6 Best VPNs for China – Bypass Great Firewall Restrictions

Over the years, the People’s Republic of China has become a classic example of a country with draconian Internet access laws. In essence, the government has taken steps to censor many sites, thus preventing a significant portion of the country’s population from accessing certain websites. To achieve this, the Chinese authorities have launched a site filter commonly known as the Great Wall of China.

Today, the country has succeeded in blocking access to more than 2,500 websites for its citizens, and there is no indication that these bans will end any time soon. If you are a regular visitor to China, we assume that you are already aware of this situation and its devastating effects. On the other hand, if you intend to travel to China, you’d better be prepared as many sites that you had uninterrupted access to in your country are banned in China.

Ending the Nightmare

As a tourist planning to visit China for the first time, you will certainly be surprised to discover its firewalls. The fact is that the authorities are tightening surveillance every week. So the best thing to do is to get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) software to protect your online fingerprints from the prying eyes of the Chinese authorities.

Basically, the VPN hides your original IP address and assigns you a different one (more than one, most of the time) so that government officials and even Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can’t track your online activities.

In addition to protection against government spies, the Chinese VPN can also protect you from hackers, who seek to attack unsuspecting users via public Wi-Fi. We’ll now show you some effective VPNs that you can use to safely browse the web in this country.

6 Best China VPN – Comparison Table

Top 6 Most Effective VPN for China

6. IvacyVPN – Reliable VPN for China

Website: ivacyvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

One of the striking features of Ivacy VPN is that while the Chinese government has blocked the servers of many premium VPNs, it is still available in this country. No doubt, China is the riskiest place to operate a VPN company. Despite that, Ivacy keeps going from strength to strength in the country. As a result, you do not have to connect to interesting Chinese websites via servers in neighboring Hong Kong or other neighboring countries!

Ivacy has six servers in China, specifically cutting across major cities. With those, you can effortlessly connect to any Chinese websites of your choice. It just means that spoofing your location just got better because you do not have to connect to neighboring servers to do that. That said, other perks await you when you use this service in China.

Supported Client Software:

Features:

• DNS leak protection
• Over 1000 servers hosted in over 100 locations, including 6 in China
• 24-hour live chat support
• Torrenting support and unblocking Netflix
• Allows up to 10 devices
• Malware blocker and Wi-Fi protection

Pros:

• Uninterrupted access to lots of Chinese services such as YouKu, QIY, and QQ
• Eliminates worry about personal privacy when accessing the web
• Subscribers can enjoy many Chinese sports, movies, etc.
• Effortlessly bypass draconian government censorship
• Can access streaming sites based outside China like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime TV
• Can download P2P files without looking over your shoulder in China

Cons:

• Given China’s population, 6 servers may not be enough for the number of subscribers

It is impressive to see Ivacy VPN offering people residing in China an easy way to access online Chinese services securely and privately. If you live outside of China and wish to access China-based services, you can use this service as well. While the servers may periodically experience congestion, the speed is relatively fast. As you already know, Ivacy has one of the fastest speeds in the VPN industry.

With its breakneck speed, you will be able to enjoy loads of fun things that you typically do online. Still, you do not have to be worried that the local authorities will block you because your personal IP address remains concealed. You will fall in love with this service when you subscribe. Because of all these benefits and more, Ivacy VPN is a must-have service if you need the most suitable VPN for China. Give it a try, and share your findings with us.

Read our detailed review of IvacyVPN.

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5. PureVPN – User-Friendly China VPN

Website: purevpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 31-day

With PureVPN fully optimized for Chinese users, you can be sure to bypass the large Chinese firewall without any problems. The fact is that this premium VPN is not an outsider on the list of VPNs that bypass China’s Internet filtering. That’s simply because it has over 300,000 IP addresses for potential users worldwide, and it will be quite difficult for local authorities to detect and block all its users. With a network of servers, 4 of which are in China, PureVPN bypasses geographical restrictions with super fast speed, providing a buffer-free streaming experience. This VPN for China addresses the challenge of Chinese users who are unable to access Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc. 

