Ključni zaključci
- One popular method in China is to access a VPN through a Mirror Website. Some VPNS like ZoogVPN i LightningX VPN provide mirror sites for users in China. While their main websites will not open in China, their mirror websites will open.
- Manual connection is another reliable method to use in China, but it requires the user to set things up manually. The advantage of manual connection is that it makes it difficult to know that a user is using a VPN. Surfshark is popular for its manual connection solution.
If you find yourself in China and unable to access some websites, then that’s normal. The government built the Great Firewall to protect its citizens from the propaganda and dangers of the world. However, you can bypass those restrictions using a VPN.
The Chinese government is also aware that you can bypass those restrictions, and that’s why they regulate VPN services and ban companies that don’t respect those regulations.
This guide helps you to achieve free browsing in China by showing you the methods that currently work in the People’s Republic for VPN use. It additionally includes a list of the current best services for your convenience.
Why You Need VPN in China
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) works by connecting your computer or smartphone to a server in another location and additionally encrypting that connection, so that no one else can see or understand your communication. You can then request websites using this remote server as a proxy, and it fetches the information and delivers it to your phone or computer.
Such a connection eventually appears as though you were in the remote location, where the proxy server is located, thereby avoiding Internet server restrictions imposed on your real location or enabling you to access information limited to only specific locations–in this case, the physical location of your VPN proxy server.
A second reason for using VPN services is to evade censorship and surveillance. Most governments and large corporations filter traffic through their network using either DNS (Domain Name System) blacklisting or direct IP address blacklisting. A VPN allows you to use a remote server’s DNS system without restrictions, thereby evading censorship. VPN connections are also encrypted, thereby enabling you to evade general surveillance measures.
The Chinese government allows VPN services to run in China as long as they adhere to local regulations, which include keeping logs of their users’ activity in a server domiciled in the People’s Republic. Many foreign VPN providers do not adhere to these Chinese regulations, so the government bans them, making it difficult or impossible for them to operate in the country.
How to Set Up A VPN In China
If you find yourself already in China and in need of a VPN service to browse your favorite websites, then there are two possible methods for you to follow and set up a VPN connection. The first is a mirror site install, which works with a few VPN services, while the second method is a manual install, which currently works with the Surfshark VPN and NordVPN services.
Method 1: Mirror Site Installation
As already mentioned, many foreign VPN service providers do not adhere to China’s regulations, and therefore, their websites are banned from being accessed inside Chinese territory. This makes it difficult or even impossible to download and install the software inside China.
To counter this measure, some VPN providers like ZoogVPN i MunjaX provide alternative web addresses (mirror sites) to download and install their VPN software. The mirror sites of each provider is listed below in the section describing the best VPN providers for China.
Metoda 2: Ručna instalacija
Another method of bypassing China’s firewall and setting up a VPN on your computer or phone is to manually configure your device for either the WireGuard, IKEv2 or the OpenVPN protocols.
All three protocols have their pros and cons. OpenVPN, for instance, offers the best reliability, while WireGuard is the most modern protocol and offers the fastest speeds. IKEv2 is perfect for mobile devices such as smartphones.
This method is currently supported by SurfShark, and you can get detailed instructions for installing all three VPN protocols on all devices, including Android, Windows, Linux, iOS, macOS, and even Raspberry Pi devices, once you sign up.
The Best VPN Services for China
1. ZoogVPN
Najbolje za: Shadow protocol and top speeds
Web stranica: zoogvpn.com
Mirror Site For China: zoog.pro
ZoogVPN is a Greece-based privacy company that offers an incredibly fast VPN service with lots of features at a low and competitive price. ZoogVPN is a freemium service, which offers up to 10GB of free bandwidth per month on its free tier, while offering unlimited bandwidth for up to 10 simultaneous devices for just $2.49 per month.
You can download it from inside China using its mirror site zoog.pro. Installation is straightforward, and it works on various platforms, including Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Kindle Fire, routers, and more. One ZoogVPN account supports up to 10 simultaneous devices.
Its Shadow protocol makes it outstanding for use in China because it is specifically designed to obfuscate your VPN traffic so well that government surveillance systems will never detect that you are running a VPN. This way, your risk of getting banned remains low.
ZoogVPN also features all the other major functionalities you can expect, such as a no-logs policy, split-tunneling, a kill switch, ad blocking, and various encryption protocols, including IKEv2 and OpenVPN.
Značajke:
- Top speeds for smooth browsing
- Niske i atraktivne cijene
- Features the Shadow protocol to hide your VPN use
- Freemium offer with 10GB free per month
- Solid and reliable service
- Accepts WeChat pay and Alipay
Poslužitelji: 1,000+ servers in 100+ locations
Podržani uređaji: 10 uređaja
Platforme: Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook etc
Cijene: Freemium ($2.49 per month)
2. LightningX
Najbolje za: Streaming services
Web stranica: lightningxvpn.com
Mirror Site For China: slaclouds.com
Another VPN service that works well within China is LightningX. It is a fast and reliable network with over 2000 servers in 1,000+ locations and is great for accessing streaming services such as YouTube, HBO, and Netflix.
