Hey there,

Apologies in advance for the text wall. I've asked a similar question here before but now that my plans are becoming more concrete I'm just trying to be as clear and safe as possible.

Context: I'm planning to travel to China for a few months (not going over the 90 consecutive days limit)starting around the end of January or beginning of February. I'm currently in the process of starting up an online U.S.-based company (sole proprietorship most likely) and hoping to soft-launch it prior to me going (within the next month or two). It's an online coaching service company. I'd be the main face of the company and providing consultations, and I'd also have some other people on-board who would provide their own related services.


I'm concerned because with a tourist visa I don't know if my company would be allowed to continue operating. I would want to:

1. continue promoting and growing the company during that time, taking on new clients
if I can't do #1: /> 2. take on new clients quietly and maintain current clients
if I can't do #2: /> 3. at least continue serving existing clients
if I can't do #3:
4. I'd at least want to be making money through the business passively as it continues operations without me directly serving clients, ideally monitoring what happens to make sure things go as they should
if I can't do #4: /> 5. Hope the company stays okay while I just let it do its own thing...

I've seen mixed things from different sources talking about the legality of these things. Some of them recommend speaking directly with the most official sources like calling the Embassy since these things aren't necessarily outlined very clearly. Thing is I wouldn't wanna just "turn myself in" if it's something that they would otherwise ignore though (like 此地无银三百两 lol）. Seems my number can be tracked down even with a no caller ID, and I don't have a burner phone on me as of now. My dad does have one, but he lives in a different state. I fear that if I have him make the call and then they say anything unclear, it'll make him extremely anxious since he's already nervous about me traveling overseas for an extended period in the first place.

What do you think is my best bet? Call the embassy anonymously? Go all out as if nothing bad will happen (not sure if I'd trust whoever tells me this one though lmao)?? Get a lawyer to consult? etc. etc.

Thanks for reading :)

just don't take any money from anyone inside china and you'll be fine :)

Haha thanks, guess I’ll have to direct potential Chinese clients elsewhere throughout that time

is vpn issues a really big deal in china?

No. LetsVPN works with no issues. And an eSIM from Trip.com has built in VPN

can you get in truble with the authorities for using VPN?

No

But it’s possible to connect the vpn to the WiFi and use without any restrictions? I heard that didn’t work well, only esim

Anyone in Shenzen? Just about to arrive there

I use VPN and normally staying three months without any problem

Anyone in chengdu? Gonna stay there Jan 4 to 23 to feel the vibe. Considering making it my nomad base and renting an apartment.

How’s the scene in Hong Kong these days?

Any offbeat areas to stay and restaurant/speakeasy recommendations

Does anybody have ski experience in China?

Who will be in Hangzhou/shanghai in Feb/March?

Hangzhou, Feb

Anyone currently in Shenzhen? Will be staying in Nanshan until the 25th.

Will be in Shanghai for all Q1 this year!

how long are you around?

I am thinking about area around Beijing. Chongli and Nanshan Ski Village.
Around 3 weeks in february.

But please share your experience!

Hey guys, I spent 1 month in China 2025. And it was an absolute disaster to have good internet for work.

Best place I could work was at Starbucks, but they only accept Chinese phone numbers to have the OTP and I was always relying on some attendant to help with.. some of them denied to receive the code at their number..

Hi! Look for another kind of cafes/resto… check western restaurants, I like atmosphere for working and have internet by login/password … like this http://xhslink.com/o/6tDXV97vAYw

Besides that, do you manage to have a local sim where you can receive sms, or is it too much trouble?

are you in Jinan? That’s hometown 😂

Nope, I read it’s long process. Plan later, maybe 😅

Amazing! I’m in Portugal hahah but will let you know when I go back!

wrgvvothqiro jngxpsgymj hey guys! I have some issues with Japan visa application, so considering China for skiing instead, waiting for you reviews 🤓🙏

well, I guess it's hard to compare.
My main goal: snowparks. Looks like right now it's one of the best and fine shaped snowparks in the world.

And Japan more famous for pow-pow days

Hey! Anybody around in Shanghai in a few days? I get there Thursday night, looking forward to meeting ppl!

I am going to Shenzhen and Guangzhou next week. MeetUp.com doesn’t seem to be active. Where should I go or should I just go to Hong Kong?

I’ve been told a lot that Rednote and WeChat are good ways to meet people. They have “English corner” activities frequently, which are public events you can go to for locals/tourists/expats to all mingle (and do a language exchange thing for the Chinese people to practice English and foreigners to practice Chinese). I’ve gone to some of them and they’ve been cool. Like 95% Chinese so far

Yabuli, Feb 9-13

This is all really great, thank you!

do google services work? gmail and so on?

New to the site, living in Guangzhou. Any GHZers here?

Hi guys, any one here uses Claude Code in China? Is it reliable with VPN? I will visit a friend for a week and need to maybe get some work done! Thanks for your help

you need vpn with modern protocol (vless, trojan, shadowsocks). But speed and reliability could depend on you location and provider

Or you can buy esim on trip.com with singapore ip/roaming, not hong kong / macau one.
This one for example https://www.trip.com/things-to-do/detail/53873746?locale=en-XX&curr=USD
(usually it says something about chatgpt)

Of course

Oh right don't know we have this channel.

Heading China for the Lunar New Year, any recommendations for places to visit in China?
I am looking for some indie developer community, I’d love to meet new people, explore and meet new friends!

Anyone there already?

Yes!! Next one will be March 28 to Apr 3, Google SinovateX ( not sure if I can send a link here)

nice

I can join you.

Thank you Valentin