5 Best VPNs for China: Safe & Working in 2025

If you’re flying to mainland China soon, you may or may not know how tricky it is to find a VPN that works there. I’ve seen too many travellers land in Beijing or Shanghai only to realise they can’t download a VPN and suddenly can’t use WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, or any Google service.

The country’s Great Firewall blocks thousands of popular sites and apps we use daily, and many VPNs that look good on paper fail the moment you try them on hotel WiFi. That’s why choosing a VPN that still works in China takes more than checking its speed or price. We reviewed dozens of services and focused on those known for strong obfuscation that masks your VPN traffic on stable nearby servers in Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.

I always give friends and colleagues the same advice: set up your VPN before you ever set foot in China. So, in this guide, I’ll show you the best VPNs you can still use in China, I’ll walk you through installing them, test them on both mobile data and WiFi, and share the troubleshooting fixes that can save you when connections get flaky.

Quick Overview: Top VPNs for China

The table below highlights the key features of all the recommended VPNs for use in China and beyond. It shows whether each VPN has servers optimized for China and if they have an audited no-logs policy to help keep your data private.

I’ve also included useful extras, such as the number of servers each one has, whether you can get a China IP address, the supported Chinese payment methods, and whether they accept cryptocurrencies (handy if you prefer not to share too much personal information).

Note. Baseline refers to our tester's speed without the VPN connected.

Why Should You Use a VPN for China?

In mainland China, services like Google Search, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, X, and many global news outlets are blocked. A reliable VPN restores your access to these platforms so you can reply to work emails, message friends, or even load directions.

There’s another angle most travellers don’t think about until it happens: a VPN also becomes critical during sensitive periods or political events. That’s when the Great Firewall becomes more aggressive, and even previously working VPNs can drop repeatedly. So, it’s worth having a VPN with real obfuscation and security features, which makes the difference between staying connected and being completely stuck.

Another reason people use a VPN in China is to securely access services from home. Many banking apps, cloud drives, and university portals block foreign logins as a fraud precaution. A VPN helps you connect from a familiar region so you can submit work, access school assignments, or manage finances without triggering security alerts.

In-Depth Analysis: Best VPNs for China in 2025

1. Astrill VPN — Optimized Servers for Reliable Connections to Websites and Apps From China

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested December 2025

Available on:

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Try Astrill VPN >

www.Astrill_VPN.com

Astrill is one of the few VPNs built with China in mind, and that alone sets it apart from most providers. Its China-ready servers are optimized for offering fast speeds even under heavy restrictions. In our tests, we found them by simply typing “China Supercharged” into the search bar. You also get access to plenty of servers located near China, like Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan, for fast connections in the country.

The main appeal is stability. Even on hotel WiFi or campus networks where many VPNs fail outright, Astrill tends to connect quickly and stay connected. Its StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols are designed specifically to survive the Great Firewall, and it even lets you tweak MTU values to make your data harder to detect. This is why travellers, expats, and long-term residents often list it as their most reliable option.

It’s not the fastest VPN we tested, but Astrill VPN delivered good speeds for most online activities. As obfuscation adds some extra processing steps, you can see some slowdown when StealthVPN is active. But the OpenWeb protocol makes a noticeable difference. In our tests, speeds dropped by only around 27% on the Thailand server, which kept the connection smooth enough for 4K streaming, large file uploads, and even online gaming without lag.

Astrill’s simple app includes a neat upload/download graphic so you can gauge your data usage in China

The downside is that Astrill does not offer a money-back guarantee, which makes it less flexible than other VPNs on this list. However, you can get a free 1-day pass for referring a friend. And Astrill VPN also provides 1 free hour of access per day to every user forever, as long as you do a “daily check-in.”

