5 Best VPNs for China in 2024

China is known for its massive system of online oppression, known as the Great Firewall of China. The country blocks access to numerous sites, such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Google, WhatsApp, Viber, Discord, and more. Even more worryingly, data logging is quite aggressive, focusing on a crackdown on political dissidents and human rights defenders.

That said, it's no wonder that VPNs are hugely popular in China. With a capable one, you can bypass censored and blocked sites, as well as avoid local censorship. Also, VPNs are a great tool to protect your privacy online, evade China's data logging, and ensure you're not tracked on the Internet.

In this article, we’ll recommend the best VPNs for China and show you how to use them. We'll compare the best options, explain why you need a VPN, how to pick the best one, and which server to pick. We'll also talk about the sites blocked in China, which VPNs to avoid, and wrap up with some FAQs.

Best China VPNs - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our Best-Rated VPN for China in 2024
2. Surfshark – Powerful China VPN for First-Time VPN Users
3. ExpressVPN – Privacy-First VPN for China with Total Obfuscation
4. Ivacy – Fully Automated VPN for China for the Average Home User
5. VyprVPN – VPN with Proprietary Technology to Unblock the Web in China

How to Use a VPN in China

You’ll first need to subscribe to a powerful VPN. Ideally, download the VPN before entering the country because the Great Firewall will probably block the VPN’s website. Here’s everything you need to do:

• Subscribe to a powerful VPN that works in China (we recommend NordVPN).
• Download and install the VPN app on the device(s) you’ll use in China. 
• Launch the VPN app and sign into your account.
• Connect to a VPN server outside of China.
• Now, you’ll be able to access all the sites that are blocked in China.

If you can’t download your VPN before traveling to China or you are a Chinese resident, check our guide on how to download a VPN in China. We'll also note that you get a Chinese IP address using a handful of VPNs, which is helpful for accessing local services from abroad.

The Best VPNs for China in 2024

Pinpointing the best option requires you to use certain criteria. That said, you'll want a VPN with the most servers. In other words, you need a VPN with local servers in China and nearby countries, as well as across the world. Those servers should deliver fast speeds and stable connections.

Your chosen VPN should give you unrestricted access to blocked websites, such as Facebook, Google, Instagram, and more. To make your traffic undetectable, ensure there's support for obfuscation. Plus, a kill switch will protect you from data leaks. Related to that, a no-logs policy is necessary, as well as robust VPN protocols and high-end data encryption.

We also recommend you pick a VPN with plenty of simultaneous connections and native software across the board. All that should come with an affordable pricing structure, a liberal money-back guarantee, as well as highly helpful customer support.

Based on the above-mentioned criteria, here are the 5 best VPNs to use in China in 2024:

1. NordVPN - Our Best-Rated VPN for China in 2024

NordVPN is perhaps the most comprehensive VPN provider you'll find today, offering an endless set of highly useful features. It has no servers in China, but you'll find many in Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, and worldwide. Overall, NordVPN offers 6,400+ servers in 111 countries.

You'll also be amazed by NordVPN's performance, as it offers ultra-fast connection speeds. In addition, it works great for unblocking websites, whether you wish to bypass censorship from China or rely on NordVPN working in China to access restricted services, such as Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and more.

As noted in our NordVPN review, you also get a group of obfuscated servers. Plus, there's a kill switch included across the board. Next, this provider is powered by OpenVPN, NordLynx (WireGuard), and IKEv2/IPsec, paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. Needless to say, a no-logs policy is also there, which has been verified many times in the past.

NordVPN supports 10 simultaneous connections and features apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, dedicated streaming devices, and even routers.

Right now, you can get a subscription for only $3.09/month (2-year plan). Your purchase comes risk-free, as you'll be protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Finally, NordVPN also offers 24/7 live chat support, in addition to numerous other support resources and channels.

2. Surfshark - Powerful China VPN for First-Time VPN Users

Surfshark is a highly intuitive VPN with a simple and polished interface, making it suitable even for first-time VPN users. It doesn't offer Chinese servers, but there are plenty in Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, and South Korea. With this provider, you gain access to 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.

We can also praise Surfshark's overall performance. Expect high-end speeds across nearby and remote servers. Based on our hands-on tests, you can also expect it to unblock any website. In terms of using blocked sites in China, Surfshark can give you access to Google, Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and lots more.

You'll be happy to know that obfuscated servers await, as well as a kill switch. Obfuscation is optional, which means you can use it only when needed. Let's not forget that Surfshark brings OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. Those protocols are paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20. There's also a no-logs policy, which has been very recently audited.

