This is the story of "Leo," a traveler who learned that staying connected in China requires a little bit of homework and a lot of preparation.
: When he tried to visit skype.com without a VPN, he was redirected to a modified Chinese version ( skype.gmw.cn ) that complies with local monitoring regulations.
: To ensure high-quality video and to access the standard "international" version of Skype, Leo used a reliable VPN service (like ExpressVPN or NordVPN ) that he also set up before entering the country. The Call: Staying in Touch Top China Communication Apps in 2026 - Trip.com
: Sometimes his video calls were crystal clear, and other times they lagged significantly.