🔒 Life in China
Best VPNs for Traveling in China
Set it up before you go — or you won't get online.
🎯 Quick Answer
Set up your VPN before you leave home. Once you're inside China, VPN websites and Google Play are blocked — you won't be able to download or subscribe from there.
❓ Why You Need a VPN in China
China's internet firewall blocks a long list of Western websites and services, including:
📱 Social media
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, TikTok (international version)
💬 Messaging
WhatsApp, Telegram (partially blocked), Signal
🔍 Search & maps
Google (all services), including Gmail
🎵 Video & music
YouTube, Netflix, Spotify
📰 News
BBC, CNN, New York Times
If you rely on any of these for work, communication, or entertainment, a VPN is essential.
🏆 Best VPNs for China
🚀 ExpressVPN
- One of the most reliable options for China (works with obfuscation technology)
- Fast speeds for streaming and video calls
- 30-day money-back guarantee
🛡️ NordVPN
- Large server network with obfuscated servers designed for restricted networks
- Strong security features (kill switch, double VPN)
- Occasionally needs to switch servers if one gets blocked
🐉 Surfshark
- Budget-friendly with unlimited device connections
- Works in China with its NoBorders mode
- Good option for longer trips or group/family travel
Pro tip: Download and install at least two VPNs before your trip. If one gets blocked or has issues, you'll have a backup ready to go.
⚙️ How to Set Up Your VPN Before You Go
- 1 Choose a provider from the list above
- 2 Sign up and download the app on all your devices (phone, laptop, tablet)
- 3 Install and log in while still at home
- 4 Test it — connect to a server outside China and make sure it works
- 5 Enable the kill switch (cuts internet if VPN drops — important in China)
- 6 Save the provider's website in case you need to re-download the app
🔧 Troubleshooting: VPN Not Working?
If your VPN stops working while you're in China:
🔄 Switch servers
Some IPs get blocked over time. Try a different server location.
🔧 Try a different protocol
OpenVPN or WireGuard may work better than the default protocol.
📞 Contact support
ExpressVPN and NordVPN have 24/7 live chat that can suggest working servers.
📱 Use your backup VPN
This is why we recommend having two.
💰 Free VPNs vs Paid VPNs
Free VPNs are not recommended for China. Here's why:
- 🚫 Most free VPNs don't work: They don't have servers configured to bypass China's firewall.
- 🐌 Slow speeds and data caps: Free services are often too slow for video calls or streaming.
- 🔓 Privacy risks: Some free VPNs have been known to log and sell user data — risky in China.
Stick with a paid provider. The cost is low ($5–$13/month) compared to the headache of being stuck without internet access during your trip.