LightningX allows up to 3 devices to be used simultaneously and offers an IP customization service between dedicated, dynamic, and static IPs, so you can better set up your connections for secure browsing or business use.
You can choose between weekly, monthly, and yearly subscriptions for $3.99, $9.99, and $59, respectively.
Značajke:
- Fast and reliable network
- Accepts Alipay and WeChat Pay
- Great for Netflix, HBO, YouTube, TikTok
- Includes IP customization service
Poslužitelji: 2,000+ servers, 1,000+ locations, 70+ countries
Podržani uređaji: 3 uređaja
Platforme: Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Chrome, etc
Cijene: $9.99 per month, $59 per year
3, SurfShark
Najbolje za: Low price and unlimited connected devices
Web stranica: surfshark.com
Mirror Site For China: surfshark.co.uk
Another solid VPN service for connecting to the open Internet from China is SurfShark. It offers both mirror websites to download and install its app within China, as well as the option for a manual setup.
SurfShark’s manual setup allows you to set up a VPN connection between your device and SurfShark’s servers by entering specific setup information that connects both systems without needing SurfShark’s app.
There are specific instructions for different devices and for the different protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. SurfShark recommends OpenVPN for manual setup within China because it comes with obfuscation features to keep your networking secure and undetectable.
Značajke:
- Brze brzine veze
- Absolutely low pricing for unlimited devices
- Jednostavno postavljanje
- Includes malware protection and spam prevention
- Flexible plans to choose from
Poslužitelji: 4,500+ u 100+ zemalja
Podržani uređaji: Unlimited devices
Platforme: Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, macOS, etc
Cijene: Počinje od 1.99 USD
4. NordVPN
Najbolje za: Highest server selection & extra privacy features
Web stranica: nordvpn.com
Mirror Site For China: nordwangluo.com.
As one of the most popular VPN providers worldwide, NordVPN’s services has been repeatedly blocked in China, so their apps don’t work from inside China.
However, if you already have a NordVPN account and are technically inclined, then you can use the instructions on their website to try a manual IKEv2 setup using a third-party app.
Značajke:
- Popular and established VPN brand
- Offers manual IKEv2 setup
- Includes extra privacy and security features
- Attractive single-plan subscription
Servers: 9,400+ servers in 212+ locations
Supported Devices: 10 devices
platforme:
Pricing: From $3.09 / month with 2-year billing
Some Tips About China VPN Use
Here are a few tips to keep in mind regarding blocked websites and VPN use inside China.
1. International roaming also works: International roaming connections are not subject to China’s Great Firewall regulation. So, if you travel to China with your foreign SIM card from a foreign telecoms provider, you will be able to access most websites like you normally do with your provider outside China. This way, many travelers retain access to their social media and email accounts, as well as news from home. The only consideration you have to make here is your provider’s roaming costs, as they can be high.
2. Download & install VPN before traveling: For best results, it is recommended to first download and install your VPN service of choice before entering into Chinese territory. This way, you will have fewer issues with the downloading and installation of the apps. Secondly, you will also test and confirm that your VPN connections are working in an unrestricted environment.
3. Install multiple VPNs: Another important recommendation is to install more than one VPN app. This way, you can always have a spare service to fall on if your first provider suddenly becomes unavailable inside China.
Često postavljana pitanja
The following are some of the frequently asked questions and their answers regarding China and VPN use.
P: Jesu li VPN-ovi legalni u Kini?
A: Yes, if the VPN company complies with Chinese regulations. Otherwise, they are banned by the Chinese government, making their use fall in the gray zone. You should note, however, that there is no known case of a visitor ever being arrested in China for personal VPN use. Except maybe you are a spy, a political activist, and so on.
Q: Why do I need a VPN in China?
A: Websites like Facebook, Google, Gmail, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, X, and many more are blocked in China because they do not follow the government’s rules and regulations. You generally need a VPN to access these blocked sites.
Q: Can I use VPN in China for the long term?
A: Short-term VPN use in China tends to be overlooked by the government, while long-term use could attract attention. If you plan to stay long in the country, then using a VPN service with obfuscation functionality is a must, as it makes your browsing look normal. Otherwise, having a foreign sim card with roaming functionality might be an option.
Q: Does roaming unblock blocked sites in China?
A: Yes, using a non-Chinese telecoms provider service in roaming mode unblocks all websites inside China. However, you still have to pay roaming costs.
Q: Can eSims bypass the Great Firewall?
A: Yes, some eSims like Holafly come integrated with a VPN, but they can cost up to $75 for a 30-day stay in China.
Zaključak
You have seen how China polices its Internet and how you can use a VPN to bypass those restrictions and access your accounts and other content on the open Internet.
It should also be clear that, notwithstanding the government’s various surveillance technologies, there will always be a few VPN services that work inside China, even if only for the moment.
Finally, if you are still undecided, then go with ZoogVPN.
