Since 2017, the large majority of VPN providers’ websites have been blocked in China. In addition, Google Play doesn’t work either, and the App Store doesn’t let users located in China download any VPN apps.

Because of this, many people find themselves in the conundrum that to purchase a VPN in China, you first need a VPN.

Nonetheless, if you are already in China and need to download or purchase a VPN, there are still ways of doing so. In this article, we will explain how to do it and provide links accessible from China for some VPNs.

All of the VPNs that we mention in this article have good performance in China, but if you want to find out which VPN is best for you, I recommend reading this article first.

Important: We test these links periodically to check if they have been blocked and if they are still accessible from China. However, if you find that a link doesn’t work, please leave us a comment at the end of the article and we’ll update it as soon as possible.

How to download a VPN in China

The majority of VPN provider websites are blocked in China. Even so, the main providers have created “mirror” websites (exact copies of the website with a different URL) that are accessible.

Below is a list of the links to the mirror sites of some of the main VPNs:

• Express VPN
• VyprVPN
• Nord VPN
• Astrill
• StrongVPN

Keep in mind that these websites are also often blocked by the Great Firewall of China. If the link doesn’t work, let us know in the comments section and we’ll change it as soon as possible.

Important: Remember that Gmail is also blocked in China and you need an active email account to be able to register a VPN service. Make sure that you can access your email account in China before purchasing a VPN.

Windows and Mac

Downloading a VPN for Windows or Mac in China isn’t a problem as long as you can access the VPN provider’s website:

1. Access the website of your chosen VPN
2. Purchase a plan based on your needs
3. Access your account
4. Download the software for Windows or Mac from its website
5. Install the software on your computer
6. Connect your VPN and freely access the Internet in China!

Android

Downloading a VPN on Android isn’t very complicated. Because Google Play doesn’t work (unless you have an active VPN), you need to download the .apk file.

1. Access your chosen VPN provider’s website and purchase a plan
2. From your phone, access the VPN provider’s website
3. Download the .apk file
4. When the download finishes, open the file (avoid using Google Play to open the .apk file)
5. Open the app and connect the VPN
6. Use WhatsApp, Google Play and any other app blocked in China!

iOS

Downloading a VPN onto an iOS device in China can be a bit tedious, but if you follow a few simple steps, it isn’t hard.

1. Access your chosen VPN provider’s website and purchase a plan
2. Look up or ask for the manual configuration settings for the VPN (preferably LTP2 or IKEv2)
3. Go to Settings–>General–>VPN–>Add VPN Setting and add the configuration that your VPN provider has given you.
4. Activate the recently configured VPN
5. Go to the App Store
6. Look for and install the VPN app
7. Disconnect the manually configured VPN and use the app
8. Use all of the apps that you want in China!

Important: If you can’t find the app even with the VPN connected, it’s possible that you will have to change the country of the App Store, and to do so, you will have to create a new Apple ID.

Download ExpressVPN in China

Windows and Mac

1. Go to Express VPN’s website through the link that we provide
2. If you still haven’t done so, purchase a plan with ExpressVPN
3. Sign on to your ExpressVPN account
4. In your personal account, you will find the link to download the software and the activation code
5. Download the program, install it and activate it with the code

Android

1. Sign on to your ExpressVPN account
2. Look for the download link for the .apk file (in Configure ExpressVPN) and download it (don’t use Google Play)
3. Once the app is installed, open it and activate it with the code that you will find in your account

iOS

First of all, you will have to configure the VPN manually. To do so, use this configuration:

• Type: L2TP
• Description: ExpressVPN
• Server: You will find the list of servers in your account in the manual configuration section
• Account: your username (email)
• RSA SecurID: This has to be deactivated
• Password: The password for your account
• Secret: 12345678
• Send All Traffic: This has to be activated

Once you have manually connected the VPN, download Express VPN’s app from the App Store.

Download VyprVPN in China

You can easily download the software on its website in the VPN apps section by selecting your operating system.

