• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Travel China Cheaper

Travel China the smart way! Expert tips and travel advice for China tourists and expats.

PLANNING A TRIP TO CHINA? Start Here

  • Resources
    • China Travel Handbook
    • China Travel Resources
    • Free PDF Downloads
    • Blogger Resources
  • Travel Tips
    • Best Travel Insurance for China
    • Getting Your Chinese Visa
    • How to Pack for China
    • Vaccinations Needed for China
    • Top China Tourist Scams
    • Best Times to Visit China
    • Getting Money to China
    • How to Travel China on a Budget
    • Tips on Tipping in China
    • How to Bargain in China
    • How to Take a Taxi in China
    • Using your Cell Phone in China
    • How to Open a China Bank Account
    • Best Virtual Mailboxes Reviewed
  • Travel Guides
    • Best China Travel Agencies
    • Best Beijing Guide Books
    • Best Shanghai Guide Books
    • Best Hong Kong Guide Books
  • Learn Chinese
    • 75 Best Language Learning Tools
    • Best Voice Translation Apps for China
    • Learn to Write Chinese
    • Learn To Read Chinese
    • Top 5 Mandarin Phrase Guides
    • How to Travel without Mandarin
  • China Visas
    • Complete China Visa Guide 2021
    • Visa-Free Transit Guide
    • US Citizens Guide
    • Best China Visas Services Reviewed
    • Getting a Chinese Visa in Hong Kong
    • Understanding the 10-Year China Visa
  • China VPN
    • Best VPNs for China 2021
    • Blocked Websites in China
    • Is Using a VPN Legal?
    • How to Watch Netflix in China
    • China VPN Tips
    • ExpressVPN Review
    • VyprVPN Review
    • Private Internet Access Review
    • Tutorial: Apple TV w/ VPN
  • About
    • Contact
    • Work with Us

Do VPNs Still Work in China? (even in March 2023?)

March 2, 2023 By Josh Summers

Do VPNs still work in China? If you are currently in China, you’re probably aware of how difficult it is to connect to a VPN right now. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. This is a problem people are having all across the country. So what has happened? Do VPNs no longer work in China?

Do VPNs still work in China in 2022?

Special Note: These past few years have been particularly hard on VPN users in China. With COVID-19, Hong Kong protests, the trade wars and other major narratives China wants to control, the Ministry of Information has been particularly harsh.

All that to say this: no matter which VPN you use right now, you’re going to have connection problems. Personally, this is why I subscribe to multiple VPN services…but that’s just me.


I’ll start by saying this: as of March 2023, it is still possible to connect to a VPN in China. It’s been difficult to connect at times but yes, it is possible.

The question if VPNs work in China repeats on a cycle, a fact that you probably know well if you’ve lived in China for more than a year.

During important government meetings, major holidays or during sensitive anniversaries, it becomes harder to connect to VPNs.

Not impossible…

…but sometimes very, very hard.

That’s why it’s important to choose a VPN that dedicates significant resources to serving the China market.

Personally, I use ExpressVPN and NordVPN right now – both of which have been incredibly reliable for me this past year. That said, my “primary VPN” changes all the time and I subscribe to a number of other VPNs that work great in China.

Another great option, if you’ve had trouble with the above two options (every part of China connects differently!), I also highly recommend Surfshark as a great service.

No matter what service you use, there are a few steps you can take to ensure that you can stay connected even when it feels like you can’t find which VPNs work in China.

**Note: The links here are affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you I will be compensated should you choose to use their services. That said, I do personally subscribe to at least 6 VPNs at any given time and have been using them within China for over 10 years.

Tips for Good VPN Connection in China in 2023 (3 Steps)

Time needed: 15 minutes.

Not all VPNs work in China, particularly when the government starts clamping down on server connections, but there are a few measures you can take to give yourself the best chance to bypass censorship while in China.

  1. Make Sure Your VPN App is Updated

    One of the best ways make sure your VPNs work in China is to keep your app updated. VPN services like Surfshark, NordVPN and ExpressVPN make important tweaks to their connection protocols when connections become difficult. You may not be able to log on to the websites directly, but the links above are dynamic links that direct you to an unblocked page from within China.

    Download or update ExpressVPN

  2. Check the China Server Status of Your VPN

    Any VPN service that serves the China market well will have a status page that will provide timely updates on connection issues, possible fixes and tips on how to connect to VPN servers in China. Examples of this would be the ExpressVPN Status page, the NordVPN status page, and the VyprVPN status page. Each of these webpages should be updated on a weekly, if not daily basis, and often tell you exactly which servers are working in China.

    China VPN status page for ExpressVPN

  3. Change Server Locations and Connection Protocols (multiple times)

    Any good VPN will allow you to change server and protocol connections as much as you want. If you find that you aren’t able to connect to a server, try changing to a different server location or connection protocol. And don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work after 2-3 changes. During the worst times, it often takes me 10-15 changes before I’m able to get it where my VPNs work in China.

