5 Best VPNs for China — Tested & STILL Working in 2023

If you visit or move to China, you might think any VPN can help you access your WhatsApp, Facebook, and Google accounts. But the country’s strict censorship system (known as the Great Firewall) makes many VPNs useless — and even dangerous. A lot of VPNs not only have trouble connecting in China but can also put your privacy at risk.

The viability of a VPN also depends on where you’re located. That’s why our team of testers located throughout China tested each VPN and reported back to us which ones really work. China blocks access to VPN sites to prevent you from downloading one from within the country. But, many VPNs are wise to this and offer a workaround.

According to our testers, the best VPN for China is ExpressVPN. It has world-class security features and servers optimized for use in China, so you can access your favorite sites safely and reliably. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not happy with it, you can claim a full refund.

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Important! The use of non-government-approved VPNs is not permitted in China, but there have been no cases of tourists being penalized by the Chinese government for using one there. A VPN doesn’t give you a license to conduct illegal activities online in any case, so please exercise caution when using a VPN in China.

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Best VPNs for China — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN for China With Automatic Obfuscation and Superfast Speeds

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested July 2023

Available on:

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www.ExpressVPN.com

ExpressVPN provides automatic obfuscation on all its servers, so you can access your favorite sites from China easily. Most obfuscation features have to be enabled in the VPN app’s settings — but ExpressVPN’s works more intuitively. When it detects a tough firewall, it automatically scrambles your metadata and makes your VPN traffic look like regular web traffic. With this, ExpressVPN reliably bypasses the Great Firewall of China.

Even more, its website provides an updated list of servers that are regularly maintained to ensure they work in China. They’re located in the US, UK, Japan, France, and Singapore. Our researchers tested them and confirmed that they could access Facebook, WhatsApp, Netflix, and YouTube easily using these 5 servers. ExpressVPN recommends selecting the “Automatic” protocol for obfuscation to work more effectively.

I’d recommend the Yokohama and Singapore servers for better speeds since they’re closer to China

Obfuscation tends to slow your speeds significantly, partly because only slower security protocols (like OpenVPN) support obfuscation tech. ExpressVPN has overcome the common issue with speed loss by developing its own superfast Lightway protocol — it’s comparable to WireGuard, but supports obfuscation, so you won’t have to worry about drastic speed loss common with many VPNs for China.

My colleagues in China recorded an average of 76.5 Mbps (only a 10% drop from the baseline connection) on its long-distance US servers. That’s over 3x what’s needed for Ultra HD streaming. On nearby Hong Kong servers, the speed drop was only 3%. You can perform bandwidth-intensive activities in China without slowdowns.

Your online data and privacy are well-protected when you surf the web in China. It uses AES 256-bit military-grade encryption, which is virtually impossible to decipher. Plus, its automatic kill switch (Network Lock) and leak protection ensure your actual IP remains hidden.

None of your data is recorded because ExpressVPN adheres to an audited no-logs policy. This is further upheld by its TrustedServer technology (RAM-based servers), which deletes all data upon each server reboot. In addition, the VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-friendly country where there are no data retention laws.

Things get tricky if you’re already in China, since ExpressVPN's website is blocked there. However, it's possible to download ExpressVPN if you're already in China via its mirror URLs. You can contact support via email ([email protected]) to get an up-to-date link that should work in China. When I tried this, it only took 45 minutes to receive a response, and I downloaded the.apk file for my Android within minutes.

All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. To test the legitimacy of this policy, I contacted support through the 24/7 live chat to cancel my subscription. After I answered a user-satisfaction question, the representative approved my request, and I got my money back after 2 days.

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2. AstrillVPN — China-Optimized Servers to Bypass the Great Firewall

Available on:

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www.Astrill_VPN.com

AstrillVPN offers servers specifically optimized to overcome the GFW. They’re in 5 locations: the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore. Our colleagues in China tested each location and confirmed that they work. They unblocked Google, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube — each in less than 20 seconds.

It isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, but I didn't encounter major slowdowns. Its US servers were able to stream YouTube videos in HD. For a speed boost, it has “Supercharged” servers, designed for fast speeds and low latency. I recommend its Hong Kong servers for the fastest connections from China. Since your data doesn’t travel as far, it keeps speed loss to a minimum.