Useful Features

• Choice of 5 proxies. On the occasions that Astrill VPN has troubles working in China, you’ll have other options since it offers a selection of proxies, including HTTPS, SOCKS4a, and SOCKS5. Keep in mind that these won’t encrypt your traffic, though — I only recommend using them as a backup if you have no other option.
• Protect browsers only or all apps. Using the OpenWeb protocol, you can configure Astrill VPN to protect all apps or just web browsers. That’s useful if you want your non-browser apps to run faster in China by using a normal connection for local apps like Didi or WeChat.
• Customizable connections. Using OpenVPN, you can choose between 256-, 192-, and 128-bit encryption, and you can even turn off encryption completely. Turning your encryption level down could help boost your speeds without sacrificing security. I don’t recommend turning it off in China, though.
• Dedicated IPs. For a little extra, you can get a dedicated IP address that’s yours alone. I use them to skip the endless CAPTCHAs that come with shared IPs, particularly while traveling.

2. ExpressVPN — Automatically Mask VPN Traffic to Maintain Stable Connections in China

Available on:

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Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN is the simplest choice for travellers who want everything to work the moment they land in China. The app automatically activates obfuscation whenever it detects network restrictions, so you can open WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, Google Maps, or your work tools without interruptions on any network or ISP. Plus, it also replaces IP addresses if any of them are flagged to maintain consistent access.

Even with obfuscation, ExpressVPN still offers impressive speeds across the network. When we connected to a nearby server, we saw just a minor speed reduction of 11% using its Lightway protocol. This is impressive, as obfuscation can cause slowdowns, especially when connected to long-distance servers. That said, there was no buffering as we streamed HD and 4K content, including Fangs of Fortune on iQIYI and STRAW on Netflix.

The speeds were consistently fast even on long-distance connections

The VPN actively monitors its network and keeps an updated list of servers that work best in China. You'll get reliable options nearby in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea to choose from. It suggests using the Automatic protocol for the obfuscation to work effectively. Plus, the app's Recommended tab highlights servers that are likely to work well with your current network conditions in China.

No VPN can promise 100% reliability in China, but ExpressVPN is one of the most dependable options next to Astrill VPN. There have been occasional reports of downtime, but the service quickly resolves any connectivity issues. Plus, all ExpressVPN offers include a 30-day money-back guarantee*, so you can still test it comfortably across your entire trip before making a long-term decision.

Useful Features

• Chinese mirror site. Although its official website is blocked by the Great Firewall, ExpressVPN has a mirror website that’s accessible from within China. The URL changes constantly to avoid blocks, but you can always email its customer support to ask for an up-to-date mirror address or contact them through the 24/7 live chat.
• Privacy-focused. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no data retention laws. Plus, it has a strict no-logs policy (audited multiple times; twice by KPMG) to keep your activity private. It doesn’t operate servers in mainland China, which means it doesn’t have to comply with government requests for user data.
• Highly secure. Your data is protected by military-grade 256-bit encryption, even on unsecured public WiFi networks in China. Plus, you’ll get robust IPv4, IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection and a Network Lock kill switch to prevent anyone from seeing your real location.
• Advanced Protection. This is ExpressVPN’s customizable blocker. You can choose to prevent ads, malware, and trackers (or a combination) for a safer, more private way to browse in China. Switching on parental controls can also help you steer clear of adult content, as accessing porn sites in the country could land you in hot water.

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

Available on:

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Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN is a great option if you want more control over how your connection behaves in China. You can lower encryption for faster speeds, switch to port 443 to blend in with regular HTTPS traffic. When the Firewall becomes more aggressive, you can enable Stealth VPN mode, which disguises your VPN traffic as regular HTTPS to bypass DPI. Plus, we even tested setting PrivateVPN's encryption to 128-bit, which led to a decent speed boost.

These little adjustments are what make PrivateVPN perform surprisingly well on hotel WiFi and restrictive networks where many other VPNs break. However, you’ll need to enable Stealth VPN manually in the settings, unlike ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation. For tougher restrictions, PrivateVPN suggests using the OpenConnect app, and it provides an easy setup guide for this workaround.

You can access these settings from the Advanced View

The service does have a smaller server network than the other VPNs on this list, which means fewer regional options when you need alternatives during peak hours. But it offsets this with self-owned servers and direct bandwidth sourcing, which reduces congestion and helps keep speeds more consistent than you might expect from a compact network.