    Change ExpressVPN server location

  4. Be Patient; Even if You Connect, It’s Going to be Slow

    You should also realize that if your VPN is having a difficult time connecting to the server, it’s highly likely that even when it does connect, your internet speeds are going to be extremely slow. Remember…this is China! Be patient. If past experience tells us anything, it’s that this too shall pass (even if it takes a week or two).

    Wait with patience for your VPN to connect

While China’s increased censorship will impact how all VPNs work in China, only the best are able to make adjustments and evade the block.

If you can’t tell, that’s one of the reasons I often recommend ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

Take control of the internet with ExpressVPN
Try ExpressVPN
Try NordVPN

I keep each of the above links updated with the most up-to-date discounts available, so click to see what deals they’re running right now!

Will China Block VPNs in the Future?

I have experience living in China dating back to 2006, and these types of “VPN blocking scares” seem to happen all the time.

By now, I can usually predict when it’s going to happen.

China has a major anniversary or there’s an embarrassing news event.

China threatens to block all VPNs and people freak out. Changes are made and the VPN companies adjust. It’s the classic game of cat and mouse censorship China plays.

And that’s the thing: it would be very difficult for China to completely block VPNs.

There are times when they do a very good job, such as during sensitive dates or during high-level government meetings.

However, even during these times of tightened internet, the best VPNs for China have historically adjusted quickly to the changes so that we foreigners can still enjoy getting on Facebook, Gmail and using Instagram in China.

Unblock the Chinese internet with ExpressVPN

Some VPN companies are faster than others and some get blocked quicker than others, but that’s why I always subscribe to at least two VPNs at once – one as my primary and one as a backup.

If VPNs Work in China, What Are They Blocking?

The million-dollar question is this: what’s the deal with all this news about China blocking VPNs?

Based on my understanding, it’s really quite simple.

China is looking to control the way the companies and corporations access the internet using a VPN (which is what VPNs were originally designed for).

Reading the fine print, some of the more recent bans reveal China’s intention to block VPNs for corporations.

China really wants corporations to use government-registered virtual private network services to secure their data, which honestly is a bit scary. Smaller companies that use 3rd party VPNs will need to make changes whereas the larger corporations that can afford to build a proprietary VPN will need to get it registered with the government.

It all boils down to China tightening its grip on information coming into and out of the country.

Wait…What is a VPN?

If you’re one of those people who isn’t quite sure what a VPN is, you should start by watching this video introduction to a VPN:

In short, a VPN (short for “Virtual Private Network”) is a way to encrypt the data that gets sent and received on the internet from your device, including computers, tablets and phones.

In addition to encrypting your data to keep it safe, a VPN is also used to access geo-restricted content such as watching Netflix in China or view all of the websites and apps that are blocked in China.

With all this speculation about China blocking VPNs, the next logical question is whether or not a VPN is legal to use. That’s a very good question, and one that has a clear but nuanced answer.

Unblock websites while traveling in China

Do VPNs Work in China Still?

The answer is a simple yes, VPNs work in China and I will continue to keep this article updated each month throughout this year with any news.

Get access to the internet in China with ExpressVPN

So far, it seems that all personal VPNs have been unaffected, but it’s still important that you choose a reliable VPN that has a history of playing the cat-and-mouse game with China.

As I mentioned earlier, many people in China use ExpressVPN as well as both Surfshark and NordVPN (and many others). In my case, I use all three of them.

I can vouch for how well both VPNs have worked for me here in China. Give them a try and if it doesn’t work for you, they both offer a 30-day money back guarantee.

Pin this Image on Pinterest!
Save this article about whether VPNs work in China on Pinterest
Pin this Image on Pinterest!

Further Reading & Resources

  • How to access Gmail in China
    How to Access Gmail in China in 2023 (which is blocked)
  • How to install a VPN within China
    How to Install a VPN from within China in 2023 (2 Methods)
  • How to use WhatsApp in China
    How to Use WhatsApp in China in 2023 (even though it's blocked)

Traveling or Moving to China Soon?

Download "44 Tips You MUST Know Before Traveling to China". These simple but often overlooked tips could make or break your trip!