To bypass firewalls that block websites, AstrillVPN uses StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols. My teammates in China recommend both protocols to obfuscate your traffic. There’s also a feature called Site Filter — this lets you use your Chinese IP for websites that are available in China, and tunnel every other blocked site through the VPN.

Astrill’s settings change based on the chosen protocol

It has strong security and privacy features, too. This includes leak protection and an automatic kill switch. It uses AES 256-bit encryption for all protocols, but with OpenVPN, you can also choose 192-, or 128-bit encryption to find a preferred balance of speed and security. Plus, it's based in Seychelles and outside of the 14-Eyes jurisdiction.

For added privacy, all Astrill connections go through the company’s own private DNS servers, which prevents third parties from logging your data or seeing what websites you visit. That being said, I disappointed that AstrillVPN does log some information (like connection time, IP address, and device type). All your information is deleted permanently once you disconnect from the server, though.

AstrillVPN is pretty expensive compared to other VPNs — its lowest price is $12.50/month, making it almost double the price of ExpressVPN. The site is blocked in China, as well — but email support ([email protected]) can provide a mirror URL to download the VPN from within the country.

Even more disappointing is Astrill VPN doesn’t have a money-back guarantee, and all payments are final. That said, you can use it for free for 1 month if you refer a friend and they sign up for a paid subscription. The free 1-month period has no limitations either.

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3. PrivateVPN — Customizable Security to Optimize Your Connection in China

Available on:

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www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN’s customizable security settings let you optimize your connection in China as per your needs. For example, it allows you to choose the encryption type. During my tests, I changed my encryption level from 256-bit to 128-bit and experienced a 12% increase in download speeds. You can also choose between a variety of VPN protocols. Our researchers in China found L2TP more reliable than OpenVPN at bypassing VPN blocks.

The AES 128-bit encryption is a bit faster than 256-bit but not as secure

It disguises your VPN traffic as normal web traffic through its StealthVPN mode. Unlike ExpressVPN, its obfuscation isn’t automatic; you have to manually enable this mode from the app settings. My teammates in China tested this feature and reported that they could access restricted social media and streaming websites without hassle.

In addition, PrivateVPN’s apps are super secure. After enabling StealthVPN mode, I tested 4 of its servers for DNS/IP leaks and found none whatsoever. Plus, its strict no-logs policy ensures that your online activity won’t be traced back to your account.

PrivateVPN upholds a "High-Quality Network" (HQN) to deliver exceptional speeds and dependable unblocking capabilities worldwide. Additionally, it features multiple servers in areas near Mainland China, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, which are both swift and reliable.

Despite all of the features that make this a solid China VPN, it doesn’t have any mirror URLs to help you download it in China. In the same breath, if you have yet to enter the country, you can download it before doing so and it will work without any issues. And if you ever need support, you can reach out via email ([email protected]), which is helpful since live chat through its site isn't possible in China.

I found its long-term plan to be the best value starting at $2/month. It has all the same features as the short-term plans but saves you more money in the long run.

It’s even possible to try PrivateVPN out with its 30-day money-back guarantee. I tested this policy to make sure it was legitimate, and it is. After I requested a refund through 24/7 live chat, they agreed without hesitation, and I was fully refunded after 4 business days.

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4. Private Internet Access — Huge Server Network With a Reliable Chinese Server to Get a Chinese IP

Available on:

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Try Private Internet Access >

www.PrivateInternetAccess.com

Private Internet Access (PIA) has the largest server network of any VPN on this list, consisting of 29,650 servers in 84 countries. It has a Chinese server location, so it’s a reliable choice for accessing Chinese content abroad. During my tests, I was consistently able to access Chinese content. I accessed WeTV on my first try and watched a whole season of Here We Meet Again. I could also easily access iQIYI, Sohu, and BiliBili.

PIA is one of the few VPNs that offers unlimited simultaneous device connections, so you can protect all your devices at any one time. This is great if you’re part of a large household or have a lot of tech that you use regularly. I tested this by connecting 10 devices and streaming WeTV, iQIYI, and Netflix simultaneously. The only difference I noticed was that the videos would take an extra couple of seconds to load, but I hardly noticed any difference in the VPN’s performance.

PIA’s apps’ customizable options also let you optimize your experience. For example, you can choose between AES 128-bit or 256-bit encryption. 128-bit isn’t as secure but it’s perfect if you want to prioritize your speed. It also has a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection.

