Best CDN for China

Are you struggling with slow website performance in China? Discover the best CDN solutions for the Chinese market and learn how 21YunBox can supercharge your site’s speed beyond traditional CDNs.

Understanding CDNs in China

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) is a group of geographically distributed servers that speed up web content delivery by bringing it closer to where users are. In China, CDNs play a crucial role in overcoming unique challenges posed by the country’s vast geography and complex internet infrastructure.

Unlike global CDN providers, China-based CDNs have servers (Points of Presence, or PoPs) within mainland China, allowing them to deliver content more efficiently to Chinese users. This is particularly important due to the Great Firewall of China, which can significantly slow down or block content from servers outside the country.

Why You Need a CDN in China

Using a CDN in China is essential for several reasons:

1. Improved Speed: CDNs reduce latency by serving content from the nearest server to the user.
2. Better User Experience: Faster load times lead to higher user engagement and lower bounce rates.
3. Reduced Bandwidth Costs: CDNs can help lower your origin server’s bandwidth usage.
4. Increased Reliability: CDNs provide redundancy, ensuring your content remains available even if one server fails.
5. Enhanced Security: Many CDNs offer DDoS protection and other security features.

To see how your site currently performs in China, you can run a speed test here.

Top 5 China-based CDNs

Here are the top 5 China-based CDNs that have proven reliable in the Chinese market:

1. Alibaba Cloud
2. Baidu AI Cloud
3. BaishanCloud
4. ChinaCache
5. Tencent Cloud

1. Alibaba Cloud

If you are already using Amazon Web Services (AWS), Alibaba Cloud or Aliyun is the “Chinese AWS.” Even though AWS China (or AWS CN regions) operates inside mainland China, in terms of scale and market share, Alibaba Cloud is the leading cloud company in China. Alibaba Cloud not only gives you CDN in China but also covers all the fundamental needs, for example, getting servers in China.

2. Baidu AI Cloud

Baidu AI Cloud is the cloud powering the leading search engine Baidu in China, and it’s also known as the “Chinese Google.”They have a wide range of cloud hosting services, and in recent years, they have launched more Big Data and AI(Artificial Intelligence) related services for developers.

3. BaishanCloud

BaishanCloud is recognized as the only Chinese service provider with global network capabilities by Gartner Research. The company has mainly focused on CDN in and outside of China.

4. ChinaCache

ChinaCache was founded in 1998 and had a long history of Cloud and CDN offerings in China. It’s the first company to provide CDN content serving in China.

5. Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud is the backbone that supports WeChat or Weixin, the “Super app for everything” and “digital Swiss Army knife” because of its robust ecosystem and wide range of functions, such as WeChat Pay and WeChat Mini Programs. With daily active users of 968 million (2021 data) of WeChat, Tencent Cloud CDN plays a crucial role, and you can leverage their CDN to boost your web content.

Challenges of Using CDNs in China

While CDNs are crucial for delivering content in China, there are several challenges to be aware of:

1. ICP Licensing: To use a CDN in China, you need an ICP (Internet Content Provider) license or filing. This process can be complex and time-consuming. Learn more about ICP licenses for websites, mobile apps, and e-commerce sites.

2. Content Restrictions: The Chinese government has strict regulations on content. CDNs must comply with these rules, which may affect what you can deliver.

3. Great Firewall: China’s internet filtering system can impact CDN performance, especially for CDNs with servers outside China.

4. Technical Integration: Integrating with China-specific CDNs may require technical expertise and potentially changes to your existing infrastructure.

5. Cost: China-based CDNs can be more expensive than global CDN services due to the specialized infrastructure required.

21YunBox: Beyond Traditional CDNs

While traditional CDNs offer significant benefits, 21YunBox takes website acceleration in China to the next level. Here’s how:

1. Intelligent Resource Optimization: Our web performance optimizer automatically detects slow-loading resources on your website and reroutes them to faster nodes in China.

2. Multi-CDN Approach: We leverage multiple CDN providers to ensure the best possible performance across all regions in China.

3. Dynamic Content Acceleration: Unlike traditional CDNs that primarily focus on static content, 21YunBox optimizes dynamic content delivery as well.