Download the Tips Here

Avatar for Josh Summers

About Josh Summers

Josh is the founder of TravelChinaCheaper.com who has been living in China with his family since 2006. Over that period of time he has traveled by plane, train, car, motorcycle and even camel to explore almost every corner of the country.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Avatar for Josh SummersMax says

    April 6, 2018 at 4:38 am

    HeLlo Josh,

    As I‘m going to travel to china in two Five weeks time i try to find out whether VPNs still Work in china or not. FrankLy, i‘m a little bit confused of these rankings which are The best vpn-seRvices tHat still wOrk in cHina, because as i know, i can just use the ios-vPN-serviCe with my private hOme-wifi here in Germany. WoUld that work out in China or do i need Vpn-Services such as ExpressVPn?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      April 6, 2018 at 9:20 am

      A private network *might* work but you can never be sure. I recommend grabbing ExpressVPN and then using if you need. If you don’t use it, they offer a 30-day money back guarantee.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersPatrick says

      April 7, 2019 at 5:55 am

      I am a frequent visitor to China, have been for the past 14 Years. Three trip ago I tried express vpn, it never worked at all in the hotel I normally use. Two trips ago I used nord vpn, it worked in 1 hotel out of 3 that I stayed in . one trip ago I again used norn vpn and I stayed in my normal hotel plus 2 other hotels and it never worked at all , a complete waste of time and money. all it did was CONTINUALLY timed out no matter what server country you tried to connect to.
      its almost like the hotels have some sort of blocking software that knows its vpn and stops it in its tracks .

  2. Avatar for Josh SummersF says

    April 23, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    And I even know some people from my country living in China and they’re posting and sharing by using Instagram
    Kinda every day or 3/4 times a week! All of them using VPN with no problem??!!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 17, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      It’s more common than you realize, I guess 🙂

  3. Avatar for Josh Summershallocn says

    May 11, 2018 at 1:43 pm

    I just want to use google in china, that’s why I have to buy a vpn service

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 11, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      You’re not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way.

  4. Avatar for Josh SummersRainer says

    May 15, 2018 at 5:24 am

    My information is that EXPRESS VPN is closed in China.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 17, 2018 at 6:58 pm

      Well, I can tell you with 100% confidence that this information is wrong. I use ExpressVPN every day out here.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersKim says

      October 27, 2020 at 3:30 pm

      I’ve been living in China for several years now, and two years ago there was a big crack down on Express VPN. I did not even know about this VPN (I use a different one) until all my friends who had it started complaining that it was down. As for how it’s doing now, I’m not sure as I’m back in my home country at this moment.

  5. Avatar for Josh SummersJames uddin says

    May 30, 2018 at 4:42 am

    I use two vpn services. Gotrusted and betternet. Both are subject to random blocking at certain times. But ive noticed that they block routers’ vpn access, rather than block All access to them. Thus it is better to have access to more than one router. During certain times when certain tHings are happening, such as unrest in another country, they will blanket block everything and intercept all attempts to connect with frightening precision. I believe that vpn blocking technology in china is very expensive to employ and are very sparing in its usE, by blocking iNdividual users during normal times and only blanket blocking during certain times. There will come a time when this technology will be far easier to use, and vpns will thus become impossible to use in china. Enjoy vpn access while you still have it.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 30, 2018 at 8:11 am

      I appreciate your opinion but respectfully disagree. Blocking an individual vs doing a “blanket block” is the same technology with the same “price”. Blocking VPNs is a game of cat and mouse and I can’t foresee a time in the future when it will be impossible to use a VPN in China. Harder, perhaps…but never impossible. That would require China to cut off international internet access entirely.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersAmbre says

      November 13, 2018 at 10:23 am

      Very accurate – very true – totally agree

  6. Avatar for Josh SummersYao Lin says

    June 12, 2018 at 5:21 pm

    So will any website be allowed with a VPN in china? My son has an online summer school but will be going to china also, will i be able to access it then?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 12, 2018 at 9:43 pm

      By using a VPN, you can access the internet as if you were in any country you choose, such as the US, UK or Germany.

  7. Avatar for Josh SummersErin says

    June 16, 2018 at 8:20 am

    IF i use express vpn will i be able to acCess youtube and snapchat in china?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 16, 2018 at 1:58 pm

      Yes, you will.

  8. Avatar for Josh SummersJackey says

    June 21, 2018 at 1:50 am

    HI, anyone can do file transfer via express vpn from china to others country ? thinking to configure vpn account into my router and bring over together with my laptop soon. and i wish to vpn back to my office server via office vpn and access office server file.
    does this possible ?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 21, 2018 at 8:47 am

      In theory it should be possible. I would make sure that you configure and try it all out before you travel out to China.

  9. Avatar for Josh SummersPaul Saunders says

    June 24, 2018 at 11:32 pm

    HI Josh

    great sitev helpful i just signed up thru ur lin to nord, I had express already i;m afraid 🙂

    whats your latest experience still all running fine? (June) with Express and Nord?
    I desperately need to keep logged on to adwords so nervous! there for 4 weeks from 1/7

    thanks again.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 25, 2018 at 11:52 am

      Hey Paul, if you have both NordVPN and ExpressVPN, I believe you’re going to be fine. Enjoy the trip!

  10. Avatar for Josh SummersPeter Hsu says

    June 26, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    I believe that china government ordered all china internet provider to block every vpn connection between china and usa, it was started on 6/25/2018

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 28, 2018 at 5:15 pm

      Yea, there was definitely a clampdown on VPNs in late June which affected most VPNs. However, as always happens, it took no longer than a day for the VPNs to adjust and now we can connect without any problems.

