VPN tunneling protocol that creates a connection between you and a VPN server.
- PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) was created in 1999 and was the first widely available VPN protocol. It was first designed to tunnel dialup traffic!
I remember once I was suffering a terrible, terrible network environment in China and only this Lightway protocol of ExpressVPN was able to help me access the internet, so I was really impressed!
Step 3: Enjoy Pinterest
Once you have access to the internet on your phone or PC, you’re connected to a VPN, which should enable you to access the website pinterest.com or download the Pinterest apps without any problems. Well, It’s surely common to experience some interruptions with your connection, so I suggest you test out the best VPN servers for yourself.
If you’re still having trouble accessing Pinterest or other blocked websites, you should contact your VPN’s customer support team for further assistance.
What is the best VPN for Pinterest?
| Number of US server cities | 16 |
| Number of servers | 3,000+ |
| Server locations | 160 |
| Maximum devices supported | 5 |
Here’s why I reckon ExpressVPN is the ultimate go-to for busting through Pinterest blocks in China – it’s like a superstar combo of everything you need, from speed and safety to user-friendliness, compatibility, and top-notch customer support.
It’s got this killer feature for China – a whopping 3,000+ servers scattered across 160 spots and 94 countries. So, no matter where you are, they’ve got you covered.
When it comes to speed, ExpressVPN’s got your back, especially if you flick on their fancy Lightway protocol. And get this – they’ve got these cool wizards that help you pick smart options, plus a 24/7 live chat that’s your buddy whenever you need help, even if you’re not in China.
But here’s the deal – with ExpressVPN, you can totally download the app and snag a Pinterest account while you’re in China (yep, I’ve tried it). And the security game? On point. Think Bitcoin payments, P2P support, super-strong encryption, a kill switch, DNS armor, and a rock-solid no-logs rule.
Now, the only catch? You can only have five gadgets hooked up at the same time, which is a tad fewer compared to some others. But hey, if you’re good with that, ExpressVPN is like your golden ticket to Pinterest in China.
What is the alternative to Pinterest in China?
In China, where Pinterest is not readily accessible due to internet censorship and the Great Firewall, several local alternatives offer similar features and functionalities for users interested in visual discovery and idea sharing. Here are some popular alternatives to Pinterest in China:
- Hupu – Hupu is a sports-oriented platform that allows users to share images, articles, and discussions related to sports and entertainment.
- HuaBan (花瓣) – HuaBan is often considered the closest Chinese equivalent to Pinterest. It focuses on lifestyle, design, and creative content, allowing users to pin and discover images of various interests.
- Douban (豆瓣) – Douban is a multifaceted platform that combines elements of social networking, book, film, and music recommendations, as well as group discussions. Users can create collections of items they like and share them with others.
- Meilishuo (美丽说) – Meilishuo is a fashion and lifestyle platform where users can discover and share fashion trends, beauty tips, and shopping recommendations.
- Xiaohongshu (小红书) – Often referred to as “Little Red Book,” Xiaohongshu is a popular platform for lifestyle, fashion, and travel content. Users share their experiences, reviews, and recommendations through images and text.
The Reddit discussions center around the topic of how to use Pinterest in China
The Reddit discussions center around Pinterest accessibility in China, especially when connected through a VPN:
- VPN and Pinterest in China: Users discuss issues with using Pinterest in China while connected to a VPN. The original poster mentions the necessity of a VPN to bypass the Great Firewall but encounters difficulties when trying to pin something on Pinterest using an iPad.
- Pinterest Blocked in China: Another thread reveals that Pinterest is currently blocked in China. Users share this information and express their thoughts on the situation.
- App Identification on Pinterest: A user seeks help in identifying an app featured on Pinterest, describing it as a mix of Instagram and Pinterest. The community responds, identifying the app as “Xiao Hong shu.”
- Concerns about Pinterest Operations: There’s a thread discussing concerns about Pinterest’s operations, likening them to the Chinese government. Users express dissatisfaction with account suspensions and the appeals process.
- Pinterest and Sketchy Websites: A user seeks assistance in finding a dress seen on Pinterest, highlighting concerns about the link leading to a sketchy, potentially China-based website.
- Chinese Photographers on Pinterest: Users discuss the presence of Chinese photographers on Pinterest. Tips on photo editing, like boosting luminance, are shared in response to a query about achieving a specific photographic effect.
- Internet Accessibility in China: A broader discussion emerges regarding internet accessibility in China, noting restrictions without a VPN, which limits access to platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.
- Global Internet Access: There’s a reminder that the internet is free and globally accessible. The discussion emphasizes that users can access international internet addresses freely, despite potential restrictions in specific regions.
In summary, the Reddit threads provide insights into challenges and discussions surrounding Pinterest use in China, touching upon VPN issues, the blockage of Pinterest, app identification, concerns about Pinterest’s operations, and broader discussions on internet accessibility in China.
