Which VPN Works in China? Essential Information for Australian Travellers

Understanding China's Internet Restrictions: What Australian Travellers Need to Know

If you're an Australian planning travel to China for business or tourism, you've likely heard about China's internet censorship system, commonly called the "Great Firewall." This sophisticated system blocks access to thousands of websites and services that Australians use daily: Google, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp, and many more. For Australians accustomed to unrestricted internet access, arriving in China and discovering you can't access your email, social media, or essential business applications can be genuinely disorienting.

This is where VPNs become not just useful but essential for Australian travellers to China. A VPN can bypass the Great Firewall's blocking mechanisms by encrypting your connection and routing it through servers outside China. However – and this is critical – not all VPNs work in China. The Chinese government actively blocks VPN connections, and the effectiveness of different VPN services varies dramatically. After advising hundreds of Australian clients about travel to China, I can tell you that having the right VPN information before you arrive is crucial. Once you're in China with a blocked VPN, fixing the problem becomes much more difficult.

Let me provide you with honest, practical guidance based on real experiences from Australian travellers and my own testing of VPN services from locations in and near China. This isn't theoretical information – these are practical recommendations for Australians who need reliable internet access during China visits.

Which VPNs Actually Work in China in 2026?

The most common questions I receive from Australian travellers are "which VPN works in China?" and "what VPN works in China?" The honest answer is complicated because China's blocking becomes more sophisticated every year, and what works today might not work next month. However, certain VPN providers have proven more resilient against blocking than others, consistently maintaining functionality even as China updates its detection methods.

Based on traveller reports, testing data, and technical analysis of how different VPNs attempt to bypass the Great Firewall, here's my assessment of VPN performance in China as of 2026:

This table reflects the situation as of early 2026, but I must emphasise that China's blocking evolves constantly. What works reliably today might be disrupted tomorrow, particularly around politically sensitive dates or events. Always have a backup plan and ideally multiple VPN services configured before arriving in China.

Does Express VPN Work in China? Detailed Analysis

Since ExpressVPN is one of the most popular services among Australians, I'm frequently asked "does Express VPN work in China?" The answer based on traveller reports and testing is: yes, ExpressVPN generally works in China and is one of the more reliable options available. However, "generally works" doesn't mean "always works perfectly without any issues." Let me explain what you should realistically expect.

ExpressVPN's Technical Approach to China

ExpressVPN uses several technologies to bypass the Great Firewall. Their servers use obfuscation techniques that disguise VPN traffic to look like regular HTTPS traffic, making it harder for China's deep packet inspection systems to identify and block VPN connections. They maintain servers in Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and other Asia-Pacific locations that provide good performance for users in China. The service automatically attempts to find working servers and protocols when connections are blocked.

From a technical standpoint, understanding how VPNs work generally helps appreciate why some services like ExpressVPN succeed in China while others fail. It's not just about encryption strength but about obfuscation and protocol sophistication.

Real-World Performance Based on Australian Traveller Reports

Based on feedback from Australian clients who've travelled to China with ExpressVPN, here's what you can typically expect. Connection establishment takes longer than in Australia – often 15-30 seconds rather than a few seconds. You may need to try several server locations before finding one that connects successfully. Speeds are significantly slower than outside China, often 30-50% of your normal connection speed. During politically sensitive periods (major political events, anniversaries, etc.), blocking intensifies and even ExpressVPN may struggle to maintain connections.

However, despite these challenges, most Australian travellers report that ExpressVPN allows them to access blocked services more days than not. You can usually get your email, check social media, and stay in touch with family back in Australia, even if the experience isn't as seamless as you'd like.

Practical Usage Tips for ExpressVPN in China

• Download and fully configure ExpressVPN before arriving in China
• Test connection to multiple server locations while still in Australia
• Enable automatic protocol selection in settings
• Add important contacts on Chinese-accessible platforms (WeChat) as backup communication
• Screenshot or save offline your account details and server recommendations
• Consider Hong Kong, Japan, or Singapore servers first for best performance
• Be patient with connection times – expect it to take 30+ seconds

Does Nord VPN Work in China?

NordVPN is another service popular among Australians, making "does Nord VPN work in China?" another frequent question. The answer is more qualified than for ExpressVPN: NordVPN can work in China, but it's less reliable and requires specific configuration that many travellers don't realise they need to set up beforehand.

NordVPN offers "obfuscated servers" specifically designed for countries with VPN restrictions. However, these servers are not enabled by default. If you arrive in China with NordVPN installed but haven't configured obfuscated servers, you'll likely find that standard servers are blocked. Here's the problem: once you're in China, NordVPN's website is blocked, making it difficult to find documentation about enabling obfuscated servers.

How to Configure NordVPN for China Use

Before leaving Australia, open your NordVPN app and navigate to settings. Look for "Obfuscated Servers" option and enable it. Once enabled, your server list will show only obfuscated servers, which are designed to bypass VPN blocking. Connect to one of these servers and verify it works in Australia. Save this configuration.

Additionally, I recommend testing NordVPN's connection protocols. OpenVPN (TCP) typically works better than OpenVPN (UDP) in China because it's harder to distinguish from regular web traffic. NordLynx (NordVPN's implementation of WireGuard) is usually blocked in China, so stick with OpenVPN protocols when there.

With proper configuration, NordVPN can function adequately in China. However, based on traveller feedback, it's less consistent than ExpressVPN or Astrill. You'll experience more connection failures and may spend more time troubleshooting. For Australians who already have NordVPN subscriptions, it's worth trying (with proper pre-configuration), but I wouldn't recommend purchasing NordVPN specifically for a China trip when more reliable options exist.