  11. Avatar for Josh Summersotisforlife says

    June 27, 2018 at 7:43 am

    True, china does quite a good job on blocking vpns. I think especially these days many services got massively blocked. bad timing.. cause I’m planning a trip to china next month, so i talked with my friend in beijing, and he recommended to purchase nordvpn. i guess it works fine in china at the moment.

  12. Avatar for Josh SummersShae laiRd says

    June 28, 2018 at 6:43 pm

    I am traveling to china on 7/5 and was About to purchase expressVPN based on your article. Is it still working as of today?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 28, 2018 at 7:20 pm

      Yes, it is. It’s been a rough week, but they’ve obviously been working hard to keep some of the servers up and running.

  13. Avatar for Josh SummersChrys Tremththanmor says

    June 30, 2018 at 2:07 am

    I’ve just returned from a five week trip in CHina, and Express VPN worked fine for me the whole time. I was able to access Facebook and Instagram, as well as google and gmail accounts.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 1, 2018 at 12:08 am

      Awesome! I’m so glad to hear that you were able to stay connected 🙂

    • Avatar for Josh SummersAlex says

      September 18, 2019 at 5:41 pm

      Thanks for the useful tips. I was once one of the “nationalistic” Chinese that kind of defended the party for information control because how important it seemed for our political/economic stability and i still think that way to an extent. but when my personal life is affected that i can’t even use google scholar or connect to my college vpn to access our library on vacation, i can’t help but to feel helpless and uncertain. Nowadays it seems so hard to find a perfect vpn for china that “just works” without needing to retry/wait/switch. and i don’t see the situation improve any time soon. maybe when the country gains much more power than today, in a good way? I don’t see that day coming in my lifetime though. The party has a lot of support from the general public due to its very successful mind control, and partly because they made the middle class much richer than before. But i’ll not be a proud citizen until I don’t need a vpn to access data that doesn’t even pose threat to their regime. Now more and more countries seem to start adopting the chinese way of restricting the internet and I’m worried what will come.

  14. Avatar for Josh SummersKarl says

    July 11, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    Hey i’m going to china tomorrow just wanna know if my cisco anyconnect vpn will work. the ip is based off of a big university in canada and I saw online that corporate vpns should probably work better than normal vpns is that right? also will tunnelbearvpn work as well?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 11, 2018 at 3:31 pm

      Hey Karl…it might work but I can’t guarantee anything. Honestly, it doesn’t hurt to download ExpressVPN before you go just in case. If the Cisco VPN works, then you can get a refund on your ExpressVPN account. Otherwise, at least you’ll be prepared!

  15. Avatar for Josh Summerssarahfranks says

    July 13, 2018 at 2:31 pm

    Yes VPN do work in China. I have used Nord, Express and PureVPN and I would all the three VPN are great. One down side of express is they are very expensive. PureVPN and nord are cheap options.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 13, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks for your input, Sarah!

  16. Avatar for Josh Summerstraveleratheart says

    July 16, 2018 at 2:54 am

    I’ve used Nordvpn on my last trip to China, and it was performing excellently. One thing to be aware of is that you need to connect to an obfuscated server to be able to browse freely.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 16, 2018 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

  17. Avatar for Josh Summerscat says

    July 20, 2018 at 5:40 am

    Hi,

    I just wanted to thank you for th tips and I do recommend that people use your links. we got our Expressvpn with the 3-month free set up which is great! thanks for all the good info!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 20, 2018 at 12:16 pm

      My pleasure. Thanks Cat!

  18. Avatar for Josh SummersDebra says

    July 25, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    i am going to china for 5 weeks and all i require is google maps
    will i be able to connect to google if i purchase a prepaid sim at the airport
    i dont need facebook or anything else, just google maps
    thanks Debra

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 26, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      Hi Debra, you have two options: 1) you can purchase a SIM card and then get a VPN (since all Google apps are blocked in China) or 2) you can download Baidu maps as a Chinese alternative. The only problem with the second option is that everything is in Chinese.

  19. Avatar for Josh SummersMark says

    August 5, 2018 at 4:33 am

    Hi, I activated ExpressVPN and NordVPN to use in China next week. I Need to use WhatsApp and Viber. Will it work?

    I will buy a local SIM card and use the VPN above, it should be enough, right?

    Thanks a lot!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      August 7, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Hey Mark, yes, those two VPNs will allow you to access Whatsapp and Viber without a problem. Just make sure you download and install the VPNs prior to your arrival in China. Even with a Chinese SIM card, it’s very difficult.

  20. Avatar for Josh SummersAnonymous says

    August 12, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Hi, is There any new regulations carried out by China internet authority in Jul against vpn server in Singapore? Especially vpn for business use.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      August 13, 2018 at 1:10 pm

      Not that I’m aware of. I’ve been able to connect to a Singapore server using ExpressVPN without a problem.