It does this by ensuring that China-based servers are always running smoothly. In addition, its military-grade encryption, lack of logs and DNS leaks mean that they have absolutely nothing to worry about. Also an Internet kill switch ensures that your data remains intact in the event of a network failure. It goes without saying that this VPN for China is compatible with all common operating systems: Windows, Linux, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, etc.

Supported Client Software:  

Features:

• Availability of Onion over VPN
• There are kill switch and Double VPN
• 2,000+ servers spread across 180 locations
• Supports up to 5 devices
• 300,000 IP addresses

Pros:

• PureVPN has dedicated servers in China
• Has dedicated features for unlocking World Cup streaming sites
• PureVPN can unblock normal streaming sites, such as US Netflix, Hulu, Fire Stick and BBC iPlayer
• It is affordable
• This VPN also boasts high-level security and anonymity

Cons:

• Sometimes, users find it frustrating to connect

PureVPN has been around for some time now. Over time, its capabilities have been developed to satisfy mainly users in China. As a result, it has developed a page dedicated to Chinese users on its support pages. On this page, users in China can get technical support.

Also, with 4 servers in China and 120 throughout Asia, the PureVPN service has distinguished itself in the industry, offering reliable services in China and beyond. Most importantly, it is easy to use. When software is easy to use, it means it removes the pain points that many beginners encounter when using it.

Read our detailed review of PureVPN.

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4. PrivateVPN – Affordable VPN for China

Website: privatevpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

When PrivateVPN entered the Chinese VPN field, he came with a mission. The goal was to unblock the firewalls and allow millions of Chinese to subscribe to them. Today, it has become a smash hit as it leverages industry-leading 256-bit encryption technology to deliver the best privacy VPN for all of China and beyond. In addition to providing users with a high level of privacy, it has more than 100 servers in 150 locations worldwide.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• PrivateVPN allows up to 6 devices to connect simultaneously
• It also supports many VPN protocols
• Its servers are deployed across 150 locations
• Zero logs
• Allows torrenting and other P2P activities

Pros:

• It is very affordable
• PrivateVPN has clients for all the popular operating systems
• It can unlock many geo-restricted streaming sites, such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer
• Superb for safeguarding online footprints

Cons:

• Generally, customer service needs to improve
• Difficult to connect to some servers simultaneously

Until now, this Chinese VPN could not bypass the Great Wall of China. But today, the story has changed as it has improved its service to become one of the best in the country. Thanks to a special stealth mode, bypassing the firewall is done in a fraction of a second. That said, if you want to enjoy P2P activities with this VPN, we recommend its servers based in Sweden, as they offer a great P2P experience.

With servers deployed in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan, you can rely on this VPN at all times to provide reliable services in China. However, we must point out that it does not offer some of the high-end services that the VPNs we have reviewed in this guide boast. Finally, it also offers a 1-month refund and a 7-day free trial.

Read our detailed review of PrivateVPN.

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3. VyprVPN – Great Service for China

Website: vyprvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

When it comes to reliable Chinese VPN service providers, VyprVPN is the right software. This VPN offers the Chinese a pretty good choice to do a lot of amazing things online. Well, VyprVPN is good because it comes with Chameleon technology.

With this technology, the OpenVPN protocol metadata is scrambled. The implication is that deep packet inspection (DPI) would no longer be able to recognize them. In other words, this means that the process simply hides the identity of the user, allowing him to bypass the large Chinese firewall.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• It has more than 700 servers across 70+ locations, including China’s next-door neighbors
• This VPN supports the simultaneous connection of 5 devices
• It has over 200,000 IP addresses
• The features can be customized to suit a user
• NAT Firewall is enabled

Pros:

• User get access to unlimited bandwidth and user-friendly app
• There is one-month refund option
• This VPN leverages industry’s innovative technology to deliver military-grade security and anonymity
• There is no-log policy
• The connection is fast and reliable
• VyprVPN runs on Chrome OS, Windows, Android, Mac and iOS

Cons:

• The monthly renewal price is high

For VPN in China, VyprVPN has servers in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Taiwan, which are within walking distance of China. Of the more than 700 servers it has worldwide, VyprVPN has 14 servers hosted in Asia. This allows the service to bypass the Great Wall of China. In return, users can do a lot of fun things online.

