Does NordVPN Work in China? Official Statement and Real-World Testing

Are you planning a trip to China and wondering if your VPN will work? Many travelers rely on services like NordVPN to bypass the country’s powerful internet censorship system, known as the Great Firewall, which restricts access to many foreign websites and online services. However, users often report that NordVPN cannot connect reliably in China, frequently showing “server unavailable” messages that prevent access to the global internet.

To clarify this issue, we investigated NordVPN’s performance by reviewing both official company statements and practical testing in multiple Chinese cities. This article provides a detailed look at whether NordVPN can be used in China, what limitations exist, and which alternatives travelers may consider.

Conclusion: NordVPN does not connect in China (as officially acknowledged)

Based on our recent findings and practical tests, NordVPN is not a reliable service for use within mainland China. The primary reason for this is the sophisticated blocking technology of the Great Firewall (GFW), which actively targets and blocks the servers and protocols used by major VPN providers, including NordVPN.

This is not just based on user reports; NordVPN itself has acknowledged these difficulties. In support documents and official statements, the company often mentions that users in regions with heavy internet restrictions (specifically naming China) may experience significant connectivity problems. They cannot guarantee a stable service in this environment. Our own testing confirms this, showing consistent connection failures.

Not all VPNs can get through the Great Firewall of China, and NordVPN is no exception. Online censorship can change in an instant, but it’s always worth trying to use NordVPN through the app. data source: NordVPN Official Statement

Although there is outdated information online suggesting that NordVPN used to work in China, travelers should be aware that, at present, it is highly unlikely to function reliably within the country.

Connection Verification Conducted in Multiple Cities + Multiple Servers

In addition to reviewing the official statement, VPN Life conducted practical connection tests across mainland China to verify NordVPN’s performance.

These tests were carried out in multiple major cities, using a range of devices including Windows PCs and mobile phones, to account for different regional network environments.

We attempted to connect to a wide array of NordVPN servers, including nearby locations such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, as well as servers in North America and Europe. Despite repeated attempts across different cities and servers, all connection attempts failed, resulting in a 0% success rate during the verification period.

Obfuscated Servers Also Fail to Connect

NordVPN offers a specific feature called “Obfuscated Servers” (often using the OpenVPN protocol). This feature is designed to disguise VPN traffic, making it look like standard, encrypted HTTPS traffic. In theory, this should make it much harder for systems like the GFW to detect and block the connection.

Our practical tests included these Obfuscated Servers. However, in present-day China, obfuscated servers also fail to function.
Some users have reported success by switching the protocol to “OpenVPN,” but based on VPN Life’s on-site testing across multiple Chinese regions, even this method did not result in a successful connection.

Recommended VPNs Usable in China

While NordVPN and many other popular global VPNs struggle in China, our testing confirmed that several specialized services remain effective. These providers use different technologies or are more agile in adapting to the GFW’s blocks.

Here are some excellent VPN services we recommend.

FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions regarding VPN use in China.

Conclusion

NordVPN is currently unavailable for use within mainland China.

This is largely due to the Chinese government’s tightening of internet regulations under the Great Firewall, which has blocked NordVPN’s official app and obfuscated servers. As a result, it is now extremely difficult to establish a stable connection from inside the country.

If you plan to travel or stay in China, it is best not to rely on NordVPN. Instead, consider other VPN providers that are known to work more reliably there, such as 12VPX or UCSS.

Be sure to set up and install your VPN service before entering China, as most VPN websites and apps are blocked once you are inside the country.