What is the best VPN for China?

If you're heading to China — or you're already there — you've probably figured out pretty quickly that the internet works very differently. Google, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and thousands of other sites are blocked by what's commonly called the Great Firewall of China. A VPN can help you get around that, but here's the catch: China also blocks most VPNs. So finding one that actually works takes a bit more research than just grabbing any app from the app store.

The short answer is that you need a VPN with strong obfuscation — technology that disguises your VPN traffic so it looks like regular internet traffic. Without that, the firewall will detect and block your connection almost instantly. I've seen a lot of people show up in China expecting their VPN to just work, and they end up frustrated. Don't let that be you.

Why is finding a VPN for China so hard?

China's internet censorship system is genuinely one of the most sophisticated in the world. It doesn't just block websites by URL — it actively detects and disrupts VPN connections using deep packet inspection (DPI). That's basically a technique where the firewall analyzes your internet traffic and looks for patterns that give away the fact that you're using a VPN. Once it spots those patterns, it blocks the connection.

Most VPNs don't survive this. Standard VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard have recognizable traffic signatures, and China's firewall has gotten very good at sniffing them out. This is why the vast majority of VPNs that work perfectly fine in the US or Europe simply stop working the moment you cross into China.

So what does work? VPNs that have built obfuscation directly into their apps. Obfuscation scrambles or disguises your VPN traffic so it looks like normal HTTPS web browsing. The firewall sees what appears to be regular traffic and lets it through. It's not foolproof — China does occasionally tighten things up, especially around politically sensitive dates — but it's the best tool we have right now.

Here's something important that a lot of guides don't tell you: you need to download and set up your VPN before you arrive in China. Once you're inside the country, you may not be able to access VPN provider websites to sign up or download the app. The App Store and Google Play are also restricted for many apps. So plan ahead — this is one of those situations where preparation really matters.

What makes ProtonVPN stand out for China?

Over at VPNTierLists.com, ProtonVPN consistently earns its S-Tier rating, and for China specifically, there are a few reasons it rises to the top.

First, ProtonVPN has a protocol called Stealth. This is specifically designed for situations where VPN traffic is being actively blocked or monitored. Stealth wraps your connection in obfuscated TLS, making it look like ordinary web traffic. It's one of the more effective obfuscation implementations out there, and it's built right into the app — you don't need to mess around with manual configurations or third-party tools.

Second, ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland. That matters more than it might sound. Switzerland has some of the strongest privacy laws in the world, and ProtonVPN operates under those laws. They've had their no-logs policy verified in actual court cases — meaning when authorities came asking for user data, there was nothing to hand over. That's not marketing talk; that's a real-world test that most VPN providers have never had to face.

Third, ProtonVPN's apps are open-source and have been independently audited. You can actually look at the code if you want to. For a privacy tool you're relying on in a country with heavy surveillance, knowing that the software has been scrutinized by outside experts is genuinely reassuring.

ProtonVPN also has Secure Core servers, which route your traffic through privacy-friendly countries before it exits to the internet. Think of it like a double-hop — even if someone managed to trace your exit server, they'd hit a dead end trying to trace it back to you. For people in sensitive situations, that extra layer can make a real difference.

How to set up ProtonVPN before you go to China

Setting this up ahead of time is genuinely the most important step. Here's how to do it properly so you're not scrambling when you land.

Step 1: Sign up and download the app before you travel. Go to ProtonVPN's website, create an account, and download the app on every device you plan to use — phone, laptop, tablet. Do this while you're still in a country with open internet access. If you wait until you're in China, you may not be able to reach the ProtonVPN website at all.

Step 2: Enable the Stealth protocol. Once you've installed the app, go into the settings and switch your protocol to Stealth. On most devices, you'll find this under Settings, then Connection, then Protocol. Select Stealth and save. This is the setting that gives you the best chance of connecting from inside China.

Step 3: Test your connection before you leave. Connect to a ProtonVPN server and make sure everything works. Browse a few sites, check your IP address, confirm the VPN is actually routing your traffic. You want to know it works before you're in a situation where you really need it.

Step 4: Save the ProtonVPN app installer somewhere accessible. Download the installer file to your device or a USB drive. If for any reason you need to reinstall, you won't have to access the website. Some travelers email themselves the installer file as a backup — a bit old school, but effective.

Step 5: Know that connections may be slower than usual. Obfuscated connections add overhead, and connecting from China to servers outside the country means longer distances. Your speeds probably won't be as fast as you're used to. That's normal. Patience helps here.

Common issues and things to watch out for

Even with the best VPN, China can be unpredictable. The firewall gets more aggressive around certain times — major political events, anniversaries, national holidays. During these periods, even VPNs that normally work reliably can struggle. It's just the reality of the situation, and no VPN provider can guarantee 100% uptime in China.

One thing I'd suggest is trying to connect as soon as you arrive, before you actually need the VPN urgently. If something isn't working, you have time to troubleshoot — switch protocols, try different servers, restart the app. Troubleshooting when you're in a rush is stressful and usually doesn't go well.

Also worth knowing: using a VPN in China exists in a legal gray area. Technically, only government-approved VPNs are legal for businesses. Foreigners using VPNs for personal use are generally tolerated and enforcement against individual tourists or expats is extremely rare — but it's something to be aware of. This isn't legal advice, and the situation can change, so use your own judgment.

If ProtonVPN's Stealth protocol isn't connecting on a particular day, try switching servers. ProtonVPN has servers in multiple countries, and sometimes one location will work better than another depending on how the firewall is configured at that moment. Japan, Singapore, and South Korea servers tend to work well for people in China because of the shorter distance and generally good connectivity.

Frequently asked questions

Do free VPNs work in China? Honestly, most don't. Free VPNs rarely invest in obfuscation technology, and they're usually the first to get blocked. ProtonVPN does have a free tier, which is worth trying, but for China specifically you'll want a paid plan to access the Stealth protocol and a wider range of servers. The free tier has limitations that make it less reliable in high-censorship environments.

Can I use a VPN on my phone in China? Yes, and it works the same way as on a laptop. Download the ProtonVPN app before you travel, enable Stealth mode, and you should be able to access blocked apps and sites on your phone. Keep in mind that some apps like WhatsApp or Instagram will also need the VPN active to function — it's not just websites that are blocked.

What if my VPN stops working mid-trip? First, try switching the protocol or server. If Stealth isn't connecting, sometimes switching to a different server location helps. You can also try connecting at different times of day — the firewall's blocking patterns aren't always consistent. If nothing works, ProtonVPN's support team can sometimes provide alternative connection methods, so it's worth reaching out to them.

Is it safe to use a VPN in China as a tourist? For the vast majority of tourists and expats, using a VPN in China is a non-issue in practice. Enforcement against individual foreigners is extremely rare. That said, the legal landscape is worth understanding, and you should make your own informed decision based on your specific situation.

Bottom line

Getting a VPN that actually works in China comes down to one thing: obfuscation. Without it, the Great Firewall will block your connection before you can do anything useful. ProtonVPN's Stealth protocol gives you one of the better chances of staying connected, and its rock-solid privacy foundation — Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, audited no-logs policy — makes it the right choice for a country where surveillance is a real concern.

The single most important thing you can do is set everything up before you travel. Download the app, enable Stealth mode, test it, and you'll be in a much better position than the people who try to figure it out after they land. It's one of those situations where a little preparation makes a huge difference. Safe travels.

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