Does ExpressVPN work in China?

Does ExpressVPN work in China today

Sources disagree. Comparitech, an affiliate review site, says that although most VPN providers no longer function in China, this one still does. That page was last updated in June 2024, so it is getting old. The newest reviews we found lean more cautious. Summaries of them range from “no” to “highly unlikely” to “can be used, but not guaranteed”. We could not open every one of those pages, so treat the summaries as a rough signal and not as a verdict. Anecdotes on Reddit are a similar signal at best.

The overall picture is inconsistent. Whether VPNs work in China depends on the network, the location and sensitive dates, so a VPN sometimes connects but is not a reliable option for internet access. Many positive pages are affiliate driven or date from 2020 to 2022, which makes them weaker evidence. We found no dated, hands-on test with a measurable success rate, and we found no official page from the provider that guarantees access in China.

A few facts are easier to check:

• The provider, which is also written as Express VPN, lists servers in 113 countries and 214 server locations on its own site.
• Comparitech reports that it has no servers in China, though that article is not consistent on the point.
• The provider says it applies obfuscation across its servers and turns it on when the app detects interference with a standard connection, which is meant to bypass blocking. That is a vendor claim, not independent testing.
• New users get a money-back period of 30 days, according to the order page.

Because of that refund window, you can test the app on your own devices before a trip. If you decide to try it, Express VPN is the service this guide covers. As of this writing the order page shows a promotional Black Friday sale, with the Basic two-year plan at $2.99 per month and a first charge of $83.72 for 28 months. Promotional prices change, and this subscription renews at $99.95 per year. It is a paid VPN service, and a free VPN is a poor substitute for privacy on a trip where connectivity matters.

How to use the app in China

The Great Firewall (GFW) blocks the provider’s website and many app download routes, so most of the work happens before you land. A VPN is a virtual private network that will encrypt your internet traffic and replace your IP address with the server’s, but only if the app connects. Follow these steps in order.

1. Sign up and install before you travel. Download the app on every device you will carry. Log in and connect once so you know it works.
2. Save the manual setup instructions offline. Comparitech advises keeping the manual configuration steps on your device, since you may not be able to open the support pages later.
3. Check your settings. Turn on the first two options in the General tab. On desktop, enable the kill switch option. In the Advanced tab, check that IPv6 leak protection and DNS settings are as you want them. These security features matter most if the connection drops.
4. Choose Automatic as the protocol. Guides report that support agents recommend this setting for China. Do not lock the app to one communication protocol, such as a TCP option, because Automatic lets the app pick whatever is currently getting through.
5. Connect before you open anything else. Turn the VPN on first, then open apps such as WhatsApp and your news sites. Some travelers also report that an eSIM or international data when you roam works better than local Wi-Fi, though this advice is anecdotal.
6. Keep a backup. If you can, install a second paid VPN, such as Surfshark, in case the first fails on a given day.

If you are already in China without the app, the options are limited because you can’t download it from the official site. Guides suggest emailing support for a mirror link to the website, which is the usual among the few workarounds, since the mirror reportedly changes often. The support address we saw quoted, [email protected], is unverified, so confirm it before relying on it. Support runs 24/7 through live chat, but that chat page may also be blocked.

Does ExpressVPN work in China on every server

No server choice is confirmed to work. The recommendations we found do not agree with each other. One guide lists the UK (Wembley), several US cities, Belgium, France, Germany and Singapore. Another suggests the “Pick for Me” option. Others point to Hong Kong, Taiwan or Japan for speed. The provider has not published a recommended server list for China, and we did not verify these lists ourselves.

A practical approach is to start with Automatic and Pick for Me, then try a nearby location if speed is poor and a distant one if the connection will not establish. Expect the link to fail at times. China’s censorship system can detect and block VPN traffic patterns, so a server that works fine one day may get blocked the next. Your internet service provider (ISP) sits on that path, and China’s ISPs carry the traffic that the system inspects.

What to try when your VPN stops connecting

• Switch to a different server location.
• Make sure the protocol is still set to Automatic.
• Close the app fully, restart your device and try again.
• Clear your cache and cookies if a site fails to load while the VPN shows as connected.
• Wait and retry later, since blocks can be temporary.
• Contact support through live chat or email if you can reach them.

The provider also lists a route for activists and journalists in restrictive situations: email [email protected].

Is using the service in China legal

The provider’s own guide to VPN legality says China, Russia, Turkey and the UAE allow VPN use under specific conditions but monitor and control access. Comparitech says the service almost certainly falls under the government’s restricted list, and that individuals have rarely been targeted. It cites a 2019 fine of 1,000 yuan for VPN usage. The rules are set by the government in Beijing, and none of this is legal advice, so check current rules before you go.

The company also removed its iOS app from the Chinese App Store in 2017 after the app was pulled. That history is old, but it explains why downloading on a phone in the country is difficult. For more on staying safe while abroad, see our travel and cybersecurity sections.

Does ExpressVPN work in China FAQs

Does the app connect in China this year?

It might, but it is not guaranteed. Older affiliate reviews say it works, while recent summaries are more cautious, and we found no dated hands-on test that settles the question.

Can I download the app once I am in China?

Usually not from the official site, because it is blocked. Install the app before you arrive. If you are already there, a mirror link from support is the commonly suggested route.

Does the provider have servers in China?

No, according to Comparitech, although that article is inconsistent on the point. The provider lists 214 server locations in 113 countries on its own site.

Which protocol should I use in China?

Choose Automatic. Guides report that support agents recommend it, and it lets the app select the protocol that is working at that moment.

Is the service legal in China?

China allows VPN use only under specific conditions, according to the provider’s own legality guide. Comparitech says the service likely falls on the restricted list and cites a 2019 fine of 1,000 yuan for using a VPN. This is not legal advice.

Is there a money-back guarantee if it does not work?

Yes. The order page says new users get a refund window of 30 days, so you can test the app before relying on it for a trip.

What should I do if the VPN stops working in China?

Try another server, keep the protocol on Automatic, restart the app and your device, and contact support. A backup VPN installed before you travel is also worth having.