How to Get a China IP Address Anywhere — Updated in 2023

Due to licensing and distribution agreements, Chinese websites and streaming platforms limit or block access to their content if you’re not using a Chinese IP address. This means that you may not be able to watch your favorite content on platforms like Youku and WeTV when traveling abroad.

The best way to get a China IP is by using a VPN with servers in the country. It assigns you a new Chinese IP address while masking your original one, making it look like you are within China. This allows you to bypass all the blocks and access Chinese online services from anywhere.

My team and I tested 30+ VPNs and found very few with servers in China. Among the VPNs with Chinese servers, my favorite is ExpressVPN. It has multiple high-speed servers in Hong Kong that reliably unblock Chinese content while keeping your data safe with world-class privacy and security features.

It also offers a tried-and-tested 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can test ExpressVPN’s Chinese servers risk-free. If you're not impressed, you can claim a full refund.

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Why You Need a VPN to Get a China IP Address

Chinese websites and streaming platforms use your IP address to track your location. If you do not have a Chinese IP address, they may restrict or completely block your access. This is done to fulfill licensing and distribution agreements and to protect against fraud.

To bypass Chinese geoblocks, you'll need to use a powerful VPN with servers in China. When you connect to a Chinese server, all of your internet traffic gets redirected through the country before it reaches a website. This tricks the website because it sees a China IP address instead of your real one, which means your actual online location is hidden.

This way, a VPN unblocks Chinese online services and allows you to stream local content. It also protects you from hackers and trackers with advanced security features like military-grade encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch. Plus, all of the VPNs below safeguard your privacy with a strict no-logs policy, meaning that none of your online activity is recorded.

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The Best VPNs to Get a China IP Address From Anywhere in 2023

Not many VPNs offer servers in China — and even less reliably unblock Chinese content. Additionally, some VPNs are so slow that they’re almost unusable, especially if you’re located really far away from China. That’s why we tested as many VPNs as we could to find the ones that are really worth your time.

All of the VPNs on my list have at least one high-speed server in China that can be used to get a Chinese IP address. Each VPN can bypass geo-restrictions and unblock your favorite Chinese content. They also come with robust security features so you can browse without worry. If you test any of the following VPNs and you aren’t satisfied, you can take advantage of their money-back guarantee to get a full refund.

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN For a China IP with Lightning-Fast Speeds for Buffer-Free Streaming

You get consistently fast speeds on a China IP address with ExpressVPN. During my tests, I got an average download speed of 33.9 Mbps against a base speed of 35 Mbps. All VPNs impact your speed, especially if you’re connecting to a server that’s far away. Hong Kong is over 4,500 kilometers away from my location, so I was expecting a significant speed drop. However, ExpressVPN only dropped my speeds by 3%, which is really impressive.

These speeds are also more than the 25 Mbps required for Ultra-HD streaming. I was able to watch 2 episodes of Light Chaser Rescue on WeTV without buffering in UHD and only had to wait for 2 seconds to load each episode. Plus, I always had very stable connections on my Chinese IP. I never experienced any connection drops or lag while testing ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN barely affected my internet speed – I could hardly notice the difference while connected

ExpressVPN has multiple servers in China via Hong Kong. Using these, I could unblock all geo-restricted Chinese content and e-banking websites that I tested. Thanks to the multiple servers, I always had reliable access to a Chinese IP with a fast connection. I never had to worry about getting stuck with a server that’s too busy, which can cause slow speeds and connectivity issues. Plus, it was able to unblock LeTv, WeTV, and iQUIYI in under 3 seconds every time I tried.

I streamed Chinese content on WeTV for hours without interruption

It also ensures your online security on a China IP with military-grade encryption. This scrambles your identifiable information and browsing activity so it is practically indecipherable to hackers. Plus, it also has an automatic kill switch to protect your personal data from being exposed if the VPN connection drops. During my tests, the kill switch shut off my connection even when I changed servers mid-session.

Additionally, ExpressVPN safeguards your privacy with its strict no-logs policy. This means that it doesn’t record any of your activity on a China IP. Plus, it also offers leak protection to prevent your true location from ever being revealed. I tested for IP/DNS and WebRTC leaks on my China IP and found none. Also, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy-friendly country outside the jurisdiction of intelligence-sharing surveillance networks like the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance.

The only issue I had with ExpressVPN is that it’s slightly more expensive than other VPNs — it’s lowest price is $6.67/month. However, it often runs promotions and you usually get free months, so that makes it better value. I was able to get 3 months of free service when I signed up for ExpressVPN’s long-term plan. If privacy is a major concern, ExpressVPN allows you to pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other popular cryptocurrencies.

You can also test ExpressVPN completely risk-free because it comes with 30-day money-back guarantee. You can claim a full refund within this period if you decide it's not for you. To test the refund process, I canceled my subscription after 29 days through its 24/7 live chat support. The agent only asked me a couple of questions for feedback and then promptly approved my request. I got my money back after 3 business days.

