How To Get a Chinese IP Address From Anywhere in 2025

China is one of the most internet-restricted countries in the world, so getting a China IP isn’t easy. Doing it the wrong way puts your online privacy at risk, opens you to surveillance, or makes the whole process a very frustrating experience. This is especially true under China’s Great Firewall (GFW), which keeps close watch over virtually all internet activity.

The country also ranks among the strictest when it comes to online freedom, with a score of 9/100 in Freedom House’s ratings¹. That makes it vital to use the right tool to get a Chinese IP address, so you can safely reach streaming or social media sites like iQIYI, CNTV, Bilibili, or WeChat. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to make this a little easier and less risky for your online privacy.

How To Get a Chinese IP Address With a VPN — 2025 Guide

A VPN with servers in China allows you to get a Chinese IP address while securing your connection. Few VPNs have servers in China, so you should consider ones with servers in Hong Kong and Macau as well. As these technically fall outside the Great Firewall, they are also less prone to interruptions or slowdowns due to robust anti-VPN measures. However, they may still provide secure access to many local services, like iQIYI, Youku, or Tencent Video.

VPNs work by routing your connection via one of their secure servers, encrypting your data, and changing your real IP. Some also have a feature called “obfuscation” or “stealth” mode that scrambles the VPN signature to avoid detection by deep packet inspection (DPI) and other technologies that power the Great Firewall and similar systems. They’re also convenient because they generally don’t require manual configuration and come in easy-to-use apps for a variety of devices.

Here’s how to set up a VPN to get a private Chinese IP in a few simple steps:

1. Get a High-Quality VPN

Choose a VPN with secure and fast China servers. A premium VPN with Hong Kong and Macau servers can also provide a Chinese IP address without compromising security — it just won’t be from mainland China. Most VPNs offer virtual servers for China that are physically located in a nearby country, like Singapore, but they still provide a China IP.

These virtual options are safer alternatives for countries with known security risks. The main drawback is that the Chinese government actively tries to seek out and block VPN use, although using one to get a Chinese IP from another country is much less problematic.

Most VPNs offer a money-back guarantee (usually 30 days), letting you try them risk-free

2. Configure Your VPN Settings

Adjust your VPN settings to maximize privacy and connection stability with your China IP. Make sure IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection and the kill switch are active to prevent accidental data exposure. Some VPNs have them enabled by default, but it’s worth double-checking.

Some VPNs also include an Automatic mode that adjusts the protocol based on your network conditions. If your app has a separate obfuscation or “stealth mode” feature, switch it on too — it helps disguise VPN traffic, and makes your connection harder to detect and block.

Most VPNs have intuitive designs that make it easy to adjust settings

3. Connect to a China Server

If available, first try a China server, and use locations in Hong Kong or Macau as a backup method. China servers make it possible to access more mainland content not available elsewhere, while those in Hong Kong and Macau are less likely to be restricted or monitored.

You can even "favorite" the China server for quick access

4. Test Your Chinese IP

Use an IP checking tool to verify you have a Chinese IP address. Your IP location should show as Hong Kong, Macau, or China, depending on which server you chose. If you see your real location and/or your regular IP, clear your browser cache and cookies, then try reconnecting to the VPN server.

Run the test before and after connecting to the VPN to confirm your IP has changed

5. Browse Safely With a China IP

You can now go online safely with your new secure Chinese IP address. You might need to try different services or adjust a few settings for smooth streaming on popular platforms like iQIYI and Youku. Remember to keep your VPN connected while browsing to maintain privacy and prevent access issues.

We could stream relatively smoothly, but there may be occasional slowdowns

Best VPNs for Getting a Chinese IP Address From Anywhere in 2025

The most important factor is server locations in or near China to get a Chinese or local IP. Having servers in both mainland China and places like Hong Kong and Macau also gives you more options in terms of performance and reliable access to local services. Finally, advanced security tools and obfuscation are great features to have when dealing with the Great Firewall.

How To Get a Chinese IP Address With a Proxy

Can you get a China IP address without a VPN? Yes, proxies are a popular backup option to VPNs — according to ENVmedia, proxy usage in China is above 30%⁴.

