If you’re traveling to China and want to keep using Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, or other international services, it’s worth setting up a VPN before you arrive.
The difficult part is choosing one that actually connects. A VPN that works perfectly in the US or Europe can behave very differently once you’re behind China’s Great Firewall.
We test VPNs from inside mainland China throughout the year, using hotel Wi-Fi, home broadband, and mobile networks in Chengdu, Xi’an, Kunming, and Chongqing. Based on our current tests, this is the setup we’d take on a China trip:
- AdGuard VPN — our first choice
- Proton VPN — best free backup
- Windscribe — useful second backup
- PureVPN — Chrome-only fallback in our testing
NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark have not worked reliably in our current tests inside China, so we wouldn’t make any of them our only VPN for a trip. China VPN performance changes frequently, so we still recommend installing at least two options before you fly.
Quick Answer: Which VPN Would We Use in China?
If we were preparing a phone and laptop for China today, we’d install AdGuard VPN and Proton VPN before leaving home.
AdGuard VPN has been the easiest of the working options in our testing. Proton VPN makes a useful backup because it has a free plan with unlimited data. We’d also consider installing Windscribe as another backup if there’s room on the devices.
PureVPN is different — its Chrome extension works in our current tests, but its desktop client does not, so we wouldn’t use it as a main VPN.
| VPN | Result in Our China Tests | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard VPN | Works | Primary VPN |
| Proton VPN | Works | Free backup |
| Windscribe | Works, but often needs retries | Second backup |
| PureVPN | Chrome extension works | Browser-only fallback |
| NordVPN | Not working reliably in our tests | Not a current pick |
| ExpressVPN | Not working in our current tests | Not a current pick |
| Surfshark | Not working in our current tests | Not a current pick |
| Astrill VPN | Not a current recommendation from our tests | Not a current pick |
Important: These are our own current results from inside mainland China. VPN performance can vary by date, city, ISP, server, protocol, device, and app version.
Do You Actually Need a VPN in China?
Not every traveler needs one. If you’re happy using Chinese apps throughout your trip, you may be fine without a VPN — WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, and Douyin normally work on Chinese networks without any workaround.
The problem starts when you want to keep using international services you normally rely on at home: Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, international news sites, or work and cloud services. If any of those matter during your trip, set everything up before entering mainland China — VPN websites and app-store availability can be more difficult to access after you arrive.
How We Test VPNs in China
We don’t test these VPNs from another country and assume they’ll behave the same way in China. Our current testing covers Chengdu, Xi’an, Kunming, and Chongqing, across hotel Wi-Fi, home broadband, and mobile data — and we retest services instead of judging them from one connection attempt at one hotel.
The first question is simple: can we actually log in and connect from inside China? That matters more to us than a long list of generic VPN features. We also look at whether the normal app can connect, how many attempts it takes, whether the connection stays usable, whether the result changes between Wi-Fi and mobile data, whether normal browsing and messaging work, and whether a traveler could realistically use it without complicated setup.
This is why our rankings may look different from general VPN review sites — we’re ranking these specifically for travel in mainland China, not everyday VPN use elsewhere.
1. AdGuard VPN — Our First Choice for China
AdGuard VPN is the option we’d start with on a normal China trip. In our current testing, its desktop client connects directly and generally requires less fiddling than the other working options on this page — and nobody wants to spend 20 minutes changing settings every time they open a laptop in a new hotel.
What we like: The normal client works, so it isn’t limited to browser traffic. The free plan includes 3GB of data per month, which may be enough for a short trip if you’re mainly using messaging, email, maps, and light browsing.
What we don’t like: The free plan is slower than the paid version, and 3GB disappears quickly if you start watching video — a useful option for light travel use, not a replacement for unlimited mobile data.
Best for: first-time visitors, short trips, travelers who want a simple setup, or as a primary VPN backed up by another provider.
2. Proton VPN — Our Favorite Free Backup
Proton VPN is the backup we’d keep installed even when using another VPN as the main option. Its desktop client works in our current China testing, and the main advantage of the free plan is simple: unlimited data.
The catch: the free plan gives you fewer server-location choices and generally lower speeds than the paid tier. For messaging, email, and basic browsing that may not matter much — for video or large downloads, you’re more likely to notice it.
Best for: budget travelers, longer trips, a free backup VPN, or travelers who care more about unlimited data than maximum speed. Even if you plan to pay for another service, we’d still install Proton VPN as a backup.
