If you’re heading to China for work, study, or even just a short trip, one of the first things you’ll hear about is the Great Firewall: China’s sophisticated internet censorship system that blocks access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and tons of other services you probably use every day.

You may have heard that an easy way to access blocked websites is by using a virtual private network, or VPN. A VPN lets you connect to a server in another country, so you can have full access to websites in your chosen country that are regionally blocked.

But here’s the thing, when it comes to China, you can’t just download any VPN and be good to go. Most VPNs simply don’t work in China, and those that do are constantly playing cat and mouse with the Chinese government’s blocking efforts.

That’s why I recommend using ExpressVPN to access International websites from China. Not only is it fast and user-friendly, but most importantly, ExpressVPN works in China.

Keep in mind, if you want ExpressVPN (or any VPN, really) to work once you’re inside China, you need to prepare ahead of time, since most VPN websites are blocked in China.

Read on to learn more about how to use ExpressVPN to access restricted networks in China, including the exact steps you should take before you land.

Key takeaways

1. The Chinese government engages in heavy Internet censorship.
2. Many common sites, including social media, news outlets, messaging apps, and search engines, are blocked by the Great Firewall of China.
3. ExpressVPN can bypass internet restrictions and give you full access to the Internet in China.
4. You’ll need to download the ExpressVPN app onto your device before you get to China, since ExpressVPN is blocked in China.

Is ExpressVPN working in China?

Yes! In fact, ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs out there that work in China.

Not only can ExpressVPN bypass China’s Great Firewall, so you can enjoy unrestricted access to the internet, but since it doesn’t have any VPN servers in China itself, it doesn’t have to comply with China’s data retention laws.

Plus, having all of their servers outside of mainland China reduces the risk that China will bug ExpressVPN’s hardware, which has occurred both with Apple and Amazon servers.

You also know you’re data is safe using ExpressVPN, since it comes with a verified no-logs policy, military grade encryption, and ExpressVPN’s Kill Switch (Network Lock).

What is ExpressVPN’s performance like in China?

I’m really impressed with ExpressVPN’s performance in China. It easily gets past China’s internet restrictions, so I can access sites like Facebook, Instagram, US Netflix, WhatsApp, and really anything else I want.

It’s also got good speed, so I can quickly connect to the sites I want and enjoy smooth, uninterrupted messaging, streaming, and VoIP calling.

I especially love how easy it is to use. The apps are intuitively designed, and unlike many VPN providers, all of the VPN servers offer obfuscation, which makes your VPN traffic look like typical Internet traffic. So there are no extra steps you need to take to hide your VPN usage.

It’s ExpressVPN’s high performance and simplicity that make it my number one pick for full Internet freedom in China.

ExpressVPN overview and features 

Overall, ExpressVPN is a first-rate VPN service and my personal favorite VPN for China. It offers the gold standard in internet security and privacy, easily accesses blocked sites, provides blazing fast speeds, and is incredibly easy to set up and use.

Features: I love all the high-end features that make Express exceptionally effective in China, including built-in obfuscation on all of its servers, which makes your VPN traffic look like ordinary internet traffic, an essential feature if you want to get past China’s Great Firewall. Its proprietary Lightway protocol has the speed, stability, and stealth you need for China. Plus, ExpressVPN regularly rotates server IPs to avoid detection and blocking by the Great Firewall. It’s also got over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, including server locations close to China like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan.

Speed: I’m really impressed with ExpressVPN’s internet speed. In fact, it’s one of the fastest VPNs I’ve tested. While some decrease in speed is to be expected any time you connect to a VPN, Express keeps it to a minimum. I held on to 95% of my baseline speed on local connections and 78% of my baseline download speed when I connected overseas, which is considered quite good.

Privacy and security: Express has everything in place to keep users’ online activities private and secure, from its independently verified strict no-logs policy to its military-grade AES-256 bit encryption. ExpressVPN’s Network Lock kill switch will protect you from accidental leaks if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly, and it comes with robust IP & DNS leak protection.

Performance: I consistently get fast, reliable VPN connections that support smooth and uninterrupted browsing, streaming, VoIP calls, and more. It’s why I count on ExpressVPN for all of my online activities.