Android

Download the .apk file that you will find in the VPN Apps section and select Android. The download link is found just below the “Get it on Google Play” icon.

iOS

First of all, you will have to manually configure the VPN with the following settings:

• Type: L2TP
• Description: VyprVPN
• Server: us1.vpn.goldenfrog.com (a list of servers is available on Vypr’s website)
• Account: the email address for your VyprVPN account
• Password: the password for your VyprVPN account
• Secret: thisisourkey

Once you have manually connected your VPN, you can download the VyprVPN app directly in the App Store.

Download NordVPN in China

You can easily download the software on its website in the VPN Apps section by selecting your operating system.

Android

Download the .apk file that you will find in the VPN Apps section by selecting Android. The download link is found just beside the “Available on Google Play” icon.

iOS

First of all, you will have to manually configure NordVPN:

1. Go to NordVPN’s webstite
2. At the end of its website, click on tutorials
3. Click on IKEv2/IPsec, which is below the iOS section
4. Follow the instructions step-by-step

Once you have manually connected your VPN, you can download the NordVPN app directly from the App Store.

Download Astrill in China

You can download the app for Windows and Mac directly from its website in the applications section (downloads) by selecting your operating system.

Android

You will have to look for the .apk file on Bing or Baidu (I haven’t found it on its website) or configure the VPN manually (see how to do this in the following section), and afterwards download the app from Google Play.

iOS

First of all, you will have to manually configure Astrill by using the following settings:

• Type: L2TP
• Description: Astrill L2TP
• Server: lakv.asn247.net (a list of servers is available in the members area)
• Account: the email address of your Astrill account
• Password: the password of your Astrill account
• Secret: way2stars

Once you have manually connected the VPN, you can download the Astrill app directly from the App Store.

Download StrongVPN in China

Click here to go to Strong VPN’s website

Windows and Mac

You can easily download the software on its website in the VPN Apps section by selecting your operating system.

Android

Click here to download the .apk file.

iOS

First you will have to manually configure StrongVPN. A list of instructions on how to do this is found at the bottom of the iOS page.

Once you have manually connected the VPN, you can download StrongVPN’s app directly from the App Store.

VPNs that can’t be downloaded in China

There are some VPNs that we usually recommend that at this time don’t offer the possibility of accessing their website from China. Therefore, you won’t be able to purchase them or download their apps easily if you’re already in China.

• VPN Area
• PureVPN
• TorGuard VPN
• TunnelBear VPN

[Photo Credits (Creative Commons CC0): Pixabay.com]

China has become notorious for blocking a number of foreign social media apps, like LINE, and different news websites. If you’re reading this article, you’re luckier than I was when going to China in 2009, as I had no clue that some apps were blocked.

The truth is that you can still access blocked applications while you’re in China, but you need to make some preparations first and before you depart.

In this article, I explain which social media apps that are blocked in China, what you should do in advance to be able to access LINE when arriving, what’s the equivalent of LINE in China, and more.

Let’s start and have a look what social media apps that are blocked.

What messenger apps are blocked in China?

When I arrived to China in August 2009, Facebook had already been blocked for a couple of months. Since then, we’ve seen a number of apps being blocked over the years, leaving room for Chinese apps to grasp market shares. [Read more…]

Getting Internet access in China is easier than it may seem, but there is important information that you should know. The purpose of this article is to help you choose the best company for your home or phone. At the end you will find a section on travelers.

Basic information on the internet in China

• In China many websites and apps are blocked: Access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube is restricted in China. Click here to find out how to solve this problem.

• Internet in China is extremely slow: Because of the filters and the blocking system, when you go to non-chinese websites, browsing becomes tedious due to the slow speed. If you only want to visit Chinese websites most internet connections work pretty fine though.

[Read more…]

Astrill VPN, which was founded in 2009, for years it was one of the most popular VPNs in China because it was cheap and very effective at getting around Chinese restrictions.