3. Windscribe — Useful, but Less Predictable
Windscribe also works in our current testing, but it hasn’t been as consistent as AdGuard VPN or Proton VPN — sometimes it connects without trouble, other times it takes several retries before a usable connection. That’s why we think of it as a second backup rather than a first choice. Its free plan includes 2GB per month, with paid plans available if you need more.
Best for: an additional backup, if you don’t mind retrying connections, or if your primary VPN stops connecting. We wouldn’t arrive in China with Windscribe as the only option.
4. PureVPN — Browser-Only Fallback
PureVPN is a slightly strange case in our testing: the desktop client does not currently work inside China, but the Chrome extension does. That makes it useful in a very specific situation — if you only need to open a website in Chrome, it can be a fallback, but it doesn’t give you the same full-device connection as the other working clients on this page. Traffic from other applications isn’t covered by the Chrome extension.
Best for: light browser use, Chrome traffic, or an additional emergency option. We would not use it as a main VPN for a China trip.
What About NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark?
This is where our current results differ from a lot of older China VPN guides.
NordVPN has not been reliable in our current testing from inside mainland China — login and connection problems make it difficult for us to recommend as a primary China VPN right now. That doesn’t mean nobody will ever get it connected; it means we wouldn’t personally arrive with NordVPN as the only option based on what we’re currently able to reproduce.
ExpressVPN still appears frequently in older China travel guides, but it does not work in our current tests. China VPN conditions change, and older reports don’t always match current results.
Surfshark also fails in our current testing from inside mainland China. We’re reporting what we can reproduce rather than saying it can never work on any Chinese network — but for a short trip, we wouldn’t gamble on a VPN that isn’t working in our own current tests.
Astrill VPN has a long history of being discussed in connection with China. Based on our current testing, it isn’t one of the VPNs we’re recommending at the moment.
Are There Any Free VPNs That Work in China?
Yes, in our current testing — one of the more useful findings for travelers who don’t want to pay for a full year of VPN service for a short trip.
- AdGuard VPN: 3GB/month, normal client works, relatively easy to connect, best for light use or a short trip.
- Proton VPN: unlimited free data, normal client works, fewer free server locations, lower speeds than paid.
- Windscribe: 2GB/month, works in our tests, often needs more connection attempts, better as a backup.
Free plans are usually enough for WhatsApp, Gmail, light browsing, Google searches, and checking travel information. They become less attractive if you want to stream video, make frequent video calls, or use large amounts of data — in that case, a paid plan makes more sense.
Why We Recommend Installing More Than One VPN
China is one of the few places where we’d actively recommend traveling with more than one VPN. A service can work on one network and struggle on another; hotel Wi-Fi may behave differently from mobile data; a VPN can also work well one week and become unreliable later.
Our preferred setup: primary VPN + free backup — for example, AdGuard VPN + Proton VPN. That gives you another option immediately if one service has trouble connecting, which is much easier than trying to download a new VPN after you’ve already arrived.
Install Your VPN Before Traveling to China
This matters more than almost any advanced VPN setting. Install everything before your flight. For each device you’re taking:
- Download the VPN app.
- Create your account.
- Sign in.
- Confirm the app opens correctly.
- Save your login details somewhere secure.
- Install at least one backup VPN.
Do this on your phone, laptop, and tablet. If you’re using an iPhone or iPad, getting the apps installed before your trip is especially important, since app availability can vary by region.
Don’t Forget Your Other Apps
The same preparation applies beyond VPNs. Before traveling to China, also install and update: Google Maps or another map app, offline maps, translation apps, airline apps, hotel apps, eSIM apps, Netflix or other entertainment apps, messaging apps, and payment apps. Download anything you might need offline too — you can download Netflix shows before arriving, although regional licensing can still affect whether every downloaded title remains playable. See the separate guide: Does Netflix Work in China?
What Should You Do If Your VPN Stops Working?
VPN connection problems in China aren’t unusual. Before spending a long time changing advanced settings, try the simple options first:
- Try another server. Nearby Asian locations can sometimes provide better latency, but the server that works best can change.
- Try another protocol. Different networks may interfere with different connection methods.
- Restart the VPN app. Fully close and reopen it — simple, but worth trying before changing everything else.
