China's Great Firewall (GFW) blocks Google, Facebook, WhatsApp, and thousands of other sites. If you're traveling to or living in China, a VPN is the only practical way to reach them.
Most VPNs don't work in China, though. The GFW uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to identify and kill standard VPN connections. What you need is traffic obfuscation, a technique that disguises VPN data as normal HTTPS traffic so the firewall can't tell the difference.
We tested the seven best VPN for China options that can actually get through. This guide covers the specific technology each provider uses, how they perform on the ground, device support, and what you'll pay. Whether you need Gmail for work, WhatsApp to call home, or just want to scroll Instagram, one of these will get the job done.
1. Tegant VPN
Tegant VPN was built specifically for countries with heavy censorship, which makes it a strong pick as the best VPN for China. The entire service is designed around getting through network filtering that would block most other providers.
It runs two protocols: WireGuard for speed when you just want a fast connection, and V2Ray/XRay for obfuscation when you need to get past deep packet inspection. You pick whichever fits the situation.
Key strengths for China users
The V2Ray/XRay protocol, available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, is the main reason Tegant works in China. It uses xtls-rprx-vision-reality with decoy SSL fallbacks. In practice, this makes your VPN traffic look like ordinary HTTPS browsing, so the Great Firewall’s automated filters don’t flag it.
Where most VPNs cut in and out, Tegant’s obfuscation keeps the connection stable. The app labels which servers are optimized for censored regions, so you’re not guessing which one to pick.
Performance and server network
Some servers run at 10 Gbps, fast enough for 4K streaming on BBC iPlayer or low-latency gaming. Not every server hits that speed, but the app marks which ones do, so you know what you're connecting to before you tap.
User experience and pricing
The app is straightforward on Apple devices, where the full V2Ray/XRay feature set lives. Protocol switching and server selection take a couple of taps. There's a free tier with ads and time limits, enough to confirm it works in China before you pay.
Premium plans come in weekly, monthly, and yearly options, handy if you're just visiting for a week. Android users get WireGuard and the no-log policy but not the V2Ray obfuscation (yet).
Core Features at a Glance
Feature | Details | Benefit for China Users |
|---|---|---|
Obfuscation Protocol | V2Ray/XRay with xtls-rprx-vision-reality | Gets past the Great Firewall's DPI filters. |
Server Speeds | Up to 10 Gbps servers | Fast enough for 4K streaming and gaming. |
Privacy Policy | No-Log Policy | No activity logs recorded or shared. |
Access Model | Freemium | Test it in China before paying. |
Device Support | Apple & Android | Full obfuscation on Apple; WireGuard on Android. |
Pros:
V2Ray/XRay obfuscation that reliably bypasses the Great Firewall.
10 Gbps WireGuard servers for streaming and gaming.
No-log policy.
Free tier so you can test it in China before buying.
Cons:
V2Ray/XRay advanced protocol features are currently limited to Apple devices.
Some servers operate below 10 Gbps, but these are clearly marked.
Website: https://tegant.com
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN keeps showing up on "best VPN for China" lists because it keeps working. Its proprietary Lightway protocol handles both speed and obfuscation, and the obfuscation turns on automatically. You don't need to dig through settings or pick special servers.
The apps run on pretty much everything: phones, laptops, smart TVs, routers. For expats and travelers, you install it, open it, and get back to Gmail and WhatsApp without configuring anything.
Key features and performance
All ExpressVPN servers run on RAM only (TrustedServer), so nothing is written to disk and everything wipes on reboot. They have servers near China in Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, which usually give the lowest latency from inside the country.
Obfuscation: Automatic when the protocol is set to "Automatic." No manual toggling needed.
Lightway Protocol: Their in-house protocol, lighter and faster than OpenVPN.
Device Support: Up to 8 simultaneous connections. Aircove routers come with ExpressVPN built in.
Customer Support: 24/7 live chat, useful when you’re stuck in a hotel in Shenzhen at midnight.
Pricing and practical tips
It's expensive. No way around that. But the 30-day money-back guarantee means you can test it for a full month in China and get your money back if it doesn't hold up.
Install the app before your trip since the website is blocked inside China. One thing worth knowing: the "Smart Location" auto-pick doesn't always work well behind the Great Firewall. Manually choosing a Japan or Singapore server often gets better results. If your connection drops entirely, we've written a separate guide on why your VPN might not work in China and how to fix it.
Website: https://www.expressvpn.com
3. NordVPN
NordVPN has dedicated "Obfuscated Servers" specifically for getting past DPI, the same technique China's Great Firewall uses to block VPN traffic. Its NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) handles the speed side, so you're not sacrificing performance for stealth.
