How to Access ChatGPT in Hong Kong

This is a bit of a different article but it seems apropos given that OpenAI just announced the rollout of voice and image support for ChatGPT-4V, an iteration of the AI-powered large language model (LLM.) that has taken the tech world by storm in the last year. From deploying ChatGPT in personal and professional textual applications such as content creation, translation, and even conversational use, to programmatic tasks, data collection and analysis, and other core business operations, such as coding (albeit limited) and customer service support/chatbots, there’s not much that’s off-the-table when it comes to finding a use-case to meet your specific needs. 

But for those in Hong Kong (and more than a handful of other countries which some may argue are under totalitarian control – other peoples’ words, not mine), even accessing this free AND paid service can be prohibitive and is not particularly intuitive. That’s why I’m here to break it down into easy-to-understand steps on how to access ChatGPT in Hong Kong (with visuals).

Personally, I’ve integrated it into more than a handful of workflow processes that I use for clients and everyday life use, including drafting personalized invoices and PR outreach and embarrassingly, various tutorials on how to do some basic formatting and equations in Excel. Even a bozo like myself finds use in this language model and application, so I’m more than sure you’ll fare even better than me. And, if you are reading this website, then there is a chance that you work remotely or are planning on traveling and want to maximize your efficiency (ChatGPT can even help you plan travel itineraries).

Consider this an introductory guide for beginners looking to whet their lips and get started with using ChatGPT in Hong Kong. Now, beep beep boop bop beep – Let’s get started (if you are a robot reading this then you already know what that stood for).

Is ChatGPT Available in Hong Kong? 

As of the date of publication, “No,” ChatGPT is not available in Hong Kong. ChatGPT’s list of supported countries may be found here. Hong Kong (and China) is not on the list of supported countries, along with a list of the usual suspects who are not typically known for the promotion (or acceptance) of the free flow of information such as:

• Afghanistan
• Myanmar
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• Syria
• Turkmenistan
• Yemen.

Keep in mind that the above is not an exhaustive list, just who I would consider the usual suspects in the “We don’t like freedom of speech” arena. These jurisdictions may also be subject to change and may be supported in the future, so it never hurts to do a quick Google search or check the above-supported countries list on OpenAI’s website.

Finally, if you needed a good laugh for the day, the Hong Kong government stated in early 2023 that they would explore developing their own, native ChatGPT-like AI platform.

Why is ChatGPT Unavailable in Hong Kong?

I’m sure it doesn’t surprise too many that in a state as politically contentious and volatile as Hong Kong, internet legislation and censorship are not particularly favorable to free speech and access to information. 

Just north of the border, you have the ‘Great Firewall’, a splinternet and hybrid technological-legislative initiative that blocks access to specific foreign websites, apps, and other electronic tools, trawls for sensitive keywords and phrases, and further regulates cross-border internet users, traffic, and communications.

But alas, this is not a political blog, and I, Big Body, am no more than a self-anointed advocate of cheap draft beers and reasonably priced lamb chops.

How to Use ChatGPT in Hong Kong

Accessing ChatGPT in Hong Kong isn’t actually as arduous or overwhelming a task as it might sound and can be done before you finish your first cup of coffee in the morning. 

Tools You Need to Access ChatGPT in Hong Kong

First things first, you’ll need an email address or a Google/Microsoft account – which I hope to God you have. 

Second, if you do login through your email address, you will be required to verify your account with a phone number. This is the part of the process which is a slight pain in the ass as Hong Kong (+852) phone numbers are not accepted. I still keep a U.S. phone number which I use(d) for verification. 

If you do not have a second non-Hong Kong phone number, there are more than a handful of throwaway and temporary phone number services available. You can always ask a friend living outside Hong Kong to help out as well.

Third, you’ll need a Virtual Proxy Network (VPN). A VPN is a mechanism that generates and establishes a secure, encrypted connection between your electronic device and a computer network. This ensures that you can safely transmit data and other electronic communications without fear of unauthorized access or “eavesdropping.”

VPNs that I’ve personally used and can recommend (including the one I’m currently using), include:

• ExpressVPN – this is my preferred VPN and the one I’ve been using for the last three years (I’ve had no issues and don’t see myself leaving anytime soon);
• Surfshark – launched by a Netherlands-based company, Surfshark enables you to connect to as many devices as your heart desires, blocks ads and malware, and does not keep usage logs (meaning they can’t see what you do when you browse online);
• NordVPN – operating out of Panama, NordVPN boasts nearly 6,000 servers (across almost 60 countries), supports double encryption, and also does not keep usage logs.

