If you want to connect to foreign websites such as Google, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube while traveling in the Chinese mainland, you need to use a VPN to bypass the firewall. The following is a detailed list of recommended VPNS in the Chinese mainland, including both free and paid cross-border VPNS in the mainland. Take a look now!
China eSIM: Unrestricted Internet Without a VPN
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Spending money on travel in China but worried about Internet issues? We recommend eSIM cards for the Chinese mainland, allowing you to enjoy smooth Internet access across the country. From booking hotels to using maps and searching for local recommendations, you can use apps like Google Maps, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LINE without the need for a VPN. Trip.com eSIM has prepared a variety of eSIM plans for the Chinese mainland with different data and days for everyone to choose from!
Why it's effective:
- No VPN required: The eSIM automatically bypasses China's internet restrictions, giving you instant access to blocked apps—no extra tools or subscriptions needed.
- Activates instantly: Simply scan a QR code after purchase to connect immediately. Skip store visits and fiddly physical SIM swaps.
Just verify your phone supports eSIM (most newer models do). It’s the easiest solution for travelers frustrated by unstable Wi-Fi or expensive roaming charges.
241730 booked
Quick Comparison for Best China VPN 2025
The following is the latest ranking list of Chinese VPNS, which has been selected from over a hundred VPNS after testing in Chinese mainland.
Feature | ExpressVPN | StrongVPN | PureVPN | Surfshark |
Bypass GFW Success | Excellent | Great | Good | Fair |
Speed (Asia Servers) | 50–80ms | 80–100ms | 90–120ms | 100ms+ |
Streaming Unblocking | Netflix, Disney+, iPlayer | Netflix, Disney+ (80%) | YouTube, Netflix | Netflix (varies) |
China Payment | Credit Card | Alipay | Credit Card | Credit Card |
Device Limit | 8 | 12 | 10 | Unlimited |
Price (Monthly) | AUD 9.62–19.93 | AUD 6.11 | AUD 3.25 | AUD 3.83 |
Refund Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 31 days | 30 days |
Premium China VPNs (High Speed & Reliability)
Best VPN for China | ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN can undoubtedly be regarded as the most user-friendly Chinese VPN software. Especially on iOS devices, its wall-climbing effect is outstanding, leaving other similar products far behind. In addition, when using ExpressVPN in Chinese mainland, you can set the connection protocol to the default Automatic. Of course, you can also give priority to choosing the Lightway protocol independently developed by ExpressVPN, or try the OpenVPN protocol.
Speed & Performance in China
- Low Latency: 50–80ms to Asian servers (HK/Japan/Singapore)
- High Speed: 70–80% of local bandwidth; handles 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads
- Optimized for Streaming: Unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, iPlayer reliably
- Infrastructure: 10Gbps servers + unlimited data
Security & Privacy
- Military-Grade Encryption: AES-256 with protocols (OpenVPN/IKEv2/Lightway)
- Strict No-Logs Policy: Audited by PwC; based in privacy-friendly BVI
- Kill Switch: Blocks all traffic if VPN disconnects
- Anonymous Payment: Bitcoin accepted
User Experience
- One-Click Connect: Auto-selects fastest server
- Cross-Platform: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux
- 8 Simultaneous Connections
- 24/7 Live Chat: Quick solutions for GFW-related issues
Pricing & Value
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Risk-free trial
- Best Deal: $4.99/month for 30 months (2-year plan + 6 free months)
- Standard Plan: $12.95/month
Best VPN for China | StrongVPN
StrongVPN was founded in 2005 and has nearly two decades of professional operation experience. The brand has always been renowned for its stability and security. Although it is not as powerful as ExpressVPN in terms of the stability and connection speed of VPN, the annual availability rate of StrongVPN in Chinese mainland can still reach over 90%. For users with a limited budget but who hope to have a reliable VPN tool, StrongVPN is definitely a good choice.
China-Specific Advantages
- Alipay Support:: Only major VPN accepting Alipay payments (no credit card needed).
- Native Chinese Support: Mandarin-speaking customer service during CN business hours (efficient issue resolution).
Networking & Performance
- Obfuscation Technology: "Scramble" mode evades GFW detection for stable connections.
- Global Coverage: 950+ servers in 30+ countries. Optimized Asian nodes (HK/Japan/Singapore/Taiwan).
