Why you need a VPN in China?
You may need a VPN in China because internet access is restricted by the Great Firewall, a nationwide censorship system that regulates inbound and outbound internet traffic between China and the rest of the world. The Great Firewall blocks many services people outside China use every day. Popular platforms such as Google services, YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram are unavailable on the local internet.
People use a VPN in China to solve three practical problems. First, a VPN lets them keep access to the apps and services they use every day or have paid for when that access is restricted by the local network. Second, a VPN adds to online privacy and security by encrypting the internet connection. And third, a VPN helps both travelers and people in China whose work depends on international services stay plugged into the tools they need for work, communication, and everyday admin.
Without a VPN, many users are left with a tightly controlled version of the web that removes access to many global services and information sources.
What is the Great Firewall of China?
The Great Firewall is a term used to describe the legal and technological censorship tools used by the Chinese government to restrict internet access in the country. Officially, it is called the Golden Shield project. Since the government owns all internet service providers (ISPs), it can monitor and control what information people in China access online.
How does censorship work?
Censorship in China works through a nationwide system that inspects and controls internet traffic to restrict access to information.
This control is enforced through a highly coordinated effort to monitor connections and regulate how data moves in and out of the country.
Deep packet inspection (DPI) is one of the main tactics the Chinese authorities use. DPI is a form of network packet filtering that inspects connection metadata and traffic behavior. And by applying DPI at scale, relevant Chinese bodies can identify protocols and patterns associated with restricted services or even VPN connections and then interfere with or terminate those connections.
Another tactic China uses is IP blocking. All Chinese ISPs block the IP addresses of websites and online services deemed undesirable. This means that when someone in China tries to open a website whose IP address has been blacklisted, they aren’t able to. From outside China, however, the same site continues to work normally — and the same person, if they connected from outside the country, would have no trouble accessing it.
China’s censorship system also includes keyword filtering. Online activity on search engines, forums, and messaging apps is monitored for words and phrases the authorities consider sensitive. So when someone searches for posts or shares content containing those keywords, internet access can be restricted, messages can fail to send, or content can be removed.
This filtering is partly automated but is also backed by a large internet police force that reviews flagged content and enforces censorship rules by deleting content, suspending accounts, or blocking platforms altogether.
How to check if a website is blocked in China
If you want to check which websites and apps are banned in China, you can review known blocklists or test access from inside the country by using a VPN and connecting through a Chinese network.
Many of the world’s most visited websites are kept behind government blockages in China, including Wikipedia and apps like the Google Suite and Instagram.
The list of sites and apps blocked in China includes:
- BBC
- CNN
- Facebook (and Messenger)
- Gmail
- Google apps (e.g., Calendar, Docs, Hangouts, Maps)
- Wikipedia
- OneDrive
- Spotify
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Times
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Twitch
- Slack
- ChatGPT
Browse safer during your travels with a VPN.
What should you consider when choosing a VPN for China?
When choosing a VPN for China, prioritize whether the service is built to operate under heavy censorship because not all VPNs work in the country. Many services that perform well elsewhere fail once they encounter the Great Firewall, which is constantly evolving and being upgraded.
A free or basic VPN is usually not designed to evade detection or operate under active censorship systems. Even if it manages to establish a connection, performance can degrade quickly as traffic is filtered or throttled, making the VPN unreliable for everyday use.
For a VPN to work in China and withstand the Great Firewall, it needs a feature set and infrastructure built specifically for restrictive networks. Reliable VPNs offer obfuscated (or stealth) servers that help disguise the moving traffic so it blends in with regular internet activity. Strong encryption is also essential, as is a secure and adaptable server infrastructure.
Reliable customer support matters just as much. Servers and IP addresses can be blocked without warning, and users may need to use alternative connection methods or manually configure settings to stay connected.
How to use a VPN in China
To use a VPN in China, you first have to have it set up, and there are two ways you can do it. You can either set it up through a VPN app or configure it manually. In general, it’s best to have the VPN app installed and ready ahead of time, that is, before you travel.
The first option and the natural starting point is connecting straight through the VPN app. It’s the option most users already know, and it’s also the easiest to get started with. Let's use NordVPN as an example:
- 1.Choose a NordVPN subscription plan and create your account.
- 2.Download and install our VPN app for your device.
- 3.Connect to NordVPN.
If the VPN app fails to connect, the second or the backup option is to set up a VPN on your device manually. Manual configuration can offer more control and may work in situations where app-based connections are blocked or unstable.
One thing to remember is that not every VPN can get through the Great Firewall of China, and the way and the level at which online censorship in the country is enforced can change in an instant. So using a VPN in China is not always guaranteed to succeed. Be mindful of the fact that you may need to try a couple of different options to connect and maintain a working connection.
Should I turn on a VPN before entering China?