4. Compliance Assistance: We help navigate the complex regulatory landscape, including ICP licensing requirements.

5. One-Click Deployment: Easy integration with your existing setup, requiring minimal technical changes.

Comparison of CDN Solutions for China

Real-world Performance Improvements: Enterprise Case Studies

At 21YunBox, we’re proud to work with a diverse range of clients, including many large enterprises and publicly traded companies. While we’re bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent us from sharing specific client names, we can provide anonymized case studies that demonstrate the real-world impact of our solutions.

These case studies represent just a small sample of the success our enterprise clients have achieved. Each showcases how 21YunBox’s unique approach to content delivery and optimization in China has led to significant performance improvements and business results.

Case Study 1: Global E-commerce Leader

Company Profile: Major international fashion retailer (Fortune 500 company)

Challenge: Slow loading times and high bounce rates in China

Solution: Implemented 21YunBox’s optimization and multi-CDN approach

Results:

• Page load time reduced from 8.2s to 2.1s (74% improvement)
• Bounce rate decreased by 35%
• Conversion rate increased by 28%

Case Study 2: Enterprise SaaS Platform

Company Profile: Global project management software provider (Nasdaq-listed company)

Challenge: Poor application performance and user complaints in China

Solution: Utilized 21YunBox’s dynamic content acceleration and resource optimization

Results:

• API response time improved by 82% (from 3.4s to 0.6s)
• User retention in China increased by 45%
• Customer support tickets related to performance issues decreased by 67%

Case Study 3: Multinational Media Streaming Service

Company Profile: International news and entertainment streaming platform (NYSE-listed company)

Challenge: Buffer times and quality issues for video content in China

Solution: Implemented 21YunBox’s intelligent resource routing and multi-CDN strategy

Results:

• Video start time reduced by 62% (from 8.7s to 3.3s)
• Buffering incidents decreased by 78%
• User engagement (average watch time) increased by 41%

These case studies illustrate the transformative impact that 21YunBox can have on businesses operating in China, regardless of their industry or size. While we can’t disclose the names of these companies due to our confidentiality agreements, we’re more than happy to discuss how these use cases might apply to your specific situation.

If you’re facing similar challenges with your digital presence in China, we encourage you to reach out. Our team of experts can provide a personalized assessment of how 21YunBox can help accelerate your content delivery and optimize your user experience in this crucial market.

Remember, these results aren’t just numbers – they represent real improvements in user experience, customer satisfaction, and ultimately, business performance in one of the world’s largest and most complex digital markets. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss your specific needs and how 21YunBox can help you achieve similar results in China.

How to Choose the Right CDN for China

When selecting a CDN for China, consider the following factors:

1. Number and Location of PoPs in China
2. Performance Metrics (e.g., latency, throughput)
3. Ease of Integration with Your Current Setup
4. Regulatory Compliance Assistance
5. Cost and Pricing Structure
6. Additional Features (e.g., security, analytics)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I need an ICP license to use a CDN in China? Yes, an ICP license or filing is required. The type of ICP depends on your website’s nature. Learn more about ICP licenses for websites, mobile apps, and e-commerce sites.

2. Can I use my existing global CDN in China? While some global CDNs have partnerships in China, they often don’t perform as well as China-based CDNs. It’s generally recommended to use a China-specific solution.

3. How does 21YunBox differ from traditional CDNs? 21YunBox goes beyond traditional CDN capabilities by offering intelligent resource optimization, multi-CDN approach, and dynamic content acceleration. Learn more about the differences between CDNs and 21YunBox.

4. How difficult is it to integrate 21YunBox with my existing website? 21YunBox offers one-click deployment, making integration simple and requiring minimal changes to your existing setup.

5. Can 21YunBox help with ICP licensing? Yes, 21YunBox provides assistance with navigating the ICP licensing process as part of our comprehensive China acceleration solution.

Accelerating your website in China doesn’t have to be complicated. With 21YunBox, you get the benefits of top-tier CDNs plus intelligent optimization tailored for the Chinese market. Contact us today to learn how we can supercharge your website’s performance in China!