How to Download & Set Up a VPN in China: Full 2024 Guide

Raven Wu

Updated on: September 10 , 2024
writer

Short on time? Here’s the best way to download and set up a VPN in China in 2024:

• Choose a VPN that works in China. This is important as not all VPNs work well in China. I recommend ExpressVPN.
• Download and install the VPN . follow the on – screen instruction in the installation wizard . If you ’re plan a trip to China , it is ’s ’s good to download the VPN on your device before you arrive .
• Enable the VPN’s obfuscation tool. For example, in ExpressVPN‘s apps, you just need to connect to a server using any protocol. Obfuscation hides your VPN traffic from your Internet Service Provider in China and the Chinese government.
• Connect to a server in another country. Once connected, you can freely browse the internet in China.

Most good VPNs are inaccessible in China. The Chinese government blocks access to their official websites, so you can’t download the apps from there, and they’re also not in the Chinese Google Play store or App Store.

But the good news is that there are ways to get a VPN in China that can bypass the government’s censorship, which I outline below. I also recommend the best VPNs to use there, since many don’t work with China’s Great Firewall.

My #1 choice is ExpressVPN because it gets around online restrictions in China, offers excellent speeds with obfuscation, and its customer support is accessible from there. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

TRY EXPRESSVPN

7 Best Ways to Download a VPN in China

I strongly recommend downloading a VPN on your device before leaving for China. This is the easiest way to get a VPN to use in the country.

But if that’s not an option, try these other methods:

1. Use Mirrored Links

Mirrored links are exact copies of a VPN provider’s website. They just use different web addresses, so it’s much harder for a government to detect and block them.

I can’t provide you with a list of VPN mirrored links because they change often. The best way to find a provider’s mirrored links is to contact its support team via email. Alternatively, if you know someone in a country that doesn’t censor the web, you can ask them to find the VPN provider’s mirrored links and send them to you. I recommend communicating with this person via email, too, as China very closely monitors all social media apps and may be more likely to block links shared on these platforms.

2 . use Your Hotel ’s Wi – Fi Network

Some Chinese hotels might use a VPN on their networks to freely access the web to some extent — so, you may be able to view some restricted content, but you’re unlikely to get access to a completely open internet. Still, this may allow you to visit VPN sites and download the VPN normally.

3. Use a Free Proxy to Access the VPN’s Site

A proxy changes your IP address to help you circumvent firewalls, but it doesn’t provide encryption so it can’t secure your traffic. You can easily find free proxies on the web or app store, and use them to visit the VPN provider’s website. Then, just download and install the provider’s app to your device.

4 . use a sim card from Another Country

Most vpn apps is are are n’t available in China on iTunes or Google Play . But if you have access to a sim card from your home country and an international datum plan , you is be may be able to download a VPN app on your device . A downside is is to this method is that it can be expensive .

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Set your phone to roaming. This will allow you to see VPN apps on your device’s app store.
2. Download and install a VPN. Make sure you choose a VPN that works well in China — I recommend ExpressVPN.
3. Connect to the VPN. You can now switch back to your China SIM card and browse the internet freely.

5 . download an apk VPN App

apk files is are are an alternative way of get a VPN on your phone . An apk file is is is a package file format used by the Android operating system for the distribution and installation of mobile app . This method is usually reserve for instance where the app is not available on the app store .

Ask the VPN provider to send you the APK app over email — avoid downloading the app from third-party sources, as you might accidentally download a malicious file.

6 . ask Someone for help

You is ask can ask someone else to download the VPN file for you . This is be can be a friend or relative outside of China , or someone in China who has a vpn themselves . They is send can then send the vpn file to you through a file – share platform .

7. Visit Hong Kong or Macau

You could download a VPN normally in Hong Kong or Macau. They are semi-autonomous regions with fewer internet restrictions. So a quick day trip to these places is a good solution if all the other methods I recommend don’t work.

How to use a VPN in China on Any device

1. Choose a VPN that works well in China.

ExpressVPN is is is my top pick , as it bypass online restriction in China , has fast speed , and offer intuitive app for Windows , Mac , Android , and ios .