However, in 2017-2018, it was one of the targets of the Great Firewall of China, during which it stopped working for days or offered very poor performance. Because of this, Astrill reinvented itself to offer a premium VPN, making it currently one of the most complete VPNs on the market, but also the most expensive.

Features

Encryption protocols: OpenVPN, OpenWeb, Wireguard, OpenConnect, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, Cisco IPSec, StealthVPN, SSTP and IKEv2/IPSec.

Simultaneous connections: Up to 5 simultaneous connections.

Server count and location: Astrill has more than 300 servers in 64 different countries with more than 3,000 different IP addresses.

Server changes: Unlimited.

[Read more…]

Can you access Instagram China? Like many other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is blocked in China.

However, there are multiple ways of accessing Instagram and other websites and apps blocked in China. Out of all of these methods, without a doubt, VPNs are the simplest and most effective system.

In this article, we will give you a simple and step-by-step explanation on how to unblock Instagram in China.

Unblocking Instagram in China

To unblock Instagram in China, all you will need is Internet access and a system to get around restrictions.

Accessing the Internet in China

If you’re traveling in China, finding Internet access is relatively easy, as free Wi-Fi networks are available at many businesses such as cafés, restaurants, hotels and airports, among others.

In any event, if you want to always be connected or are going to travel to rural areas, it might be a good idea to purchase a SIM card with a data plan. To get a prepaid SIM card, all you will need is to take your passport to an official store of one of the main telephone operators (China Telecom, China Unicom or China Mobile). If you’re going to be one month or less, 200 Yuan is usually enough to buy the card, a basic data plan and a bit of credit for calls.
[Read more…]

Is it possible to access WhatsApp in China? Despite the fact that since September 2017, China has been blocking video calls, messages, and file transfers on the app, it’s still possible to access WhatsApp in China if you know how.

In this article, we will give you a step-by-step explanation of how to use WhatsApp in China.

What do you need to use WhatsApp in China?

Using WhatsApp in China is relatively simple and you will only need two things:

1. An Internet connection

It’s obvious that to be able to use WhatsApp, you will need to be connected to the Internet. As I explain below, connecting to the Internet in China is relatively easy.

2. An app to get around the Great Firewall

The Great Firewall of China is the reason why many websites and apps aren’t accessible in the country.

To get around the Great Firewall, you don’t need to be an expert. You can simply download an app onto your phone that lets you access a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

Currently, VPNs are the easiest and most efficient way to get around the Great Firewall.

[Read more…]

As you likely already know, in China, Internet use restrictions exist, which means that many apps and websites can’t be freely accessed. In this article, we will give you a simple explanation on how you can use Telegram and any other app or website that is blocked in China.

[Read more…]

Does ExpressVPN still works in China? The short answer is “YES”!

The purpose of this article is to review ExpressVPN, which, in my opinion, is one of the best VPNs currently on the market. If you still don’t know what a VPN is, just go till the end of this article to learn more.

Why is ExpressVPN one of the best VPNs on the market?

ExpressVPN offers one of the best encryptions and IP blockers on the market. How do I know? Because it is one of the few VPNs that is able to pass one of the most demanding tests that exists: I’m talking about the Great Firewall of China, which limits access to innumerable websites such as Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter.

For years, we have tried a lot of VPNs, both paid and free in China, and I ensure you that few are capable of getting around the Great Firewall of China, and among those, few offer a stable and fast connection. For this entire time, ExpressVPN has been a sure choice, as it has only rarely experienced problems in this country.

[Read more…]

Created in 2007, Ivacy is one of the oldest VPNs on the market and one of the first VPNs to incorporate interesting options such as Split Tunneling in its applications. However, despite all of this, it continues to be unknown among many VPN users. In short, Ivacy is a complete and cheap VPN with acceptable services.

