An example of an easy to use VPN is
www.hidemyass.com
I haven't been to PRC in a while, so I'm not sure whether it works from there or is blocked. But from everywhere I've tried it, it works great. One possible use is to access Netflix as if one were in the USA. Another possible use is to access isohunt as if one were NOT in the USA (where it is essentially blocked -- still works, but can't find much there from the USA).
There are many others, but HMA is the one I like.
Gherk