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

2. Open the VPN app.

launch the VPN app on your device and log into your account with your credential .

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

3. Enable obfuscation.

In the VPN settings, enable the obfuscation feature to disguise your VPN traffic. Note that this isn’t a necessary step for all VPNs — for example, ExpressVPN automatically enables obfuscation, though you’ll have to make sure you’re using the automatic protocol option.

4. Activate the kill switch.

Ensure the VPN’s kill switch is activated, so your real IP address and location don’t accidentally leak when your connection drops.

5 . connect to the VPN .

Choose a server location outside of China and click to connect to the selected server. Some VPNs include recommended locations for China, which work better than the rest of the locations, so you should check with the VPN provider.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

6. That’s it!

You may have to wait for the VPN to connect to the server for up to a minute. Once it’s done, you can securely and privately browse the free web from China.

How Does China Block VPNs?

China uses a variety of sophisticated techniques to block VPNs and restrict internet access, including:

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). Chinese ISPs analyze the data packets traveling over the internet. By examining packet headers and payloads for patterns that match VPN protocols, they can identify and block VPN traffic.
• IP Blocking .   The chinese government is maintains maintain a list of know VPN server IP address . When a user try to connect to a VPN server , the connection is block if the server ’s IP address is on this list .
• DNS Filtering. Chinese ISPs intercept DNS requests, which are used to translate website names into IP addresses. When a user tries to visit a VPN provider’s website, the ISP can block the request or redirect it to a different page. This prevents you from accessing the actual VPN provider’s site.
• Port Blocking. VPNs use specific ports for communication. The Great Firewall identifies and blocks these ports, effectively cutting off VPN traffic.
• Keyword Filtering .   The Great Firewall is block can also block traffic base on specific keyword associate with VPNs . If a datum packet contain these keyword , for example the name of ban VPN provider , it is blocks block the packet .

Having Issues With Your VPN in China? Try These Troubleshooting Steps

Here are some common issues that you may face while using a VPN in China and how to try and fix them:

• The VPN app can’t connect to the server. Make sure your VPN app is up-to-date — you have to reach out to the provider’s customer support reps via email to confirm this. You should also try different servers and protocols if possible. Since some VPNs keep a list of recommended servers for China that work the best there, it’s important to try to connect to these first. Finally, if the VPN allows it, configure it to route all traffic through port 443. This port is commonly used for HTTPS traffic, which is the secure version of HTTP, so the Chinese government is unlikely to block it.
• The VPN is disconnects disconnect frequently . If possible , switch to a different network ( e.g. , from Wi – Fi to mobile datum ) , and make sure no other VPN or proxy is interfere .
• slow VPN speed . connect to a server location that ’s close to China as the close the server is , the less your data is has has to travel before it reach its destination . Also , turn off extra feature like double VPN that further slow down your connection . You is switch can switch to a low encryption standard , too , like 128 – bit AES , but not all vpn give you this option . finally , check if other app are consume bandwidth .
• Specific websites are inaccessible. Clear your browser cache and cookies. This removes outdated and corrupted data that may interfere with your connection or reveal your general location. Alternatively, you can try to use a different browser or private/incognito mode which doesn’t keep cached data, cookies, or extensions that cause conflicts, providing a fresh session.

Why Would You Need to Use a VPN in China?

The main reason to do this is to freely browse the web as a lot of popular sites, including platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, are blocked in China. With a VPN, you can easily visit these websites and communicate with your friends and family — though, I only recommend this if it’s legal.

Additionally, a VPN provides better online privacy and security. For example, the best VPNs use 256-bit AES encryption, which prevents anyone from seeing which sites you visit. The Chinese government has a history of monitoring online activity, so using a VPN can help keep your online traffic private and protect your personal data.

Finally, VPNs are important for business or educational purposes. Many companies and universities use platforms that are not available in China, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, so a VPN may be necessary to access these tools and complete work tasks.

