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Using a VPN will allow you to bypass geographical restrictions and access global content libraries by masking your IP address and encrypting traffic.
However, unlike other locations, using one of the best VPNs in China comes with additional considerations due to strict regulations and enforcement. It’s important to understand these rules before you arrive, as failing to prepare properly could limit your access to the content you rely on back home.
GBN Tech has put together a guide to the best VPNs for China, along with key information to know before you travel, so you can make the most of a reliable, premium VPN service.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. | UNSPLASH What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that protects and anonymises everything you do online. VPNs can conceal your online activities by routing traffic through an encrypted tunnel that connects to secure servers worldwide.
The most reliable VPNs use the same encryption standards as governments in the United Kingdom and the United States, ensuring that even your Internet Service Provider (ISP) on Wi-Fi cannot record the websites you visit, the duration of your sessions on each site, or your current location. This protection extends to advertisers, trackers, and hackers, preventing them from monitoring your online behaviour.
Furthermore, personal information entered into online forms and sensitive data transmitted to and from your device will be safeguarded from hackers using strong encryption provided by a VPN.
Are VPNs banned in China?
VPNs are regulated and mostly illegal in China, with the Chinese government only allowing government-approved backdoors and services.
That means many unauthorised VPNs from Western countries are blocked due to the Great Firewall.
Arrests are rare, but there have been instances where they have happened when unauthorised VPNs were used. If you want to be 100% safe, it's best to use a regulated provider.
One thing to note is that if you want to use any of the VPNs we suggest in this article, you’ll have to download them before you go because they’ll be blocked, and you’ll miss out on the best VPN deals.
VPNs create an encryption tunnel where all of the communication between your gadget and the internet is funnelled | SORA | GB NEWS Can I use a free VPN in China?
While using a free VPN in China is an option, it's unreliable in many cases. Free services often get blocked by the Great Firewall, lack security, log data, or have severe limits, making a low-cost paid VPN with obfuscation — that bit protects your information — a much better bet, downloaded before you arrive.
Free VPNs can also store your information via data logging in order to sell it to companies, meaning your privacy is still at risk of being exploited.
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The best VPN to use in China
Choosing a premium and reliable VPN is essential, especially if you’re travelling to countries like China — where it can help bypass restrictions such as the Great Firewall while also offering faster speeds, stronger privacy protections, and access to thousands of servers worldwide.
No matter which VPN provider you choose, the best discounts are usually available on one- to two-year plans. In some cases, rolling monthly subscriptions can cost nearly as much as an annual plan, so they’re often best avoided where possible.
That said, committing to a longer subscription doesn’t necessarily mean paying everything up front. Many providers offer flexible payment options that allow you to spread the cost over several months.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN: Get 80% off + 4 months for free
Protect your personal information and encrypt everything you do online for just £1.99 with the latest ExpressVPN deal. That equates to under 7p per day, trouncing NordVPN, its biggest competitor
ExpressVPN adds military-grade encryption across up to 10x devices, including iPhone, Android, Linux, Windows, Mac, Fire TV, and dozens more, to secure your internet traffic from prying eyes, advertisers, and governments. You'll benefit from an extra 4 months free with a two-year plan
ExpressVPN is an award-winning VPN with gongs from the likes of Techradar, CNET, and Tom's Guide, and praise for its servers dedicated to fast, reliable streaming from anywhere in the world.
Monthly prices start from £1.99 a month, and unlock ExpressVPN across up to 14 devices. Once installed, connect to a UK server from ExpressVPN's network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries.
The service uses proprietary Lightway protocol for enhanced speed and reliability, ensuring smooth streaming.
It also works across all your devices - Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, smart TVs and streaming devices like Fire TV Stick. You can even use ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer feature to watch on devices that don't normally support VPNs, such as PlayStation or Xbox.
The recently reviewed provider is particularly well-suited for streaming, gaming and protecting your privacy as it boasts VPN server locations in 105 countries, providing access to global coverage.
