๐ซ What's Blocked in China? (2026 List)
China's "Great Firewall" (้ฒ็ซ้ฟๅ) blocks access to many popular Western websites and apps. Here's the current status.
โ Completely Blocked (Need VPN)
- โข Google / Google Search / Gmail
- โข YouTube
- โข Facebook / Instagram / WhatsApp
- โข X (Twitter) / Periscope
- โข TikTok (international version)
- โข Dropbox / Google Drive
- โข The New York Times / Reuters (some content)
- โข Pornhub and adult content sites
โ Accessible (No VPN Needed)
- โข Apple services (iCloud, App Store)
- โข Microsoft services (Outlook, OneDrive)
- โข Amazon (except some AWS services)
- โข Apple Music / Spotify (intermittent)
- โข LinkedIn (modified version)
- โข Bing Search (Microsoft)
- โข Zoom / Skype (intermittent)
- โข Most banking / financial sites
โ ๏ธ Important: Even if a site is technically "accessible," the connection may be slow or unstable. A VPN gives you reliable, fast access to all your favorite services.
๐ก๏ธ Best VPNs for China (2026)
Not all VPNs work in China. The government actively detects and blocks VPN traffic. These are the VPNs that currently work reliably in 2026.
1. ExpressVPN โ Best Overall
Most reliable for China, excellent speed, 24/7 support
Why it's the best: ExpressVPN has consistently worked in China for over 10 years. It uses obfuscated servers that disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, making it very hard for the Great Firewall to detect. Speeds are excellent โ you can stream HD video with minimal buffering.
๐ก Pro Tip: Download and set up ExpressVPN before you arrive in China. The website is blocked inside China, and you can't download the app from Chinese app stores.
2. Astrill VPN โ Best for Business Users
Premium option, dedicated IPs, excellent for video calls
Why it's great: Astrill is the VPN of choice for business travelers and journalists in China. It offers "StealthVPN" protocol that is extremely hard to detect. Video calls (Zoom, Skype, FaceTime) work much better on Astrill than on most competitors.
3. NordVPN โ Best Budget Option
Good speeds, cheaper than ExpressVPN, works in China
Why consider it: NordVPN works in China if you use their "Obfuscated Servers" feature. It's significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN, especially on long-term plans. Speeds are good but can be less consistent than ExpressVPN during peak hours in China.
4. Let's VPN (Chinese Domestic) โ ๆจ่
Fast, cheap, legal in China, but data privacy concerns
Why some use it: Let's VPN (Let's VPN / ็่ฑนVPN) is a Chinese company offering a "global" VPN service. It's very fast because it has servers inside China, and it's legal (registered with the government). However โ major privacy warning: because it's a Chinese company, your data may be accessible to Chinese authorities. Use with caution; do NOT use for sensitive communications.
โ ๏ธ Privacy Warning: If you need privacy and security (journalism, activism, sensitive business), stick to ExpressVPN or Astrill. Let's VPN is fine for watching Netflix but NOT for secure communications.
๐ฑ How to Install & Use a VPN in China
Follow these steps before you fly to China โ once you arrive, downloading a VPN becomes much harder.
Subscribe & Download BEFORE You Go
Subscribe to your chosen VPN (ExpressVPN recommended) and download the app for all your devices (phone, laptop, tablet) before entering China. The VPN websites are blocked inside China.
Test It at Home
Connect to a server outside China (US, Japan, Hong Kong) and verify it works. Make sure you know how to switch protocols (ExpressVPN: "Automatic" usually works; NordVPN: enable "Obfuscated Servers").
Use Mobile Data, Not Hotel Wi-Fi (For Setup)
Hotel and public Wi-Fi in China often block VPN traffic at the network level. If your VPN won't connect, switch to your phone's mobile data (4G/5G) โ it usually works perfectly.
Keep Your VPN App Updated
VPN companies regularly update their apps to bypass new Great Firewall detection methods. Check for updates before each trip to China. Set auto-update if your app supports it.
โ๏ธ Legal & Safety: Is Using a VPN Legal in China?
