CN2 GIA vs AS4837 vs 163 Backbone: China Routing Guide

Understanding China's international routing is essential for anyone hosting services for Chinese users.

CN2 GIA (Global Internet Access)

China Telecom's premium tier. Direct routing with minimal latency (140-170ms from US West Coast). Almost zero packet loss during peak hours. Costs $30-100+/month. Best for business-critical applications serving Chinese users. Providers: BandwagonHost, HostDare, DMIT.

AS4837 (China Unicom)

China Unicom's international network. Good performance at 170-200ms latency. About 50-70% cheaper than CN2 GIA. May experience congestion during China's evening peak (8-11 PM CST).

163 Backbone (ChinaNet)

Standard tier used by most providers. Higher latency (180-250ms) and significant packet loss during peak hours. Included in standard VPS plans.

How to Verify Your Routing

Run: mtr -r -c 10 180.149.128.9

• 59.43.x.x = CN2 GIA
• 219.158.x.x = AS4837
• Other = 163 Backbone