PIA’s app comes pre-configured, so you can use it straight away without any complicated setup

Unfortunately, PIA isn’t guaranteed to work in China, but its website offers several workarounds you can try to make it work there. First, it suggests trying the WireGuard protocol or setting up a connection through the OpenVPN application. As a last resort, you can try manual configuration files. It provides detailed instructions for these workarounds on its website.

PIA offers a few subscription plans, both short term and long term. All plans come with the same features, but you save more the longer you sign up. By choosing the longest-term plan, you can access PIA for only $2.03/month.

You can try PIA totally risk-free for 30 days with its money-back guarantee. I tested this out to make sure you can trust it by contacting its 24/7 live chat. The customer service agent only asked one question about any feedback I could give before quickly fulfilling my request. I had the money back in my account in 5 business days, so you can be confident its guarantee is legit.

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5. TunnelBear — Simple, Fun App for Easy Access to the Web in China

Available on:

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www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s cute and simple interface makes it the most user-friendly VPN I tested for China. Its world map feature allows you to quickly locate a server and connect. For instance, I scanned over to Europe and clicked a tunnel icon I found in the UK. Then, an image of a bear dug into my real location on the map and popped out from the UK tunnel I selected. It let out a big “RAWWRR!” to let me know I was connected. It only took a few seconds to connect — and I must say I was pretty entertained by the whole thing.

You can click the map to select a location or select one from its server list

Even the installation process was funny, as each step was a compilation of bear puns It has lots of fast nearby servers, too. The Fastest Tunnel feature connected me to Japan and Taiwan, which never dropped my speeds by more than 9%. By automatically connecting you to the nearest location, it reduces the distance your data has to travel, which increases speeds. This saves you time searching for the right server in our outside China.

The GhostBear (obfuscation) functionality enables effortless circumvention of internet restrictions in China. To activate it, navigate to the settings within your app, though it is not accessible on iOS. Our specialists in China have examined this feature across various regions within the nation. Their findings indicate that the VPN remained undetected, successfully unblocking websites without any issues.

TunnelBear’s security and privacy features let you use the internet safely in China. AES 256-bit encryption makes your connection impenetrable, while a kill switch (called VigilantBear) cuts your device from the internet connection in case your VPN disconnects. Also, its no-logs policy has been independently audited, meaning that your online activity won’t be recorded while you’re in China, or ever.

You can get TunnelBear for $3.33/month with its long-term plan. It also has a short-term subscription, but it costs much more in the end, for the same set of features.

Regrettably, the service does not come with a straightforward money-back guarantee; its website clarifies that refunds might be granted, but these are subject to individual review. Nonetheless, there is a no-cost variant that allows you to examine the service using a single device. This option merely provides 500 MB of data, sufficient for a few hours of exploration of its features at most.

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Quick Comparison Table: China VPN Features

The following table compares the main features of all recommended VPNs. It shows which have an audited no-logs policy to ensure your data is never recorded by the VPN.

In addition, I incorporated other pertinent features such as average speeds, server quantity, and device connection limits. However, the importance of these aspects varies based on individual preferences and the intended usage of the VPN.

Tips on How to Choose the Best VPN for China

As the Great Firewall uses increasingly advanced technology, it’s getting harder and harder to find VPNs that actually work in China. To make our recommendations as helpful as possible, our team of testers reported the most important features to look for when selecting a VPN for China.

This helps us create a full picture of what each VPN service actually has to offer. Here are some of the criteria to consider:

• Reliably bypasses the Great Firewall — Choose a VPN that can overcome heavy internet restrictions and bypass the Great Firewall. Look for features such as multihop or obfuscation, which scrambles your metadata and makes the VPN harder to detect. This way, you can access geo-restricted content while staying under the radar.
• Robust security features — Your VPN should offer military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. These features prevent your data from being exposed to third parties while traveling in China and keep you safe on public WiFi networks.
• No-logs policy — This protects your privacy in China because it guarantees that your online activity won’t be recorded by the VPN. I read the privacy policy of every VPN and made sure they adhere to a strict no-logs policy.
• Fast speeds — All traffic leaving China must go through a limited number of gateways, which can lead to congestion and slowdowns. So, it’s important to choose a VPN with fast speeds (the speed drop shouldn’t be more than 35%). It’s even better if your VPN offers servers in or close to China for faster connections.
• User-friendly apps — Since VPNs need to use special technology to even work in China, sometimes they can be tricky to configure. All of the VPNs in this list are simple and easy to use, even if you're new to VPNs.
• Helpful customer support — Help should be easily accessible when you need it. The VPNs on my list have several support channels available, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and a detailed FAQ page.