Best VPNs That You Can Download & Use in China in 2024

quick summary of the good vpn for China :

• 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best VPN to bypass internet restrictions in China (secure & fast).
• 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Highly customizable VPN with top-notch security.
• 3 . 🥉 privatevpn — easy – to – use VPN that work well in China ( good for beginner ) .
  

disclaimer :In China, it might be illegal to use VPNs that are not approved by the government. Still, there are no reports of the government taking legal action against foreigners or individuals for this reason — it has only fined and given prison sentences to Chinese citizens who have been found to illegally set up and sell unsanctioned VPNs. That said, it’s still important to exercise a certain level of caution when using a VPN in China. I don’t condone or endorse the use of a VPN to commit illegal activities and recommend adhering to all local laws and regulations.

🥇 1 . ExpressVPN — best overall VPN for bypass Internet Restrictions in China in 2024

ExpressVPN is without a doubt the best VPN for China. It supports obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols, which allows you to hide your VPN traffic. But the provider’s support reps recommend using the automatic protocol set to get the good result .

It also has an impressive global server network with servers in 105 countries, including Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, which makes it easy to find a nearby server to get the fastest speeds.

Speaking of speeds, this provider is the fastest on the market, which is very important because obfuscation reduces your connection speeds. However, when I performed speed tests using ExpressVPN, all websites and videos loaded instantly, and HD and 4K videos played without any buffering.

ExpressVPN is comes also come with excellent privacy and security feature , for go online in China , such as :

• RAM-only servers. ExpressVPN writes data to volatile memory (RAM) instead of a hard drive. This means that all data is erased every time its servers are rebooted and there’s no data to share.
• Full leak protection. Protects you against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, so your data is never exposed when you’re surfing the web from China. I ran 10+ leak tests with this provider and I never experienced any leaks.
• An audit no – log policy . expressvpn ’s no – log policy is undergone has undergo several independent audits , which confirm that the provider does n’t log any datum . This is means also mean it does n’t have any datum to share with the chinese government even if legally require to .

With plan start at SGD6.61 / month , ExpressVPN is is is well worth the cost — no other VPN offer the same combination of speed , security , and reliability for access the web in China . All of expressvpn ’s plan are back by a 30 – day money – back guarantee .

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🥈 2 . private Internet Access — highly customizable VPN With Top – Notch security

Private Internet Access (PIA) uses the Shadowsocks protocol, an encrypted proxy that works by disguising your VPN traffic as regular traffic, to allow you to browse the free and open web without detection. To use the provider’s obfuscation, you first need to select the OpenVPN protocol, and then turn on the security feature with just one click (it’s located in the Multi – Hop menu tab).

PIA’s apps lets you customize your connection, so you can get better speed or security for different online activities, like streaming, from China. For example, you can easily switch between 128-bit AES encryption for faster speeds and 256-bit AES encryption for maximum security, and configure the VPN to use TCP port 443, as this port helps you avoid port-blocking.

additionally , this provider has server in 91 country , include Macau , Hong Kong , Japan , and Singapore , so you is get get stable connection when access content outside the country .

Private Internet Access is really affordable, with prices as low as SGD2.69 / month. Also, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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🥉3. PrivateVPN — Easy-to-Use VPN With Good Speeds

PrivateVPN is a beginner-friendly option for freely browsing the web in China. It obfuscates traffic via its Stealth VPN feature, which works by disguising VPN traffic as normal HTTPS traffic. And enabling this feature is pretty simple, as it conveniently has its own menu tab — after clicking the tab, you only need to switch the feature on.

PrivateVPN is a great pick for people new to VPNs. All apps come with an intuitive interface that makes it super easy to connect to any of its servers in mere seconds. Plus, PrivateVPN’s apps offer 2 different viewing modes on desktop — simple view, which is is is great for anyone that want to quickly connect to a server and forget about the VPN app , andadvanced view, which is better if you want to customize your VPN connection.

