Best VPNs for China

There are countries that maintain authoritarian regimes, resulting in censorship. These countries block websites they consider unsuitable and trace citizens’ private lives.

Here are our top picks for the best VPNs for China in 2026:

1. ExpressVPN - the best provider for China, offering robust encryption and protocols.
2. NordVPN - a fast VPN for China, supports P2P connections and unlimited bandwidth.
3. CyberGhost - an inexpensive provider with a 45-day money-back guarantee.
4. VyprVPN - an robust provider with live chat and unlimited server switching.
5. IPVanish - a trustworthy VPN that doesn’t keep any logs.

When it comes to Internet censorship, China is one of the most restrictive countries. The People’s Republic of China is notorious for its media censorship. The Golden Shield Project, also known as the Great Firewall of China, is the Internet filtering system that blocks access to forbidden Internet resources. They have the world’s most secure censorship software that blocks out a vast number of websites from neighboring countries.

The main reason why China is implementing these restrictions is to keep its country safe from terrorism. We have some other reasons for leading such politics.

Keep on reading and learn everything you need to know about using VPNs in China. The contents will help you to get the part of the article you are most interested in.

• Internet freedom in China
• What is the Golden Shield Project?
• China blocks the websites that
• How to unblock the restricted websites in China?
• How to stay connected with friends in China?
• Which VPN to use in China?
• What is better, a free VPN for use in China or a paid service?
• How to use a VPN in China?
• Here are the best VPNs for China:
• Wi-Fi in China
• How does the best VPN for YouTube in China work?
• VPN protocols
• Why is it better to have a trustworthy VPN to get YouTube accessible?
• How to make sure that the best VPN for YouTube in China will work?
• How Baidu is unblocked with VPN
• Chinese analogs to blocked resources
• The best VPNs for China’s Summary

Internet freedom in China

According to the latest estimates of the field, the Internet is stated to be highly restricted in China. The country has achieved the highest scores for obstacles to access, content limits, and violations of user rights.

The latest noticed changes include:

• Many companies in China are obliged to store internet data. Today, it has become clear that the government intends to go even further by introducing a new cybersecurity law. It is also known that those companies that abandoned spying on their employees were shut down in keeping with the legislation.
• The country has also passed an anti-terrorism law. In compliance with the law, companies are obliged to cooperate with government agencies to decrypt all the stored data. All the content restrictions have been introduced to the companies for the following reasons.
• Today, for posting any misinformation on social media, you can be sentenced to 7 years in keeping with the latest legislation.
• Internet users have been issued new requirements for real-name internet registration. All unregistered mobile phone IPs have been blocked. App providers are obliged to register all the customers and save clients’ data for at least one year.
• The country continues blocking ‘unacceptable’ web services. The new group makers are Economist and Time.

So, while living in the country or having traveled there, you know the internet is far from being free in China. All the in-demand services like Google, Facebook, and Wikipedia are substituted with self-made sources. Besides, all the government-deemed incorrect or unacceptable online activities are to be punished with fines or even imprisonment. So, having decided or being obliged to go there for business, you need to find the most reliable way of your online protection.

Therefore, we have decided to put you up to the best VPNs for China. Unfortunately, the internet is overloaded with services, but not all of them are equally good. That’s exactly why we have created a ready-made list of the 5 best VPNs for China, which are able to overcome the obstacles created by the government and the Great Firewall.

In compliance with the main characteristics the best VPN for China should have, you need to pay attention to a number of server locations, protocols used for data encryption, unlimited bandwidth and speed, a free trial version, a money-back guarantee, round-the-clock online support, etc.

Having taken into account all the main features, you are free to subscribe to the best VPN for China.

However, if your budget is pretty small and you have decided to subscribe to a free service, we should warn you that the idea is pretty unfounded, as long as free services lack security and reliability. In case you have little money, you are highly recommended to subscribe to a cheap VPN for China rather than a free one. Free services make money by collecting and selling data on their customers to any interested third party, which can result in confidential data exposure and other losses.

What is the Golden Shield Project?

The Golden Shield Project is the Internet filtering system that blocks access to forbidden Internet resources. Hong Kong and Macao generally offer broader internet access than mainland China, but neither is entirely free from censorship or restrictions.

The Great Firewall of China, as it is also called, presents a software appliance, which was developed in 1998 and went live in 2003.

According to experts’ estimates, the cost of the system creation amounted to $800 million USD. Such huge companies as the American corporation IBM took part in its creation.