Interestingly, VyprVPN is a Tier 1 VPN, which means that it owns and manages all of its servers. But we should mention that it comes with many different plans and that its base plan does not have a Chameleon protocol. If you need a VPN that balances speed and security, you are in the process of choosing one. 

Read our detailed review of VyprVPN.

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2. NordVPN – Secured VPN for China

Website: nordvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

Given the strong censorship system in China, it is quite difficult for locals to access foreign websites from within the country. However, NordVPN is one of the VPN providers that has made the necessary arrangements to be able to bypass Chinese Internet filters. Based in Panama, NordVPN can unlock many local sites in the country and beyond – thanks to its network of 5,100 servers in 60 locations around the world. The cybersecurity company has already announced that residents of Beijing and Shanghai can bypass US filters such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Fire TV, etc. 

In China, the authorities are always on the lookout for offenders to block their Internet access. That’s why NordVPN has Double VPN technology, which means that officials will not be able to capture what you do online, let alone block your Internet access. Here’s why: Double VPN encrypts your traffic twice, providing an extra layer of security. In addition, this VPN for China comes with anti-DDoS protection, Tor over VPN protection, log leakage protection and DNS protection. The combination of all these features shows that it has a lot to offer. Finally, the servers in China are well optimized in terms of speed, which ensures that you can stream, browse and chat at lightning speed.

Supported Client Software: 

Features:

• NordVPN allows up to 6 simultaneous connections
• It also offers double VPN
• There has unlimited bandwidth and kill switch
• This VPN offers double data encryption
• In addition, there are no IP and DNS leaks

Pros:

• With the aid of Double VPN, NordVPN offers military-grade security
• There is support for torrenting and P2P activity
• NordVPN is terrific for VoIP
• By effectively managing DNS requests, it hides a user’s location
• Furthermore, it supports many VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, PPTP and IKEv2

Cons:

• iOS app cannot access obfuscated servers
• The monthly subscription plan is not affordable

Make no mistake, the most popular VPN in China today is NordVPN. The reason for this is that it keeps all the promises made to its Chinese users. In addition, Chinese users can change the language option to their local language, which simply implies that the software was designed specifically for them. The company has also announced that it will be able to use its network of 5,100 servers in 60 locations around the world.

In addition, there is a 24-hour live chat and dedicated servers for P2P activities. NordVPN can allow up to 6 devices to connect at the same time. Despite some of its shortcomings, it is the best VPN for China when considering the whole service provision. 

Read our detailed review of NordVPN.

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1. ExpressVPN – Best All-Round China VPN

Website: expressvpn.com

Money-back guarantee: 30-day

In a world of cybersecurity where many VPN service providers are biting the dust just to promote their products, ExpressVPN presents a reliable VPN that puts its users above all else. It is undoubtedly a super fast VPN that easily bypasses China’s firewalls, making it the fastest VPN in the country.

Although it does not have servers in China, the British Virgin Islands-based cybersecurity company has servers in many countries around China. These countries include Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and many others. In total, it has 160 server locations worldwide, including in the cities mentioned above.

Supported Client Software:  

Features:

• Allows 5 devices to connect at the same time
• ExpressVPN has an Internet kill switch
• Supports torrenting and other P2P activities
• Has up to 3,000 servers across 94 countries and generates up to 30,000 IP addresses
• Supports L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN and PPTP

Pros:

• There is a 24/7 customer service
• Strong 256-bit encryption to secure traffic
• There is a no-log policy
• It has good unblocking capabilities

Cons:

• This VPN is pricey for 1 month

It is often said that China is testing the effectiveness of VPN services. The reason for this is simply that many Chinese VPN products make numerous claims about what they can and cannot do. It’s amusing that when testing them against the Great Wall of China, the result is negative. For example, sometimes their speed drops considerably.

