Why a VPN is non-negotiable
China blocks Google (Gmail, Maps, YouTube), WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Reddit, Wikipedia, most Western news, and thousands of other services. Not "sometimes" — completely. Without a VPN, you cannot check email, message family abroad, or access anything in English. The VPN is the single most important tool for any visitor.
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Get the Complete Guide for $19.99Quick comparison table
| VPN | Works in China? | Speed | 1-month price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | Yes | Fast | $12.95 | Beginners, reliability |
| Astrill | Yes | Fastest | $15.00 | Long stays, streaming |
| NordVPN | Inconsistent | Medium | $12.99 | Budget (yearly plan) |
| Surfshark | Rarely | Slow | $10.99 | Backup only |
| eSIM | Yes (bypass) | Medium | $15-40 | Hassle-free setup |
Important: the firewall updates constantly. Every provider has had downtime. Carrying two different VPNs is the safest strategy — if one goes down, switch to the backup.
ExpressVPN — most consistent
Why it works:
- Proprietary Lightway protocol — traffic looks like regular HTTPS, evades firewall detection
- One-click connect, no technical knowledge needed
- Nearby servers: Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan (China), South Korea
- 24/7 live chat support. Kill switch and auto-connect built in.
Downsides:
- More expensive than competitors on monthly plan
- Some servers get blocked periodically (ExpressVPN rotates IPs to compensate)
Best for: First-time visitors who want "install and forget." Connect to Japan or Hong Kong, and it usually just works.
Astrill — fastest, for power users
Why it works:
- Purpose-built for China — what expats and long-term residents use
- OpenWeb protocol engineered specifically for the Great Firewall
- Dedicated "China Optimized" servers — tuned for the firewall, not just nearby
- Fastest speeds in China. Router applet for whole-home VPN.
Downsides:
- Clunky, outdated interface — steep learning curve
- Mac installation requires extra system extension approval
- Customer support slower than ExpressVPN
Best for: Long stays (2+ weeks), business travelers, anyone needing consistently high speeds.
NordVPN — solid but unpredictable
Pros:
- Obfuscated servers (must manually enable in settings)
- Best annual pricing among premium VPNs
- 5,900+ servers — if one gets blocked, there are backups
Cons:
- Inconsistent — works for days, then stops for hours
- Firewall targets NordVPN aggressively
- Requires trial and error switching servers
Best for: Travelers who already have a NordVPN subscription. Don't buy it specifically for China.
Surfshark — budget backup only
Pros:
- Cheapest option. Unlimited devices — share with companions.
- NoBorders mode designed for restricted regions
Cons:
- Works less than 50% of the time in China
- Slow speeds even when connected
- Not recommended as your only VPN
Best for: Only as a backup. Never your primary VPN for China.
eSIM alternative — the firewall bypass
Travel eSIMs that route data through Hong Kong or Macau bypass the firewall entirely. Your phone gets a Hong Kong IP — Google, WhatsApp, Instagram all work without installing a VPN. This is increasingly popular for short trips.
- Holafly: Unlimited data. $19/5 days, $34/10 days. QR code setup.
- Airalo (China Discover): $15/3GB, $28/5GB, $50/10GB (30-day).
- Ubigi: $8/1GB, $23/3GB, $58/10GB. Best rural coverage.
Read our full eSIM vs VPN comparison guide →
How to set up (step-by-step)
- Buy and install at home. Do everything before your flight: download the app, create account, pay, log in, test.
- Test at home. Connect to Japan or Hong Kong. Verify Google and YouTube load. This confirms the app actually works.
- Enable kill switch / auto-connect. If the VPN drops, your internet cuts off — preventing accidental unprotected browsing.
- Save credentials offline. Write down your VPN login. If logged out in China, you can't reset because the VPN website is blocked.
- Install a backup VPN. Two is one, one is none. ExpressVPN + Surfshark, or Astrill + NordVPN.
- Connect before opening any app. When you land, turn on your VPN first — then open Gmail, WhatsApp, etc.
5 common mistakes
- "I'll download it when I arrive." — You can't. VPN websites and app store downloads are blocked in China.
- "My free VPN will work." — Free VPNs lack obfuscation and are the first to be blocked. Never use a free VPN in China.
- "One VPN is enough." — Even ExpressVPN occasionally goes down. A backup VPN costs $3-5/month.
- "I'll use hotel Wi-Fi with my VPN." — Hotel Wi-Fi often requires SMS verification through a Chinese number you don't have.
- "I don't need it — I'll use Baidu." — Baidu replaces Google, but you still can't access Gmail, banking apps, or message anyone abroad.
Which one should you buy?
| Your situation | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Short trip (1-7 days) | eSIM (Holafly/Airalo) + ExpressVPN backup |
| Standard trip (1-3 weeks) | ExpressVPN primary + Surfshark backup |
| Long stay (1+ month) | Astrill primary + ExpressVPN backup |
| Budget traveler | NordVPN annual plan + Surfshark backup |
| Already have NordVPN | Try NordVPN first, add ExpressVPN if it fails |
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