Streaming: I’ve found Express to be one of the most reliable VPNs when it comes to unblocking streaming platforms from China, including sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more!

Compatibility: The ExpressVPN apps are simple to use and intuitively designed, and they have apps for all of the common devices, including laptops, desktops, smart TVs, mobile devices, and more. Each subscription comes with 8 simultaneous connections, or you can install ExpressVPN on your router and cover all of your devices at once.

Pricing: If you’re looking for the best pricing, sign up for the 24-month plan. You’ll pay $4.99 per month, and it includes 4 months free. You’ve got 30 days to test it out, and if it’s not the best VPN for your needs, just cancel and get your money back.

Do this first to be able to use ExpressVPN in China.

If you want to use ExpressVPN in China, I highly recommend that you install the ExpressVPN app on your device before you arrive in the country.

ExpressVPN is not available in China, and access is blocked by China’s firewall, so getting the VPN app onto your device becomes a lot more complicated once you’re in China.

If you missed that opportunity or reside in mainland China, you’ll need to find a working mirror site to use ExpressVPN, which you can get by emailing ExpressVPN’s customer support.

How to download ExpressVPN if you’re already in China (Possible solutions) 

Since ExpressVPN is blocked in China, downloading it once you’re already in the country can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. Here are some options:

• Mirror link. Contact ExpressVPN’s customer support at [email protected] and ask them to send you an updated mirror link that can download the app in China.
• International hotel networks. Some users have had success downloading ExpressVPN using International hotel Wi-Fi networks, which typically have fewer restrictions.
• Mobile data. When you use an eSIM or international roaming, your connection will be sent via servers outside of China, which may bypass local restrictions.
• Region change. You can change your region on your smartphone to a different country, just be sure to change your billing info to match the country you choose. If you’ve got an Android device, you’ll need an APK file from a mirror site to make the switch.
• File sharing. Ask a friend outside of China to sign up for you.

ExpressVPN not working in China: Troubleshooting 

Having trouble using ExpressVPN in China? Assuming you installed the app onto your device before arriving in the country, here are some tricks that may get ExpressVPN working for you.

• Switch servers. Some servers will work better than others, so it’s worth trying different ones, remembering the closer it is, the better your speed will be.
• Change VPN protocols. Go to settings and try changing from the automatic protocol to either Lightway or OpenVPN.
• Check the China Status Page. This site is blocked in China, but if you’ve got a friend who can look for you, it has recommendations on the best servers and protocols for use in China.

Alternative VPN services that work in China 

While ExpressVPN is my personal favorite VPN for China, thanks to its high level of reliability and easy-to-use apps, it’s not the only VPN provider that works in China.

NordVPN, Surfshark, Astrill VPN, and VyprVPN are all reliable VPN providers with a proven ability to get past internet censorship, including the Great Firewall of China, while also providing the high-level security and privacy features you need to protect your data from government surveillance.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN for China: What’s better?

Overall, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are excellent VPN services with a proven ability to work in China. Each service comes with a verified no-logs policy and military grade encryption, as well as a kill switch to make sure none of your data leaks, even if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

When it comes to speed, both VPNs are exceptionally fast, though NordVPN comes out a bit ahead in this category, largely thanks to their proprietary NordLynx protocol. However, ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol isn’t far behind when it comes to speed.

The NordVPN server network is larger than ExpressVPN’s, with over 7,000 servers in 118 countries as compared to 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Both VPNs have servers near China in countries like Hong Kong and Japan.

If you want the ability to customize your VPN connection, NordVPN has a few more options available to its users, like a double-hop mode, Onion over VPN, Meshnet, and an option for dedicated IP addresses.

The reason I prefer ExpressVPN to NordVPN is how simple it is to use. The desktop and mobile apps have a clean, simple, and intuitive design that I love. I also like that all of the VPN servers are obfuscated, which is what you need for use in China. With NordVPN, you need hand hand-select obfuscated servers, or enable obfuscation in the settings, which is a bit more work.

ExpressVPN does cost a bit more than NordVPN, at $4.99/month as compared to $3.39/month for the 2-year plan. I think it’s worth it, but if you’re looking to save some cash, NordVPN is a solid choice.

FAQ

Does ExpressVPN work in China?