In the worst case, they cannot get around the firewalls at all. As for ExpressVPN, it is a proven product that provides a first-class service to its users around the world. With more than 3,000 servers in 94 countries, this VPN product does not let Chinese users down.

Read our detailed review of ExpressVPN.

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Why Do You Need a VPN in China?

While the media has been critical of China’s Internet laws, we need to make it very clear that the draconian government has not specifically banned the use of VPNs in the country. The police have made it very clear that they will not allow an NPV company to operate in the country without a license. Despite this, you will need VPNs for China for the following reasons:

• Stop certain services from acquiring your details: When you use a China VPN to access the Internet, some websites will not be able to obtain your contact information. Although most sites acquire information from their visitors for analysis purposes, you cannot completely exclude the possibility that these services may misuse your data. Thanks to their cookies, they can obtain other information that is useful to them. A good example is the obscuring of your IP address so that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) does not monitor your online activities.
• Unblocking sites: In addition, you need a VPN for China to unlock many geo-restricted sites. In many countries, it’s just a click away to sign up on Western social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. In China, on the other hand, it’s quite different because all these platforms are blocked in the country. This means that you cannot use these sites if you depend on territorial Chinese ISPs to access them. But then the VPN for China will have to unblock them first before you can access the sites.
• Torrenting: China is a shining example of a country where torrent, a P2P file-sharing mechanism using the BitTorrent protocol, should never be practiced. The Chinese government has joined a long list of governments that crack down on those who share copyrighted material using the protocol. Because this system supports huge file sharing using a secure P2P system, many users prefer it for securely downloading copyrighted material without permission from the owners of the intellectual property. But with a VPN for China, you’ll be able to bypass prying eyes as your IP address will be masked and your traffic encrypted.
• Safety from cybercriminals: One of the reasons why you need a VPN for China is to remain anonymous while browsing the Internet. According to Techinjury.com, in 2018, China lost $3.86 million as a result of cyberattacks. Similarly, the country revealed that cybercrimes peaked with the exposure of approximately 1.9 billion records in the first quarter of 2019. According to these statistics, everyone in the country is potentially vulnerable to cyber-invasions. However, when you have a good VPN for China, it allows you to surf the web as an anonymous user and protects you from malware attacks. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about cybercrimes.

Is Using VPNs in China Legal?

The media have misinterpreted the Chinese government’s position on the use of a virtual private network. Today, the most common response you will get online is that Beijing has banned the use of VPNs in its jurisdiction, resulting in a total crackdown on VPN companies. It is true that the government has strict laws governing how ordinary citizens access the Internet.

Nevertheless, we can authoritatively tell you that the Chinese government has not completely banned the use of VPN on their territory. The media are quick to point out that the robust censorship system (also known as the “Great Firewall”) is being used to block these companies. Although they are right, there is more to it than that.

With the Great Firewall, ordinary Chinese people cannot access some popular websites, such as Google, Facebook, Gmail, YouTube, Twitter, etc. Unfortunately, people have been led to believe that VPN is illegal in China because it has banned and removed all VPN applications from the Chinese Apple Store. Again, it’s a bit complicated.

According to our findings, most foreigners living in China depend on the VPN to access their favorite sites, such as the social networking sites mentioned above. In addition to these sites, expatriates and tourists are now turning to VPN to connect to their favorite streaming sites such as American Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hobo, Amazon Fire Stick, etc.

When the Grand Firewall blacklists VPN servers, the Chinese authorities often gather the list and block them immediately. The authorities rarely block servers individually, as they know that users can easily switch to another server if it blocks the current server.   

