VPN for China: What Australian Travellers Need to Know
China is the one destination where the usual travel advice, “just install a VPN”, is not enough. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and most Western news sites are blocked there, and so are most VPNs. If you are heading to Shanghai or Beijing for work or a holiday, the choice of VPN and the timing of the setup both matter.
Why ordinary VPNs struggle in China
China’s internet filtering, usually called the Great Firewall, does more than block websites. It looks for the patterns that VPN traffic makes and cuts those connections. A VPN that works perfectly in Sydney can simply fail to connect in a Beijing hotel.
The VPNs that do get through use obfuscation: they disguise VPN traffic to look like ordinary web traffic. Providers give this different names, such as stealth mode, obfuscated servers or camouflage.
What to look for
- Obfuscation. This is the feature that matters. It is listed in the features table on each of our VPN reviews.
- A track record there. Astrill has built its business around networks that block VPNs, which is why it costs what it does. See our Astrill review.
- Servers close to China. Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan give the best speeds from the mainland.
- Support that answers. Server recommendations for China change, and you will want someone to ask.
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Astrill VPN | US$12.50 (about A$17.92) 2 years, US$300.00 upfront | US$300.00 per 2 years | – | – | – | Visit Astrill VPN |
2 ExpressVPN | US$2.99 (about A$4.29) 28 months, US$83.72 upfront | US$99.95 per 1 year | 30 days | 113 | – | Visit ExpressVPN |
3 NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per 1 year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Visit NordVPN |
4 Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
5 Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$5.00) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per 1 year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Visit Proton VPN |
– means the provider does not publish that detail on its pricing page. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 12 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.43).
Set it up before you leave Australia
This is the step people miss. VPN websites and app-store listings are blocked or removed in China, so you may not be able to download or even log in once you land.
- Subscribe and install at home, on every device you are taking.
- Sign in and connect once, to make sure it works.
- Turn on the obfuscation setting and note where it lives in the app.
- Save the provider’s setup instructions offline, including any manual configuration.
- Install a second VPN if the trip matters. If one is having a bad week, the other may not be.
Other ways to stay connected
- Roaming on your Australian SIM, or a travel eSIM. Mobile data that is routed through an overseas carrier is generally not filtered the way local Wi-Fi is. It is the simplest fallback, at a price.
- Hong Kong and Macau are outside the Great Firewall, so normal rules apply there.
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
China requires VPN services to be government-approved, and the ones tourists use are not. Enforcement has been aimed at people selling VPNs, and visitors routinely use them, but the rules are China’s to apply. Read the current advice on Smartraveller before you go and make your own call.
FAQ
Do free VPNs work in China?
Almost never. Obfuscation is rarely part of a free plan.
Will my VPN be slow in China?
Slower than at home, yes. Obfuscation adds overhead and the nearest reliable servers are outside the mainland.
Can I use a VPN in China to reach Australian banking and streaming?
Once connected, choose an Australian server and Australian services will treat you as being at home. See how to get an Australian IP address.