Yes. ExpressVPN works in China.

Not only does it reliably get past the Great Firewall of China, but it also offers the gold standard in privacy and security features, keeping your data safe from government surveillance.

Its fast and stable connections offer a strong performance for browsing, streaming, messaging, and VoIP calling.

Just remember to download and install the app from the ExpressVPN website, the Apple App Store, or the Google Play Store before you get to China!

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Does ExpressVPN have servers in China?

No. ExpressVPN does not have servers in China. That’s because any server on mainland China could potentially be bugged by the Chinese government, making your online activities vulnerable to government surveillance.

It does host servers in nearby locations, including Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Japan, which are close enough to still give you excellent speed while you’re connected.

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Is it illegal to use ExpressVPN in China?

Yes. ExpressVPN is not licensed by the Chinese government, which violates Chinese regulations.

While VPN use is not legal in China, enforcement of these regulations against individual users has been inconsistent.

There have been isolated incidents of legal action, such as a 2019 case where an individual was fined 1,000 yuan (approximately 140 USD) for using a VPN, however, these occurrences are rare. The Chinese authorities primarily focus on penalizing VPN providers, not the individual users.

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How do I download ExpressVPN in China?

It’s best to download ExpressVPN from outside of China, since ExpressVPN is blocked by China’s firewall.

If that’s not an option, you can get a mirror link that you can download in China by emailing customer support at [email protected]. Or, if you like to travel, take a quick trip over to Hong Kong and download the app from there!

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Is ExpressVPN owned by a Chinese company?

No. ExpressVPN is not owned by a Chinese company. It is owned by Kape Technologies, a cybersecurity company based in the United Kingdom.

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Does NordVPN work in China?

Yes. NordVPN works in China.

Not only does NordVPN work in China, but it also offers the same high-end security and privacy features you get with ExpressVPN. It’s also incredibly fast, so you can count on good performance, and it has servers in 118 countries, including ones close to China, like Hong Kong, and Japan.

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Does Surfshark work in China?

Yes. Surfshark will work in China.

Surshark is the best budget VPN for China. It’s got all the VPN software needed to get past China’s firewall, and high-end security features to keep your data private and secure.

You can get a 2-year subscription for just $1.99/month, and it includes unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can cover your whole household under your plan.

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What are the best VPNs for China?

The best VPNs for China are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark, with ExpressVPN being my number one choice.

While my personal favorite is ExpressVPN, the others have some nice features that may be better for your personal needs, like NordVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, Nordlynx, which makes it arguably the fastest VPN on the market.

Surfshark VPN is the best budget VPN out there for Internet users looking for a reliable way to access the Internet in China, without having to spend a lot. And it comes with unlimited simultaneous devices, so you can connect your entire network for one low cost.

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What services are blocked in China?

There are tens of thousands of blocked domains in China, from messaging apps and Google Maps to news outlets. Here are some of the more popular ones, but this list doesn’t come close to covering them all.

Streaming platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Spotify, YouTube, etc.

Cloud storage: Google Drive, Google Docs, Mega, etc.

Messaging services: Gmail, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp, etc.

News outlets: BBC, Bloomberg, NBC, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, etc.

Search Engines: Bing, DuckDuckGo, Google, Yahoo, etc.

Social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.

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Conclusion

So, does ExpressVPN work in China? Yes, but be sure you set it up before you go. The biggest mistake people make is waiting until they’re already behind the Great Firewall, only to find that they can’t even access the ExpressVPN website to download it.

Now, if you’re already in China, you do have some options open to you, like using a mirror site, but it’s a bit more complicated, so you’re much better off taking care of everything ahead of time.

I’ve found that ExpressVPN is the most consistent, reliable, and simple to use VPN for China thanks to its built-in obfuscation, Lightway protocol, and proven ability to stay one step ahead of censors. I’ve read countless firsthand accounts and test results by VPN experts confirming that ExpressVPN continues to perform even during heavy crackdowns, something few VPNs can claim.

If you’re planning a trip to China and want reliable connections and full access to the Internet, do yourself a favor and sign up for a quality VPN, like ExpressVPN, and be sure to download and install the VPN app ahead of time. It could be the difference between staying connected and being digitally cut off for your entire stay.