The Great Firewall has become notorious worldwide for its high level of censorship. The Internet in China is extremely confined, the users have limited access to the sources.

How does the Great Firewall of China work and filter out inadequate policy resources?

There are several techniques that the government agency uses to deprive the users of access to these inadequate websites. There are such methods as:

• IP addresses blocking;
• DNS query and data packet filtering and their redirection;
• blocking of some VPN services.

China blocks the websites that:

• criticize the communist party;
• have users’ discontent comments on the government blocking the free access to the Internet;
• relate to the development of freedom of speech in China;
• Demonstrate materials with sexual implications.

Popular websites and services generally blocked on standard internet connections in mainland China include:

• X (formerly Twitter);
• Facebook;
• Instagram;
• WhatsApp;
• Telegram;
• Signal;
• YouTube;
• Google Search;
• Gmail;
• Google Drive and Google Docs;
• Google Play;
• Blogspot;
• DuckDuckGo;
• Wikipedia;
• Reddit;
• The New York Times, including its Chinese-language edition;
• Bloomberg;
• Yahoo Hong Kong;
• Microsoft OneDrive’s personal web portal;
• Dropbox.

These restrictions are affecting the general freedoms of the Chinese people since they can no longer communicate internationally with friends, and business organizations cannot operate fully anymore due to the many restrictions.

How to stay connected with friends in China?

Wondering how to stay in touch with friends and family while you’re in China? Although many popular social media and messaging apps are blocked, others remain available. Here’s a look at the communication apps that residents and visitors can use in China.

WeChat: why is it so popular in China?

WeChat combines messaging, social features, payments, and everyday services in one app. Users can:

• Share photos and updates through WeChat Moments;
• Send messages and create group chats;
• Make voice and video calls;
• Pay for purchases through Weixin Pay, commonly known internationally as WeChat Pay;
• Access services through mini programs, such as ordering food or booking transport.

WeChat also includes a payment feature called Weixin Pay, commonly known internationally as WeChat Pay. Users can link supported bank cards to pay for purchases and services. Available features depend on the user’s location, verification status, and linked card.

Does WhatsApp Messenger work in China?

WhatsApp is generally blocked on standard internet connections in mainland China, so you can’t rely on it for messages, voice or video calls, or file sharing without a workaround.

A VPN that works in China may restore access, but connections aren’t guaranteed. If you plan to use one, install and configure it before you travel, as many VPN websites and downloads are also blocked. Some international roaming plans and travel eSIMs may also allow access, depending on how they route your traffic.

QQ: a messaging app available in China

QQ is Tencent’s messaging and social platform. It supports instant messages, group chats, voice and video calls, and file sharing. You can use it to communicate with people in China and abroad, provided they also have QQ accounts.

How to make video calls in China?

Staying abroad inb China for a long time, you may want to video call your friend and family.

Then, you would ask: ‘’If I travel to China, what is the best app for video calls from there?’’

This part of the guide covers video calling services in China.

Using FaceTime in China

FaceTime is a convenient option for video-calling friends and family while you’re in mainland China, as long as they also use Apple devices. One-to-one FaceTime video calls are available, but Group FaceTime and FaceTime Audio aren’t supported there.

You don’t normally need a VPN to make a FaceTime video call. As with any video chat, call quality depends on the speed and stability of your internet connection. A VPN can sometimes slow that connection, so it’s not worth choosing one solely to use FaceTime.

How to use email in China?

Gmail is blocked on standard internet connections in mainland China, but that doesn’t mean you can’t send email. Services such as Outlook are accessible, though availability can change.

If you want to use your Gmail account, you’ll generally need a VPN that works in China. Set it up before you travel, since VPN websites and downloads may also be blocked once you’re there.

Can I use Yahoo Mail in China?

Yahoo Mail may be a useful alternative to Gmail in mainland China. GreatFire’s most recent test found it reachable without a VPN, although that test was several months ago and access can change.

Chinese email services are another option, but they may have Chinese-language interfaces or require local registration details. Check the sign-up requirements before choosing one.

How to unblock the restricted websites in China?

If you’re wondering how to use Facebook in China without a VPN, you may not be familiar with the country’s internet restrictions: many apps and websites commonly used in the US are blocked on standard connections. You’ve probably heard of VPNs. If you plan to use one in China,, choose a service that works reliably there.

A VPN may help you access blocked websites and services. If you want to use Snapchat or Google in China, you’ll generally need a VPN that can connect successfully. VPN use is subject to restrictions in China, so check the latest rules before your trip.