  21. Avatar for Josh SummersArt says

    August 29, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    Hello thanks for the informative reviews and explanation!
    Got a QUESTIOn: I only stay in china occasionally (rest of the time in in hong kong without the need of a vpn) so I prefer to use free VPNs. However windscribe, tunnelbear, proton, and hotspot shield, all HAd been working on my laptop for over a year, albeit not entirely reliable, have all stopped working since this week. Has there been a new policy?
    (Sorry it seemed it’s locked to all cap)

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      August 30, 2018 at 12:21 pm

      Hey Art, what often happens is that China will periodically block certain IP addresses that are known for hosting VPN traffic. Paid VPNs make corrections within an hour most of the time. Free VPNs usually take weeks if not months (they don’t have much incentive to be fast).

      This is one of the many reasons I recommend people just break down and spend a few bucks for a quality VPN. In the end, I find that it’s worth the small fee.

  22. Avatar for Josh Summersjustjake says

    October 9, 2018 at 4:18 pm

    Do you know if my cisco anyconnect vpn client will connect to a europe based authentication server for me to use VPN in Shenzhen china?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      October 10, 2018 at 10:19 am

      Hmm…I can’t be 100% sure. Theoretically it should, but it depends on a number of different factors.

  23. Avatar for Josh SummersDanielle says

    October 29, 2018 at 4:24 am

    Express vpn is amazing!Yes you can use snapchat ,instagram, netflix and anything else your heart desires. It is still working as of this day and i use it everyday and can say its worth the money!(living in China for 3 years and always used this vpn)

  24. Avatar for Josh Summersdanny says

    October 31, 2018 at 7:42 am

    hello josh, i’m going for holiday in shanghai soon..i would like to know whether i can access expressvpn website to sign up after arriving there? heard from my friend that almost every vpn sites totally blocked/unaccessible

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      October 31, 2018 at 8:16 am

      Yes, most VPN websites are blocked, making it difficult (but not impossible) to download and setup a VPN after you enter China. I highly recommend you do that prior to leaving.

  25. Avatar for Josh SummersCharlesZhang says

    October 31, 2018 at 9:18 am

    Its quite interesting that your website Is not blocked by chinese GFW
    so that i can Visit it without using vpn (^_^)

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      November 1, 2018 at 9:03 am

      Who knows, it may happen. I really don’t care. China does what it does and I’ll do what I do 🙂

  26. Avatar for Josh SummersSteve williams says

    November 16, 2018 at 7:12 am

    It’s frustrating. They basically don’t like foreigners in china and even though you’re A taxpaying expat they’d rather you went home. The more difficult they can make it FOR you to live here the happier they seem to be. Screwing up your fun by stopping you watching Netflix IS only the tip of the iceberg. So sadly I’ve given up and I’M going back to the UK where no one cares what you do in the comfort of your own home!

  27. Avatar for Josh SummersJames says

    December 5, 2018 at 4:35 am

    No VPN is working now?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      December 5, 2018 at 8:14 am

      I never said that. What makes you ask? Mine is working fine.

  28. Avatar for Josh SummersCarla says

    January 2, 2019 at 9:57 pm

    hello. I am from the philippines and will be going to shanghai, china in March 2019. Can I just download the ExpressVPN before leaving the country and use hotel wifi? will I still be able to connect or do I need to buy a local data sim card in CHina? I want to be able to use FB, FB messenger and Whatsapp

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      January 3, 2019 at 8:16 am

      Yes, you can download the VPN before you leave and then use it when you connect to any WiFi…no need for a data SIM card 🙂

  29. Avatar for Josh SummersDavid Z says

    January 4, 2019 at 2:07 pm

    Hello Josh, very helpful info Out there,
    i have a question on “Cisco AnyConnet VPN” that pre loaded on my company laptop, it won’t CONNECT in china and i can’t DOWNLOAD the express vpn to my laptop due to company policy on third party software.

    Any thought on how i can get it fixed ? or any set up I can do on my laptop to get it work?

    Thanks

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      January 4, 2019 at 4:21 pm

      Hey David, when it comes to company restrictions, that’s something you’ll have to take up with your IT department. I wish I could help!

  30. Avatar for Josh SummersConnor says

    January 10, 2019 at 2:25 pm

    Hey josh,

    Will be traveling to china in a few days! Is it recommended to download the app Before getting to china or after?

    Thanks

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      January 10, 2019 at 7:04 pm

      Definitely before getting to China. It’s very difficult to get everything set up once you arrive. Good luck on the upcoming trip!

