China has strict rules on what can be accessed via the internet, and platforms such as Facebook, as well as search engines including Google, are banned. In fact, ‘The Great Firewall of China’ currently blocks more than 8,000 sites. To get around these restrictions, it’s not uncommon for locals and tourists alike to download a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which disguises your location. However, VPN use is technically not allowed and police are starting to crack down. In 2019, a man from Guangdong caught using VPNs to access banned websites was fined 1,000 yuan ($149/£113).