Most popular VPNs will run you anywhere from HKD$60 to HKD$100 per month, which for taking the first step towards overhauling the efficiency in your everyday or professional life, really isn’t too big of an expenditure. PrivadoVPN and ProtonVPN are two free VPNs that are formidable options if you’d rather not spend money on one.

Even if you don’t use ChatGPT, a VPN is essential for practicing sound online privacy and cybersecurity – especially if you find yourself using your laptop/devices in public often like I do.

I would just emphasize that if you do decide to use ChatGPT’s paid version, there may be issues with using payment details of an unavailable or banned country. So what I would recommend is using payment information/credit cards that are tied to a jurisdiction where ChatGPT is available. For example, I use a U.S. credit card for all ChatGPT purchases.

Pale Ale Travel Note: To learn more about each one of these VPNs, make sure to check out my post explaining the top VPNs in Hong Kong.

How to Access ChatGPT in Hong Kong

Now that you’ve secured your VPN, it’s time to fire up your VPN so that you can access OpenAI and take your first steps towards being part of the global, robotic, artificial intelligence takeover of humankind as we know it (well…maybe not just yet).

Step 1: Launch Your VPN

Launch your VPN by selecting a location of an available/supported country, such as the United States or the United Kingdom. Hit ‘Connect’ (depending on your VPN) and wait for it to show that it is connected. 

For example, with ExpressVPN, this is what a ‘Connected’ VPN will look like.

I connect to Los Angeles as part of my daily affirmations that I will one day be a coveted L.A. influencer. But in reality, it’s just my default setting.

Step 2: Navigate to OpenAI

Next, navigate over to https://openai.com/. Here, you’ll see ‘Log in’ in the upper right-hand corner. You can either select ‘Log in’ or ‘Try ChatGPT’ – they will both take you to the same sign-up screen, which will look like this:

Step 3: Create & Verify Your Account

From here, you’ll need to ‘Create your account’. As I mentioned above, you will likely need to verify/complete registration with a non-Hong Kong phone number. You will then receive an email, prompting you to ‘Verify your email address’.

Click ‘Verify email address’ and you will then be directed to a screen where you’ll be prompted to input some personal information such as your name and birthday. 

Next, enter your non-Hong Kong phone number and click ‘Send Code’. 

After entering the requisite code, you will be logged into ChatGPT. Give yourself a round of applause before a robot steals your ability to do that as well. 

This is what should be before you – it’s time to get started. Just don’t end up like Joaquin Phoenix in ‘Her’.

From here, you can stick with the free version (GPT-3.5) or upgrade to the paid version (GPT-4). 

Can You Purchase GPT-4 if You Only Have a Hong Kong or Chinese Issued Credit Card?

As of January 2024, based on my personal use and research, you cannot purchase GPT-4 if you only have a Hong Kong or Chinese-issued credit card due to a lack of Stripe (payment processor) support. 

While there are virtual credit cards that may be used to purchase and/or reload ChatGPT-4, I cannot recommend those in good faith at the moment – having never used them before. 

The solution I’ve found (and use) is downloading Bing Chat which uses a combination of LLMs, including OpenAI’s GPT-4, Microsoft’s Prometheus, and DALL-E 3 (for text to images). However, there is a limit to the number of daily searches and sessions using Bing Chat.

Pale Ale Travel Tip: For further information and tips about using a VPN in Hong Kong, make sure to check out post answering ‘Can I Use a VPN in Hong Kong?’.

Accessing ChatGPT in Hong Kong is More Doable Than You Think

Other than the slight hurdle of needing a non-Hong Kong phone number, accessing ChatGPT in Hong Kong is a relatively straightforward endeavor that requires minimal time. However, most, if not all, of the minor annoyances can be bypassed with a little bit of elbow grease and thinking outside of the box (e.g. Temporary phone numbers). 

Has ChatGPT revolutionized my life as I currently write this? No. But it has made it significantly more productive and allowed me to cut down excess time on repetitive or unnecessary tasks that used to once hold me up and occupy a little too much of my personal and professional bandwidth.

If you have any additional questions about accessing or using ChatGPT in Hong Kong, I’m more than happy to answer them (and will do my best to help point you in the right direction even if I don’t know the answer).

Finally, if you like this type of content (or have any suggestions for what you’d like to see), please let me know in the comments or via email (info@palealetravel.com). As I’ve emphasized in other posts, I really would like to continue building out Pale Ale Travel into a comprehensive travel, lifestyle, and freelancing website (with a primary focus on Hong Kong, Osaka, and Saigon). 

Stay digitally well everyone,

Big Body