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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.

China Firewall Test

Check any website to see in real time if it is blocked in China

Test results for

URL blocked

None of the servers allowed access to this URL which probably means it is blocked in China. Please share this page now so more people will know about this tool!

URL blocked
Connection Error

An error occurred, so we couldn't determine if this URL is accessible in China. Please re-enter the URL and click "TEST".

Connection Error
Congratulations

The URL is accessible from China. Please share this page now so more people will know about this tool!

Congratulations
URL can't be accessed in all regions

You may have some trouble accessing this page, as not all servers enable access to this URL in China. Please share this page with others who may find this tool useful.

URL can't be accessed in all regions

How to Access Any Site From China

Insider Advice: The majority of VPNs fail to function in China as their technology lacks the sophistication to overcome the Great Firewall. Therefore, if your intention is to utilize a VPN in China, it is essential to confirm its compatibility before subscribing.

Result page
  • 1

    Get a VPN. Our researchers recommend ExpressVPN since it has military-grade encryption and excellent security features. Make sure that you set it up on all of the devices you plan on using in China before you get there. Once you’re in the country, it’s nearly impossible to download a VPN that isn’t government-approved.

  • 2

    Connect to an obfuscated server. Obfuscated servers are designed to bypass the Great Firewall and hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. For example, Astrill VPN’s Stealth VPN uses obfuscation technology and this makes your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic to the Great Firewall. PrivateVPN has a similar feature.

  • 3

    Experience unhindered web surfing! By linking to a server in the country of your choice, you can effortlessly access all your favorite websites.

How Does the Great Firewall of China Test Work?

The Great Firewall test checks to see if your favorite websites are blocked in China. To use it, all you have to do is copy the URL of the page you want to test and paste it into the text box above. Once you do this, the URL is sent to servers in different locations across China. This is where the server app tries to open your URL and reports back the results in real-time.

search

FAQs on The Great Firewall Test

Is it illegal to use a VPN in China?

While using non-government-approved VPNs isn't officially allowed in China, there haven't been any public reports of tourists facing penalties for using them. However, it's important to remember that VPNs don't grant immunity to local laws. Accessing blocked websites or engaging in illegal activities remains prohibited, regardless of using a VPN. We strongly advise against using a VPN for any purpose that violates local regulations.

What websites are blocked in China?

Some of the most popular websites that are blocked in China are Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, Wikipedia, Gmail, Google, Reddit, Whatsapp, Spotify, foreign news sites, and more. You can check out the full list of websites blocked in China here.

How can I get around the Great Firewall of China?

VPNs are an easy way to change your virtual location, essentially allowing you to access the internet as if you were somewhere else. For example, if you’re in China and use a VPN to connect to a server in the US, it will seem like you’re browsing from the US and you’ll be able to access your favorite websites.

However, not all VPNs work in China. So, we perform daily tests to check which VPNs can bypass the Great Firewall. The VPNs on our list can access Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and more.

It's also worth noting that China imposes strict regulations on VPN usage, with only government-endorsed VPN services being legally allowed. However, these services cannot be trusted as they enforce the same blocks the government does and likely shares your data with them too.

Notably, there have been no publicly-reported cases of tourists facing penalties for using non-approved VPNs in the country. That being said, be sure to check China's latest laws and stance on VPNs before using one.

Insider Tip: If you’re traveling to China, make sure that you download a VPN in advance. Most VPN websites will be blocked once you enter the country so you won’t be able to get them.

Why is China blocking so many websites?

The Chinese government censors online content for political reasons. As part of The Golden Shield Project, many sites and services are blocked so local companies won’t have to worry about competition from overseas.

The government works together with local internet service providers to block online content using advanced technologies such as URL filtering, DNS poisoning, IP blocking, and deep packet inspection. This intricate censorship system is known as The Great Firewall of China.

This means that while you’re in China, you won’t be able to access major websites and applications such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, and many more. However, there are VPNs that can give you access to the content you need while there — you can keep up with international news, and your social media accounts, and use messaging apps like WhatsApp. You’ll be able to access any site that failed our Great Firewall Test with the right VPN.

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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
Do you like this tool? Rate it!
I hated it! I don't really like it It was ok Pretty good! Loved it!
out of 10 - Voted by users
Thank you for your feedback