A proxy is another way to obtain a China IP with nothing but a computer and an internet connection. Like VPNs, a proxy routes your connection via a server or device, giving you an IP from that location. The main difference is that they don’t encrypt your traffic.

Because they’re considered geo-circumvention tools, proxies are also subject to the same regulations and limits as VPNs. Most also offer virtual servers in China instead of physical ones. However, you can still get services offering different types of IPs, like datacenter, residential, static, and mobile types.

Their effectiveness is ranked as follows:

1. Residential. These are tied to real homes in China, making them the most effective for avoiding blocks, CAPTCHAs, and maintaining access to services.
2. Mobile. These IPs look like they’re assigned from real carriers, like China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. They are equally as effective, but much rarer.
3. Datacenter IPs. These are the most common and cheapest, but the least effective. They are easily flagged as belonging to specific datacenter proxy pools.

Not only do free proxies tend to have slow speeds and less reliability, but they’re highly unlikely to work in China. Premium options sometimes have more advanced tools, like automatically rotating IPs for slightly better privacy. For more information, take a look at our guide to the best proxies.

How To Configure a Proxy IP for China

Proxies typically don’t use apps, but you can either set them up at the operating system level or for specific apps/browsers. NetNut, Oxylabs, and SOAX are some of the best proxies with higher IP success rates and a good track record.

Here are the general steps on how to use one:

1. Sign up for the proxy service. Select a proxy service that offers Chinese or Hong Kong/Macau IPs. Decide whether you need datacenter, residential, or mobile IPs based on your use case. Create an account. You can either purchase a plan or load your payment details for a pay-as-you-use service.
   Check carefully as proxies can use many varieties of payment structures
2. Get proxy credentials. Note the server address, port number, and (if required) your username/password from the provider.
3. Configure settings. Enter these details either in your operating system’s network settings (to cover all apps) or inside a specific app/browser that supports proxy input.
4. Verify your IP. Visit a reliable IP checker site to confirm your traffic is showing a China-based IP before using local services.

How To Get a Chinese IP Address With More Advanced Methods

Using a VPN or proxy is by far the most convenient and reliable method for everyday Chinese IP users, though even these methods might not always work. If you’re comfortable with more complicated networking setups or you need a Chinese IP for a specific use case, there are other methods you can try.

• Shadowsocks and V2Ray. These proxy tools are typically used inside China but can be configured to access a Chinese IP abroad. However, they require technical setup, lack built-in security, and aren’t as user-friendly or reliable as commercial China IP VPNs, making them better suited for advanced users.
• Virtual private servers (VPS). Renting a server in Hong Kong or Macau through services like Alibaba provides a dedicated IP address. However, it won’t typically encrypt your data like a VPN, so you may have to manually configure an OpenVPN connection.
• Reverse SSH/VPN to a personal host in China. If you have a trusted contact in China, you can create a private SSH/VPN tunnel between your devices. This is arguably one of the most reliable and safe methods, but it is also one of the most difficult to set up and requires absolute trust.
• Dedicated “China Accelerator” services. Services like Transocks are designed specifically to access local Chinese services. It’s essentially the same thing as a VPN, but without advanced security or the ability to choose your server or get IPs from other countries. We advise caution, though, as most are China-owned with opaque logging and compliance policies.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Ways to Get a China IP Address

The different ways of getting a China IP differ drastically in terms of cost, reliability, complexity, and everyday usefulness. The table below will give you a quick overview of what each method is better or worse at, and whether it might be suitable for you.

Our Methodology for Testing Methods for Getting a Chinese IP Address

We primarily looked for options that actually provide Chinese IPs that work with local services. Another big bonus was any features or privacy measures that help protect you against surveillance and activity tracking. Finally, the ease of setup and daily use, as well as the connection stability and speed, played important roles.

When choosing a method to obtain a Chinese IP, think about the level of privacy and access you need. Methods physically located in China work the best, but are the least private. They also vary drastically in how easy they are to configure, so make sure you pick something appropriate for your technical level.