Another perk is that Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a cost-effective option. You can also count on apps for computers, phones, tablets, routers, and more.

Surfshark's 2-year plan is priced at $2.19/month. A 30-day money-back policy is there to ensure that no risks are involved. Finally, there's 24/7 live chat support, in addition to installation guides, explainers, and more.

3. ExpressVPN - Privacy-First VPN for China with Total Obfuscation

ExpressVPN puts a heavy emphasis on privacy, but it's also known as a robust all-in-one VPN. Even though there are no Chinese servers, you can rely on nearby locations to unblock the Web. For example, there are servers in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. On the global level, you can count on thousands of servers in 105 countries.

ExpressVPN is among the fastest VPNs currently available. Plus, it offers highly capable servers that can bypass practically any geo-block. Using this VPN, we managed to gain access to Facebook, WhatsApp, Google's services, Instagram, and more. There's practically no site or app you won't unblock.

The reason why ExpressVPN works in China is its obfuscation, which is available across its entire network. ExpressVPN's kill switch is called 'Network Lock,' and it works on all supported devices. You'll get OpenVPN, Lightway, and IKEv2/IPsec regarding the available protocols. ExpressVPN uses AES-256 and WolfSSL encryption, and it adheres to a strict no-logs policy.

As you can learn from our ExpressVPN review, your subscription will come with 8 simultaneous connections, which seems generous enough. We can also praise ExpressVPN's polished apps, which work on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and more.

ExpressVPN is priced at $6.67/month for its 1-year plan. All its subscription plans offer the same 30-day money-back policy. We'll wrap up by saying that you get 24/7 live chat support as well, complemented by email support, customer support guides, and more.

4. Ivacy - Fully Automated VPN for China for the Average Home User

One of the most significant benefits of using Ivacy is that it offers local servers. More precisely, you can connect to a location in Beijing that provides you with a Chinese IP address. You'll also find nearby servers, like those in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. In total, Ivacy offers 6,500+ servers in 60+ countries and 100+ locations.

In terms of its performance, expect medium-fast connection speeds. On the plus side, Ivacy works great for bypassing geo-blocks. You'll find specialized servers for individual digital services and media streaming apps using its interface. It has no issue unblocking apps like Facebook, Netflix, Instagram, Twitter (X), and more.

As our full analysis of Ivacy notes, this VPN offers obfuscation, which can be enabled manually. You'll also get a kill switch across all its supported apps. Protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec are paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption. In other words, your privacy is guaranteed, as that's also a no-logs policy.

A subscription to Ivacy allows you to connect 10 devices at a time. That won't be an issue since this VPN supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS/iPadOS, Android, and more.

Ivacy's lowest price is set at $1.17/month for its 5-year plan. Finally, Ivacy offers a 30-day money-back policy across all its subscription plans. It also provides 24/7 live chat on its site, which is good to know if you have any questions about using this VPN.

5. VyprVPN - VPN with Proprietary Technology to Unblock the Web in China

VyprVPN takes great pride in its privacy-focused features, and rightfully so. Even though it doesn't have servers in China, it covers many nearby regions, including Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea. That said, this VPN offers 700+ VPN servers in 70+ locations in total.

Expect medium-fast speeds from this provider. There's not much you can fine-tune in terms of its speed, so having a fast baseline connection is beneficial. On the other hand, VyprVPN can unblock your access to any website. It helps you access Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, WhatsApp, and more.

Without any surprise, this provider supports obfuscation across all its servers, and the same applies to its kill switch. It also has protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard, and Chameleon, which is VyprVPN's proprietary protocol. In terms of encryption, expect AES-256 and ChaCha20. There's also no data logging, as multiple independent audits have proven.

VyprVPN offers support for up to 5 simultaneous connections. It's not the most generous option, but it should get the job done for most users. You'll also find modern-looking VPN apps for computers, phones, tablets, streaming devices, and routers.

This VPN's price is set at $3.00 for its 2-year plan, which is backed by a 30-day money-back policy. So, you'll become a subscriber without any risk. It's also worth noting that 24/7 live chat is on board as well, in addition to installation guides, explainers, FAQs, and more.

Comparing the Best VPNs for China

Why Do You Need a VPN for China?