  31. Avatar for Josh Summersannie says

    January 18, 2019 at 8:12 am

    Hello Josh, as at today, 18 Jan 2019, I’m unable to access the ExpressVPN website in order to download it – neither via your blog nor via google search. Just in case you had any comment to help me out! I’m using chrome. maybe I’ll try other browsers and search engines but all the same thanks if you have any tips Annie

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      January 18, 2019 at 8:46 am

      Hey Annie, if you’re in China trying to access the website, it’s going to be very difficult. Most VPN websites are blocked in China, which is why I usually recommend people purchase and install a VPN before they enter China. Try this link to ExpressVPN and see if it works.

  32. Avatar for Josh SummersLynn says

    February 11, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    Hi. I live in the USA. My sIster just moved to china. She never set up a vpn. Can i estsblish a von for her from here and hsve her access it there! If so hOw

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      February 12, 2019 at 10:06 am

      You can certainly set it up, but she will have to connect to the VPN manually (since downloading the VPN software would be difficult within China). Still, I recommend sending her my links since they technically search for a mirror of the VPN site that isn’t blocked in China. Does that make sense?

  33. Avatar for Josh SummersEncos says

    February 17, 2019 at 2:54 am

    according to the express vpn i can only use 3 device at once. if i disconnect my device can i still connect back? As long as i have the app and registered i can connect and disconnect anytime right?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      February 19, 2019 at 8:05 am

      Yes, I disconnect and reconnect all the time!

  34. Avatar for Josh SummersMitch Connely says

    February 17, 2019 at 8:25 am

    Josh,

    Express VPN and VYPR are completely blocked now as of feb 17, 2019.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      February 19, 2019 at 8:06 am

      Hey Mitch, I’m aware of the new block, but as with every other time this has happened, the VPNs are scrambling to fix it and they will soon. It’s the ever-changing game of cat-and-mouse.

  35. Avatar for Josh SummersSascha says

    March 4, 2019 at 2:27 am

    HI Josh!
    Express VPN users should try Tokio-1 as a Server. Since Sunday I have had difficulities to connect to LA-5 or HongKong-4, but Tokio-1 works – you just might have to try connecting several times.
    Greetins from China

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      March 4, 2019 at 9:31 am

      Thanks, Sascha! During times like this (the Congress is in session), people forget that connection always becomes hard for every VPN.

  36. Avatar for Josh Summersjohn says

    April 24, 2019 at 11:27 pm

    express vpn works great in mainland china, been using ir fot almost a month without any issue. NO TIMEOUTS, NO LAGS.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      April 25, 2019 at 9:58 pm

      Awesome. I’m glad it’s worked well for you, John!

  37. Avatar for Josh SummersKelli says

    May 7, 2019 at 2:27 pm

    I just cHECKed NordVPN website, it seems that they dont have any servers in China??

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 7, 2019 at 7:36 pm

      No, they don’t. At this point, there aren’t any VPNs that have servers in mainland China because China would shut them down. If you’re in China, you want to connect to servers that are OUTSIDE of China. That’s what’s important.

  38. Avatar for Josh Summersironworks.says says

    May 17, 2019 at 10:34 am

    Hi, Josh
    I plan to go to China at the end of the month and stay in China by half of June, is ExpressVPN my right choice at this moment?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 18, 2019 at 5:29 pm

      In my opinion, yes. It’s been the most reliable and consistent over the years.

  39. Avatar for Josh SummersJAck X says

    May 20, 2019 at 11:48 am

    Hello Josh,
    I have “Cisco AnyConnet VPN” installed on my company laptop but it won’t CONNECT in china since my company is located in USA. I am just wondering if I use ExpressVPN in China, can I be able to connect my commpany’s “CISCO ANYCONNET VPN” afterwards? Or any workaround to connect my company’s VPN from China?

    Thanks!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      May 20, 2019 at 9:51 pm

      That’s a good question, Jack, and one I can’t answer with 100% certainty. What I can say is that since ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee, you can give it a try and if it doesn’t work, just apply for a refund.

  40. Avatar for Josh SummersTim says

    June 1, 2019 at 7:50 pm

    Hello Josh,
    Express VPN has not been working since June 01,2019, DESPITE trying all connections listed. Is your express VPN still working fine at the moment? what are the second or THIRD best VPN you would recommend or is currently working for you BECAUSE i am trying to purchase subscription for a second VPN as my back up. Thank you!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 3, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      Hi Tim, all VPNs are going to be having a hard time during the beginning of June because of sensitive anniversaries (June 4, to be exact). This happens every year. Just wait for a few more days and things should get back to normal.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersParsi says

      June 17, 2019 at 5:58 am

      Hello Josh, is it back to normal? Still not working for us.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      June 19, 2019 at 9:37 am

      Because of everything happening in Hong Kong, the restrictions on VPNs has continued.

  41. Avatar for Josh Summersceleste says

    July 28, 2019 at 11:54 am

    Hi Josh,

    i am moving to china in about two weeks’ time. given the protests that are still happening in hong kong, does the vpn still work?

    many thanks,
    celeste

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 28, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      Yes, they do. Connection has been harder this summer, but it’s still possible to use a VPN.