To use it, you go to the specialty server list in the app and pick "Obfuscated Servers." That's it. NordVPN also includes Threat Protection, which blocks malware and trackers while you browse.
Key features and performance
NordVPN has thousands of servers worldwide, but the ones that matter in China are the Obfuscated Servers. There aren’t as many of them as regular servers, but they’re actively maintained for censored regions. Meshnet is a nice bonus: it lets you create a private network between your own devices, so you can access files on your home computer while abroad.
Obfuscated Servers: Found in the specialty server list. Disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS.
NordLynx Protocol: WireGuard-based, fast, minimal speed loss. Good for video calls.
Bundled Extras: Higher-tier plans include NordPass (password manager) and NordLocker (encrypted storage).
Customer Support: 24/7 live chat for when things break at inconvenient times.
Pricing and practical tips
The monthly price is steep, but the two-year plan brings the cost way down. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Before you travel: install the app, go to settings, switch the protocol to OpenVPN (TCP), then connect to an Obfuscated Server and confirm it works. If one server location is slow or blocked, try Japan or Singapore. Save the support team's contact info somewhere you can access offline.
Website: https://www.nordvpn.com
4. Surfshark
Surfshark's main selling point is unlimited simultaneous connections. One subscription covers your phone, laptop, tablet, partner's phone, and your kid's iPad. All of them. For a family heading to China, that's hard to beat on price.
Its "Camouflage Mode" disguises VPN traffic as regular browsing, and "NoBorders Mode" automatically detects when you're on a restricted network and suggests the best servers for that situation.
Key features and performance
Dynamic MultiHop routes your traffic through two servers instead of one. CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers, which also speeds up browsing a bit since you're loading less junk.
Camouflage Mode: Activates automatically on the OpenVPN protocol. Obfuscates your traffic for use in China.
Unlimited Devices: One account covers every device you own.
Dynamic MultiHop: Routes traffic through two servers you pick, harder to trace.
Pricing: One of the cheapest long-term VPN plans available.
Pricing and practical tips
Surfshark's long-term plans cost a fraction of ExpressVPN or Astrill. The 30-day money-back guarantee gives you time to test it from inside China. Fair warning: performance can dip during major GFW crackdowns, but the price and unlimited devices keep people coming back.
Before your trip, install the app and manually switch the protocol to OpenVPN (TCP) so Camouflage Mode kicks in. If you hit problems, their 24/7 support can point you to servers that are currently working for China users. Surfshark One bundles also throw in antivirus and a data breach alert system if you want the full package.
Website: https://www.surfshark.com
5. Astrill VPN
Astrill is the VPN you hear about from people who've actually lived in China for years. It's not the one you see in YouTube ads. Expats and long-term residents pass the name around because it works when other services drop out, thanks to its proprietary StealthVPN and OpenWeb protocols.
If your job depends on having internet access in China, this is the kind of service you look at. Business users, journalists, and people who can't afford a connection dropping mid-call tend to end up here.
Key features and performance
StealthVPN resists deep packet inspection. OpenWeb is a lighter, browser-based protocol for quick web browsing. The optional VIP add-on gives you Asia-optimized servers with prioritized traffic, which makes a noticeable difference in latency if you’re in mainland China.
Proprietary Protocols: StealthVPN for obfuscation, OpenWeb for fast browsing.
VIP Add-on: Asia-optimized servers with lower latency. Costs extra.
App Guard: Locks specific apps so they only connect through the VPN. Prevents accidental data leaks.
Router Support: Applet for compatible routers to protect your whole network.
Pricing and practical tips
Astrill is expensive, and there's no standard money-back guarantee, just a limited 7-day free trial on some servers. This is a service for people who've already tried cheaper options and found them unreliable. If you need it, you'll know you need it.
Install the app before entering China. Turn on App Guard for anything sensitive so those apps can't connect without the VPN. Also worth checking that your setup doesn't have DNS leaks, which can expose your browsing even with the VPN running. We cover that in our guide on how to prevent DNS leaks.
Website: https://www.astrill.com
6. Proton VPN
Proton VPN is Swiss-based, open-source, and independently audited multiple times. If transparency matters to you more than anything else, Proton is the best VPN for China in that category. They built a dedicated Stealth protocol specifically for getting past DPI and censorship.
Secure Core routes your traffic through privacy-hardened servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden before sending it to the exit server. The honest take on Proton in China: it can be inconsistent. Some days it's rock solid, other days it struggles. But they keep improving the Stealth protocol, and the privacy credentials are hard to beat.