If you want to try it out first, PrivateVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test all the China-focused settings before travelling and see whether the performance fits your needs.

Useful Features

• Customer support via email. PrivateVPN’s website is blocked in China, so you won’t be able to access live chat. However, you can use its dedicated email to get assistance. I got a reply within 20 minutes when I tested it. Its live chat also uses a translation feature, so Chinese users can get help in their native language.
• Easy to use. The Advanced View has some solid security settings, but you don’t even have to leave Simple View to secure your connections in China. Just choose a server and hit the big power button. This makes it a great choice if you’re not super experienced with VPNs.
• Remote technical assistance. If you’re worried about getting stuck with connection errors or misconfigured protocols in China, PrivateVPN can log in remotely and set everything up for you. The support team will personally configure obfuscation and troubleshoot access issues.

4. TunnelBear — User-Friendly Interface to Easily Protect Your Online Data in China

Available on:

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Try TunnelBear VPN >

www.tunnelbear.com

TunnelBear’s simple interface makes it one of the easiest VPNs to use in China. Its map-based server selection is intuitive — just pick a server, and a cartoon bear digs its way from your location to the destination. Since China is a big country, the visual map makes quickly identifying and connecting to the nearest server easy.

You can minimize TunnelBear to a simple toggle switch and server selection screen

Its setup even adds a bit of fun with bear-themed instructions and puns. It took me less than 2 minutes to install the VPN on all the devices I tested, including Mac, Android, and Windows. TunnelBear also has fast short-distance speeds, according to our tests. The Fastest Tunnel feature automatically connected us to the best server — we experienced steady speeds with only 28% speed loss.

The GhostBear (obfuscation) feature makes it one of the more reliable VPNs, as it can go undetected on restrictive networks. To activate it, go to Settings > Connection > GhostBear. I was disappointed that it wasn’t available on iOS, though. Automatic reconnection works seamlessly when switching between WiFi sources, so you’ll stay protected as you move around China, using hotel or café WiFi.

A downside is the lack of a standard money-back guarantee; refunds are only available on a case-by-case basis, as stated on its website.

Useful Features

• Trusted Networks. You can add known networks to a safelist for automatic protection only on unfamiliar networks — a handy feature for those using China’s public WiFi, where security is generally low.
• Leak protection and VigilantBear (kill switch). Both features worked reliably in my tests, blocking any slip-ups that could expose my IP or private data. So, your real location won’t be exposed to snoops.
• Encrypted Client Hello (ECH). This technology helps TunnelBear stay accessible in countries like China by encrypting DNS requests, making it harder for censors to block the site. It builds on the older ESNI feature and is currently available on Android.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Local and Global Servers Give You Plenty of Options to Stay Connected in China

Available on:

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Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA has the largest server network of all the China VPNs we listed — and it even includes a virtual server location for China. Since the server isn’t physically located in the country, PIA can give you a Chinese IP without being subject to local data laws. This means you can securely access Chinese services like Youku, Bilibili, or Alipay without exposing your data to government requests.

You can also enable MACE with one click to get rid of pop-up ads on Chinese sites

With PIA, you can connect unlimited devices in China. Perfect if you’ve got a bunch of gadgets or you’re traveling with family and everyone wants safe and unfettered access to the internet. In our PIA tests, we experienced stable connections without any drops, even with 6 laptops and 10 mobile phones active.

The VPN doesn’t consistently work in China, but its website and 24/7 customer support can help with several workarounds to help improve stability. Start by switching between the WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. If that doesn’t help, try one of PIA’s Multi-Hop setups — either with the SOCKS5 proxy or Shadowsocks. Just note that this might affect speeds. As a last resort, you can try manual configuration files with detailed instructions on the PIA website.

It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without financial risk — and getting a refund is straightforward.

