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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

How to Access Bing from China in 2024 - Fast and Safe Hack

Kristina Perunicic Former Managing Editor

The search engine Bing is one of the last holdouts from the Western internet that is generally still accessible in China. Bing never came close to Google's popularity in the US, but it has a small foothold in China. Microsoft chose to comply with China's censorship laws to maintain its presence in the Chinese market.

However, in January 2019, Bing experienced an outage across China that left many users panicking. There were fears that Bing had joined the list of forbidden sites, despite it being back in service the next day.

Rather than worrying about losing the last tie to Western media in China, there's a simple fix for users looking to ensure that they can always access Bing. A VPN will help you bypass strict censorship while also making your connection safer.

Not all VPNs can bypass the Great Firewall of China, but ExpressVPN stands up to the task.

Important. The use of VPNs in China is subject to strict restrictions, with only government-approved VPN services being legally permitted in the country. However, there have been no publicly reported cases of tourists facing penalties from the Chinese government for using non-approved VPNs. Nonetheless, it's advisable to research the relevant laws before your trip and gain a comprehensive understanding of China's stance on this issue. 

Quick Guide: How to Access Bing from China

  1. Choose a VPN that works in China. We recommend ExpressVPN
  2. Install the VPN and connect to a server in a Bing-friendly country. (Ex. US, UK, or Canada)
  3. Open Bing and search freely!

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Why You Need a VPN to Access Bing in China

Unlike Google, China doesn't necessarily block Bing from users within the country. That doesn't prevent the site from occasionally being blocked.  Microsoft wouldn't confirm what caused the outage, but despite service returning a day later, many users were understandably concerned.

A good VPN can ensure that your access to a free and unrestricted internet remains open, even if China chooses to block Bing again in the future. They do this by allowing you to connect to a server in a foreign country. This action will mask your IP address, concealing your real location from your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

When you route your traffic through a VPN, it will also encrypt your data as it moves through a secure channel between your device and the VPN server. This way, you're also protected from hackers and government surveillance. 

So why can't you just use any VPN to unblock websites in China? As the Chinese government increased internet blacklisting, it began targetting VPNs in addition to Western sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Whatsapp. There are a few methods China employs to prevent users from accessing VPNs. They track and block known IP addresses, or they use deep packet inspection.

If you want to learn more about the Great Firewall of China, you can check out our guide to the best VPNs for China that actually work.

ExpressVPN is one of the best options to enhance your security and to bypass the Great Firewall. To get around China's blocks, the service uses obfuscated servers, which are specially configured to get around a restricted internet. Even so, you MUST download ExpressVPN before you arrive in China.

Now, we'll give you a step by step guide to using ExpressVPN in China.

How to Use a VPN in China

1. Download and install ExpressVPN on your device. Once you're in China, open the app and look at your Specialty Servers.

2. Go to Settings in the top left corner. There will be a list on the left side of your screen that includes Advanced. This will open the option to turn on Obfuscated Servers. Click the switch to turn them on. It will also turn blue when it's activated.

3. Return to the Servers page. Now you'll see Obfuscated Servers listed under Specialty Servers. You're most likely to get optimal service if you choose a server that's closer to China. Singapore or Hong Kong are good options, but any foreign server will unblock blacklisted websites.

If you want to return to regular servers at a later time, you can easily switch off Obfuscated Servers by going back to your advanced settings.

Summary

Bing may be one of the few Western websites that's still allowed by the Chinese government, but as we saw in January, that can change at any time. To keep your access open and to further protect your connection, it's a good idea to use a VPN whenever you surf the web in China.

Not every VPN works in China, but ExpressVPN uses obfuscated servers to get around the VPN blocks the government has put in place. However, no service is 100% foolproof. If you have any trouble using the internet with ExpressVPN in China, their customer service will help you get connected.

Having a VPN to protect your connection grants you the ability to freely and effortlessly access the internet, even when in China.

Further Reading

Here's a full list of websites that are blocked by the Great Firewall of China. You can also use our tool to check if a site is accessible in China.

For more special deals on ExpressVPN, check out our exclusive coupon codes.

To learn more about VPNs and why you should always use one, we've written an extensive guide to VPNs for newbies.

Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

Your Location:

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 48% off.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.

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