Key features and performance
The Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic as ordinary internet traffic to get past network filters. Pair it with Secure Core and NetShield (their ad-blocker), and you have a pretty thorough privacy setup. WireGuard is also available when you want raw speed over stealth.
Stealth Protocol: Built for censored countries. Disguises VPN traffic to evade DPI.
Secure Core: Multi-hop routing through servers in Switzerland, Iceland, or Sweden.
Open Source: All apps are open-source with multiple third-party audits.
Free Tier: A limited free version. Useful for installing the app before you travel, but the Stealth protocol requires a paid plan.
Pricing and practical tips
The free plan won’t get you past the firewall, but it lets you install the app and create your account before traveling. Once in China, you can upgrade to a paid plan to unlock the Stealth protocol. Paid plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If the connection drops, try switching between Stealth and WireGuard, or try servers in Japan or Singapore. Proton’s support team can tell you which servers are currently working best for China users.
Website: https://www.protonvpn.com
7. VyprVPN
VyprVPN's Chameleon protocol scrambles packet metadata so the Great Firewall's DPI can't identify it as VPN traffic. The other thing that sets VyprVPN apart: they own and operate their entire server network and DNS infrastructure. No third-party data centers in the chain.
That self-owned infrastructure means fewer points of failure and no middlemen who might log your traffic. The apps are simple enough: pick Chameleon, connect, and you're accessing YouTube and Google from inside China.
Key features and performance
Chameleon is the protocol you want in China. VyprVPN also supports WireGuard and OpenVPN, but those won’t get past the firewall. Their no-logs policy has been independently audited.
Chameleon Protocol: Masks VPN traffic to bypass DPI. The reason to use VyprVPN in China.
Owned Infrastructure: They own their servers and DNS. No third-party data centers.
Audited No-Logs: Independently verified. No activity or connection logs stored.
Platform Support: Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps.
Pricing and practical tips
Pricing is reasonable, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Global server speeds aren't always the fastest, but the Chameleon protocol tends to work in China when standard VPN connections don't.
In the settings, manually select Chameleon instead of leaving it on "Automatic." The auto setting doesn't always pick the right protocol for China. If you also need to unblock streaming, VyprVPN handles that well. We have a separate guide on how to unblock YouTube with a VPN.
Website: https://www.vyprvpn.com
Top 7 VPNs for China Comparison
VPN Provider | Setup difficulty | What you get | China performance | Best for | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tegant VPN | Moderate – V2Ray/XRay on Apple; WireGuard elsewhere | 10 Gbps servers, V2Ray obfuscation (uTLS, SSL fallbacks) | Reliable. Fast enough for 4K streaming | Heavy censorship countries, Apple users | V2Ray/XRay obfuscation, free tier |
ExpressVPN | Low – auto obfuscation, no config needed | RAM-only servers, large global network | Consistent. Good DPI resistance | Travelers who want something that just works | Lightway protocol, 30-day refund |
NordVPN | Low – pick Obfuscated Servers from the list | NordLynx (WireGuard), bundled password manager | Fast. DPI bypass works well | Speed + security balance | Obfuscated Servers, audited no-logs |
Surfshark | Low – Camouflage Mode auto-activates | Unlimited devices, ad blocking | Decent. Can dip during crackdowns | Families, budget-conscious users | Unlimited devices, cheapest option |
Astrill VPN | High – proprietary protocols, VIP add-on | Premium pricing, Asia-optimized servers | Very reliable. The expat favorite | Long-term residents, business users | StealthVPN, word-of-mouth reputation |
Proton VPN | Moderate – need to enable Stealth manually | Multi-hop, NetShield ad-blocker | Inconsistent. Good days and bad days | Privacy-first users | Open source, multiple audits |
VyprVPN | Moderate – select Chameleon in settings | Self-owned servers and DNS | Reliable where Chameleon is needed | Users who want owned infrastructure | Chameleon protocol, own network |
Your checklist before flying to China
Any VPN won't do. The Great Firewall blocks standard VPN protocols within minutes. Finding the best VPN for China comes down to one thing: does it have obfuscation that can beat DPI? V2Ray, XRay, Chameleon, StealthVPN, Lightway, Stealth -- these are the protocols that work. Plain OpenVPN doesn't.
Pre-travel action plan
You cannot easily download or configure a VPN from inside China. VPN websites and app stores are blocked. Do all of this before your flight.
