Does ExpressVPN, NordVPN or any other major VPN still work in China? If you are currently in China, you’re probably aware of how difficult it is to connect to a virtual private network 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 they no longer work in China?
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 January 2025, 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 in China that dedicates significant resources to serving the Chinese market and making sure users can access blocked sites.
Personally, I use NordVPN and ExpressVPN right now – both of which have been incredibly reliable for me this past year. That said, my “primary VPN in China” 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.
Understanding VPNs and China’s Internet Restrictions
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a technology that allows internet users to create a secure and encrypted VPN connection between their device and a VPN server. This connection enables users to access the internet securely and privately, protecting their internet traffic from eavesdropping, interception, and censorship.
VPNs are commonly used to bypass internet restrictions around the world, access geo-blocked content, and maintain online anonymity. By routing your internet traffic through a VPN server, you can mask your real IP address and appear as if you are browsing from a different location, which is particularly useful in countries with strict censorship like China. This kind of VPN connection is what allows you to stream georestricted content or access blocked sites.
China’s Internet Censorship – Big Brother!
China’s internet censorship, also known as the Great Firewall of China, is a complex system of internet restrictions and surveillance implemented by the Chinese government. The Great Firewall blocks access to a wide range of websites, apps, and online services, including social media platforms, news outlets, and streaming services.
The Chinese government uses various techniques, including IP blocking, DNS filtering, and keyword filtering, to enforce its internet censorship policies. VPNs are often used to bypass these restrictions and access blocked content. However, the Chinese government continuously updates its methods to detect and block VPN connections, making it a constant challenge for VPN providers to stay ahead and is why users often complain that their VPN disconnects unexpectedly
Choosing a VPN Provider for China
For the sake of your internet security and the sanity of your time in China, how can you choose a VPN service that will work in China? Here are some thoughts:
VPN Companies and Their Capabilities
When choosing a VPN provider for China, it’s essential to consider several factors, including the provider’s ability to bypass the Great Firewall, its server locations, and its encryption protocols for online security. A reliable VPN company should have a strong track record of evading China’s censorship, a large network of servers located outside of China, and robust encryption protocols to protect user data.
These requirements are also why a free VPN often doesn’t work well in China – it takes too much effort and money to maintain operations for users in the country. It’s tempting to try a free VPN, but if you really want a reliable internet connection, it’s worth the extra expense.
Some popular VPN services that work in China include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark. These providers offer a range of features, including:
- Advanced obfuscation techniques to evade China’s Great Firewall
- Large network of VPN server location options outside of China
- Robust encryption protocols, such as AES-256 and OpenVPN
- User-friendly apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices
- 24/7 customer support
ExpressVPN, for instance, is known for its reliability and speed with its VPN connection, making it a favorite among expats and travelers in China. NordVPN offers a vast network of servers and strong security features, while Surfshark provides excellent value with its affordable pricing and unlimited device connections.
When selecting a VPN provider for China, it’s crucial to choose a provider that has a proven track record of bypassing the Great Firewall and protecting user data. Look for providers that offer regular updates, responsive customer support, responsive VPN websites, and a money-back guarantee to ensure you have a backup plan if one service fails.
Tips for Good VPN Connection in China in 2025 (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.
- Make Sure Your VPN App is Updated
One of the best ways to make sure your VPN apps work in China is to keep them 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
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.
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.
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 you find that you aren’t able to connect to a server, try changing to a different server location or VPN protocol.
If VPNs Work in China, What Are They Blocking with Internet Censorship?
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. This is because the sudden exposure of a user’s real IP address, by switching back to a VPN server IP address, can lead to detection by surveillance systems such as the Great Firewall. 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? Express 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.
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.
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.