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2. CyberGhost — Lots of Servers in China To Reliably Get a Chinese IP Address

You can easily get a China IP address with CyberGhost’s 12 Chinese servers. Plus, it offers an additional 75 servers across Hong Kong and Macau that are just as reliable for a China IP. Thanks to this large network of Chinese servers, I was always able to find a reliable and working server. I could easily unblock and watch content on Youku, Sohu TV, and WeTV without ever experiencing connectivity issues.

The majority of CyberGhost’s Chinese servers can be used for torrenting

CyberGhost gives you superfast speeds to browse and stream on your China IP. During my extensive tests, my download speed on its Shenzhen, Macau, and Hong Kong servers averaged 32.38 Mbps on a base speed of 35 Mbps. My speeds only dropped by around 8% from my baseline connection, despite the fact I was far from the VPN server. I was able to watch 3 episodes of Joy of Life in Ultra-HD without buffering.

I did not face any interruptions or sudden speed drops on any CyberGhost server I tested

It also keeps you secure with features like AES 256-bit encryption and an automatic kill switch. Plus, it automatically connects you to the VPN whenever you use a public or otherwise untrusted WiFi network. This protects you from cybercriminals who take advantage of such insecure networks.

Plus, it comes with a Content Blocker that effectively blocks intrusive ads, trackers, and malware on Chinese websites. I did not experience any ads or malicious pop-ups while browsing with this feature activated. CyberGhost also offers split-tunneling, which allowed me to control what apps and services used the VPN and what stayed on my normal connection. This allowed me to stream Chinese content while browsing Facebook and Twitter (which are blocked on a China IP) through my usual connection.

In addition to security, CyberGhost also protects your online privacy by adhering to a strict no-logs policy and offering robust leak protection. I did not find any IP/DNS or WebRTC leaks while on a Chinese IP. Additionally, it is headquartered in Romania, a privacy haven that is located outside the 5/9/14-Eyes Alliance.

My only concern with CyberGhost is that it only offers a 14-day money-back guarantee with its short-term plan. However, longer plans offer an extended 45-day money-back guarantee and are much better value for money. You can get CyberGhost for just $2.19/month with its longest-term plan. You can also choose to pay anonymously with Bitcoin.

I made sure to test the authenticity of CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee for myself. To do this, I reached out to 24/7 live chat support after 42 days of service and requested a refund. After asking for some brief feedback, the agent immediately approved my request. I got my money back after 4 business days.

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3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Settings For Better Speed or Security On Your China IP

Private Internet Access is highly customizable, letting you optimize either speed or security on a China IP. For example, you can choose between AES 256-bit or 128-bit encryption. 256-bit is extremely secure and suitable for sensitive tasks like accessing Chinese e-banking accounts. 128-bit encryption is slightly less secure but increases speeds. This is perfect for activities like streaming, which don’t require a strong level of security.

OpenVPN is the more secure VPN protocol, while WireGuard is more optimized for speed

You get very fast speeds on your China IP address with PIA. While I tested PIA for speed, I got an average of 29.12 Mbps, which is just a 17% drop compared to my base connection. Although it is slower than ExpressVPN, I could reliably watch Ultra HD content without buffering. I was able to watch 2 episodes of The Dark Lord on WeTV without any slowdowns.

I could reliably stream Chinese content in the highest-quality with PIA

PIA also safeguards your online security and privacy on a China IP with military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy. Plus, it also offers IP/DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch to ensure your true location is never leaked.

Similar to CyberGhost it has an ad and malware blocker. But what’s unique is its Multi-Hop feature that routes your connection through an additional server before the VPN server. This makes it more difficult for your ISP or network firewall to see you're using a VPN. This allows you to bypass restrictions placed on VPN traffic, letting you access Chinese content even on restrictive networks.

PIA might pose some initial challenges for novices, given its extensive range of adjustable settings. However, PIA arrives pre-set with an optimal blend of speed and security, making it apt for a China IP. With all settings at default, I managed to unlock WeTV, iQIYI, and Sohu, and stream at high quality.

PIA also offers multiple short-term and long-term subscription plans. However, the long-term plans offer a better deal since they have the same features for a cheaper price. You can get PIA for just $2.03/month with its longest-term plan.

You can also test PIA for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. When I tested this, the customer service rep only asked me a single feedback-related question before proceeding with my request. I got my money back after 5 business days, so you can trust that it’s legit.

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Quick Comparison Table: Best VPNs for a China IP Address

Still not sure? Check out our side-by-side comparison below to find the best VPN for a China IP based on your needs.

