After extensive tests, my top choice for China is ExpressVPN. It offers blazing-fast speeds, is highly reliable, and features industry-leading security. (Plus you can get it right now for 49% off!) Keep reading to find out why you need a VPN for China, why IPVanish isn’t the best choice, and what service offers you the best speeds, security, and stability for accessing local content.
Why You Need A VPN for China
If you’re a fan of Chinese cinema, and expat, or just a Chinese citizen on vacation, you won’t be able to access local content overseas without a VPN. The Chinese government places heavy restrictions on the internet and VPN use, citizens can’t even use VPNs without having a license to do so. It’s even developed a combination of technological blocks and internet laws known as the Great Firewall of China to prevent unauthorized access to restricted sites and services. That means that anyone else who wants to enjoy local online services, won’t be able to access their accounts without a strong VPN. Unfortunately, to use IPVanish for China you need to use manual configurations and even then IPVanish itself doesn’t guarantee reliable access. For that reason I can’t recommend IPVanish for China, especially for first-time users.
IPVanish Doesn’t Work for China, Now What?
Now that you know IPVanish isn’t going to work reliably to get an IP address for China, you’ll need to know where to look next. My recommendation is ExpressVPN, it offers plenty of servers and its new Lightway protocol features faster ping speeds over long distances than most VPNs I’ve tested. That means faster, safer, and more reliable connections for China.
Why You Should Use ExpressVPN for China
ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries worldwide, including a server hub in China. Security features are strong enough to easily bypass the Great Firewall and get you access to your favorite local Chinese like SoHu, YouKu, and Todou. Its new proprietary protocol Lightway is perfect for streaming, it offers fast connections over long distances as well as stability and security. In addition to local Chinese content, you can also access your Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer accounts from almost anywhere you go. ExpressVPN also allows up to 5 simultaneous connections per license and is compatible with a wide variety of devices. ExpressVPN doesn’t slack when it comes to security either, it offers multiple secure protocols including OpenVPN and uses 256-bit AES encryption. It also has a strict no-logs policy, so you’ll never need to worry about the service storing, sharing, or selling your information. All of its apps are highly-intuitive but if you should need help it offers 24/7 live chat support and the customer service representatives are friendly and knowledgeable. ExpressVPN stands by its service too, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get ExpressVPN Today!
Bottom Line
IPVanish can give you an IP address for over 75 countries but China isn’t one of them. It needs to be manually configured for you to even have a chance, which gets to be a lot of work when you just want fast access to YouKu. It’s better to forgo the extra work and get a subscription to ExpressVPN, then you’ll just need to log in and connect to a server in China. Plus it offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can purchase a subscription without feeling tied into a plan if it isn’t a good fit. Use ExpressVPN for China Today!
Is there anything I can do to try and access China with IPVanish?
IPVanish does offer a manual configuration guide if you want to try and use the service to get an IP address in China but it isn’t a job for VPN newbies. Manual configuration can take a lot of time and IPVanish still doesn’t guarantee you’ll be able to bypass the Great Firewall.
Is using IPVanish for China illegal?
No. Only citizens of China are held to the laws and restrictions for internet usage and required to have a license to use a VPN. To date, no tourist has ever gotten in trouble for using one. That said, IPVanish isn’t the best VPN for China. To learn more about VPN restrictions in China, check out this article.
Can I use a free VPN for China?
There are a couple of free VPNs that you can safely use for China but I wouldn’t recommend them over a premium service like ExpressVPN. Even the best free VPNs limit your data, speed, and server selection severely, in an attempt to get you to upgrade to paid plans. Some less reputable free VPNs are riddled with spyware, malware, and viruses that can put your devices and privacy at risk. ExpressVPN gives you unlimited access to all of its features even on the lowest plan and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no need to take a chance with a free VPN.
Looking for the best VPNs for China in 2023, try one of these:
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