Useful Features

• Adjustable encryption. PIA lets you choose between two encryption levels with the OpenVPN protocol. AES 256-bit (the strongest available) is my go-to for online banking, but I switch to AES 128-bit for streaming as it offers better speeds. However, if speed is the main goal, I’d recommend the lightweight WireGuard protocol — it gave us the best results overall.
• Connection automation. This tells the app to automatically connect when certain conditions are met, like if you join a public WiFi network. This is really important no matter where you are in the world, but even more so in China.

How We Assessed Top VPNs for China

When looking for VPNs for use in mainland China, we focus on what actually keeps you connected once the Great Firewall kicks in. Speed and consistency come first, followed by how well the VPN performs on hotel WiFi and public networks, where many services fail. We also test nearby servers in Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, as these server locations usually work best inside China.

Here are the key features to look for when choosing a VPN that can work inside China:

• Stealth or obfuscated servers. These disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS data so it can slip past China’s filters.
• Nearby servers in Asia. Servers in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan usually offer the best speed and stability for users inside mainland China.
• Strong encryption and a no-logs policy. Keeps your online activity private even on public Wi-Fi or hotel networks.
• Multi-device compatibility. A dependable VPN should work on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS with minimal setup.
• Responsive customer support. As most major VPN sites are blocked in China, quick email-based or mirror-site support can be extremely helpful when connections fail.

For more information on our thorough testing process, please visit our VPN testing methodology page. Our global team constantly updates VPN performance data to bring you the most reliable recommendations. If you’re interested in conducting your own evaluations, you can consider these factors.

How to Set Up a VPN for China (Before You Travel)

China’s Great Firewall blocks most VPN websites as part of the government’s tight control of the flow of information in and out of the country. Despite this, VPN use is widespread, doubling in recent years amid growing censorship. To protect your online activity from the start, your best bet is to prepare your VPN before heading to the country:

• Download, install, and log into VPN apps on all devices you plan to use in China before you depart.
• Save important information offline, like your user credentials, app activation codes, mirror site URLs, and customer support contacts.
• You may want to install a backup VPN as well, as no single provider is 100% reliable in China — bring along 2–3. Luckily, most top VPNs offer a money-back guarantee, so it’s financially risk-free.
• Enable auto-connect and kill switch options to prevent leaks on public or hotel WiFi.

If you’re already in China, you’re not totally out of luck. We do not recommend using government-approved VPNs (and most aren’t publicly available, anyway). However, some VPN vendors provide alternative methods to download their apps in restrictive regions. Here’s how:

• Use mobile hotspot or cellular data. Restrictions tend to be less consistent than WiFi from major ISPs like Unicorn or China Telecom.
• If possible, connect to a VPN beforehand. This only applies if you already have a VPN, but want a backup solution.
• Get the mirror site by asking support (ExpressVPN, Astrill) via email for the latest China-accessible download link.
• Go to the mirror site to pay, sign up, and download the VPN as you normally would.
• Alternatively, support may email you the OpenVPN/WireGuard config files to manually configure a VPN connection.

Are VPNs Legal in China?

The legal status of VPNs in China exists in a complex gray area that varies by region and circumstance. Only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted, but the reality of enforcement is more nuanced. Based on extensive research, there have been no documented cases of tourists facing legal penalties for personal VPN use in China.
Even Chinese citizens rarely encounter direct legal consequences for using VPNs for personal purposes. Instead of pursuing individual users, authorities typically focus on making VPN access more difficult through technical blocking measures.

However, there have been several notable enforcement cases, primarily targeting commercial VPN operations. According to CNN, in October 2017, a Shanghai court sentenced a developer surnamed Dai to a three-year suspended prison term and fined him 10,000 yuan for developing and selling VPN software¹.

What you do with the VPN also matters. A Uyghur student, a persecuted minority in China, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for using a VPN to obtain “illegal information” (Radio Free Asia, 2023)². Another Chinese national had his earnings confiscated and was issued with a fine for using a VPN to work for a company abroad for years³ (The Guardian, 2023).