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for a China IP Address

If you're in the process of selecting a VPN for acquiring a Chinese IP address, it's imperative to adhere to stringent criteria in assessing the potential choices. A failure to do so could land you with a lagging VPN incapable of unblocking Chinese-based content while posing a threat to your privacy. While I've highlighted some excellent VPN options above for a China IP, should you wish to explore other possibilities, the following are the standards I've employed:

• Reliable servers in China — If a VPN doesn’t have servers in China, then you can’t use it to access websites that are only available in China. Make sure your VPN has at least one reliable server in China, although the more servers, the better.
• Fast speeds and unblocking capability — Choose a VPN that can reliably unblock Chinese online services and provide fast enough speeds for bufferless streaming. All of the VPNs above let me stream Chinese content in UHD on a China IP, even though I was thousands of kilometers away.
• A strict no-logs policy — Go with a VPN that adheres to a regularly-audited no-logs policy. This ensures you never have to worry about your data being shared with a third party, whether that be advertisers, government agencies, or cybercriminals. This is especially important if your VPN has servers in mainland China, as these can be subject to government surveillance.
• Advanced security features — Make sure your VPN at least offers military-grade encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. This will prevent hackers from intercepting your data and ensures your true IP address is never obtainable.
• Device compatibility — Go for a VPN with native apps for all major operating systems and devices. That way, you can browse and stream Chinese content easily on the majority of your owned devices.
• 24/7 support — Always make sure to choose a VPN that provides 24/7 support with knowledgeable staff. Then, if you run into a problem on a China IP, it will be resolved more quickly.

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FAQs About VPNs to Get a China IP Address

Is there any other way to get a China IP address?

Yes, you can use a proxy server. However, these proxies only hide your IP address and do not encrypt your connection. This can leave your connection vulnerable to surveillance and hackers. Plus, proxies tend to be unreliable at unblocking Chinese content. This is because they don’t have the resources to update their IP addresses frequently, so they’re easy for Chinese websites to block.

The most reliable way to get a China IP address is by using a tried-and-tested VPN. All the VPNs above offer state-of-the-art security and privacy features, fast speeds perfect for high-quality streaming, and reliable servers that consistently bypass Chinese geoblocks.

Is it legal to use a China IP address?

Yes, it’s legal to use a Chinese IP address from outside the country. However, some methods of obtaining a Chinese IP address can be illegal, depending on your country. For example, the top VPNs offer the most reliable and secure method of getting a China IP. However, there are some places in the world where VPN use is either banned or restricted, such as Russia.

Keep in mind that we do not condone breaking any laws. We believe that everyone has the right to online freedom, but please always consult your local laws regarding VPN usage in your country before using one.

How do I test if my IP address has been changed to China?

You can see if your IP address has been changed to China by going to a site like ipleak.net. Once you’ve connected to a VPN server in China, head over to the website to automatically test your IP address. If the location of your IP address and DNS servers show a Chinese (Hong Kong or Macau will also work) IP address, then you know that it has been changed.

If ipleak.net shows that you have a China IP but you're still having issues accessing Chinese content, try clearing your browser's cache and cookies. This can sometimes include data and trackers that may reveal your true location to Chinese websites. If this does not fix the issue, contact your VPN's support team.

Which VPNs can’t give me a China IP address?

Any VPN provider without servers in China will be unable to give you a China IP address. China is a country that heavily restricts VPNs, so it regularly shuts down VPN servers in its territory that aren’t government-approved. For this reason, many VPN providers don’t have servers in China. Here are a few notable ones:

• IPVanish
• VyprVPN
• TunnelBear

Only a few VPNs can give you a China IP address reliably. They commonly circumvent China’s restrictions on VPNs by placing their servers in autonomous areas such as Hong Kong, where China has less jurisdiction. Some VPNs also have virtual Chinese servers, which are servers that are physically outside China, but simulate a Chinese location. These let you get a China IP address without the VPN provider having to physically house servers in China.

Can I use a free VPN to get a China IP address?

You won’t be able to use a free VPN to get a China IP address in most cases. Only certain VPNs have servers in China, and most of them aren’t free. Even if you find a free VPN with Chinese servers, they likely won’t have the resources to upgrade their infrastructure. This leaves you with slow speeds, data caps, and the inability to bypass Chinese geoblocks.

Another risk is to do with security, as many free VPNs will hand over their users’ data to third parties. This is especially dangerous with China because the country is known for its heavy censorship and internet surveillance. Instead of using a free VPN, I recommend you use a VPN that comes with a money-back guarantee. This will give you access to a quality VPN for a China IP risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can request a full refund.

Does a VPN let me watch Chinese TV abroad?

Yes, but only if you choose a quality VPN with servers in China. Many VPNs lack servers in China, meaning you wouldn't have the necessary Chinese IP for this to work. In addition, some VPNs are just too slow to stream Chinese content without constant buffering.

In fact, we only found a few VPNs that were able to stream Chinese TV reliably — and those are the ones that have made our list.

Get a China IP With ExpressVPN

Get a China IP Address Today

Using a VPN is the easiest and most secure way to get a China IP. My team and I tested more than 50+ VPNs and found very few offer servers in China. Among the ones that do, only a handful were able to meet our standards on speed, security, and privacy.

The VPN that stood out the most for getting a China IP is ExpressVPN. It has a huge server network with multiple reliable servers in China, ultra-fast speeds, and a strict no-logs policy. Plus, it also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so that you can test ExpressVPN completely risk-free. You can easily get a full refund if you're not happy with it.

To summarize, the best VPNs to get a China IP address are...