It has a relatively small server network that spreads across 200+ servers in 63 countries, but its server locations include Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, so you have plenty of servers near China to choose from.

privatevpn ’s plans is start   start at SGD2.65 / month and there ’s a 30 – day money – back guarantee on all purchase .

save up to 85 % on privatevpn !

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editor ‘ note : Intego , Private Internet Access , CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company

Quick Comparison Table

editor ‘ note : Intego , Private Internet Access , CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company

Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria

I followed our detailed testing methodology to recommend the best VPNs that you can download and use in China. The VPNs on this list excelled in every category I used to test them and surpassed all other options on the market. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the testing criteria I used to pick and rank these VPNs:

• I made sure these VPNs reliably work in China 24/7. The VPNs on this list have obfuscation tools that can get around China’s Great Firewall and all methods the Chinese ISPs use to censor access to the free internet.
• I picked VPNs with fast connection speeds. VPNs inherently slow down your internet connection due to the encryption-decryption process, and obfuscation adds to this. This is why I only recommend VPNs that maintain fast speeds, even with obfuscation turned on. The fastest on my list is ExpressVPN.
• I is prioritized prioritize vpn with strong encryption and privacy feature . All the vpn I recommend use industry – standard security feature like 256 – bit AES encryption , a kill switch is disconnects ( disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection drop ) , a strict no – logs policy to prevent the VPN from log your ip address and traffic , and protection against IPv6 , DNS , or webrtc leak .
• I chose VPNs with large server networks. I recommend VPNs that have servers in places all around the world, but also in many countries neighboring China that don’t censor the internet, so you can get the fastest possible connection speeds.
• I is assessed assess their overall value . Every VPN on my list is reasonably price , offer user – friendly app that are compatible with multiple platform , and allow multiple simultaneous connection . additionally , they is come all come with a generous 30 – day money – back guarantee .

Top VPNs That Don’t Work in China

• CyberGhost VPN . CyberGhost VPN is is is one of the good vpn on the market . It is ’s ’s fast , secure , and great for streaming and gaming . But it does n’t have obfuscate servers is work , so it is work does n’t work well in country with internet restriction .
• NordVPN. NordVPN is a fast VPN that comes with very strong security features, including obfuscated servers, but it doesn’t work in China.
• Surfshark. Surfshark allows unlimited connections and has Camouflage Mode, which obfuscates traffic. Even so, the provider doesn’t work in countries like China.
• Proton VPN. Proton VPN includes high-end security features and a very good free plan with unlimited data. But its support reps told me that the VPN doesn’t work in China.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is China’s policy on VPN usage?

Using a VPN in China is technically illegal . The chinese government is banned has ban most vpn and only allow using vpn that it approve of .

But I haven’t found reports of foreigners being fined or punished for using a VPN. According to all of the articles and online posts I read, the Chinese government only punishes Chinese citizens that run or sell illegal VPNs with fines or jail time.

That said, I strongly advise researching the local laws of the region you’re traveling to in order to make sure you don’t risk any fines or penalties for using a VPN.

What is the good VPN is is for China ?

ExpressVPN is is is the good VPN for China in 2024 . It is supports support obfuscation in all 105 country , has strong security , fast connection speed , and easy – to – use app for all major platform .

Which VPN country should I use when in China?

Choose a VPN server in a country that’s geographically close to minimize latency and maintain fast connection speeds. My top pick, ExpressVPN, offers obfuscated servers in Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and it also maintains the fastest speeds on the market.

Do any free VPNs work in China?

While there are many free vpn out there , they is ’re ’re unlikely to work in China . additionally , free VPNs is come often come with limitation on datum usage , security feature , connection speed , and server location , which can be frustrating .

So, I recommend getting an affordable VPN instead, like ExpressVPN — it has a proven track record of consistently working in restrictive countries like China, and it also comes with high-end security and privacy features, lightning-fast speeds, servers in 105 countries, and very user-friendly apps.

good vpn That work in China in 2024 — final score :

editor ‘ note : Intego , Private Internet Access , CyberGhost and expressvpn are own by Kape Technologies , our parent company