You need a VPN for China to bypass censorship, access geo-blocked sites, as well as ensure that no one knows what you do on the Internet. Let's provide more details:

• Browse the Web Anonymously - Thanks to VPNs' encryption, you'll regain your online anonymity, which means that not even your ISP will know what you do online. Also, VPNs are a great tool to prevent trackers from profiling your browsing activities.
• Go Beyond Local Censorship - Connecting to a server outside China allows you to unblock sites like Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, various Google services, and plenty more. The list of blocked sites in China is growing over time, which makes VPN a necessity.
• Visit Geo-Restricted Websites - Many international digital services don't yet work in China, as they haven't expanded there. You can use a VPN to gain full access to those at all times. Just connect to a VPN server in the home country of the platform you wish to access.
• Use Your Home Sites While Traveling - If you're traveling abroad, you can connect to a local server in the country to continue to have access to your local Chinese sites.
• Evade Bandwidth Throttling - Most ISPs employ selective throttling to preserve bandwidth. Still, you can evade that by ensuring that your Web data is hidden with a VPN. Without being able to see your traffic, your Internet provider won't throttle specific online activities.
• Use Public Wi-Fi Networks Safely - Public Wi-Fi networks are often exploited by malicious actors. They also log your sensitive data aggressively, which you can stop using VPN encryption.
• Do Online Shopping Securely - Most online stores employ security certificates to protect your payment information. However, you can upgrade your security with a reputable VPN.
• Upgrade Your Gaming Experience - Re-routing your traffic allows you to lower your ping, minimize latency, and even unblock games that aren't yet available in China.
• Anonymize Your P2P Traffic - Torrenting should never be done without a VPN. VPNs help you hide your private information from P2P swarms and your Internet provider.

How Do VPNs Bypass the Great Firewall of China?

Thanks to their advanced data encryption, VPNs can bypass the Great Firewall by hiding your data and your destination IP address.

If you check our article on how VPNs work, you'll see that VPNs create an encrypted tunnel for your incoming and outgoing data, making it invisible to anyone else on the Web, including your Internet provider. More precisely, VPNs create a tunnel between the user's computer and the VPN server before decrypting and forwarding it to the final destination.

The Great Firewall checks your destination IP address. So, if you try to visit a blocked site, your access will be blocked based on your destination. However, once you start using a VPN, your provider will see that your destination IP is an IP address of the VPN server. That's how your data will pass through.

As mentioned above, the Great Firewall of China uses supplemental technologies to improve its efficiency. As a response to that, VPNs can use proprietary protocols that break down your data into very small bits, helping them evade detection.

How to Select the Best China VPN?

You need to focus on finding a VPN that can bypass geo-blocks using high-end encryption. Also, you'll want plenty of servers, fast speeds, and more - as described just below:

• Ability to Bypass Tough Geo-Blocks: Your chosen VPN should give you access to any site not available in China, helping you open up your access to the Web.
• Distribution of Servers: Aim for a VPN with plenty of servers around China. If you need a local IP address to visit domestic websites, you'll also need servers inside the country.
• Speed and Performance: If you care about getting the best possible speed, we recommend getting a VPN with servers close to China. You'll want stable remote connections as well.
• Stealth Servers (Obfuscation): You'll need a VPN that employs some form of obfuscation to mask your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic.
• Privacy-Protecting Kill Switch: The purpose of a kill switch is to shut down your connection if your VPN session becomes unstable, which helps prevent data leaks.
• Security and Privacy Features: We recommend picking a VPN with OpenVPN and WireGuard, but those protocols should be paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20.
• Simultaneous Connections: Ensure that your VPN subscription allows you to protect all your Web-connected devices. You'll also find VPNs with unlimited connections.
• Native Software Across the Board: You'll want simple-to-use apps for any device you might own. Avoid VPNs that require you to set up manual VPN connections.
• Wallet-Friendly Price: A long-term subscription will help you save quite a lot. That's how you'll get some enticing extras as well.
• Money-Back Guarantee: Make sure you're on the safe side by choosing a VPN with a generous money-back guarantee.
• Dependable Customer Support: Aim for a VPN with 24/7 live chat support, which is the quickest way to resolve any issue.

Which VPN Server Should I Use in China?

We highly recommend you use servers in countries like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines, as those servers should bring optimized speeds and security.

As already explained, you need to access a VPN server outside the country to unblock the Web and bypass the Great Firewall of China. However, if you connect to an overly remote server, you'll force your Web data to travel a greater length (slowing down your Web connection in the process).

Therefore, you need to use a VPN server that is not too far away from China (in a neighboring country, preferably). That's how you'll unblock the Web while still managing to use it without significant slowdowns.

