Does YouTube Work in China? How to Watch in 2025 (it’s Blocked)

YouTube is blocked in China – that’s been the reality for more than a decade. Whether you just want to stream your favorite YouTube videos or you need to upload videos while you’re in China, your biggest challenge is internet censorship, which severely limits internet access. Thankfully, there are ways around this censorship and we’re going to cover a couple of those options here.

---

---

When it comes to being censored within China, YouTube is in good company. There are plenty of other apps and website such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and even WhatsApp in China that have been axed by the powers-that-be in Beijing.

China has taken a particular dislike to anything having to do with Google.

YouTube (which is owned by Google) is just one of many Google-related services blocked in China. In China you can’t access the Google homepage, use Google Docs or check your Gmail.

Accessing YouTube in China is slightly different than most of these other websites for one reason: watching or uploading a video on YouTube takes a lot of bandwidth and high internet speeds.

In this guide, we’re going to answer the following questions:

Use the navigation links above to jump to the answer to your specific question or continue scrolling to read more.

Note: This article contains affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I will be compensated if you use some of these services I recommend.

Is YouTube Blocked in China?

Yes, YouTube is blocked in China and has been since March 24, 2009. The Chinese government has a long-standing policy of internet censorship, often referred to as the Great Firewall of China, which restricts access to many foreign websites and social media platforms, including YouTube.

If you were to type in “YouTube.com” into your internet browser while in China, your computer would spend about 30 seconds trying to make a connection and then serve you with the following message: This site can’t be reached. Now, 14+ years after YouTube in China was first censored, there’s no reason to believe that it will ever be unblocked.

The blocking of YouTube is part of a broader effort by the Chinese government to control the flow of information and maintain social stability.

As a result, accessing YouTube in China requires the use of a virtual private network (VPN) to bypass these restrictions. VPNs work by encrypting your internet connection and routing it through a server located outside of China, allowing you to access blocked websites like YouTube as if you were in another country.

How to Watch YouTube in China (tutorial)

Don’t worry: you won’t get in trouble for using a VPN in China and as you saw above, it’s incredibly easy to set up.

Again, I’ve already covered a number of recommended VPNs for China, but for the purpose of watching YouTube in China, I have used and recommend:

• NordVPN: Historically the most reliable VPN for China (I’ve used it for over 7 years now). It’s a premium app but is reasonably priced.
• Surfshark: Although considerably younger than ExpressVPN, I’ve had great success using YouTube in China while on Surfshark. They offer a great value for the service.

You’ll want to make sure that you download the apps on your devices before you enter China. It’s terribly hard to do so once you’ve already landed here!

Accessing YouTube in China with a VPN App

Accessing YouTube in China with a VPN app is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. First, you need to choose a reliable VPN provider that has a proven track record of bypassing the Great Firewall of China. Once you have selected a VPN provider, download and install their VPN app on your device. Most reputable VPN providers offer dedicated apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

After installing the VPN app, launch it and log in using your account credentials. Next, connect to a VPN server located outside of China. This is a crucial step because connecting to a server in a country where YouTube is not blocked will allow you to access the platform without any restrictions. Once connected, open your browser or YouTube app, and you should be able to watch and upload YouTube videos without any issues.

It’s important to note that not all VPN apps are created equal. Some may not work effectively in China due to the advanced censorship techniques employed by the Chinese government. Therefore, it’s essential to choose a VPN provider with robust security features, such as strong encryption and a kill switch, to protect your online activities and ensure a stable VPN connection.

Can I Use SmartDNS to Stream YouTube?

I’ve have some people ask me if using something like SmartDNS will allow them access YouTube in China.

Sadly, it won’t.

SmartDNS works for geo-restricted content such as Netflix, Pandora or even to watch Hulu in China. It spoofs your location in order to bypass restrictions on the provider end (because of licensing agreements).

However, since YouTube is actively blocked in China, SmartDNS won’t help. To unblock YouTube in China, you will need to use a reliable VPN service. You’ll have to use a VPN.

YouTube Alternatives in China

While YouTube is blocked in China, there are several alternative video-sharing platforms that you can use to watch and share videos. These platforms are popular among Chinese users and offer a wide range of content, although they are subject to government censorship. Here are some of the most popular YouTube alternatives in China:

• Youku: Often referred to as the “Chinese YouTube,” Youku offers a vast library of content, including movies, TV shows, music videos, and user-generated content. It’s one of the most popular video-sharing platforms in China.
• iQiyi: Known for its high-quality streaming service, iQiyi offers a variety of content, including TV shows, movies, and original productions. It’s often compared to Netflix and has a large user base in China.
• Bilibili: Popular among younger generations, Bilibili is a video-sharing platform that focuses on anime, comics, and gaming videos. It also features a unique “bullet comments” system, where users can post real-time comments that appear on the video screen.
• Tencent Video (WeTV): As one of the largest video streaming services in China, Tencent Video offers a wide range of content, including TV shows, movies, and original series. It’s known for its extensive library and high-quality streaming.