Why Don't VPNs Have Servers in Mainland China?

China heavily restricts VPNs and frequently shuts down unauthorized physical servers within the mainland. As a result, many VPNs use virtual Chinese servers. These servers provide Chinese IP addresses but are physically located outside of China. This way, you can securely access your Chinese accounts from anywhere without being subjected to Chinese jurisdiction and legal constraints.

Any VPN provider with physical servers in mainland China must:

• Register with Chinese authorities
• Collect users’ real names, connection logs, etc.
• Share user data when requested
• Allow government monitoring
• Follow local censorship rules

To protect user privacy, most reputable VPNs use servers in Hong Kong or Macau instead, which operate under the “one country, two systems” principle. This framework has historically allowed these regions to have more relaxed internet regulations compared to mainland China, making them attractive locations for VPN servers.

Physical vs Virtual Chinese Servers

Virtual servers offer IPs that seem to be from China while the physical host is elsewhere. This works by assigning or leasing China-geolocated IP blocks and routing traffic through virtual machines or tunnels in nearby data centres.

Common exit points include Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea — close enough to keep speeds fast while remaining outside mainland jurisdiction. The shorter distance your data has to travel means less buffering when you stream and lower lag when playing games like Game for Peace, Genshin Impact, or Honkai Star Rail.

Unfortunately, virtual servers are easier for services and the Great Firewall to detect and block. However, considering the extreme surveillance and censorship in China, we don’t recommend using physical servers there. Top VPNs and proxies still offer decent reliability through virtual servers, without the serious privacy tradeoffs.

Here’s a table summing up the most important differences and similarities:

FAQs on Getting a Chinese IP Address

Is it legal to use a VPN to get a China IP address?

Yes — if you're outside China, there are generally no laws preventing you from using a fast and secure VPN to get a Chinese IP address and “tunneling into” the Chinese internet. That said, you should always check the laws in your own country — especially if you're in another place where VPN use is regulated (like the UAE, Russia, or Iran).

The enforcement concerns around VPNs apply mostly within mainland China. However, VPNs aren’t explicitly illegal, and there are no reported cases of visitors being punished for using one. Legal action is usually reserved for those who use VPNs for commercial purposes or to access forbidden information. It’s always best to stay cautious and be aware of your local laws. The team and I don’t condone illicit use of VPNs.

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

Free VPNs are not recommended for getting Chinese IP addresses. They typically lack the necessary features to provide reliable and secure connections with a China IP. Most free services have limited server options, slow speeds, and potential security risks. Premium VPNs with money-back guarantees offer a range of servers in or for China, providing better speeds and reliability.

What risks come with using a VPN to get a Chinese IP address?

Misconfigured IP tools or incorrect use can lead to losing access to local services. On top of potential (yet unlikely) legal implications, there are also practical concerns with not using reliable methods to get a Chinese IP.

Here are some other issues you might run into:

1. Account lockouts. Services like WeChat, Alipay, or banks often flag foreign activity and may freeze or require identity/phone re-verification.
2. Transaction failures. Some payment gateways block non-local card/IP combos or require mainland mobile verification.
3. Content differences. You may get censored/localized search results or different content, even when using Hong Kong or Macau servers.
4. Higher CAPTCHA rates. Sites may demand repeated verification or 2FA because the IP looks suspicious.
5. IP blocklist. Datacenter/virtual China IPs can be flagged and blocked by certain Chinese platforms, causing intermittent failures.
6. Performance/latency issues. Poor routing (virtual exits or overloaded nodes) can cause buffering, lag, or dropped sessions for streaming/gaming.
7. Surveillance. If your exit is physically in mainland China, traffic and logs may be subject to Chinese legal access — avoid sending sensitive data.

References

1. https://freedomhouse.org/country/china/
2. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1367136/china-internet-data-privacy-and-security-user-preferences-and-actions/
3. https://www.bonafideresearch.com/product/6407493804/china-virtual-private-network-market/
4. https://env.media/proxies-beyond-internet-privacy/