It offers ultra-fast speeds on a 10-Gbps network, essential for high-quality streaming without buffering. With military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and features like split tunnelling and a kill switch, your online activity stays private.
Based in the British Virgin Islands — outside Five Eyes jurisdiction — it avoids mandatory data retention laws, which means that even if the company were collecting data (it's not), law enforcement from the UK and US would be unable to compel ExpressVPN to hand over any information about its subscribers.
ExpressVPN supports a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and routers. There's no limit on the number of ExpressVPN apps that you can download on your devices, and with a single subscription, you can connect to the VPN on 10x gadgets at once.
It also has a dedicated team that optimises the service for major streaming platforms. Round-the-clock customer support is available if you encounter any issues during race weekend.
While ExpressVPN isn't the cheapest available, its 30-day money-back guarantee makes it a risk-free choice for privacy-conscious users and frequent streamers. It should also give new customers the confidence to subscribe to one of its longer contracts, which unlock the biggest discounts.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN: Get 73% off
All NordVPN subscribers will enjoy automatic malware scans to save you from dodgy downloads and alerts about leaked credentials on the Dark Web. NordVPN also offers access to 6,400 server locations across the globe with fast connection speeds.
NordVPN is another great VPN to consider investing in for China.
The provider is one of the top advocates for a free and open internet that encrypts your traffic, changes your IP, and allows you to browse freely without restrictions or intrusive ads.
Nord regularly offers a few great VPN deals on its one and two-year subscriptions to make sure you get the best offer possible. Prices start at £2.29 a month for its Basic plans with a 30-day guarantee – just like ExpressVPN so you can try it out and make sure you get your money back.
NordVPN recently upped the number of devices that can be signed into the same account to a maximum of 10, so you'll be able to protect every gadget you own. Headquartered in Panama, this brand is known for its extensive server network with over 5,000 server locations spread across 60 countries.
Notable features include double VPN encryption, Threat Protection, and Onion Over VPN, which enhance user security and anonymity. In 2022, NordVPN was recognised as one of TIME's Best Inventions, underscoring its innovative approach to cybersecurity.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark: Get 80% off + 3 months free
If you're looking for some of the lowest monthly bills around, look no further than the award-winning Surfshark VPN. It's cut monthly subscription prices by 80%. Not only that, but Surfshark will also bundle an extra three months at the end of a two-year plan, dropping the effective cost to just £1.48 per month. Surfshark lets you use your subscription across unlimited devices.
Surfshark, established in 2018 and headquartered in the Netherlands, has rapidly emerged as a noteworthy VPN provider. It boasts over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries, ensuring extensive global coverage.
The service includes advanced features such as a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and MultiHop for enhanced security. Surfshark has garnered several accolades, including the Best VPN award from Trusted Reviews in 2021 and recognition from CNET as the Best Value VPN in 2022.
Surfshark isn’t just a VPN, however, as its more expensive Surfshark One+ comes with Incogni, a service that goes to companies and removes all the information about you, as well as search services – great for those that value privacy across the internet and goes hand-in-hand with a great VPN like Surfshark.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost: Get 84% off + 4 months free
CyberGhost has cut its monthly subscription by 84%. If you sign up for a 24-month plan, you'll be gifted with 4 months of access to the award-winning VPN service for free. CyberGhost has one of the longest money-back guarantee periods, with a generous 45 days to decide whether you want to stick with your new VPN subscription
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Romania, CyberGhost has cemented its position as one of the most trusted names in the VPN.
It boasts a vast network of over 11,000 servers in 100+ countries — including hundreds in the UK — and it offers excellent global coverage and location-specific performance.
Prices start at £1.78 a month for its two-year plans with a two-month free offer. It even offers shorter periods, including six-month plans and a rolling monthly plan – ideal if you don’t want to fully commit to longer periods.
It offers extras like a built-in ad blocker, malware protection, and access to NoSpy servers — ultra-secure servers operated independently by the company to minimise third-party risks.
The provider also offers a money-back guarantee for 45 days, much longer than any other of the VPNs we have mentioned above, because it is that confident that you’ll love it.