Some provinces take a more aggressive stance through technical restrictions rather than legal punishment. There have been reports of local authorities temporarily suspending cellular service until VPN apps are removed from users' devices.

In these cases, individuals typically must visit a police station, delete the VPN apps, and have their devices checked before service is restored. Additionally, promoting or recommending unauthorized VPNs on Chinese social media platforms can attract unwanted attention from authorities. For more information, you can visit our detailed guide on the legal landscape of VPN usage in China.

Internet Censorship Laws for China

China has one of the strictest internet control systems in the world, and internet freedom research from groups like Freedom House, GreatFire, and Citizen Lab consistently confirms this. The country blocks thousands of websites and apps through a nationwide filtering system often referred to as the Great Firewall.

There are 3 major laws that shape how China manages online content:

• The Cybersecurity Law outlines strict rules for how companies handle user data and requires platforms to store certain information within China.
• The Data Security Law regulates how data is transferred across borders.
• The Personal Information Protection Law gives authorities significant oversight over how apps operate.

Together, these laws give the government wide authority to restrict content, control information flows, and remove anything considered politically sensitive or harmful to social stability.

Technically, the system relies on several layers of filtering, including DNS tampering, IP blocking, keyword filtering, and deep packet inspection. These controls apply across hotel WiFi, public hotspots, and mobile carriers. During politically sensitive periods, researchers have observed even tighter filtering, which can disrupt VPN connections or slow them down. Although these measures are not aimed at tourists, they affect anyone using the internet in China.

Which Websites Are Blocked in China?

Some of the most popular blocked websites and apps include:

• Search and email. Google, Gmail, Yahoo, Bing
• Social media. Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), Threads, Snapchat
• Messaging apps. WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger, Discord
• Streaming and entertainment. YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Twitch
• News and media. BBC, The New York Times, Reuters, Bloomberg

In place of these, Chinese users rely on local services such as WeChat for messaging, Weibo for social media, and Baidu for search. While these apps are widely used, they operate under government monitoring and strict data regulations.

What to Do if Your VPN Stops Working in China

Even the best VPNs can occasionally stop connecting in China due to new censorship updates or temporary network restrictions. These issues are common, but most can be fixed quickly with a few simple adjustments.

If your VPN will not connect:

• Try switching to a different server or protocol. Start with nearby servers such as Hong Kong or Japan, then test OpenVPN (TCP 443) or WireGuard.
• Enable any stealth or obfuscation mode, such as StealthVPN, to disguise your connection.

If your internet is slow:

• Connect to servers closer to mainland China, which usually offer lower latency.
• Choose lighter protocols like WireGuard or OpenWeb for faster speeds.

If your VPN app will not load:

• Use a mobile hotspot instead of hotel or café Wi-Fi, which often has additional restrictions.
• Reinstall the VPN using backup configuration files if you saved them before your trip.

If streaming is not working:

• Refresh your IP by reconnecting to a different server.
• Switch to a nearby region such as Singapore or Taiwan, where streaming services are less likely to block IP ranges.

If none of these steps work, contact your VPN’s support team by email to request updated configuration files or China-accessible mirror links. Most providers respond quickly and can help you get back online.

FAQs

Bottom Line

Finding a trustworthy VPN that works reliably in China can be difficult because the country has increased its crackdown on VPNs. The Great Firewall only permits government-approved VPNs, which the state heavily monitors. Plus, because China updates its GFW technology all the time, even the most reliable VPNs don’t work 100% of the time.

That said, a few services have been proven to work there more reliably than others, and all the VPNs on this list are designed to work on restrictive networks. Additionally, they can access content in HD and 4K from anywhere while maintaining a safe and private connection. Of the group, Astrill VPN stands out for its strong anti-detection technology and reliability.

References

1. https://edition.cnn.com/2018/10/10/asia/china-vpn-censorship-intl/index.html/
2. https://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/student-sentenced-06082023154805.html/
3. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/09/chinese-programmer-ordered-to-pay-1m-yuan-for-using-virtual-private-network/