VPN for China: What Australian Travellers Need to Know
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For China you need a VPN with obfuscation, installed and tested before you leave Australia. Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and most Western news sites are blocked there, and so are most VPNs.
Why ordinary VPNs struggle in China
China’s internet filtering, the Great Firewall, does more than block websites. It looks for the patterns VPN traffic makes and cuts those connections, so a VPN that works perfectly in Sydney can fail in a Beijing hotel.
The VPNs that get through use obfuscation: they disguise VPN traffic as ordinary web traffic. Providers call it stealth mode, obfuscated servers or camouflage.
What to look for
- Obfuscation. This is the feature that matters. The table below shows which of these providers list it on their own websites.
- A track record there. Astrill sells itself on working through networks that block VPNs (see our Astrill review). A claim like that is only as good as last month, so ask support what works now.
- Servers close to China. Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan are the nearest locations outside the mainland, and a shorter route means less lag. We have not tested any VPN from inside China.
- A kill switch. It blocks your traffic if the VPN drops, and China’s network cuts VPN connections on purpose. Check the default: NordVPN’s macOS app had only an app kill switch, off by default, when we tested it on 14 October 2026.
- Support that answers. Server advice for China changes, and you will want someone to ask.
| VPN | Obfuscation | Kill switch | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
 Surfshark | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 NordVPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 19 Oct 2026 |
 Proton VPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 ExpressVPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
 Astrill VPN | ✓ Listed | ✓ Listed | 2 Nov 2026 |
As each provider lists them on its own website, on the date shown. "Not checked" means we have not read that provider's list yet.
A tick means the provider lists the feature, not that we have seen it get through the Great Firewall. Prices and plans are below.
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Surfshark | A$3.49 27 months, A$94.23 upfront | – | 30 days | 100 | Unlimited | Visit Surfshark |
| 2NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Black Friday deal ends soonVisit NordVPN |
| 3Proton VPN | US$3.49 (about A$4.97) 2 years, US$83.76 upfront | US$83.88 per year | 30 days | 149 | 10 | Partner offerVisit Proton VPN |
| 4ExpressVPN | US$4.99 (about A$7.10) 15 months, US$74.85 upfront | US$99.95 per year | 30 days | 113 | 10–14 | Visit ExpressVPN |
| 5Astrill VPN | US$12.50 (about A$17.79) 2 years, US$300.00 upfront | US$300.00 per 2 years | – | 56 | 5 | Astrill VPN review |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
– means we do not have that detail yet. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 30 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.424).
Set it up before you leave Australia
VPN websites and app-store listings are blocked or removed in China, so once you land you can find yourself unable to download a VPN, or even log in.
- 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, in case one has a bad week.
Other ways to stay connected
- Roaming on your Australian SIM, or a travel eSIM. Mobile data routed through an overseas carrier is often 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 targeted people selling VPNs, and visitors use them routinely, but the rules are China’s to apply. Read the current Smartraveller advice before you go and make your own call.
FAQ
Do free VPNs work in China?
Do not count on one. Check that the free plan includes the provider’s obfuscation setting, and if the trip matters, set up a paid VPN as well.
Can I download a VPN after I arrive?
Do not plan on it. VPN websites and app-store listings are blocked or removed in China, so install before you fly.
Will my VPN be slow in China?
Expect it to be slower than at home. Obfuscation adds overhead, and the nearest servers you can use are outside the mainland. We have no speed figures from China itself.
Do I need a VPN in Hong Kong?
Not to get past the Great Firewall: Hong Kong and Macau are outside it. A VPN still helps on hotel and airport Wi-Fi.
Can I use a VPN in China to reach Australian banking and streaming?
Yes. Once connected, choose an Australian server and Australian services treat you as being at home. See how to get an Australian IP address.