- Speed: 80-100ms latency (sufficient for 1080p YouTube/Daily VPN use).
- P2P Support: Torrent-friendly servers.
Streaming & Accessibility
- Platform Unblocking: Works with Netflix, Disney+ (≈80% success), YouTube, Twitter, and AI tools (ChatGPT/Gemini).
Security
- Encryption: AES-256 + Perfect Forward Secrecy.
- No-Logs Policy: Audited infrastructure (US-based and avoid for sensitive activities).
User Experience
- Simplified Apps: One-click connect for Windows/macOS/iOS/Android.
- Auto-Reconnect: Restores dropped VPN links instantly.
Pricing
- 6.18 AUD/month (AnnualPlan=74.91 AUD/year).
- Regular discounts + 30-day refund guarantee.
Cheap China VPNs
Cheap China VPNs | PureVPN
PureVPN was established in 2007. Although it is not as stable as ExpressVPN and StrongVPN in terms of wall-climbing and connection speed, it has high security, strong ability to unlock geographical restrictions, is very simple and easy to use, and has the cheapest price in the entire list of Chinese VPN. Moreover, it supports simultaneous login of 10 devices. If you need to use a VPN on multiple devices simultaneously or have a limited budget, PureVPN is also a good choice.
Global Server Network
- 6,500+ Servers: Across 70 countries/88 locations
- Optimized Asian Access: High-speed nodes in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore
- Unlimited Bandwidth: No speed/throttling restrictions + P2P/Torrenting supported
Security & Privacy
- Military-Grade Encryption: AES-256 (OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard)
- Verified No-Logs Policy: Independently audited
- Leak Protection: Private DNS + Kill Switch (blocks traffic if VPN drops)
- Connection Scrambling: Evades GFW deep packet inspection
Cross-Platform Compatibility
- Works On: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Routers, and Gaming Consoles
- 10 Simultaneous Connections: Share with family/devices
Smart Features
- One-Click Connect: Auto-selects fastest server
- Stable China Performance: Reliable unneling tech for mainland users
Pricing & Support
- $2.11/month (Cheapest premium VPN)
- 31-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- 24/7 Live Chat (English-focused)
Limitations
- Speed/consistency trails ExpressVPN/StrongVPN
- Occasional connectivity drops during GFW "upgrades"
Cheap China VPNs | Surfshark
Coupled with its low price of only $2.49 per month and no limit on the number of devices, Surfshark once became a popular choice among Chinese users and was rated by many Chinese VPN recommendation websites as the best computer VPN and Android VPN on the Chinese mainland.
However, it is a pity that Surfshark's performance in wall-climbing has declined in the past two years. Especially during the sensitive periods each year, the connection success rate drops significantly, and in some cases, it may even be completely unusable. If you only occasionally use a VPN to access overseas websites, Surfshark is still worth considering. However, if you have high requirements for the stability of VPN access, it is best to choose ExpressVPN or StrongVPN.
Security & Privacy Focus
- CleanWeb™: Blocks ads, trackers, malware & phishing sites
- Strict No-Logs Policy: Independently audited
- Military-Grade Encryption: AES-256 + private DNS
- Kill Switch: Cuts internet if VPN drops
Device Flexibility
- Unlimited Connections: Use all devices simultaneously
- Wide Compatibility: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, gaming consoles
China-Specific Features
- Camouflage Mode: Masks VPN traffic to evade GFW
- Split-Tunneling (Bypasser): Route selected apps outside VPN
Value & Limitations
- Budget-Friendly: Starts at $2.49/month
- Reliability: Decent but trails ExpressVPN/StrongVPN during GFW upgrades
- Best For: Casual users needing multi-device coverage
Free China VPNs (Short-Term/Backup)
Free China VPN | Shadow X
Shadow X is a highly recommended free VPN for the Chinese mainland, with a relatively high connection success rate and stability. When in use, it is recommended to choose a server from South Korea or Japan, as there is a greater chance of connection. It is more difficult to connect to the United States and other countries.
- Connection success rate: 70%
- Internet speed: Acceptable
Free China VPN | TunnelBear
TunnelBear offers up to 22 countries to choose from and is also a mainland VPN suitable for using the mainland's VPN. TunnerBear offers 500MB of free data available each month, which is sufficient for a short trip to Shenzhen. The connection success rate is also acceptable.
