How To Use a VPN in Russia and China — Working in 2025

Russia and China actively take measures to block non-government-operated VPNs. You can’t even find the VPNs in the app stores of these countries. The ones that remain accessible are mostly government-approved, which aren't privacy-friendly.

What’s a good VPN to use in Russia and China? A VPN with military-grade encryption and obfuscation (conceals VPN traffic) works most reliably in Russia and China. Meduza reports that Russian authorities blocked over 885,000 websites in 2023¹. So, a VPN should also have thousands of IP addresses worldwide to maintain access to international websites and apps. This makes it possible to safely access services like Facebook, Google, and WhatsApp from anywhere.

How To Download and Set Up a VPN in Russia or China

Can I access the internet with a VPN in China and Russia? Russia and China rank among the most restrictive regarding VPN use. According to Freedom House, in March 2024, Russia’s telecom regulator blocked 30 webpages² just for sharing how to use VPNs to access social media. It also rates China’s internet freedom a mere 9 out of 100, marking it as one of the most restrictive nations³. It also highlights China’s push to limit VPN use.

The most dependable way to secure your connection in Russia or China is by using a VPN with obfuscation technology, which is also compatible with all major devices. By hiding VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, services with obfuscation help maintain stable connections to all popular apps and websites.

1. Choose a VPN That Works in Russia or China

Go for a VPN with strong traffic-hiding capabilities to reduce the risk of blocks. Also, ensure it has an extensive server network to avoid overcrowding-related slowdowns.

2. Download the App

If you're traveling to Russia or China, installing your VPN before you arrive is critical. Most VPN websites and app store listings are not available in either country, so the best approach is to download the VPN app from an official website or app store in advance. Install it on all the devices you plan to use and keep offline copies of your login details as backup.

3. Configure Settings and Choose a Server

Enable features like obfuscation, WiFi protection, and app binding. Many top VPN services avoid having servers in China or Russia to prevent data collection by governments. Connect to servers in nearby locations, such as Belarus, Hong Kong, or Macau, to securely access regional sites. Or, just pick a server anywhere else to access international content safely. The best VPNs for China and Russia have secure servers worldwide.

4. Run an IP Leak Test

Verify your VPN connection is secure before using the internet in Russia or China. Use an IP leak testing tool to confirm your real location isn't visible. A properly configured VPN should only show your chosen server location, not your actual location. If you're connected to a server in Russia or China, double-check that your IP address looks different after you connect.

5. Start Browsing Securely

You're now ready to access content and services from Russia or China securely. Whether you're checking local news on RT or China Daily, or logging into apps like VK or WeChat, ensure your VPN stays connected. This will help keep your activity and location hidden from snoops, ISPs, network-level monitoring, and DPI.

Why Do Countries Like China and Russia Block VPNs?

China and Russia enforce stringent controls over VPN usage to maintain authority over digital information and suppress dissent. VPN technology isn’t inherently illegal and is still an essential tool for many foreign businesses and workers. Government-approved VPN services also operate in both countries.

However, both countries try to prevent the use of unauthorized VPNs because they may be used to circumvent content restrictions. Russia, for example, has had an official ban against non-compliant VPNs since 2017 (Reuters)⁴. China’s Great Firewall was explicitly built to control the cross-border flow of information online.

Here's why these countries restrict VPN usage:

• Government control. Both countries aim to monitor and regulate citizens' internet access, limiting exposure to politically sensitive content or threatening state interests.
• Data localization laws. Russia requires companies to store citizens' data on servers within the country, while China's cybersecurity law mandates strict data handling requirements.
• Economic protectionism. By blocking foreign services, these countries promote domestic alternatives like WeChat and VKontakte, keeping user data and revenue within their borders.
• Content censorship. The Great Firewall of China and Russia's Sovereign Internet Law allow authorities to block websites, social media platforms, and news sources that don't align with state narratives.
• National security claims. Both governments justify VPN restrictions as necessary measures to prevent terrorism, protect national interests, and maintain social stability.

What If My VPN Is Not Working in Russia or China?

If your VPN isn’t working in Russia or China, you might’ve selected one that isn’t reliable, or it’s just blocked, so you might need a new one. All the VPNs listed above proved the most stable during our tests, and they work in Russia and China due to the advanced features they offer.