Pro Tip! Before traveling to China, I suggest asking your VPN provider for a list of servers that work there. It’s also beneficial to get an email address you can use to contact them directly with any issues. This is helpful since VPN websites are blocked in China, and you can’t refer to them for support or use live chat.

FAQs on the Best China VPNs

Is it legal to use a VPN in China, and is it safe?

Only government-approved VPNs are legal in China. These are heavily monitored by the Chinese government, which means they aren’t actually good for privacy. However, a few independent VPNs with advanced security features are able to bypass the Great Firewall. They come with special obfuscation features to hide the fact that a VPN is in use and adhere to privacy-protecting no-logs policies.

The common practice in China is to block VPN technology (and VPN websites), so there’s no access to them. That’s easier than tracking down a tourist who’s using a non-government-approved VPN app. Just remember to download and install your VPN before setting foot in the country because most VPN websites are blocked there.

In addition, it’s in your best interest to inform yourself of the most recent laws surrounding VPN use in China to be on the safe side.

What if my VPN stops working in China?

First of all, make sure you’re using a VPN that actually works in China. In some cases, even these VPNs might have issues. It’s possible the server was detected and blocked. However, the best VPNs for China monitor and maintain their servers regularly to ensure they work reliably.

There are also a few other things you can try to get your VPN running again:

• Change your VPN protocol. Some VPN protocols are better than others at bypassing firewalls. You can keep experimenting with all available protocols until you find something that works.
• Connect to a different server. There could be some issues with the server you’re connected to. In that case, switching to a different server can help.
• Update the VPN software. It’s possible that your provider has made some changes to the VPN app that requires an update for it to work in China.
• Email customer support. If all else fails, you should contact customer support and ask for a list of servers that work from China.

Can I download a VPN in China?

It’s possible but it can be tricky. A few VPNs are prepared for this. Usually, it's not possible to download a non-government-approved VPN while you’re in China since most of these VPNs’ websites are blocked there. That said, you can contact support and check if the provider offers a mirror URL that works in China.

Aside from VPNs’ websites being blocked, the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore aren’t available there, either. You can access the Apple App Store, but it is heavily monitored and you won’t find non-government-run VPN apps on it. Your best option is to download a VPN onto your device before arriving in China.

Which VPN servers should I use in China?

It’s best to use nearby servers for optimal speeds. Make sure to choose a VPN that offers servers close to Mainland China. Most VPNs (including the ones on this list) don’t offer servers in Mainland China because the government would either shut them down or force the providers to hand over user data, which renders them unsecure.

That said, you can still experience fast speeds by connecting to nearby locations (like Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan). All the VPNs on this list have servers close to Mainland China, which I recommend using to keep your speed loss to a minimum.

What sites and apps can a China VPN help me unblock?

A reliable VPN can help you unblock any site or app you want. This includes Google, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, New York Times, Netflix, Hulu, Skype, WhatsApp, and more. Not every VPN offers strong enough security to unblock these sites from China, though. Although, a VPN with obfuscation that’s proven to work in China will provide the most reliable access to apps, socials, and other sites.

Try ExpressVPN for China

Get the Best VPN for China Today

Finding a trustworthy VPN that works in China can be difficult because China has increased its crackdowns on VPNs. The Great Firewall only permits government-approved VPNs in China, which are heavily monitored.

Luckily, there are a few independent VPNs that have been proven to work there. All of the VPNs on this list are designed to work on restrictive networks. Additionally, they will protect your sensitive data and privacy.

ExpressVPN is hands-down the most dependable VPN for China that we tested. All of its connections are automatically obfuscated, and it has several nearby servers that are maintained to ensure they work reliably in China. It’s also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test ExpressVPN risk-free. If you’re not satisfied, then you can claim a full refund within the guarantee period.

To summarize, the best VPNs for China are…

Rank

Provider

Our Score

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1

9.8 /10

Save 49%!

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2

9.8 /10

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3

9.6 /10

Save 85%!

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4

9.4 /10

Save 83%!

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5

9.2 /10

Save 67%!

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