Access Blocked Websites from China, Restore Internet Access (2019)

1. ExpressVPN

Speed is ExpressVPN‘s number one feature, and the company manages to keep its connections fast and reliable without sacrificing privacy or usability. ExpressVPN operates a network of 145 servers in 94 different countries, with several dozen options in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, and near the mainland. These servers deliver incredible connections to users in China and around the world, and they’re all backed by ExpressVPN’s zero traffic, zero DNS request, and zero IP address logging policy. It’s the perfect way to keep fast and open internet access no matter where you go in the world.

More features from ExpressVPN:

• Incredibly strong privacy features that keep your identity hidden and safe, even in countries like China.
• Strong 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and automatic kill switch features.
• No speed throttles, bandwidth caps, or restrictions on torrent or P2P traffic.
• Consistent access to Netflix even when other VPNs are blocked.
• Extremely easy to use software for smartphones and PCs.

For more info read our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

2. IPVanish

Staying hidden is IPVanish‘s number one concern. The company goes to extreme lengths to ensure users can keep their identity safe and secure each time they go online. IPVanish does this by offering strong encryption, local security features like kill switches and DNS leak protection, and an incredible number of IP addresses to choose from. The IPVanish network covers over 850 servers in 60 different countries with plenty of locations in Hong Kong and near China for the fastest lag-free connections around. All of this plus unlimited bandwidth, no speed caps, and unmonitored access to P2P and torrent traffic. IPVanish lets you take back the open internet for free and anonymous access worldwide.

IPVanish also includes the following features:

• Easy to use apps and software for Windows, Mac, Linux, and smartphone operating systems.
• Download torrents and use P2P networks with full privacy and anonymity.
• Fast and secure servers allow for incredible video streams through Kodi.
• Zero logging policy for all traffic, no exceptions.

For more info read our in-depth IPVanish review.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN delivers quality speeds and top notch privacy. The service has been in business for years, giving it plenty of time to accumulate loyal customers and user-focused features that can’t be beat. The NordVPN network is one of the largest in the VPN business and includes over 1,000 servers in 61 different countries with a number of locations just across the border from China. This ensures you’ll always find a fast connection no matter where you travel. And thanks to NordVPN’s all-inclusive zero-logging policy, you never have to worry about your data being discovered by a third party.

More of NordVPN’s best features:

• Reliable and private connections that break through the Great Firewall of China to offer open access to the internet.
• Specialized servers that deliver double encryption, onion routing, and anti-DDoS services.
• Zero logging policy covers traffic, time stamps, bandwidth, and IP address logs.
• One of the few VPNs that maintains reliable access to Netflix.

For more info read our in-depth NordVPN review.

4. VyprVPN

VyprVPN‘s unique privacy features give it a leg up on the competition, especially when it comes to accessing websites from China. It’s all thanks to the company’s Chameleon technology, a clever protocol that wraps a layer of encryption around the metadata included in encrypted information packets. This helps defeat deep packet inspection (DPI), the method commonly used by the Great Firewall of China to break through encryption efforts to maintain its lock on internet censorship. With VyprVPN and Chameleon in place, you’ll be able to access any website you want, anywhere in China, all without sacrificing your privacy or safety.

VyprVPN also includes the following features:

• Support for a wide variety of operating systems, including desktops, Android, and iOS smartphones.
• Large network of 700 servers in 70 different countries for reliable, lag free connections.
• Unlimited bandwidth and no restriction on P2P traffic or torrent downloads.
• Strict zero-logging policy that covers both traffic and DNS request logs.
• All servers owned and operated by VyprVPN for extra security.

For more info read our in-depth VyprVPN review.

Using a Web Proxy to Access Websites from China

A common, simple, but far from perfect solution for accessing blocked websites from within China is to use a proxy service. Proxies are somewhat similar to VPNs in that they mask your identity and make your traffic appear as if it’s coming from a different location. With a good proxy you’ll be able to slip past the Great Firewall  and use Facebook, Tumblr, Google, and every other website around the world.

The significant downside to proxies is that they don’t offer any form of encryption. Your traffic, while not directly connected to your location or identity, is still passed around in an open format. This makes it easy for third parties to gain access and track your browsing history. The Chinese government is known to engage in mass surveillance of its citizens, and without the protection of encryption, you’re still vulnerable.

Another worry with proxies is that the Chinese government has been discovered closely monitoring a number of services within the country. If you use a proxy, especially a free one that’s based in China, chances are you’re sending data directly to the government, which will likely be used against you as soon as it’s convenient.

While proxies may seem like a quick solution, they just don’t measure up to the power and privacy of a VPN.

Access Websites from China: Shadowsocks (SOCKS5 Proxy)

Shadowsocks was made specifically for free and open internet access in China. It operates by using the SOCKS5 protocol (Socket Secure 5) which transfers data packets between clients and servers by using a proxy server. SOCKS also provides a layer of authentication to make sure only the intended user can access the personal proxy.

Shadowsocks isn’t as complex as some of the other methods, and it’s quite a bit faster and more reliable than things like SSH and SSL tunnels. You’ll need access to a shadowsocks server to make it work, however, which either requires deploying your own or renting an external service, which can cost five times as much as a VPN. Once things are up and running, shadowsocks provides amazing access through the Great Firewall and works well with desktop operating systems, Android, and iOS devices alike.

Access Websites from China: SSH Tunnel

SSH tunnels, which stands for Secure SHell tunnels, are a unique method of wrapping data in an extra layer of SSH encryption, allowing them to pass through filtering services undetected. SSH is a widely used protocol with a number of legitimate purposes, such as securely sending files from hosts to servers. For this reason it’s extremely unlikely that SSH traffic will be blocked at the government level, making it a viable option for accessing content through the Great Firewall.

