Navigating the internet in China presents unique challenges. Due to the sophisticated filtering system known as the GFW (Great Firewall), many websites and services commonplace elsewhere—like Google, Facebook, and Twitter—are inaccessible. This leads many travelers, expatriates, and even residents to search for a VPN Can be used in China.
However, finding a truly Usable service is difficult, as many providers are actively blocked. We understand the frustration of arriving only to find your chosen service fails to connect. That’s why we conducted on-site testing to verify which VPNs genuinely provide reliable access from within the country. This article details our findings and recommendations.
VPN Life is managed by SNI, a team with extensive experience in business and residence across various parts of China. Team members are based in cities such as Tianjin, Suzhou, and Yuyao, using VPNs regularly in daily life and work. Furthermore, through business trips, they have also tested VPN stability in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen etc.
Conclusion: Recommended VPNs for China
Based on our rigorous local connection tests, the most reliable VPN services for use in China are those specifically designed or adapted to overcome the GFW. While many popular global brands struggle, specialized services consistently perform better.
The primary reason for this is their use of obfuscation technologies (like Shadowsocks, Vmess, or proprietary protocols) that disguise VPN traffic, making it harder for the GFW to detect and block.
For instance, services like 12vpx and UCSS, which focus heavily on the China market, demonstrated superior stability in our tests compared to some larger, more generalized providers. Therefore, selecting a VPN provider known for its specific strategies for China is crucial for maintaining consistent internet access.
Overview of VPN Life’s On-Site Connection Tests
To provide accurate recommendations, we don’t rely solely on marketing claims. Our team, under the “VPN Life” banner, conducts regular, hands-on connection tests from various locations within mainland China.
We evaluate services based on several key metrics:
Connection Success Rate
How reliably does the VPN establish a connection? We test this multiple times per day across different servers.
Stability
Once connected, does the connection remain stable, or does it drop frequently? This is vital for tasks like video calls or streaming.
Speed
We measure download and upload speeds to determine the impact on browsing, streaming, and other activities.
App Usability
How easy is it to configure and use the app, especially if initial access requires technical adjustments?
These tests allow us to differentiate between services that merely claim to work in China and those that deliver consistent performance on the ground.
| Testing Period | Main Test Locations | Details |
|---|---|---|
| April～September, 2024 | Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanchang, Ningbo, Yuyao | Test Results (Japanese) |
| October～December, 2024 | Tianjin, Shanghai, Kunshan, Suzhou, Ningbo, Yuyao | Test Results (Japanese) |
| January～March, 2025 | Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yuyao, Ningbo | Test Results (Japanese) |
| April～June, 2025 | Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yuyao, Ningbo | Test Results (Japanese) |
| July～October, 2025 | Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yuyao, Chaozhou | Test Results (Japanese) |
Recommended VPN that works in China
Here are the top-performing VPNs from our recent verification tests. These services have demonstrated the ability to navigate China’s complex network environment effectively.
| 12VPX | UCSS | ExpressVPN | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $27.99 12-Months: $12.50/month 24-Months: $10.00/month | UCSS Lite 1-Month: $29.00 UCSS 3-Months: $12.00-$70.00/month UCSS 12-Months: $9.00-$52.50/month | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 14 days | None | 30 days |
| Countries | 31 | 18+ | 105 |
| Servers | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | 3,000+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 6 | 3 | 12 |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Ultra Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging (Excluding Korean servers) | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Email Support | 24/7 Email Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
12VPX (12VPN): VPN Renowned for Stability in China [Subscription Available from China!]
| Prices | 1-Month: $27.99 12-Months: $12.50/month 24-Months: $10.00/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 14 days |
| Countries | 31 |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | 6 |
12VPX is a VPN provider based in the Netherlands, particularly well-regarded for its reliable performance for users in China. A key strength is its dedicated link, allowing users to subscribe even from within China.
- Quick to adapt to internet restrictions in China
- Responsive customer support
- Can subscribe from within China via a dedicated link
- Generous 6 simultaneous connections
- Easy to operate via Google Chrome extension
- Relatively expensive
- Primarily need a VPN for use in China.
\14 day Money-Back Guarantee/
UCSS: VPN Optimized for China with a Reputation for High-Speed Connections
| Prices | UCSS Lite 1-Month: $29.00 UCSS 3-Months: $12.00-$70.00/month UCSS 12-Months: $9.00-$52.50/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | None |
| Countries | 18+ |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
UCSS is a service operated by a South Korea-based security company, functioning more accurately as a Shadowsocks provider rather than a traditional VPN. It is reportedly managed by a multinational team of experts.
The service is specifically optimized for use in internet-restricted environments like China, priding itself on delivering stable connections and high-speed communication.
- Fast and stable connections
- Optimized for use in China
- High level of security
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- Relatively expensive
- Data usage limits apply
- No money-back guarantee or free trial
- Fewer simultaneous connections
- Want to fully enjoy streaming services like Netflix while in China.
- Are looking to play online games in China without interruption.
- Require a consistently stable internet connection for work in China.
＼Achieve a Seamless Online Experience!／
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | 1-Month: $13.99 12-Months: $5.99/month 24-Months: $4.49/month |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 105 |
| Servers | 3,000+ |
| Maximum devices supported | 12 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Excellent speed and stability
- Fast and user-friendly app
- Strict no-logs policy
- Wide range of server countries
- Accepts Bitcoin payments
- Slightly more expensive than competitors
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
Caution！VPNs that proved difficult to use in testing
On the other hand, some VPN services that are globally popular were difficult to use during our on-site tests in Chinabetween the second half of 2024 and 2025.
- NordVPN
- Surfshark
We repeatedly attempted to connect to these services using their dedicated apps, but the connection process often stalled and failed to establish a stable link.
While some websites may claim that these VPNs “still work” in China, our tests across multiple cities showed that stable and reliable usage was not possible.
Conclusion: You May Need More Than One VPN in China
Our verification testing highlights a critical reality for internet access in China: no single VPN is 100% reliable all the time. The GFW is constantly being updated, and a service that works perfectly one day may be targeted and become unstable the next.
This is why experienced travelers and expatriates almost universally recommend having at least two different VPN services.
The Need for a Backup
If your primary VPN (e.g., a high-speed service like UCSS) suddenly stops working, you are left completely disconnected. A second VPN, preferably one known for stability over speed (like 12vpx), serves as an essential backup.
Different Technologies
Using two services that employ different obfuscation technologies or protocols also increases your chances of success. If the GFW cracks down on one specific protocol, your backup service using a different method may remain unaffected.
Therefore, subscribing to two different providers before you travel is the most robust strategy to ensure you maintain consistent access to the global internet while in China.
For Short-Term Trips, eSIMs or Roaming Are Also Valid Options
If you are only visiting China for a short period (e.g., a few days to a week) and your primary need is basic access to email, maps, and messaging, a VPN may not be your only solution.
Data roaming plans from your home mobile carrier often bypass the GFW entirely. When you roam, your internet traffic is typically routed back through your home country’s network before accessing the public internet, meaning you can access sites like Google and Facebook as if you were at home. However, roaming can be extremely expensive.
A more cost-effective alternative is using an international travel eSIM (Electronic SIM). Many global eSIM providers offer data packages for China that include GFW-unrestricted access. This works similarly to roaming, routing your data outside of China. This option provides convenience and predictable costs, though it may not offer the same speed or security as a dedicated VPN, and it only works for your mobile device.