Features

• Encryption protocols: PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, OpenVPN and IKEv2.
• Simultaneous connections: 5 simultaneous connections.
• Number of countries with servers: Ivacy has more than 1000 servers located in 50 different countries.
• Server changes allowed: Unlimited.
• Applications: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Kody and Xbox.
• Customer service: 24/7/365 via live chat or email.
• Guaranteed money back: 30 and 7 days for monthly subscriptions.
• Special functionalities: Split Tunneling, Kill Switch, Secure DNS, IPv6 Leak Protection, NAT Firewall.

[Read more…]

Hide My Ass is one of the oldest VPN providers, and used to be very popular. However, over the past years, new providers with better services have appeared, reducing its popularity among users. In any event, Hide My Ass continues to be a VPN to keep in mind due to its ease of use, high server count and the options that it offers.

Features

• Encryption protocols: OpenVPN®-TCP, OpenVPN®-UDP, L2TP (manual configuration), PPTP (manual configuration).
• Simultaneous connections: 5 simultaneous connections.
• Number of countries with servers: 190 countries and 280 different locations.
• Server changes allowed: unlimited.
• Applications: Windows, Linux, Mac, Android and iOS.
• Customer service: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year via email and live chat.
• Guaranteed money back: 30 days, 7-day free trial.
• Special functions: dynamic IP addresses, System Kill Switch.

[Read more…]

You probably already know that sites such as Facebook, Youtube or Google.com are blocked in China and that the only way to access them is with a VPN.

But what about the other hundreds of web sites that we normally use?

Are we sure that they’ll work in China?

One of the most frequent questions we receive is if a certain website or app, such as Dropbox Google Play, is blocked in China.

In this article we’ll list all web sites, which at the moment, don’t work beyond the Great Firewall of China, or the system developed by the Ministry of Public Security, (MPS) to control access to websites considered “dangerous” for Chinese citizens. [Read more…]

How to access geographically restricted content

[Read more…]

One of the common questions that people going to China will ask themselves is how they can communicate with people outside of the country. The purpose of this article is to present and analyze each of the possibilities for making calls and video calls from China.

As you should already know, a large number of apps and websites can’t be accessed freely in China, and you are going to need a VPN or an alternative system to get around the Great Firewall of China.

Using Skype in China

Despite the fact that some inaccurate news is still circulating online, Skype is NOT blocked in China.

However, if you try to download the Skype app on the iOS app market or one of the Android markets (Google Play is blocked) once you’re in China, you won’t find it. In addition, if you want to access the Skype webpage, you will be redirected to a Chinese webpage (skype.gmw.cn) where you will download a modified version of Skype that complies with Chinese regulations. Complying with Chinese regulations means that communications are redirected (and monitored) via a Skype partner in China.
[Read more…]

For the past few years, Tinder has been blocked in China. However, using Tinder in China is easy if you know how.

In this article, we give a simple explanation of what you need to unblock Tinder in China, what a VPN is and what are the best VPNs for accessing any apps blocked in China. Last of all, we explain what type of people you can find on Tinder and what alternatives exist in China for dating.

What do you need to access Tinder in China?

1. Internet access: It’s obvious that to access Tinder, you will first need to be connected to the Internet. However, is it difficult to access the Internet in China? As opposed to what some people might think, accessing the Internet in China is relatively easy.

• Public Wi-Fi networks: The majority of public places, including restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels and airports, have free Wi-Fi networks available for their customers. In small cities, it can be a bit more difficult to find places with free Internet, but you can still find it at places like hotels.

• A SIM card with data: If you want to use Tinder in China, the most convenient thing might be to have mobile data access, and unless you want to spend a lot of money on roaming, the best idea is to buy a Chinese SIM card. Getting a prepaid Chinese SIM card is cheap and relatively simple. All you have to do is take your passport to an official store of one of the country’s main operators (there aren’t big differences between them). Normally they will ask you to choose a telephone number from those available and a monthly data plan. For the majority of people, approximately 200 Yuan should be enough for a SIM card, a decent data plan and a bit of credit in case you need to make a call.