  42. Avatar for Josh SummersBryce says

    July 31, 2019 at 1:15 pm

    Hello Josh,
    My Express has been shut down for 2 & 1/2 weeks now, so thought of trying another option. Any recommendations ? I am in Yunnan.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      July 31, 2019 at 8:16 pm

      I always recommend trying either NordVPN or VyprVPN since they both have been reliable VPNs for China and they both offer generous 30-day money back guarantees in case they don’t work where you’re at. Give them a try and see if that helps.

  43. Avatar for Josh Summersbryce says

    July 31, 2019 at 8:22 pm

    My Express has now been blocked for 19 days, as of 1 august. Maybe other vpns are working in china?

  44. Avatar for Josh SummersVerena says

    August 18, 2019 at 11:05 am

    Hello, I purchased Express VPN using your direct link. Firstly, thanks a lot for providing such an Amazing Amount of information. Nonetheless, I am now still confused and undecided how many VPN i should actually purchase and install …
    Is there one you prefer after EXPRESS VPN for Shanghai (1-year-stay from Aug 19). I’m really scared to have no connection at all … Thanks in Advance

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      August 18, 2019 at 10:26 pm

      In most cases, people only need one VPN subscription. ExpressVPN offers 5 simultaneous connections, which means that you can have 5 different devices connected at the same time (but you can have ExpressVPN downloaded on as many as you want/need).

      After ExpressVPN, my only other suggestion would be NordVPN which in my experience works just as good. They both come with 30-day money back guarantees, so you can try both and then get a refund on the one you’d rather not use.

  45. Avatar for Josh SummersLily says

    September 2, 2019 at 4:45 am

    Hi josh,
    Thanks for the article. My sistEr is currently in china and she Bought expressvpn. When she uses her australia sim It will work. She also bought a local sim, when she swtiches to the Sim she bought it china Expressvpn doesnt work. Should it work on a local Sim?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 2, 2019 at 11:25 pm

      Yes, it should work on a local SIM card. She might need to try a couple different servers and perhaps even change up the connection protocols.

  46. Avatar for Josh SummersMiMi says

    September 25, 2019 at 4:41 am

    Hi, I will be traveling to China soon but it is important for me to get my emails and use Skype. I plan to take my Skyroam with me, but do I still need a VPN as well?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 25, 2019 at 9:46 pm

      Yes, you will still need a VPN. Skyroam allows you to connect to the internet using China’s cell network, but you’ll still be subject to China’s internet censorship without a VPN.

  47. Avatar for Josh SummersHailey says

    September 27, 2019 at 6:49 am

    hi! i’m moving to china in about a month and im trying to figure out which VPn is right for me. Would it be woRth subscribing to both express vpn and nord vpn so when ones not working i have the other as an option? Or is that over kill Thanks!!

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 30, 2019 at 1:58 am

      Hi Hailey, that’s exactly what I do 🙂 It helps to have one as a backup, because there are times throughout the year when connecting to a VPN gets harder and it helps to have another VPN service.

  48. Avatar for Josh SummersTrvlr says

    September 29, 2019 at 3:36 pm

    Is NordVPN blocked in China now?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 30, 2019 at 1:53 am

      Yes…and no. Right now (as of the time of your comment), China is gearing up for its National Day celebration marking 70 years, they have cracked down a LOT on VPNs. NordVPN is scrambling to find ways to connect, just like all the VPNs, but you can expect that during holidays and major anniversaries, connection to VPNs – even the good ones like NordVPN – will be very difficult.

  49. Avatar for Josh SummersMigs says

    September 30, 2019 at 11:02 am

    Does the internet just generally get slower during these times even without using VPN? My upload speeds and loading on western sites that aren’t banned (such as wetransfer) have been painfully slow these past few days! fingers crossed this is temporary.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      Yes, during major holidays and anniversaries, the internet gets painfully slow all across China. Don’t worry, it usually eases up in a couple days.

  50. Avatar for Josh SummersMaki says

    September 30, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    Hi, thanks for the information. ForeIgn student in china here; I’ve also subscribed to expressvpn and wAs warned about The vpn crack down in china’s national Day. Thing was my expressvpn wouldn’t connect even After updating and trying various servers, though for some reason the free vpn That came with a browser app i Downloaded worked (albeit the continuAl disconnectIon). Would expressvpn be able to connect better once the National holiday is over? Many thAnks.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      September 30, 2019 at 9:16 pm

      Yes, it will. And you’ll have better security than the browser app you downloaded.