- Connection success rate: 60%
- Internet speed: Acceptable
Free China VPN | Thunder VPN
Thunder VPN is the only mainland VPN with unlimited traffic and no need for registration. Its operation interface is also very simple. If you are using a mainland VPN for the first time to access the mainland, you can consider it. The drawback is that it is sometimes slow or fails to connect.
- Connection success rate: 50%
- Internet speed: relatively slow
China VPN Use Skills and Precautions
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Using a VPN behind the Great Firewall requires more than just signing up – it demands strategy and awareness. China's sophisticated censorship evolves constantly, making reliability unpredictable even with top-tier services. Having weathered connectivity challenges for years, I’ve distilled key tactics for stable access.
Compliance First
Legality is non-negotiable. Distributing VPN services or accounts violates Chinese regulations – a risk illustrated by real cases of penalties for social media reselling. VPNs are personal privacy tools, not shields for sensitive activities. Stay discreet: avoid political discussions or data transfers that could draw scrutiny. Your digital footprint remains traceable.
Choosing Reliable Services
Free or obscure VPNs often fail or leak data. Prioritize established providers like ExpressVPN, StrongVPN, or PureVPN. These invest in China-specific optimizations: military-grade encryption, 24/7 server maintenance, and rapid protocol updates during crackdowns. Their paid plans justify the cost for consistent performance.
Server Strategy Matters
Geographical proximity boosts speed: connect to Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore first. However, during peak censorship (e.g., political events), these nodes may falter. European or U.S. servers can surprisingly outperform them when heavily targeted. Always test VPN-labeled "Optimized for China" servers first, and switch immediately if one stalls.
Protocol Flexibility
Automated protocol selection works until it doesn’t. When unstable:
- OpenVPN (TCP/UDP) offers proven reliability
- WireGuard delivers speed but risks detection
- Lightway (ExpressVPN) excels against deep packet inspection
Manual protocol switching often resolves sudden drops. Keep settings accessible.
Pre-Install Everything
Download apps beforeentering China. VPN sites and app stores (like Apple’s China store) block installations domestically. Install clients on all devices (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android). iPhone users: use a non-China Apple ID to pre-download apps. Once inside, access vanishes.
Backup VPNs Are Essential
Even premium services falter during GFW upgrades. Maintain at least two VPNs – e.g., ExpressVPN as primary, StrongVPN as backup. Having alternatives like Shadowsocks or V2Ray (for advanced users) adds contingency layers. Most services offer 30-day refunds; test backups risk-free.
Leverage Customer Support
Don’t struggle silently. Providers like ExpressVPN or StrongVPN offer 24/7 chat support with technicians versed in China-specific issues. They provide updated server IPs, settings tweaks, or obscure nodes unlisted in apps. Quick consults often resolve connection mysteries.
Use Refund Policies Wisely
Test services thoroughly during refund windows (typically 30 days). If performance lags – frequent disconnections, slow streams – claim refunds promptly. Treat trials as stress tests: simulate video calls, torrenting, and peak-hour streaming.
China Hotel Recommendation
FAQs about Best VPN in China
What VPN works the best in China?
For consistently reliable VPN usage in China, ExpressVPN is often recommended due to its strong obfuscation and ability to bypass the Great Firewall of China. Other good options include NordVPN and Surfshark, which also offer obfuscation and a variety of features to help navigate restrictions. Additionally, Astrill VPN has a strong reputation for reliability in China and offers specialized protocols like StealthVPN.Is VPN allowed in China?
The use of a VPN is generally not allowed in China unless the VPN service has been approved by the Chinese government. A VPN service can only be approved if it contains a backdoor that allows government authorities access.Which is the best free VPN for China?
Bottom Line: Hotspot Shield has the best free VPN plan for China, as it allows unlimited data, and it provides access to the Hydra protocol, which consistently works in restrictive regions. Also, the free plan comes with advanced security features, fast speeds, and a server location near China (Singapore).Is a VPN worth it in China?
Do You Need a VPN In China? It depends on how you plan to use the internet. If staying connected to platforms like Google, Instagram, YouTube, or WhatsApp is important to you then a VPN isn't just useful, it's practically essential. VPNs allow you to bypass the Great Firewall.