2. A system to get around Internet restrictions: Tinder and many of the most popular apps in the West are blocked in China. Nonetheless, there are numerous ways of getting around the restrictions of the Great Firewall of China and using the blocked apps without restrictions. Today, the most efficient system for accessing apps blocked in China is by using a Virtual Private Network or VPN.

What is a VPN and what is it used for in China?

A VPN is a system that encrypts your connection to the Internet and redirects it through a server located in another place. This increases the security of your connection (third parties can’t view your activities online) and hides your IP address (the origin of your connection can’t be seen).

This is an especially useful system in China, as restriction systems will not be able to know what you are looking at on the Internet and websites and applications won’t know the origin of your connection (they will only see the IP of a server located outside of China). This way, you can browse the Internet and use apps without any types of restrictions.

What VPN should I used to unblock Tinder in China?

Not all VPNs work in China, and choosing the right one is very important to avoid headaches with the stability and reliability of your connection.

In our experience, for the majority of users, we recommend ExpressVPN, as it’s a VPN that’s easy to use on any type of device, and has been one of the most reliable VPNs in China for a long time both in terms of its speed and stability.

Any event, we recommend that you take a look at this article, which is updated monthly, where we analyze the best VPNs for China.

Who uses Tinder in China?

Because you need a VPN to use Tinder in China, it’s obvious that this has effect on the type of profiles that you can meet on Tinder, which has its advantages and drawbacks.

What types of people use Tinder in China? Below, I give a general list of the typical profiles that you can find on Tinder:

• Ex-pats working in China

• Foreign students

• Foreigners traveling to China for business or tourism

• Chinese people that have worked or studied abroad

• Chinese people that work at companies with international connections

• Chinese people that have a particular interest in meeting foreigners

The big advantage of these types of profiles is that the majority of people will be capable of speaking English, and it will likely be easy to find profiles with interests and customs similar to yours, making conversation topics and the first contact a lot easier. The big disadvantage is obvious: the options are limited due to the relatively low number of people using a VPN in China, and especially Chinese people.

If you want to increase your chances for meeting interesting profiles among local people, in the following section, you can find some alternatives to Tinder.

Alternatives to Tinder in China

In China, there exist multiple dating apps that are equivalent to Tinder that even some foreigners use. Below are the details of some of the most popular ones:

Momo 陌陌: This is probably the most popular dating app in China, but it has a bit of a bad reputation. The company has tried to improve its reputation by turning it into a sort of social network that makes it a bit complicated to use for beginners. It’s without a doubt the app used by the most foreigners.

Tantan 探探: This app has an interface that is almost identical to that of Tinder, and is very popular in China. For regular Tinder users, it will be easy to use this app, especially because it has an English version.

Qing Chifan 请吃饭: This literally means “invite out to eat.” It’s a very popular app where people can offer to invite you to eat at a place or a specific type of food. Later, people can sign up for the offer (the person making the invitation selects who they want to invite in the end).

Liu Liu 遛遛: This is a dating app for animal lovers. This app is intended for people who have pets and want to meet people with the same passion. The app doesn’t just give importance to the person’s profile but also the pet’s profile.

Wechat 微信: Wechat is much more than a dating app, as it is the most used messaging app in China and has options that you can use to meet people. The “People nearby” option will show you people nearby you with the option activated and who are therefore willing to chat (you can filter by gender). For more information on this app, you can read our complete guide on it.

[Photo Credits (Creative Commons CC0): Pixabay.com]

During the past years, I have written several articles on VPNs and one of the most common things people ask me is:

I found this free VPN. What do you think of it?

So, this article is especially dedicated to those people. In it, I expose 6 reasons why you should avoid using a free VPN:

• Offering a VPN service is not free

• Some companies sell their users’ bandwidth

• Some companies collect and sell your internet use data

• Some providers modify the web code to show ads

• Many VPNs don’t really offer secure connections

• VPN services can be used by scammers

You can click here to read our comparative review of the VPNs that we currently recommend.
[Read more…]