While these platforms provide a variety of content, it’s important to remember that they are heavily censored and may not offer the same level of free and open access as YouTube. However, they can be a good alternative if you’re looking for local content while in China.

How to Upload Videos to YouTube in China

For a while, I used to upload incredible travel videos to YouTube on my FarWestChina YouTube Travel Channel (check it out…they’re awesome videos!).

At times, the uploading has been really, really slow. As in, I had to leave the computer overnight to upload.

Other times, uploading has taken only a few minutes.

VPNs naturally slow down your internet connection. Since you have to use a VPN or proxy to access YouTube in China, it’s not surprising that it takes so long to upload here.

Here are a few tips that I’ve learned as I’ve uploaded videos to YouTube:

• It’s best to upload at off-peak times. In other words, avoid late afternoon and evening when everybody is getting on the internet after work.
• Try different networks/servers. Sometimes you’ll get a faster upload on your home network, sometimes you can get blazing speeds at your local coffee shop. You can also connect to different servers and protocols with your VPN to increase speeds.
• Be patient. It can be frustrating…I know. As long as you know what you’re getting into and you’re patient, you’ll be fine.

But don’t worry – you can upload videos to YouTube in China!

Tips for Streaming Video in China

Your primary concern when wanting to stream video from services like YouTube or even Netflix in China is internet speed.

Regardless of what method you eventually use to circumvent the blocking of YouTube, your number one priority is speed.

There are a couple of things you can do to make sure that you’re accessing the internet in China at the highest possible speed. This includes:

• Check Your Current Speed: Visit a website like SpeedTest.net to determine your internet speed. According to Google’s YouTube support page, you will need at least 1+ Mbps (Megabits per second) in download speeds, although you’ll want more like 3-5 Mbps if you want high quality videos for YouTube in China. If you test your internet speed and it isn’t fast enough, you need to either find a different network or find a way to upgrade your network.
• Close Other Apps: Once you’ve determined that your internet is fast enough, you’ll probably want to close other browser tabs which might be silently using up your internet bandwidth in the background. Every little bit helps!
• Stay Updated: Make sure that your browser and operating system are as up-to-date as they can be. Each new update not only includes security patches, it’s also usually faster.

In the end, you need to make sure you set up a VPN that has both high enough speeds and can bypass the internet censorship in China. I usually recommend that people download and install two VPNs prior to arriving in China since they don’t always work the same in every city in China.

If you decide to get two, choose ones that offer a 30 day money back guarantee in case they don’t work as well as you had hoped in China.

Risks of Accessing YouTube Without a VPN

Accessing YouTube without a VPN in China can expose you to several risks, both in terms of online security and privacy. Here are some of the key risks you should be aware of:

• Internet Censorship: The Chinese government actively monitors and censors internet activity. If you attempt to access YouTube without a VPN, you risk being detected by the authorities, which could lead to consequences such as fines or other penalties.
• Data Theft: Without the protection of a VPN, your internet activity can be intercepted by hackers and cybercriminals. This puts your personal data, such as login credentials and financial information, at risk of being stolen.
• Malware and Viruses: Accessing YouTube through untrusted methods or websites can expose your device to malware and viruses. These malicious programs can compromise your online security and lead to data loss or other issues.
• ISP Throttling: Your internet service provider (ISP) may throttle your internet speed if they detect that you are trying to access blocked websites like YouTube. This can result in slower internet speeds and a frustrating browsing experience.

To avoid these risks, it’s essential to use a reliable VPN provider that offers robust security features and a strong VPN connection. A good VPN will encrypt your internet traffic, making it difficult for anyone to monitor or intercept your online activities. This ensures that you can access YouTube safely and securely while in China.

Final Thoughts on Using YouTube in China

It’s quite possible to use YouTube in China – as well as the hundreds of other websites and apps that are blocked in China. This includes popular social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Make sure you’ve done your research and get setup with a VPN before you travel to China. I recommend both NordVPN and Surfshark, although there are plenty of others that work as well.

It takes a little bit of creativity and a little bit of patience, but being able to share your videos on YouTube can be worth the effort.