Understanding VPN safety and security fundamentals is also important when using VPNs in China, as you want services with strong encryption and privacy protections given the surveillance environment.

Preparing for Your China Trip: Essential VPN Setup Timeline

Successful VPN use in China requires advance preparation. I've developed this timeline based on helping Australian travellers prepare for China visits. Follow these steps to maximise your chances of staying connected during your trip.

Can You Use VPN in China? Legal Considerations for Australians

Another important question Australians ask me is whether using a VPN in China is legal. This is a nuanced area that requires careful explanation because the legal situation doesn't match what many people assume.

Technically, VPN use in China exists in a legal grey area. The Chinese government hasn't explicitly criminalised VPN use for individuals, particularly foreign visitors. However, unauthorised VPN services (which includes most consumer VPN services used by tourists) are technically not permitted under Chinese telecommunications regulations. The government's primary enforcement focus is on VPN providers operating in China and on Chinese citizens, not on foreign tourists using VPNs for personal communication.

In practical terms, millions of foreign visitors and business travellers use VPNs in China every year without legal consequences. Chinese authorities are aware of this and generally don't target foreign tourists for VPN use. That said, the legal ambiguity means there's no absolute guarantee of zero risk.

Practical Risk Assessment for Australian Travellers

Based on fifteen years of advising Australian clients about international travel security, here's my realistic risk assessment. The probability of facing legal trouble as an Australian tourist using a VPN for personal communication in China is extremely low. You're using it to access Gmail, stay in touch with family, and use services that are routine in Australia – this isn't the behaviour Chinese authorities are concerned about.

However, context matters. Using VPNs to access politically sensitive content, distribute prohibited information, or engage in activities the Chinese government considers threatening would carry significantly higher risk. For typical Australian tourists and business travellers using VPNs for mundane communication and work purposes, the practical risk is minimal.

For deeper understanding of VPN legality more broadly, including Australian regulations, see my page on VPN legal considerations.

Mia's Recommendation on China VPN Use

I advise Australian clients that using a VPN for personal communication during China visits is a reasonable and commonly practiced approach to staying connected. However, I also recommend discretion – don't advertise that you're using a VPN, don't help others circumvent blocks (which could be seen as assisting in telecommunications violations), and focus your VPN use on legitimate personal and business communication rather than accessing sensitive or prohibited content.

The risk isn't zero, but it's low enough that the practical benefit of staying connected with family, accessing email, and maintaining business communications outweighs the minimal legal risk for most Australian travellers.

Alternative Strategies: What If Your VPN Doesn't Work?

Despite best preparations, you may encounter situations in China where your VPN simply won't connect. China's blocking becomes more aggressive during politically sensitive periods, and even reliable VPNs can struggle. Having backup strategies is essential for Australian travellers who need to maintain communication.

Strategy 1: Use Chinese Alternative Services

Many blocked Western services have Chinese equivalents that work within China. WeChat replaces WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger for messaging. Baidu serves as an alternative to Google Search (though search results are censored). Chinese payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay are essential for transactions since many places don't accept foreign credit cards. While these Chinese services involve surveillance concerns, they're legal, widely used, and functional without VPN.

Before travelling, set up WeChat and add important contacts. WeChat can handle text, voice, and video calls, making it an effective backup communication channel when VPN fails. Many Chinese businesses and hotels prefer WeChat for customer communication anyway, so having it configured is practical beyond just VPN backup.

Strategy 2: Travel to Hong Kong or Macau for Internet Access

Hong Kong and Macau, while part of China, maintain different internet policies and don't have the Great Firewall restrictions. If you're on an extended China trip and desperately need unrestricted internet access for work or personal reasons, a day trip to Hong Kong or Macau provides access to open internet without VPN. This obviously isn't practical for daily use, but for critical situations (important video conferences, large file transfers, accessing services that absolutely won't work through VPN), it's an option.

Strategy 3: International Roaming as Last Resort

Some Australian mobile carriers' international roaming data connections can sometimes access blocked services without VPN, depending on how traffic is routed. This is inconsistent and expensive, but in emergency situations where you absolutely must access something and VPN isn't working, trying cellular data roaming might provide access. Check your carrier's China roaming rates before travelling – they're typically very expensive, so this should only be emergency fallback.

Strategy 4: Portable Wi-Fi Devices with Pre-Configured VPN

Some companies offer portable Wi-Fi devices (pocket Wi-Fi) that come with VPN connectivity pre-configured. These devices provide their own internet connection with VPN already bypassing the Great Firewall. You connect your phone and laptop to the portable device's Wi-Fi, and the device handles VPN connection. This can be more reliable than device-level VPNs but adds cost (rental fees for the device plus data plans). For business travellers who absolutely must maintain connectivity, portable VPN-enabled Wi-Fi devices offer a premium solution.

What Services Will You Need VPN Access For?

Understanding what's actually blocked in China helps you prepare for what you'll need VPN access to reach. Here's a rundown of commonly used services by Australians and their China accessibility.

This comprehensive blocking of services Australians use daily is why VPN becomes essential for China travel. Without VPN, you lose access to email, can't check social media, can't use familiar messaging apps, and can't access Australian news and information sources. For business travellers, blocked access to Google services, Dropbox, and other business tools can seriously impact productivity.

Key Takeaways for Australian Travellers to China

Additional Resources for Travel Security

For more information about staying safe and connected while travelling internationally:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government) - Official travel advice for Australians, including China-specific guidance
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Consular services and emergency assistance information
• Australian Cyber Security Centre - Cybersecurity guidance for international travel
• Office of the Australian Information Commissioner - Privacy protection guidance for travellers