A VPN routes your traffic through a server elsewhere, masking your IP address from the websites you visit and encrypting the connection between your device and the VPN server. This can help protect your traffic and improve access to blocked sites, but it doesn’t guarantee access to every service or make you completely anonymous online.

Which VPN to use in China?

As it has already been mentioned, China has imposed restrictions not only on websites and other Internet resources but also on VPN services, which also inhibits access to the Internet for business companies. That is why it’s extremely important to use the best VPN for China.

The best VPNs for China should have:

• a wide variety of server locations;
• strong encryption protocols;
• unlimited bandwidth;
• trial version or money-back guarantee;
• support of different payment methods;
• 24/7 professional technical group assistance;
• security, privacy, and a high level of anonymity.

VPN servers

We’ll start with server locations. Most of the top VPN providers usually offer a great number of servers, so you can easily find the most suitable position for performing a fast VPN connection in China. It is especially vital for China due to the country's severe internet censorship. With the option to choose between servers, it is possible to switch if it is blocked in China.

Try to choose a server located halfway between your location and the web server you intend to connect to. Such a position will provide better internet speeds.

Have a look at the number of servers offered by the 5 best VPN providers from our rating:

The top 5 VPN providers have plenty of servers around the globe, so they can be beneficial for bypassing internet censorship in China and unblocking streaming services like Netflix.

Encryption

When choosing a VPN for China, check which encryption algorithms it uses. A longer key doesn’t automatically mean a faster or more secure VPN: AES-256 and ChaCha20-Poly1305 are both modern options. The encryption used depends on the VPN protocol you select.

Unlimited bandwidth

This feature also has a great significance when you look for the best VPN provider for China. What does it imply? It is the rate of information transfer. In simple words, unlimited bandwidth is an unlimited speed of data transport.

We all know one of the top VPN providers - TunnelBear. And many netizens use its free package. However, its bandwidth is limited. That is why it is recommended to use paid plans with limitless bandwidth to be protected round-the-clock.

So, unless you want to be limited in using the network regulated by your ISPs, we recommend that you have such a function for China VPNs.

Trial versions

What about trial periods of VPN services? What benefits can they provide? They would be a rather useful aid for those who are uncertain in their choice or for beginners at VPN usage. They can have a good chance of testing the service before paying money for a subscription. Unfortunately, not all VPN providers offer free trials. Nevertheless, there is an alternative to it which could also be fairly advantageous. You can make use of a money-back guarantee that implies a money refund within a few days if you are not satisfied with the VPN.

Find out on what terms your VPN provider renders a money-back guarantee!

Below, you’ll find a table detailing the money-back guarantee and free trial duration of our top 5 VPNs for China.

You might be wondering:

Various payment methods

Having the chance for different ways of paying, one can find the most suitable for themselves. VPN providers give diverse options for payment transactions: credit cards, online payment systems, direct credit, cash, or cryptocurrency.

The safest payment method is generally considered cryptocurrency.

Here is the chart of the best VPNs for China and how to pay for their plans.

You can read any additional data in our 5 best VPNs for China reviews:

• ExpressVPN review
• NordVPN review
• CyberGhost review
• VyprVPN review
• IPVanish review

Customer assistance

It may happen that you are not able to install a VPN app or have some other troubles with the VPN service. It is vital to have an opportunity for efficient support from specialists. When you travel or have a business deal in China, you feel more or less confident that you get professional technical help.

5 best VPN providers for China from our rating offer various ways of technical support: online chat, e-mail, phone calls, and FAQ sections on the website.

Privacy, security, and anonymity

You already know that China's Internet is censored by the authorities. That is why surveillance and access limitations are not rare in China. In order to avoid these inconveniences, the best VPN providers for China should guarantee a decent level of privacy, security, and anonymity.

The 5 VPN providers selected for China are considered respectable. They apply modern, strong data codifying protocols, keep a no-logs policy, and offer plenty of IPs from various states.

What is better, a free VPN for use in China or a paid service?

Provided that China is one of the countries with the most restrictive censorship tools, one shouldn’t rely on free VPNs for China. The fact of the matter is that free VPNs for China don’t have all the qualities we mentioned before. More often than not, these free VPNs for China have limited bandwidth and a small number of server locations; moreover, free VPNs for China often don’t provide the customers with strong encryption.

In addition, it can be added that the best paid VPN for China gains the money for the maintenance of their service from the customers, free VPNs for China, in contrast, gain the money from advertisements and, which is even worse, from selling some personal data of their users to some third parties. So, as you see, there are more reasons for using the best paid VPN service for China, which also can provide a free or trial version before subscribing to it.

