China has been blocking certain western websites and cracking down on VPNs since over a decade. Many people and websites recommend VPNs to use in China without trying if they work just to earn sales commissions but if you actually travel to China and access the internet in China, you will find out that the recommended VPN is slow as hell or even completely blocked at all.
All members of our team have been living in China and using hundreds of VPNs since 2008, so we know which ones work and which ones are blocked or nearly impossible to use. There are also many other factors, like your internet provider in China, your router, your device, etc. Because while some VPNs work on Mobile Devices or 3G/4G Internet Connections, they don’t work on desktop connections with glass fiber internet at home or at work or vice versa. So if you haven’t tried the VPN you are planning to buy while actually being in China, you simply don’t know if it will work there or if you will be left locked out of the websites you need to access.
If you are looking for a VPN that works right now in 2024 in China don’t rely on some half-ass reviews written by someone in the US, the UK or even outsourced writers in other countries. In the marketing materials of ALL VPNs it simply says that they will allow you to circumvent Geoblocking, Censorship, etc. etc. but China has some serious tech to block VPNs and they have perfected their measures against VPNs since over a decade.
Which VPNs Work in China?
Through years of testing and experience, these VPNs have stood out for their ability to bypass Chinese censorship in 2024:
1. ExpressVPN (Top Choice)
- Why it Works: ExpressVPN is known for its automatic obfuscation on all servers. This makes it particularly good at disguising VPN traffic so that it looks like regular internet traffic. With servers in nearby countries (e.g., Hong Kong, Japan), it ensures fast speeds and reliability for users in China.
- Starting Price: $6.67/month (with discounts for longer plans; offers 3 months free on a 12-month plan)
- Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
- Simultaneous Connections: 8 devices
Read our detailed ExpressVPN Review
2. NordVPN
- Why it Works: NordVPN’s obfuscation technology allows it to evade the Great Firewall by disguising VPN traffic. It’s one of the more robust options, providing a balance of security and speed with a large global server network.
- Starting Price: $3.29/month (with multi-year plan discounts available)
- Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
- Simultaneous Connections: 6 devices
3. VyprVPN
- Why it Works: VyprVPN’s proprietary Chameleon protocol scrambles data to defeat VPN blocking without sacrificing speed. This makes it a solid choice for users who want a reliable connection to bypass censorship.
- Starting Price: $5.00/month (with discounts for longer plans)
- Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
- Simultaneous Connections: 10 devices
Practical Example: What to Do When a VPN Stops Working
VPNs that work in China one day may suddenly stop functioning due to new government updates. Here’s a practical approach:
- Switch Servers: If your VPN connection drops, switch to a server in a nearby country like Japan, Singapore, or Taiwan.
- Change Protocols: Try switching from OpenVPN to a proprietary protocol like Chameleon or NordVPN’s obfuscated servers.
- Restart Your Router: Sometimes, simply rebooting your router can refresh your connection and bypass minor blocks.
- Contact Customer Support: Top VPNs like ExpressVPN have 24/7 live chat that can guide you through troubleshooting.
Why Location-Specific Testing is Important
As said before, many reviews of VPNs that “work in China” are written by people outside the country. This can be misleading since VPN performance varies drastically based on location and network conditions in China. Therefore, testing a VPN yourself before you commit to it long-term is advisable. A reliable VPN service will offer a money-back guarantee, so you can try it out in China and see if it suits your needs.
Key Takeaways for VPN Usage in China:
- Choose a VPN with obfuscation technology to avoid detection by China’s censorship systems.
- Test multiple servers and protocols to find the best-performing combination for your location.
- Check for a money-back guarantee, so you can experiment with different VPNs and get a refund if it doesn’t work as expected.
By following these practical steps, you can ensure that you’re well-equipped to maintain your internet freedom while in China, even in the face of stringent censorship.