Install on every device: Laptop, phone, tablet. VPN websites are blocked in China, so you can’t download the app once you arrive.
Test the connection: Connect to servers in the US, UK, and Japan. Confirm you can reach Gmail, WhatsApp, and anything else you’ll need.
Find the obfuscation settings: Know where the stealth/obfuscation toggle is in your app. Some providers turn it on automatically, others make you do it manually.
Install a backup VPN: The Great Firewall adapts constantly. Having a second VPN from a different provider gives you a fallback if your primary goes down.
Save support info offline: Screenshot the support email, setup guides, and manual server details. You’ll need them if you can’t reach the provider’s website.
Download config files: If your provider offers OpenVPN or WireGuard config files, grab them. They’re a last-resort fallback if the app won’t connect.
VPN Pre-Travel Setup and Testing Checklist
To make your preparation methodical, run through this checklist on every single device you are bringing -- your phone, laptop, and tablet. Do not assume setting up one device is enough for all of them.
| Step | Action Required | Why It's Critical |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose & Subscribe | Select a VPN with obfuscation/stealth features designed for China. | Standard VPNs are easily detected and blocked by the Great Firewall. |
| 2. Install on ALL Devices | Download and install the app on your phone, laptop, tablet, etc. | App stores and VPN websites are blocked inside China. |
| 3. Log In & Activate | Open each app and log in with your account details. | An unactivated app is just dead weight on your device. |
| 4. Test Connections | Connect to 3-4 different servers (e.g., Japan, Singapore, USA). | Confirms the app works and you know how to switch servers if one is slow. |
| 5. Save Info Offline | Screenshot support emails, setup guides, or manual server info. | You'll need this info if you can't connect to the VPN's website for help. |
| 6. Get Config Files | If available, download manual config files (e.g., for OpenVPN or WireGuard). | Provides a fallback option if the main app has trouble connecting. |
Troubleshooting VPN issues in China
The Great Firewall isn't static. It gets updated constantly, and a VPN that worked yesterday might struggle today. When your connection drops, work through these steps:
Try these first:
Switch servers: The GFW blocks specific IP addresses. If your current server is flagged, try Japan, South Korea, or Singapore. Test at least three locations before giving up.
Restart your device: Clears network glitches that can interfere with VPN connections.
Switch networks: Toggle between hotel Wi-Fi and cellular data. One often has less aggressive filtering than the other.
If that doesn't work:
Change the protocol: Go to your app's settings and manually pick the stealth protocol (V2Ray, Chameleon, Stealth, etc.). Don't leave it on "Automatic" in China -- that setting doesn't always pick the right option.
Reinstall the app: A system update or network change can corrupt the app's config. If you saved the installer before your trip, a clean reinstall often fixes it.
Working through server, then protocol usually gets you back online. When it doesn't, that's when the backup VPN pays for itself.
Is it legal for tourists to use a VPN in China?
This is the question everyone asks, and the answer is less dramatic than you'd expect. China's enforcement targets people who build and sell unauthorized VPNs inside the country. They're going after the providers, not the foreign tourist checking Gmail.
There are no publicly documented cases of a foreign tourist being fined or detained for personal VPN use. Millions of expats and travelers use them daily. It's a common, unremarkable part of daily life in China.
Still, be sensible:
- Be discreet: Use it for normal stuff -- messaging, social media, work emails. Don't use it for political commentary or illegal content.
- Don't broadcast it: No need to publicly discuss which VPN you're using while you're there.
For a broader look at VPN legality worldwide, our article on whether VPNs are illegal puts the unique situation for travelers in China into context.
SIM cards and eSIMs for travelers
A local Chinese SIM gives you a local number, but your data goes straight through the Great Firewall. You'll still need the VPN for anything blocked.
An international travel eSIM often routes traffic through a server outside China, bypassing the firewall automatically. The trade-off: no local number. Most travelers do well with a VPN plus local Wi-Fi or their home carrier's roaming.
Which VPN should you actually pick?
It depends on what you're doing in China and how long you'll be there.
Business traveler who needs guaranteed uptime for calls and corporate tools? Astrill or Tegant VPN. Expat who mostly wants to stream Netflix and use WhatsApp? ExpressVPN or Surfshark. Privacy above everything else? Proton VPN. Tight budget with a lot of devices? Surfshark, without question.
Whatever you pick, get it set up and tested before you land. The people who struggle with VPNs in China are almost always the ones who didn't prepare.
Tegant VPN uses V2Ray and XRay protocols to get past the Great Firewall where other services fail. Try it with the free tier to see for yourself: Tegant VPN.