If the VPN you selected normally is working, but it isn’t now, you can try the following:

• Connect to another server. The server you’ve chosen might be overloaded, or its IPs might be blocked, so simply changing the server can help you get the VPN working.
• Change the VPN protocol. Protocol choice is very important when it comes to using a VPN in these countries.
• Update the VPN app. Using an outdated version of the VPN app can pose some issues, so make sure that you always update it to the latest version.
• Contact the VPN’s customer support. If none of the above tips help, your VPN’s customer support team can help you by giving you specific instructions on what servers and settings to select so that the VPN works in Russia or China.

FAQs on Using VPNs in Russia and China

Are VPNs legal in China and Russia?

While not outright illegal, only government-approved VPNs are allowed to operate freely. There are only a few independent VPNs with advanced security features that can keep your data safe in these countries. Plus, they all have obfuscation technology to hide that you’re using a VPN on restrictive networks.

Enforcement is also focused primarily on distribution and commercial use. We could not find any reports of tourists being penalized simply for using a VPN. However, per the South China Morning Post, a Chinese man was sentenced to jail for selling VPN services illegally⁵. The Guardian also spotlights a Chinese programmer fined ¥1 million (~$136,986) for using a VPN to work for a foreign employer⁶.

Regardless, VPN usage in both countries is growing. According to StatsUp, roughly 37.8% of Russians use one⁷, while VOA reported in 2024 that China’s VPN adoption nearly doubled over the past year⁸. Still, enforcement could change anytime, and we strongly advise you to carefully research the law and potential consequences before using a VPN in Russia or China.

Are VPNs with servers in China and Russia safe?

Generally, no, but it may be the only way to get a Russian or Chinese IP address for reliably accessing banking apps and local news from anywhere. Proton VPN minimizes the risk by using virtual servers to provide you with a Russian IP. This means that its servers aren’t physically in Russia, so they’re not within reach of the authorities. Many VPNs removed their Russian servers due to a law forcing them to store users’ data in the country.

While Astrill VPN’s servers are physically located in Russia, it has a strict no-logs policy. This means they don’t permanently store your personally identifiable information or traffic, so they have no information to hand over to authorities. However, physical servers are usually faster and more reliable for local content access than virtual ones.

Because of the tight state control, very few VPNs allow you to get a Chinese IP. The closest you can get and still say safe is usually nearby countries like Korea, Hong Kong, Macau, or Singapore.

Is it safe to use government-approved VPNs in Russia and China?

It’s not recommended if you value your privacy. In both countries, approved VPNs are required to comply with national censorship and surveillance laws, including blocking blacklisted websites and potentially logging user activity. High-quality independent VPNs are a better alternative for securing your online activity in either country.

Can you use a free VPN in China or Russia?

Probably not. Free VPNs don’t usually have the resources to invest in the obfuscation technology necessary to work in these countries. That’s why it's recommended to use a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee and the ability to avoid detection.

There are a few free VPNs that work in Russia, but they typically have limited server selections, bandwidth, or speeds, restricting what you can do. Others who work in Russia and China may be at far greater risk. Some sell your data to advertisers and other third parties in exchange for the free service, and others are poorly disguised scams or malware.

How do countries like China and Russia block VPNs?

They use advanced technologies like DPI, protocol fingerprinting, and IP blocklisting to detect and block unauthorized VPN traffic. This is why China's Great Firewall and Russia’s SORM system can identify and block most VPNs. Only VPNs with advanced obfuscation, military-grade encryption, and large IP pools can operate reliably in both countries.

References

1. https://meduza.io/en/news/2023/09/07/russian-authorities-reportedly-blocked-more-than-885-000-websites-in-first-half-of-2023/
2. https://freedomhouse.org/country/russia/freedom-net/2024/
3. https://freedomhouse.org/country/china/freedom-net/2024/
4. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-internet/putin-bans-vpns-to-stop-russians-accessing-prohibited-websites-idUSKBN1AF0QI/
5. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/2125326/man-jailed-51/2-years-fined-us76000-selling-vpn/
6. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/09/chinese-programmer-ordered-to-pay-1m-yuan-for-using-virtual-private-network/
7. https://analyzify.com/statsup/vpn/
8. https://www.voanews.com/a/china-s-vpn-usage-nearly-doubles-amid-internet-censorship/7488465.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com/