- Switch networks. If hotel Wi-Fi isn’t working, try mobile data, and vice versa.
- Use your backup VPN. This is usually our preferred solution — if one provider isn’t connecting, try the second VPN already installed before spending time troubleshooting the first.
International Roaming and eSIMs Can Also Help
A VPN isn’t the only connectivity option for foreign travelers in China. Depending on how your mobile provider routes international data, international roaming can sometimes give you a different internet experience from a normal local Chinese connection — some travel eSIMs work similarly. This can be a useful backup, particularly if hotel Wi-Fi is poor, your VPN struggles on the current network, or you need internet immediately after landing. Not every roaming plan or eSIM behaves the same way, so check the details before buying one. For a China trip, we prefer having more than one route to the internet rather than relying completely on hotel Wi-Fi.
Are VPNs Legal in China?
China tightly regulates VPN services and cross-border internet connections. For an ordinary traveler, the practical situation is different from operating or selling an unauthorized VPN service, but regulations can change and this guide isn’t legal advice. If legal certainty matters for your work or trip, check current official guidance before traveling.
At a minimum: don’t operate or sell unauthorized VPN services, don’t use a VPN for illegal activity, don’t assume a travel blog replaces legal advice, and follow current local laws and regulations.
China VPN FAQ
What Is the Best VPN for Travel to China in 2026?
Based on our current testing inside mainland China, AdGuard VPN is our first choice. Proton VPN is the free backup we’d keep installed, while Windscribe is another useful fallback. PureVPN currently works for us only through its Chrome extension.
Where Have You Tested These VPNs?
Our current testing covers Chengdu, Xi’an, Kunming, and Chongqing. We test on hotel Wi-Fi, home broadband, and mobile networks rather than relying on a single connection.
Which VPNs Are Working in China in Your Tests?
AdGuard VPN, Proton VPN, and Windscribe currently work through their normal clients in our testing. PureVPN works for us through its Chrome extension, but not through the full desktop client.
Does NordVPN Work in China?
NordVPN has not worked reliably in our current testing inside mainland China. VPN performance changes, so that isn’t the same as saying nobody can ever connect with NordVPN — but based on our current results, we would not use it as the only VPN for a China trip.
Does ExpressVPN Work in China?
ExpressVPN does not work in our current tests. Because China VPN performance changes over time, we’d pay more attention to recent testing than old recommendations.
Does Surfshark Work in China?
Surfshark is also not working in our current China tests, so it isn’t one of our present recommendations.
Is There a Free VPN That Works in China?
Yes, in our current testing. AdGuard VPN offers a limited amount of free monthly data, Proton VPN has an unlimited free tier, and Windscribe also provides a small free allowance. All three have worked for us, although free plans generally come with speed, server, or data limitations.
Should I Install More Than One VPN?
Yes — this is one of the strongest recommendations we’d make for a China trip. VPN performance can vary by city, ISP, network, server, app version, protocol, and date. Having a second VPN already installed is much easier than trying to find one after your main service stops connecting.
Do I Need a VPN If I Only Use Chinese Apps?
Probably not. If you only plan to use services such as WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu, Taobao, and other Chinese apps, you may have little reason to use a VPN. A VPN becomes much more useful if you need Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, or international work services.
Can I Install a VPN After Arriving in China?
Possibly, but we wouldn’t plan on it. VPN provider websites and app availability can be more difficult to access once you’re already in mainland China. Install, sign in, and test your VPNs before departure.
Why Might Your Results Differ From Other VPN Reviews?
China VPN performance isn’t static. Results can change based on date, city, internet provider, Wi-Fi versus mobile data, VPN server, protocol, and app version. That’s why we report what we can reproduce from inside China rather than assuming a VPN that worked somewhere else will behave the same way here.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a VPN for China is different from choosing one for an ordinary trip. The biggest question isn’t which provider has the longest feature list — it’s whether it can actually connect after you arrive.
Based on our current testing, we’d prepare for a China trip with AdGuard VPN as the primary option and Proton VPN as a backup. Windscribe is useful as another fallback, while PureVPN currently makes more sense as a Chrome-only backup. We would not rely on NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark as the only China VPN based on our current test results.
Most importantly, install everything before you travel. Having two working VPNs already logged in on your phone and laptop is much more useful than having the “perfect” VPN recommendation saved on a webpage you can’t open after you arrive.