Until January 2020, no foreigners were arrested and prosecuted for using such software to bypass the Great Firewall or for accessing their favorite sites. This begs the question: If a VPN is illegal as claimed by the media, how is it that the Chinese authorities have not yet brought a foreigner to justice? To set the record straight, China has not declared the use of VPN in its jurisdiction to be totally illegal. The Chinese have a tactical approach.

According to those in the know, the authorities want all VPN companies operating in its territory to obtain a license before being allowed to operate. Note that multinational companies also use VPNs in the country, so the government expects organizations to get a green light before using it. Failure to do so will result in the company’s Internet access being suspended.

With respect to individuals, it is essential to draw the line between foreign nationals and locals. The media has not yet reported that the government has arrested, fined or detained foreigners for using VPNs in China. This is especially true as they understand that these people need VPNs to stay in touch with the rest of the world. On the other hand, Chinese authorities have arrested people for using VPNs in places like Tibet and Xinjiang.

Often, when Chinese authorities discover that the VPN user is an expatriate, they cut off his or her mobile phone, making Internet access impossible. When this happens, you must go to the POLICE for authorization. Overall, it is difficult for foreigners to use a VPN in this country, but the police will prosecute them when they use a VPN to access the Internet. You should see the difference.

Blocked Sites and Apps in China

For censorship reasons, China targets certain sites and applications. Ultimately, they will be blocked in the country so that their users will not be able to access them. Here is a list of some of the applications that these measures have accepted:

• Google Play Services: Google’s services are blocked in China. This means that you will not be able to access Google services in this country. Google services affected include Google, Gmail, YouTube, Android OS and a range of other services. If you use these services and want to travel to China, you should understand that these services are not available in China. However, Android users in China use third-party stores only to access these services.  
• iOS and the App Store: Like Google, Apple’s products and services have faced difficulties in China. But then Beijing and the US technology giant called a truce, which saw the technology company’s applications and other products working perfectly in China. According to the agreement, Apple will have to comply with Chinese rules and regulations if it is to operate in China. For example, if the local authorities ask the US technology manufacturer to remove an application from its online shop, this directive must be fully complied with. For example, in 2017, China asked Apple to remove certain VPN applications from its store. The VPNs affected include ExpressVPN, VyprVPN, etc. Well, Apple had to comply with the directive to avoid the wrath of the Chinese government.
• Facebook App: Since Facebook posts everything that people post, it goes against the position of China’s authoritarian regime. This is why the world’s largest social networking site has been banned in China. Since 2016, China has been censoring Facebook, which means that you cannot access your Facebook account as soon as your plane lands at Beijing airport. Like China, Iran, Syria and North Korea have also followed China’s example by banning Facebook in their domains. As a result, the social networking site and its application do not work in China.
• Twitter: Yes, the microblogging site Twitter has also been affected by a series of state-sponsored censorship measures that have seen many Western sites blocked in China. Yes, Twitter was blocked in China in 2009. So, if you like Twitter as we all do, you need to keep in mind that the site doesn’t work in China. The government is concerned that Twitter users may criticize the government and its policies, which is why the site has been banned. Similarly, Iran and North Korea have suspended Twitter in their respective geographical jurisdictions.

Final Words About VPN for China

As a savvy computer technician who wants to travel to China, there are some facts you need to know:

• Local authorities in China have continuously threatened to block all VPNs in China. However, it will be difficult for them to do so, as these VPN service providers are constantly updating their technology to avoid such measures.
• From time to time, Chinese authorities discover VPNs and block them. Today, they have managed to jam CyberGhost, IPVanish, Trust.Zone, Zenmate and many others.
• In addition to VPNs, Beijing has also blocked many popular sites. Among these sites are Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, etc.

So far, we have examined several VPNs that are working perfectly in China to date. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to go for free VPNs to China as their services are terrible. Therefore, you should stop searching for a China VPN anywhere on the internet, and choose one of the above VPNs.