Yes, if possible, you should turn on and test your VPN before entering China.
Once you arrive in the country, access to VPN websites, app stores, and setup guides may be restricted. If the app doesn’t connect and you haven’t prepared in advance, fixing the issue can be difficult or impossible without outside help.
Turning on your VPN beforehand allows you to confirm that the app is installed correctly, your account is active, and at least one connection method works. It also gives you time to explore alternative options, such as manual setup, while you still have unrestricted internet access.
Why is my China VPN not working?
Your China VPN may not be working because the Chinese government actively detects and disrupts VPN connections. China’s firewall behaves like a living organism — always evolving and searching for new ways to restrict the free internet.
So if you can’t connect to a VPN from China, the issue may not lie with the VPN service but with the way the connection is configured. VPN apps and protocols are not always set up in a way that works on restrictive networks by default. A connection may fail because the selected protocol is blocked, the current settings are too easy to detect, or the connection method no longer works on the network you’re using.
In some cases, the VPN connects, but the link drops frequently or becomes extremely slow. This usually means the connection is being filtered or disrupted and needs to be adjusted. Switching protocols, changing servers, or moving from an app-based setup to manual configuration may help resolve the problem.
The key thing to understand is that a failed connection in China does not automatically mean the VPN cannot work at all. More often, it means the current setup is no longer compatible with the network conditions and needs to be reconfigured.
Will a free VPN work in China?
It’s likely that a free VPN won’t work in China because VPN providers must use specialized technology to operate under the restrictions imposed by the Great Firewall. And free VPN providers just don’t offer these capabilities. And it’s highly unlikely they ever will. The basic, limited “build” of free VPNs is an easy grab for censorship systems and no match for the scale and reach of China’s internet police.
Which brings us to a common question: Why choose a paid VPN over a free one? The short answer is that paid VPNs are generally more capable. Consider a reputable paid service, such as NordVPN, which offers strong encryption, more reliable connections, fast speeds, and features like a kill switch that blocks the internet connection and protects your device if the connection is interrupted or suddenly drops.
To cut a long story short, you get what you pay for. And a paid VPN service stands a much better chance against the Great Firewall of China than a free VPN does.
What are the risks of using a free VPN in China?
The risks of using a free VPN in China are real, and they’re worth paying attention to. The Great Firewall is not something you can get past by snapping your fingers — and trusting a free VPN to help you do it rarely works. Free VPN providers generally lack the technical resources needed to respond effectively to the pressure imposed by the Great Firewall’s restrictions.
Free VPN use in China carries a number of risks:
- The unreliability factor. Shared IP addresses and outdated protocols make free VPNs easier to identify and block.
- Weak privacy protections. Free VPNs may log user activity or metadata, increasing exposure in what is a heavily monitored internet environment in China.
- Malware exposure. Some free VPN apps may contain hidden trackers, intrusive ads, or malicious code, particularly when downloaded from sources other than official app stores.
- Legal uncertainty. Only government-approved VPNs are permitted in China, and free VPNs rarely clarify how they handle regulatory compliance or user data.
- Poor performance. Bandwidth limits, overcrowded servers, and throttling result in slow speeds and frequent disconnects.
Is a VPN legal in China?
VPNs in China exist in a legal gray area. Only government-approved VPNs, typically intended for corporate or business use, are technically legal. But despite the fact, millions of tourists and residents continue to use personal VPNs, as the government primarily targets providers and serious misuse, and not casual users.
Officially, the Chinese government imposes a VPN ban on unauthorized services. To operate legally, VPN providers must comply with government regulations, which can include restrictions on encryption and requirements around data access.
Chinese authorities have taken action against individuals and companies in the past who create, sell, or distribute unapproved VPN services. Penalties have included fines and prison sentences even. These cases, however, are usually tied to operating VPN services at scale or profiting from them, not to casual personal use.
For visitors, the situation may be different, but it's difficult to say for sure. Based on publicly available information, tourists and foreign travelers do use VPNs for personal activities relatively freely. That said, they are generally advised to do so discreetly because using a VPN for personal use is seen as a violation of local rules.
So what's to take away from all this, you ask? Well, you may use a VPN in China, as millions of others do, but be aware of the risks that come with it. And if you decide to use one, it’s best to keep a low profile.
Even then, caution is warranted. Chinese authorities do conduct random phone searches, during which police may ask visitors to delete VPN apps from their devices. Some travelers entering the northwestern Xinjiang region have even reported that authorities installed surveillance apps on their phones.
Conclusion: The internet was meant to be free
We at NordVPN believe that private internet access, free of surveillance or censorship, is important. If you’re a frequent traveler or know someone who travels a lot, spread the news about NordVPN. Everyone deserves to have unrestricted and secure access to the internet, and this can only be achieved through a reliable VPN.
Online security starts with a click.
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