KookVPN Blog

Technical guides, China internet news, protocol deep dives, and practical tips for surviving the Great Firewall. Written by someone who actually lives behind it.

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Troubleshooting March 7, 2026 8 min read

Why Your VPN Keeps Disconnecting in China (And How to Fix It)

Your VPN drops three times before lunch. It is not your internet. It is your protocol. Here is why commercial VPNs fail in China and what to do about it.

AI Development March 4, 2026 12 min read

Using Claude Code Behind the Great Firewall: Complete Setup Guide

Claude Code needs a persistent, leak-free connection to api.anthropic.com. One exposed China IP can trigger permanent account suspension. Here is how to set it up safely.

Technical February 27, 2026 10 min read

VLESS vs WireGuard: Which Protocol Actually Works in China?

WireGuard is the darling of the VPN industry. VLESS+Reality is unknown outside China. In GFW testing, one has a 98% success rate. The other has 45%. Guess which is which.

China Guide February 19, 2026 15 min read

China Internet Censorship: The Complete 2026 Guide

What is blocked, how it is blocked, and what has changed in 2026. The most comprehensive guide to understanding China internet censorship for expats.

AI Development February 14, 2026 10 min read

Why AI Companies Ban China VPN Users (And How to Stay Safe)

Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google are banning accounts that connect from China IPs. Even one leaked connection can trigger a permanent ban. Here is why and how to protect yourself.

China Guide February 9, 2026 12 min read

The Expat's Guide to China's Great Firewall in 2026

Moving to China? Everything you need to know about internet restrictions, VPN options, and how to maintain your digital life behind the Great Firewall.

Technical February 4, 2026 9 min read

Best ISP for VPN in China: Telecom vs Mobile vs Unicom

Your ISP matters more than your VPN. China Telecom, Unicom, and Mobile handle international traffic very differently. Here is which one gives you the best VPN performance.

Technical January 29, 2026 11 min read

How the Great Firewall Detects and Blocks VPN Protocols

Deep packet inspection, active probing, statistical analysis, IP blocking, DNS manipulation. The five methods the GFW uses to find and kill your VPN connection.

AI Development January 24, 2026 14 min read

Setting Up AI Development Tools in China: Claude, Codex, Gemini

A complete setup guide for using Claude Code, OpenAI Codex CLI, and Google Gemini CLI safely from behind the Great Firewall.

China Guide January 19, 2026 7 min read

National People's Congress Internet Throttling: What to Expect in 2026

Every March, the GFW tightens during the NPC. VPNs that work the rest of the year suddenly fail. Here is what to expect and how to prepare.

Technical January 14, 2026 9 min read

Private VPN Server vs Commercial VPN: Why It Matters in China

Commercial VPNs share one IP among thousands of users. A private VPN server is yours alone. In China, this architectural difference determines whether your connection survives.

Guides January 9, 2026 8 min read

How to Use Google Workspace Reliably in China

Gmail, Google Drive, Docs, Meet, Calendar. Your company runs on Google Workspace. China blocks all of it. Here is how to get it working reliably.

China Guide December 19, 2025 8 min read

Is Using a VPN in China Legal? What Expats Need to Know in 2026

The legal landscape around VPN use in China is nuanced. Here is what the law actually says, what happens in practice, and what risks expats face.

Technical December 14, 2025 7 min read

TUN Mode Explained: Why It Captures Traffic Other VPNs Miss

Browser extensions miss terminal traffic. SOCKS proxies miss desktop apps. TUN mode captures everything at the OS level. Here is how it works and why it matters.

Guides December 9, 2025 8 min read

Streaming YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify in China at Full Speed

4K YouTube. Buffer-free Netflix. Instant Spotify. It is possible in China with the right VPN configuration. Here is exactly how to get full-speed streaming.

Technical December 4, 2025 13 min read

Reality Protocol Deep Dive: How TLS Mimicry Defeats the GFW

Reality does not hide VPN traffic. It impersonates legitimate HTTPS traffic. A technical deep dive into how TLS mimicry, active probe defense, and certificate spoofing work.

Technical November 27, 2025 8 min read

DNS Leaks in China: Why Your VPN Isn't as Private as You Think

Your VPN encrypts your traffic but leaks your DNS queries to your ISP. In China, this means the GFW knows exactly which websites you visit, even with VPN active.

Technical November 19, 2025 7 min read

BBR Congestion Control: The Speed Hack Your VPN Probably Doesn't Use

Most VPNs use CUBIC TCP, which chokes on lossy international links. BBR, developed by Google, was designed for exactly this scenario. Here is why it makes your VPN faster.

Guides November 14, 2025 6 min read

Split Routing: Keep WeChat and Alipay Working While Using VPN

Turn on VPN, WeChat stops. Turn off VPN, Google disappears. Split routing solves this by routing Chinese apps direct and foreign apps through the tunnel.

Technical November 9, 2025 9 min read

Singapore vs Tokyo vs San Francisco: Best VPN Server Location for China

Server location affects latency, speed, and which content libraries you access. Singapore, Tokyo, and San Francisco each have trade-offs for China users.

Technical October 29, 2025 10 min read

What Is Deep Packet Inspection? How China Blocks Your VPN

The GFW does not just block IP addresses. It reads the contents of your packets in real-time. Here is how DPI works and which VPN protocols survive it.

Guides October 19, 2025 7 min read

How to Use Zoom Reliably in China Without Buffering

Zoom calls that drop mid-presentation. Video that freezes. Audio that cuts out. Here is how to configure your VPN for reliable video conferencing in China.

China Guide September 30, 2025 6 min read

Golden Week VPN Survival Guide: October Internet Throttling in China

Every October, the GFW intensifies around National Day. Your VPN that worked yesterday might not work tomorrow. Here is how to prepare and what to expect.

AI Development September 14, 2025 11 min read

Running OpenAI Codex CLI in China: Complete Guide for Developers

OpenAI blocks China IPs aggressively. Your API key, subscription, and account are at risk. Here is how to safely use Codex CLI from behind the Great Firewall.

AI Development August 31, 2025 9 min read

Using Google Gemini CLI in China Without Getting Banned

Gemini API is geo-restricted in China. Google monitors connection origins. Here is how to use Gemini CLI safely without triggering account restrictions.

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