How to use a VPN in China?

If you plan to use a VPN in mainland China, set it up before you travel. VPN websites and apps may be difficult to access after you arrive, and no provider can guarantee its service will always connect.

• Choose a provider whose app supports your device and offers connection options designed for restricted networks.
• Subscribe, install the app, sign in, and test it before departure. Save the provider’s support instructions in case you need to troubleshoot offline.
• Install the app on every device you plan to use. Don’t assume you’ll be able to download it or contact support once in China.
• When you need to access a blocked service, open the VPN app, connect to a server, then try the service. If the connection fails, follow the provider’s troubleshooting steps or try another supported connection option.
• Arrange a backup, such as international roaming or a travel eSIM, and download essential maps and information for offline use.

VPN services and rules can change, so check current guidance before you go. We’ve reviewed five VPNs that may suit travelers to China to help you compare their features and setup options.

Wi-Fi in China

Wi-Fi is available in many Chinese airports, hotels, cafés, and other public places. But getting online may involve a sign-in step, and access to Wi-Fi does not bypass China’s internet restrictions.

Wi-Fi in China airports and train stations

Many airports offer free Wi-Fi, but the sign-in process varies. Some networks ask for an SMS verification code; others let visitors verify their identity with a passport. Ask airport staff if you can’t get connected. Station Wi-Fi availability and sign-in methods also vary, so keep mobile data as a backup.

Connecting to public Wi-Fi

• Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings and select the official network.
• Follow the sign-in instructions on the page that appears. This may involve entering a phone number or verifying your identity.
• Once connected, open your VPN app if you need one to access blocked services.

Wi-Fi in Chinese hotels

Many hotels provide Wi-Fi for guests, often at no extra charge. Ask reception for the password and whether Wi-Fi is available in your room or only in shared areas. If reliable access matters, check with the hotel before booking.

It is typical for China that Wi-Fi is pretty accessible in big cities, but if you intend to take a trip around Chinese village areas, you may be free from internet connections for a couple of days.

Wi-Fi in buses and bullet trains

Some buses and trains offer Wi-Fi, but availability and reliability vary by route and vehicle. Don’t count on having a connection throughout your journey; download anything you’ll need and keep mobile data available as a backup.

Public Wi-Fi isn’t automatically unsafe, but use HTTPS websites and consider a VPN on networks you don’t trust. A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server; it doesn’t make every online activity safe.

How does the best VPN for YouTube in China work?

YouTube is blocked on standard internet connections in mainland China. A VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in another country, so YouTube sees the VPN server’s IP address instead of your usual one. The connection between your device and the VPN server is encrypted.

To try to watch YouTube, connect to a VPN server outside mainland China, then open the YouTube app or website. This may work if your VPN for YouTube can connect reliably, but access isn’t guaranteed: VPN connections can be blocked or disrupted, and a VPN won’t make every website or service available.

VPN protocols

A VPN protocol determines how your device connects to the VPN server and how the encrypted tunnel is maintained. For China, look for a provider that offers modern protocols and connection options designed for restricted networks.

Common options include:

• WireGuard: A modern, efficient protocol that uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption.
• OpenVPN: A well-established, open-source protocol. It supports configurable encryption, so the cipher depends on the provider’s setup.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Another widely supported option, particularly on mobile devices.

Some VPN providers also offer their own protocols, such as NordLynx or Lightway. Speeds vary with the provider, server, device, and network, so there isn’t one protocol that will always be fastest. Avoid PPTP, an outdated protocol with known security weaknesses; L2TP/IPsec is also an older option.

It’s difficult to predict which VPN protocol will connect most reliably through China’s Great Firewall. OpenVPN is a secure, widely supported option, but standard connections may be blocked. Look for a VPN with an obfuscation or stealth feature, and enable it if needed. Other security features can help protect your connection, but they can’t guarantee access or complete privacy.

VPN vs Proxy: are they different or similar?

A proxy routes traffic from a particular app or browser through another server, which can change the IP address seen by websites. Proxies don’t necessarily encrypt that connection. A VPN app typically routes and encrypts traffic from your device through a VPN server, though some apps or traffic may be excluded depending on its settings.

A VPN is usually simpler to manage: once it’s set up, you can connect through the app without configuring a proxy separately for each browser or service. The protection you get depends on the VPN’s settings and which traffic goes through its tunnel.

In China, either service may be blocked or disrupted. Using a proxy and VPN together doesn’t automatically improve security and can cause connection problems. Choose a VPN with an obfuscation or stealth feature if you need to connect through restrictive networks.