Websites That Are Blocked in China

There are countless sites, apps, and platforms blocked in China under its strict censorship policies. Some of the websites that are blocked in mainland China include the following:

• Search Engines – Google, DuckDuckGo, and Technorati.
• Social Media – Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Steam, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Plurk, and Flickr.
• News and Broadcasting – Medium, BBC, The Guardian, The Washington Post, HuffPost, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, NBC News, NBC, TIME, CBC, ABC, South China Morning Post, The Economist, Heise Online, Voice of America, Radio Free Asia, The Epoch Times, The Epoch Times (Chinese Edition), WION, Hong Kong Press, and Apple Daily.
• Entertainment – YouTube, Steam Store, HBO, Archive of Our Own, DeviantArt, Wretch, Twitch, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp.
• Encyclopedia – Wikipedia.
• File Sharing – Pinterest, Dropbox, Dailymotion, Vimeo, Nico Video, Flickr, Scratch, and PBworks.
• Messaging – WhatsApp, Messenger, Signal, Snapchat, Discord, and Viber.
• Pornography – Pornhub, XVideos,
• Publication – Bloomberg and The New York Times.

Which VPNs Are Not Working in China?

Even some globally popular VPNs, such as IPVanish, HMA (HideMyAss), and Shadowsocks-based connections, cannot bypass China's Great Firewall. Here's more information:

• IPVanish - This provider requires you to connect using specific IPs manually, as opposed to using server names. This creates an issue, as China has blocked many of these providers' IPs, making it very hard to establish a successful connection.
• HMA - Even though this provider offers one of the most extensive server networks globally, it's known that it can't bypass China's Internet restrictions. Also, some data logging is involved, so we can't recommend using this VPN.
• Shadowsocks - VPNs that offer Shadowsocks connections relay your traffic using proxies, which means that encryption isn't involved. Opting for encryption requires you to go through a highly complex setup procedure without guaranteeing you'll bypass Web restrictions.

Is There a Free VPN That Works in China?

You'll find some free VPNs for China, but we don't recommend using those. In general, those VPNs are highly limited and require you to jump through hoops in hopes you'll unblock a couple of websites.

Most free VPNs come with limited data allowance, which means that their bandwidth is restricted. They also feature small server networks, and those overcrowded servers are not good enough to get speedy connections. Data logging is also involved, as free providers sell that data to generate revenue. Some can even serve malware, which has happened many times in the past.

A much wiser decision is to get a trial of a premium VPN, which allows you to test-drive high-end providers with zero risk. For example, you can test NordVPN for free on Android for 7 days. This VPN also has a 30-day money-back policy for all its supported devices.

In fact, you'll see that most of the best VPN services come risk-free. They all offer a way for you to try them before committing, and they simply don't have a match in bypassing China's Web blocks and surveillance.

Internet Safety Tips Before Traveling to China

To ensure you're safe as an Internet user in China, we'll share tips on the best way to avoid tracking and data surveillance. Here's what we recommend doing:

• Buy a Non-Chinese VPN Before Reaching China: Opt for a reputable VPN based outside of China and get a subscription before traveling, as you'll find many VPN sites blocked in the country.
• Keep Your VPN Active at All Times: It's essential to use a VPN with unlimited bandwidth. That's because you'll want your VPN session to be active all the time in the background on any device you use.
• Stay Away from Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are often used to log information and propagate malware, and the same applies to Chinese public Wi-Fi. If you must rely on those networks, never connect to them without a VPN.
• Avoid Local Apps: Most of the big-name Chinese apps belong to the government, which means that data logging and surveillance are widespread. It's best to stick to non-Chinese apps, especially those used for messaging and calls.
• Use a Correct SIM Card: Prepare your SIM card before traveling to China. It's best to avoid buying a local SIM, as you'll most likely need to register. There are also international eSIM cards that you can use regardless of your location.
• Utilize a Password Manager: We highly recommend using a reputable third-party password manager to ensure that your credentials are kept safe. Aim for one that supports advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication.

Final Thoughts

Chinese Internet restrictions are well-known worldwide, as it's one of the countries with the strictest censorship. Aside from aggressive data logging, Internet users in China face numerous roadblocks, as most of the globally popular sites are blocked. Going over the country's Great Firewall can still be done, but you'll need a high-end and trustworthy VPN.

Based on our hands-on tests, there's no better option than NordVPN. It offers high-end data encryption, capable protocols, and the ability to access any website. No matter if you need a VPN to bypass blocks, stream media, download torrents, or simply protect your privacy, know that NordVPN is the best VPN for China right now.

This is where we conclude our guide. Anything you feel we haven't covered? Leave a comment below, and we'll respond as soon as possible.