The downside to SSH tunnels are that they can be incredibly slow. The technology wasn’t designed for large amounts of traffic, so if you’re downloading anything more complex than a basic website, you’re in for a long wait. Still, it’s surprisingly easy to make an SSH tunnel on Linux and Mac systems (Windows users will have to do some extra legwork). You can even use SSH tunnels to hide your VPN traffic on any operating system, giving you both a VPN and an SSH tunnel to keep you safe online.

Access Websites from China: SSL/TLS Tunnel

SSL (Secure Socket Layer tunnels) connections aren’t blocked by the Great Firewall, as doing so would shut down secure access to a massive number of websites. Online shopping, e-mail, web banking, and other services that deal with private data use SSL to offer secure connections through HTTPS. If you see a little lock icon in your browser’s URL box, that means the site is using SSL, and that your data is more secure than normal.

By utilizing an SSL tunnel you can effectively wrap your traffic in SSL encryption to make it look like a standard SSL connection. The Great Firewall usually won’t distinguish it from any other HTTPS traffic, which will allow you free access to the web.

To use an SSL tunnel you’ll need to download the stunnel software. It’s not easy or quick to set up, and you’ll need a fair amount of technical knowledge to pull it off. An alternative is to use a VPN service that offers SSL tunneling through their software. NordVPN is one of the best mainstream VPNs that delivers this feature.

Access Websites from China: Tor Browser

A free and easy way to access websites and blocked content from China is to use the Tor Browser. Tor leverages onion routing to wrap data in multiple layers of encryption before sending it through several nodes in the Tor network. Each layer is stamped with an address that tells the node where to send the packet next. When the final layer is peeled away, the data is sent to its destination. This randomized routing combined with heavy data encryption makes Tor an incredibly useful privacy tool that’s perfect for slipping through the Great Firewall of China.

The Tor Browser isn’t built for heavy download use, however. You won’t be able to access most online videos, as technologies such as Flash, QuickTime, and ActiveX are natively blocked due to their lack of security. Torrents and P2P downloads are best not used through the Tor network, as well. Even browsing standard websites with Tor can be a bit of a hassle, as all of that encryption and node passing makes the connection extremely slow.

Another issue with Tor is that the Chinese government frequently blocks portions of the Tor network, rendering it largely unusable. There’s no guarantee your data request will make it through the special blockade. This part of the Great Firewall changes on a regular basis, which means Tor is still a viable option for accessing websites in China.

Learn more about the Tor browser by following our guide: How to Use Tor: A Guide to Getting Started.

What is the Great Firewall of China?

The name “Great Firewall of China” is a tongue-in-cheek mixture of the Great Wall of China with “firewall”, the technology used by the government to block access to websites. It was coined in the late ’90s when China first started its efforts to censor the internet. Since then the control the government has leveraged over its citizens’ access has only grown stronger, forcing millions of users to seek alternate methods to regain their freedom online.

There are over 60 different laws in China that regulate internet content. This includes things like filtering keywords out of search engine results, blocking websites, and throttling traffic that crosses the border, encouraging users to rely on Chinese-made sites. These measures are enforced by branches of state-owned ISPs and affect everyone in the mainland, both citizens and travelers alike.

The Great Firewall of China blocks over 3,000 sites, and the list is constantly growing. The authorities give vague reasonings behind each filter, such as protecting the interests of the citizens and removing objectionable content. As many journalists in China have noted, however, the blocks are largely targeted towards content that could harm powerful political and corporate interests.

FURTHER READING: These are the best (working) VPNs for China

What sites are blocked in China

Below are a few of the popular websites that are either partially or completely blocked by the Great Firewall of China:

• Google and all of its services, including Gmail, Maps, and Search
• Major news sites throughout Asia, North America, and Europe
• VPN websites such as StrongVPN and PureVPN
• Wikipedia
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Tumblr
• Pinterest.

Defeating the Great Firewall of China can be tricky, as the government is constantly changing its policies and methods used for creating the filters. Most Chinese users find success with virtual private networks, which have become a regular feature on personal computers as well as PCs in public internet cafes.

Retain Open Internet Access while Traveling to China

The Great Firewall of China affects everyone who accesses the internet from the mainland, including travelers. Suddenly finding your e-mail service or Facebook account blocked can be a frustrating experience. Before you leave to explore China, there are a few precautions you can take so you don’t find yourself out of touch with the open internet you know and love.

Download your VPN before you leave – China’s censorship policies are constantly in flux. Some websites disappear without notice, while others are quietly removed from the blockade. Depending on which VPN you use, you might find the main website completely unavailable from within the country’s borders. Make sure you sign up for your VPN account and are paid up through your time in China. Also download the VPN before you leave and make sure everything is ready to go.

Prepare your mobile devices – Most of us rely on our smartphones for a large amount of our online interactions. Wi-Fi connections and even mobile data are both subject to the limitations imposed by the Great Firewall, which means you’ll need to download and configure your smartphone VPN apps before you enter the country. You’ll also want to encrypt your Android phone or encrypt your iPhone before you leave, for added offline security.

Avoid using free VPNs – Free VPNs can be nothing but trouble. It’s tempting to use them in a pinch, especially if you forgot to sign up for a real VPN before you got on the plane, but the dangers to your privacy are too great of a risk. A large number of no-cost VPNs collect and sell user data and have been known to collaborate with governments to spy on users. If you’re using a free VPN, you could very well be handing data over to the Chinese authorities. Use the sections above to research and select a strong, reliable, and low-cost VPN for guaranteed online security.