What Is China Telecom CN2 GIA? CN2 GIA vs CN2 GT vs 163 and How to Test the Route
China Telecom CN2 GIA (Global Internet Access) is the premium international route of China Telecom's CN2 network (AS4809). Compared with the regular 163 backbone, CN2 GIA traffic is carried end to end on CN2 and receives a higher priority, which means lower latency and much less packet loss during the evening peak in mainland China. This article explains the difference between CN2 GIA, CN2 GT and 163, which JUSTG data centers use which route, how to check the route yourself with mtr or traceroute, and which projects benefit most.
CN2 GIA vs CN2 GT vs 163: the three China Telecom routes
| Route | Network | Typical hops in a traceroute | Behavior at peak hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 163 (ChinaNet) | AS4134, the standard backbone shared by most consumer traffic | 202.97.x.x throughout | Congestion and packet loss are common on international links |
| CN2 GT | 163 inside China, CN2 (AS4809) at the border and abroad | 202.97.x.x inside China, then 59.43.x.x | Better than 163, but the domestic part shares the busy backbone |
| CN2 GIA | CN2 (AS4809) from end to end, highest priority class | 59.43.x.x throughout, no 202.97.x.x | Stable latency and low loss even in the evening |
The key point is that CN2 GT only uses CN2 for the international section, while CN2 GIA keeps the traffic on CN2 inside China as well. That is why a CN2 GIA traceroute shows 59.43.x.x hops and no 202.97.x.x hops.
Which JUSTG locations use CN2 GIA
| JUSTG location | Route to mainland China |
|---|---|
| Johannesburg, South Africa (near NAPAfrica) | China Telecom CN2 GIA |
| Moscow, Russia | China Telecom CN2 GIA |
| Tokyo, Japan | China Telecom premium routing |
| Seoul, South Korea | Asia-optimized routing |
For Johannesburg and Moscow, CN2 GIA is what makes these distant locations practical for users in China: the physical distance stays the same, but the path is far more stable than a 163 route over the same distance.
Step 1: Prepare a test from a China Telecom connection
CN2 GIA is a China Telecom product, so test from a China Telecom broadband or server in mainland China. Use the IP address of your JUSTG server (in the examples, 203.0.113.20). On Linux install mtr:
# Debian / Ubuntu
apt install -y mtr-tiny
# CentOS / Rocky / AlmaLinux
dnf install -y mtrOn Windows you can use the built-in tracert or a graphical tool such as WinMTR.
Step 2: Run mtr or traceroute toward the server
mtr -rwc 50 203.0.113.20
# Windows
tracert -d 203.0.113.20The report option (-r) with 50 cycles (-c 50) gives a stable summary of latency and loss per hop. Running the test during the evening peak (around 20:00-23:00 China time) shows the real difference between routes.
Step 3: Read the hops and identify the route
- Only 59.43.x.x after the local access network: the path is CN2 GIA.
- 202.97.x.x first, then 59.43.x.x: CN2 GT.
- 202.97.x.x all the way to the border: ordinary 163.
Some hops may show ??? or * and even 100% loss. That only means the router does not reply to probes. If the final hop has no loss, the path is fine.
Step 4: Check the return route as well
Internet routing is often asymmetric: the path from the server back to China can differ from the path to the server. Log in to your JUSTG VPS and run mtr toward the public IP of the China Telecom connection you used in Step 2 (shown here as a documentation address):
mtr -rwc 50 198.51.100.50A true CN2 GIA service shows 59.43.x.x hops in both directions.
Who benefits from CN2 GIA
- Cross-border e-commerce sites whose shoppers or back-office teams are in mainland China and need fast page loads at peak hours.
- Game servers, where stable latency and low jitter matter more than raw bandwidth.
- Enterprise applications such as ERP, CRM, file sync or video meetings connecting overseas offices with teams in China.
FAQ
Is CN2 GIA the same as CN2 GT?
No. Both use the CN2 network abroad, but CN2 GT sends traffic over the 163 backbone inside China. CN2 GIA stays on CN2 end to end, so it is usually more stable at peak times.
Why do I see 202.97.x.x hops on my test?
Your test probably ran from a China Unicom or China Mobile line, or from a network that hands traffic to 163 first. Repeat the test from a China Telecom connection and check both directions.
Will CN2 GIA make my server faster for every visitor?
It improves the path between China Telecom networks and the server. Visitors in other countries reach JUSTG through its regular international transit.
If you still have questions about routes after following this guide, submit a ticket with your mtr results and the JUSTG technical support team will help you.