The short answer: Technically no for Chinese citizens, but foreign tourists are almost never targeted. China's 2017 law prohibits operating unapproved VPN services inside China. However, thousands of foreign travelers and expats use VPNs daily without incident. The government generally turns a blind eye to foreigners using VPNs for personal use.
โ ๏ธ What NOT to Do:
- โข Don't promote or sell VPN services to Chinese citizens โ that's illegal and punished severely.
- โข Don't use a VPN to access Chinese political content that's explicitly blocked โ this draws attention.
- โข Don't leave your VPN app open and visible in sensitive areas (government buildings, border crossings).
โ What's Safe:
- โข Using a VPN for personal communication (WhatsApp, Gmail, FaceTime).
- โข Using a VPN to access Google Maps, YouTube, or social media.
- โข Using a VPN in your hotel room, cafรฉ, or while walking around.
๐ Alternatives to VPN (When VPN Doesn't Work)
Sometimes VPNs get temporarily blocked (especially around political events). Here are backup options.
๐ Use a "Mirror" Site (For Gmail)
If you can't access Gmail via VPN, use the Gmail mobile app (often works even without VPN) or access your email via the IMAP/SMTP settings in Outlook or Apple Mail (these protocols are rarely blocked).
๐ฑ Use International roaming Data
If your home mobile plan includes international roaming in China, data roaming is NOT subject to the Great Firewall. You can access Google, Facebook, etc. directly. The downside: roaming data is expensive (check your plan before relying on this).
๐จ Use Hotel Business Center Computers
High-end hotels (5-star and luxury) often have special internet lines that bypass certain Great Firewall restrictions for business guests. The business center computers may access Gmail and Western sites directly.
โ VPN & Internet FAQ
Can I buy a VPN inside China?
No โ the websites of all major VPN providers are blocked. You MUST download and set up your VPN before you arrive. Some travelers report buying "VPN keys" from Taobao or small shops, but these are often scams or very unreliable.
Why is my VPN slow in China?
All VPN traffic to/from China goes through a limited number of underwater cables. During peak hours (7โ11pm Beijing time), speeds drop. Tips: Connect to a server in Hong Kong or Japan (closest to China); use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi; try the "UDP" protocol in your VPN settings.
Does WhatsApp work in China with a VPN?
Yes. With a working VPN, WhatsApp works perfectly โ calls, messages, and media sharing all function normally. WeChat (ๅพฎไฟก) also works without a VPN and is the primary communication app inside China.
Should I use a free VPN in China?
Absolutely not. Free VPNs are slow, unreliable, and โ most importantly โ potentially dangerous. Free VPNs often sell your data, inject ads, or contain malware. In China, your data security matters even more. Stick to a reputable paid VPN.
๐ How to Test Your VPN Speed in China
Not all VPN servers perform equally. Here's how to find the fastest server for your location in China.
๐ญ๐ฐ Connect to Hong Kong or Japan First
Servers in Hong Kong, Japan (Tokyo), and Singapore typically give the best speeds for China users. US/UK servers will be much slower due to distance.
๐ Run a Speed Test (Speedtest.net)
With VPN connected, visit Speedtest.net and run a test. A good China VPN should give at least 10โ30 Mbps download. If you get <5 Mbps, switch servers.
๐ฑ Test Both Wi-Fi and Mobile Data
Hotel Wi-Fi in China often blocks VPN traffic at the network level. If your VPN is slow on Wi-Fi, switch to your phone's 4G/5G data โ this almost always works better.
๐ Digital Security Tips for China
๐ก๏ธ Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Enable 2FA on ALL your important accounts (Gmail, Facebook, banking) before you arrive in China. SMS-based 2FA can be unreliable in China โ use an app-based authenticator (Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator).
๐ฑ Bring a Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot (MiFi)
If your VPN won't connect on hotel Wi-Fi, a portable MiFi device with international roaming data (from your home carrier) bypasses the Great Firewall entirely. Expensive but 100% reliable.
๐ Back Up Important Files to Cloud
Don't rely on accessing Google Drive or Dropbox from China (they're blocked). Before you travel, download offline copies of important documents (passport, visa, insurance) to your phone and a USB drive.