Why is it better to use a trustworthy VPN to access YouTube?

Well, a VPN is thought to be a safe, trustworthy, and quick way to make it unblocked in China. The reason for it is that a VPN not only hides your true location, but it also encrypts your personal data and the activities you perform online. You will be safe from cyber spying and government inspection.

Besides, a VPN is an important software for travelers trying to join public Wi-Fi networks.

If you don’t have this app on your device you for using free public Wi-Fi, you may become vulnerable to data leaks.

How can I make sure the best VPN for YouTube in China will work?

YouTube is blocked on standard internet connections in mainland China. A VPN with anti-censorship features, such as an obfuscated or stealth connection, may help you get around the block, but no VPN is guaranteed to work reliably.

Before you travel, check that the provider offers support for connecting from China. Install the app, sign in, and test it in advance, since the provider’s website or app may be difficult to access after you arrive.

Chinese analogs to blocked resources

There is no 100% guarantee that your VPN will work in China forever, providing direct access to popular web resources blocked in this region. If you face such a problem and need to stay online, try to use local services designed by Chinese developers. In this way, you can access the internet after looking for another VPN in China.

• Baidu.com

Baidu is rightfully considered the most popular alternative to Google and ranks second among all web search services. This is the leading Chinese language search engine, which also provides multimedia content, including MP3 music and video files. In addition, it’s equipped with a proper web browser, antivirus, maps, translator, and many other features. Anyway, if your VPN does not unblock Google in China, use Baidu, which accounts for 18% worldwide search requests.

• Renren

Renren is a Chinese clone of Facebook, which cannot help but impress with the number of customers. The “Chinese Facebook” counts close upon 160 million users, the active part of which comprises 31 million.

The service helps you find friends based on your place of residence, studies, and job. It should be emphasized that the registration process is possible only with a hieroglyphic name and seems to be hopeless to put into practice.

• Sina Weibo

Sina Weibo is used by the Chinese instead of the well-known Twitter. This is the largest microblog service, which is currently used by 503 million customers. Even though Sina Weibo is a cross-breed of Facebook and Twitter, it counts 100 million newly-created posts daily.

• YoukuTudou

As far as you’re concerned, YouTube is unavailable in China without a VPN. Instead, Chinese developers have created dozens of dedicated video hosting services. One of the popular services, YoukuTudou, functions as Netflix and Hulu, providing not only users' videos but also popular movies and TV series.

YoukuTudou accounts for 500 million active users, provides 15 billion minutes for streaming daily, while YouTube's index is equal to 3 billion minutes.

• Hudong

Well-liked Wikipedia is blocked in China fully or partly, and is edited incessantly in order to correspond with the KMT line. If your VPN does not work with Wikipedia in China, look for the necessary information in Hudong. This is the largest online encyclopedia in the world. It stores more than 7 million articles, which is more than English, German, and Dutch encyclopedias all put together.

• WeChat

WeChat is the largest Chinese messenger, also used by foreigners instead of Viber and WhatsApp if they have no possibility to access them without a VPN.

• TaoBao

TaoBao is a kind of Chinese eBay, where you can buy all possible goods both used and completely new. You have no need to provide a Chinese phone number or a credit card for logging purposes on Taobao. Beginning from 2014, netizens from any part of the globe have the right to register on this online shop and order products directly to their doorsteps. In such a manner, if you have no access to America-based online stores because of your actual location or due to your VPN service failing, search for necessary goods on Taobao.

The best VPNs for China’s Summary

If you live in China or are going to visit this country while on a business trip or on holiday, you will need the best VPNs for China. The Golden Shield Project has notably limited the Chinese Internet users’ possibilities; it has deprived them of access to such websites and Internet resources as Skype, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, The New York Times, Google, and many others.

In order to connect to those sites banned in China, one needs a good VPN for China. You only need a high-quality service because the Chinese government has also imposed restrictions on VPN usage.

We have discussed all the qualities the best VPNs for China should have. There are such qualities:

• as a wide variety of server locations;
• strong encryption protocols;
• unlimited bandwidth;
• trial version or money-back guarantee;
• support of different payment methods;
• 24/7 professional technical group assistance;
• security, privacy, and a high level of anonymity.

We’ve also proved that free VPN services for China are not an appropriate solution for the Chinese Internet ‘problem’.

We also hope that the best VPNs for China 2026, which contains the latest information on the services, will help you make the right decision that matches all your needs.