  51. Avatar for Josh SummersRoderick Nicolson says

    October 2, 2019 at 8:25 am

    Your infOrmation about nordvpn is out of date, Josh.
    Nord had all it’s servers blocked before the start of this national holiday and has not been able to resume a service since that time in china.
    They haD stated that they expected to be back up in a few days after the initial blocking of all their servers, but according to one of their representatives, quite recently, they have not been able to establish any
    New serves without them being immediately blocked. so they are now not able to establish any service here in China at this time.
    Will it change afterwards? They are unable to give any definite answer to that question.
    Express VPN however has been able to find a way round this problem.
    I don’t use it though.
    My experience is that the smaller vpn suppliers that are geared for use in China are not being blocked, so are the better bet at this time.

  52. Avatar for Josh SummersAlice says

    October 4, 2019 at 8:33 pm

    Greetings from China. Before I came, I did a lot of work investigating vpns and such, but this week has been a nightmare of no connecions. My salvation? Google Fi. Best thing ever. Always works. And my 85 year old dad can reach me by just dialing my us phone number.

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      October 7, 2019 at 8:54 pm

      Ah yes, but Google Fi is not available to everybody and is a tad more expensive.

  53. Avatar for Josh SummersRemi Card says

    October 6, 2019 at 4:53 am

    the comments above about nordvpn are accurate. I foolishly bought the 3 year option back in August.
    The android app worked fine, but their linux module (for my laptops) is junk. Many bugs, which i tried to
    help them fix since I spend most of my time on linux. Then came sept. ~25 or so and both the linux app
    (which I had partly fixed myself) and the android app simply would not connect. It’s not 10 October and I still can’t

    Expressvpn, on the other hand, has gotten me through this period like a champion! It was down for just one day.

  54. Avatar for Josh SummersJordan Anderson says

    October 12, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    Even when using a vpn does china still seE what you are posting and if so, do you need to still be careful about what you post on facebook ot messenger even while using a vpn?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      October 13, 2019 at 8:45 am

      A VPN encrypts your data between two servers, but it does not secure your social media. If you’re posting publicly to social media, I can guarantee that anybody (not just China) could find it.

  55. Avatar for Josh SummersMatthew Legend says

    February 17, 2020 at 11:06 pm

    Hi, would I need to purchase a VPN Router and use a VPN Site like ExpressVPN to watch movies on a firestick plugged into a TV?

    • Avatar for Josh SummersJosh Summers says

      February 18, 2020 at 1:25 am

      No, you wouldn’t. Thankfully, the Firestick allows for VPN apps, so you can download the ExpressVPN app for Firestick and connect from there.

  56. Avatar for Josh SummersHorst says

    February 23, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Try using a router that you can install a dd-wrt firmware. I used the linksys ACM3200 and you can follow the steps to set it up on ExpressVPN under OpenVPN.

    There are some locations that are not suggested on by the provider that can connect a lot more faster than the well-known ones.

    I also use different VPN providers with OpenVPN in case I get stuck, but I rarely do.

    If you need help, send me an email.

    Cheers!

  57. Avatar for Josh Summerstoho says

    May 22, 2020 at 10:55 am

    Everyone should realize how terrible a country is to block people from using the internet. People should just not support this kind of abuse of rights. Anyway, nordvpn worked for some time but then got blocked. Expressvpn isn’t too bad but often gets blocked. Surfshark is probably the worst of all of them as it always doesn’t work. It worked during their trial period but after the 30 days it stopped working and they won’t refund you.

Primary Sidebar

Find answers to your China questions:

Coronavirus Health Alert for China Travelers

COVID-19 and the Future of China Travel in 2023 and Beyond

Travel Insurance Comparison

Best Travel Insurance for 2023 | Guide & Reviews

Receive Free China Travel Tips!

Get some of the best China travel tips delivered to your inbox. We'll even send you our free guide "44 Things You MUST Know Before Traveling to China"!

Recommended China travel resources

Recommended China Travel Resources

ExpressVPN Logo MarkExpressVPN (Best VPN for China)
Passport Visas Express Logo MarkPassport Visas Express (China Visa)
Trip logo markTrip.com (Best China Flights)
World Nomads Logo MarkWorld Nomads (Best travel insurance)

Recommended Chinese Learning Resources

eChineseLearning Logo MarkeChinese Learning (online tutoring)
Skritter Logo MarkSkritter (includes 10% discount!)
The Chairman's Bao logo markChairman's Bao (Use TCC20 for 20% off!)
Check out our recommended China travel agencies

Recent Articles on TCC:

  • 6 Must-Read Books on China | Recommended Reading for 2023
  • How to Watch Disney+ in China in 2023 (where it hasn’t been launched)
  • 5 Cheapest Ways to Get Money to China in 2023
  • Do VPNs Still Work in China? (even in March 2023?)
  • Best VPNs for China in 2023 (+ my strategy to use them)

Are you planning to travel or move to China soon?

Don't miss out on these 44 money-saving tips!

Learn More by Clicking Here

© 2022 Go West Ventures LLC   |  Best-Selling China Travel Guide   |   Contact   |   Affiliate Disclaimer   |   Privacy Policy