Top 3 VPNs to Bypass China's Great Firewall in 2023
Table of Contents
Introduction to Using a VPN in China
Using a VPN in China is essential to access websites and services that are restricted by the Great Firewall. However, choosing the right VPN for China is critical, as many VPNs fail to bypass internet censorship.
You'll also want to consider where you'll be staying, your smartphone compatibility, and getting a local SIM card to avoid roaming fees. Be sure to set up your VPN before arriving in China, as VPN websites are blocked within the country.
Overview of Using a VPN in China
The Chinese government strictly regulates and censors online access through the 'Great Firewall'. Without a VPN, you won't have access to Google, YouTube, social media, news outlets and other regular sites. VPNs encrypt your internet traffic and route it through servers outside China, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions and censorship. However, many VPNs don't work reliably in China due to sophisticated blocking techniques. You'll want a VPN specifically configured for China, that masks itself to avoid detection. Be sure to set it up before you arrive, as VPN websites are blocked within China.
Criteria for the Best VPNs for China
The top VPNs for China meet the following criteria:
- Proven ability to reliably access censored sites from within China
- Nearby servers located just outside China for fastest speeds
- Strong encryption and privacy protections
- Support for streaming & torrenting
- Solid reputation and responsive customer service
- Good value relative to quality and features
Private VPN for Access in China
Private VPN is designed specifically to avoid censorship, using 'stealth VPN' technology to mask traffic and bypass blocks. With servers nearby China, fast speeds, and military-grade encryption, it reliably unblocks sites.
Features include:
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Stealth VPN to avoid deep packet inspection
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AES 256-bit encryption and 'zero logs' policy
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10 concurrent connections
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30-day money back guarantee
Viper VPN for China Connectivity
Viper VPN leverages 'Chameleon Protocol' to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS traffic, avoiding censorship blocks. Smart IP rotates IP addresses to prevent tracking.
It provides high-grade privacy and the ability to stream media or use P2P apps from within China:
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Chameleon technology to prevent DPI blocking
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Military-grade encryption
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Leak protection and 'zero logs' policy
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Supports torrenting & streaming
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Connect 30 devices
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30-day money back guarantee
ExpressVPN - Most Reliable in China
ExpressVPN is the most reliable solution in China due to extensive obfuscation across every server. The custom Lightway protocol and TrustedServer technology provide top-tier privacy protections.
With incredible performance, best-in-class security, and ease of use it's the best overall VPN for China:
Effortless Censorship Bypass
- Works reliably to unlock sites from within China
- Built-in obfuscation hides VPN use from the Great Firewall
- Simple setup and user experience
Speed and Streaming
- 3000+ global servers optimized for speed
- Supports streaming Netflix, BBC iPlayer, etc.
- Fast enough for HD video and gaming
Next-Gen Privacy & Security
- TrustedServer wipes servers after each reboot
- Lightway protocol custom built to protect data
- Military-grade encryption
- Leak protection, split tunneling
Value & Reliability
- 30 day money back guarantee
- Highly rated 24/7 live chat support
- Long standing reputation since 2009
Conclusion and Recommendation
For bypassing the Great Firewall and accessing a free and open internet from within China, I highly recommend ExpressVPN.
It offers next generation privacy protections, works more reliably than competitors, has servers optimized for speed within the region, and covers all the criteria for the best VPN for China.
Get ExpressVPN before traveling to China and rest assured your ability to connect won't be restricted by government censorship.
FAQ
Q: Why is a VPN needed in China?
A: A VPN is needed to bypass China's Great Firewall which blocks access to many websites and services commonly used abroad.
Q: What criteria were used to select the best VPNs?
A: Proven ability to access free internet in China, servers near/in China, fast speeds, security, privacy policy, streaming/torrent support, reputation, support, and money-back guarantee.
Q: What security features does ExpressVPN offer?
A: Military-grade encryption, data leak protection, kill switch, server obfuscation, zero-logs policy confirmed by audits, and trusted server technology.
Q: How many devices can you connect with ExpressVPN?
A: ExpressVPN allows connecting 5 devices simultaneously.
Q: Does ExpressVPN offer a money-back guarantee?
A: Yes, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.