日誌 · Oct 3, 2026

The Best VPNs for China (That Actually Work)

日誌 best VPN for ChinaVPN ChinaVPN for China travelGreat Firewall VPN
Which VPNs reliably bypass the Great Firewall, how to install one before you fly, and why roaming eSIMs are the newer workaround.

China blocks Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and most Western apps. To use them, you need a VPN — and not all VPNs survive the country's filtering.

VPNs that generally work

  • Astrill — the most reliable, and the one expats use.
  • ExpressVPN — works most of the time.
  • NordVPN — intermittent, but worth having as backup.
  • Surfshark — a solid budget option.

Connect to Japan or Singapore servers for the best results.

The critical rule

Install and test your VPN before you arrive. VPN websites are blocked inside China, and Chinese app stores don't carry them. Install two different VPNs so you have a fallback.

The newer workaround: roaming eSIMs

Many travelers now skip the VPN entirely. A roaming eSIM that routes through Hong Kong lets Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work normally because your traffic never touches mainland servers. It's often the simplest option for a short trip.