Staying connected in China can be surprisingly difficult because many familiar apps and websites are restricted by the Great Firewall, and standard VPN connections may be unstable or blocked. That’s why this guide focuses on VPNs that are widely discussed as workable in China and, more importantly, on the real-world setup steps, technical limits, and safety practices that determine whether a VPN will actually function when you need it.

In this article, you’ll find a clear comparison of the top 5 VPN options for China, what features matter most (like obfuscation/stealth modes, kill switch, and leak protection), and how to prepare before you arrive—since VPN downloads and support pages may be inaccessible once you’re inside the country. We’ll also cover practical rules of use, common failure scenarios and fixes, and the key legal and privacy considerations so you can make an informed choice and reduce risk while protecting your data on hotel Wi‑Fi, airports, and mobile networks.

Top 5 VPNs for China (2026)

• ExpressVPN (known for ease of use and automatic traffic obfuscation behavior in restrictive networks, plus RAM-only server approach in some descriptions).​
• NordVPN (commonly used for “obfuscated servers” to reduce detection in restrictive environments).​
• Surfshark (often chosen for NoBorders/Camouflage-style features and multi-device usage).
• Astrill VPN (frequently recommended among long-term users for China reliability, usually more expensive).​
• VyprVPN (noted for “Chameleon” obfuscation-style approach in restrictive networks).

Top 5 VPNs for China: Quick Comparison Table

The table below compares the 5 VPNs from this guide by the factors that matter most in China: anti-censorship features (obfuscation/stealth), leak protection (kill switch/DNS), and what to try first if the connection stops working. Use it to shortlist 1–2 primary options plus a backup, since reliability can change depending on city, network, and timing.

VPN	China anti-censorship feature (obfuscation/stealth)	Kill switch / anti-leak	“If it stops working” (typical fix)	Best for
ExpressVPN	Automatic obfuscation across servers (designed to look like normal traffic on restrictive networks). ​	Kill switch + leak protection are commonly highlighted for avoiding IP/DNS leaks. ​	Try “Automatic” protocol/other servers; many guides stress having it installed and configured before arrival. ​	Tourists and non-technical users who want minimal manual setup. ​
NordVPN	“Obfuscated servers” to mask VPN usage and bypass firewall restrictions.	Kill switch recommended to prevent IP/DNS leaks during disconnects. ​	Enable obfuscated servers; if needed set protocol to OpenVPN TCP to make obfuscated options appear.	Users who want more control and a dedicated obfuscation server list. ​
Surfshark	NoBorders (auto-detect restrictive networks) + Camouflage Mode (obfuscation).	Kill switch is available and recommended for drop protection.	Enable NoBorders/Camouflage; switch protocols (often OpenVPN variants) if a mode fails. ​	Value seekers, families, multi-device use, “easy mode” adaptation. ​
Astrill VPN	StealthVPN (obfuscated traffic) + modes like OpenWeb/OpenVPN/StealthVPN for restrictive networks.	Routes DNS via VPN in StealthVPN mode and promotes avoiding DNS leaks via its DNS; app includes multiple modes.	Switch modes (StealthVPN ↔ OpenWeb) and try alternate ports (TCP/UDP) if available.	Expats/long stays who prioritize “China-first” tuning. ​
VyprVPN	Chameleon protocol scrambles OpenVPN packet metadata to resist DPI detection. ​	Kill Switch blocks internet when the VPN isn’t connected (supported on several platforms). ​	Switch to Chameleon + verify kill switch is enabled; try different servers if throttled.	Users who specifically want DPI-resistant OpenVPN behavior.

How China blocks VPNs (what this means for you)

The Great Firewall (GFW) blocks many international services and can also interfere with VPN connections, causing dropouts or total failure for “standard” VPN setups.​

A key technical theme is Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and related detection methods, which can identify recognizable VPN patterns; this is why obfuscation/stealth features are critical.

Because the situation changes, a VPN that works today can become unstable later, so you should plan for server/protocol switching and have a backup option.​

Rules for using a VPN in China (practical “dos and don’ts”)

• Do install, log in, and test your VPN before entering China; multiple sources stress that VPN websites/app downloads can be blocked inside the country, making setup difficult.​
• Do keep at least one backup method (second VPN, alternate protocol, or a manual configuration option) because temporary blocks and connection drops happen.
• Don’t assume a VPN guarantees anonymity; it mainly encrypts traffic between you and the VPN server, and your VPN provider can still be a central point of trust.

Technical limitations (what can break, and how to reduce failures)

• Use obfuscation/stealth modes when available (often labeled “obfuscated servers,” “camouflage,” “stealth,” “chameleon,” or similar), because making VPN traffic resemble normal HTTPS is a known DPI countermeasure.
• Expect that “Auto” protocol selection may not be optimal; many users in restrictive networks need to switch protocols/servers (commonly OpenVPN TCP/obfuscated modes) to regain connectivity.
• Prepare offline access to what you need: save your VPN account credentials securely, keep support contact instructions, and store any manual configuration steps (since help pages may be inaccessible).​

Legal restrictions (what you should understand)

VPN legality in China is widely described as a gray area, shaped by telecom regulations and licensing; operating/selling unauthorized VPN services is treated differently from individual use, and enforcement often targets providers more than travelers.​

Some guidance also emphasizes that only government-approved VPNs are considered “legal to operate,” which is why consumer VPN access can be restricted or disrupted in practice.

This article is informational, not legal advice; if you have professional risk (journalism, compliance-heavy industries), consult qualified counsel and your employer’s security team.​

User data safety (privacy and security essentials)

Prefer VPNs with strong anti-leak protections (kill switch, DNS leak protection) so your device doesn’t silently fall back to an unprotected connection when the VPN drops.​

Treat public Wi‑Fi as hostile: a VPN helps protect against local network snooping, which is one of the standard reasons people use VPNs while traveling.

Reduce account-takeover risk: use a password manager + unique passwords + 2FA where available, because VPN security does not protect you from phishing or stolen credentials.

Pre-travel setup checklist (do this before you land)

Subscribe and install on all devices (phone + laptop + tablet), then connect and test at least 2 nearby regions (e.g., Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong) for stable latency.

Turn on the right “China mode”: enable obfuscation/stealth (or select “Obfuscated servers”), enable kill switch, and disable IPv6 if your provider recommends it to prevent leaks.

Save recovery options: export manual configs if supported, keep installer files (where possible), and store support instructions offline.​

Troubleshooting in China (fast fixes)

• If it won’t connect: switch servers, switch protocols (try obfuscated/OpenVPN TCP/stealth options), and retry on both Wi‑Fi and mobile data.
• If it connects but is slow: pick geographically closer servers and avoid overloaded locations; the GFW and routing can make some exits unusable at certain times.​
• If everything fails: use your backup VPN or your provider’s manual setup method; this is exactly why redundancy is recommended for China.