Does ExpressVPN Work in China in 2023? (Tips for Using It)
The provider automatically applies obfuscation to all servers, which means it hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. This means the sites you visit will see your request as if it was coming from an “ordinary” connection rather than a VPN connection that can be blocked.
Does ExpressVPN Work in China in 2023? Yes, But Do This!
Not many VPNs work in China, but ExpressVPN is one of the few that do. Thanks to its advanced features and technologies, you can get to your favorite streaming sites, social media, and websites on the internet from anywhere in the world, even in China.
ExpressVPN offers automatic obfuscation on all its servers, which hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. It even offers workarounds so you can download the app when you’re already in China.
While you shouldn’t need to configure it to get it to work there, there might be times when you find ExpressVPN isn’t working in China as expected. That doesn’t mean all is lost though — I’ll share some recommended configurations, just in case you run into issues.
Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN out risk-free. If you’re not satisfied with the service, it’s easy to get a full refund.
Important. This article is for information purposes only. My team and I don’t condone using a VPN with illegal intentions. China has banned the use of non-government-approved VPNs. However, no tourist has ever been charged for using one. Use a VPN at your own risk and adhere to the laws of the country you are in. Also, VPNs in China may occasionally be unstable because of changing rules and regulations. While any VPN could encounter brief service disruptions, the VPNs we’ve carefully chosen demonstrated superior reliability.
Quick Guide: How to Use ExpressVPN in China in 3 Easy Steps
- Get ExpressVPN. It’s best to sign up and download ExpressVPN before you arrive in China since its website is blocked by the Great Firewall. The setup process is simple for major OS’s, like Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone.
- Connect to a server. I recommend selecting a nearby server for speedy connections.
- Start browsing. Enjoy unrestricted and secure access to the internet from China.
How to Set Up ExpressVPN to Work in China (+ Other Troubleshooting Tips)
ExpressVPN’s website is blocked in China, so it’s best to download it before you arrive there. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get ExpressVPN risk-free prior to your travels. If you’re already in China, you can email its support team ([email protected]) and ask for a mirror link — this is another version of the ExpressVPN site that hasn’t been blocked by the Great Firewall. Using this link allows you to sign up, download the app to whatever device you need, or update the software.
Once you’ve installed the app, a few quick configurations will ensure ExpressVPN works in China without hassle.
1. Set the protocol to “Automatic”
When you set your security protocol to “Automatic,” ExpressVPN will choose the one that is best for your network automatically. It offers a variety of protocols, each designed to cater to different needs. Some give you a more secure connection (like OpenVPN), and some prioritize speeds (like Lightway). However, ExpressVPN recommends selecting the “Automatic” protocol for obfuscation to work properly.
Here’s how to set your protocol to “Automatic” in 2 easy steps:
- Go to the “Protocol” settings, which can be found in the “Options” menu on the VPN app.
- Set the protocol to “Automatic.” This lets ExpressVPN find the best protocol for connecting from China.
ExpressVPN will automatically connect you to the best protocol for China
For added convenience, you can also set ExpressVPN to connect to your last used location automatically whenever you start up your device: this can be toggled on under “General Options”.
2. Enable the kill switch and leak protection
When using a VPN in China, you should keep the kill switch on at all times. This protects your data if you lose connection to the VPN. You can activate the kill switch in 2 steps:
- Open “General Settings”. You’ll find this under “Options” when you click in the top left corner of the VPN.
- Activate the kill switch. Underneath Network Lock, check the box next to “Stop all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.”
IP and DNS leaks can expose your real IP to the firewall. If the VPN fails or the browser sends WebRTC requests, your online access will be restricted. When you connect to ExpressVPN, DNS leak protection is enabled automatically. However, you need to manually enable IPv6 leak protection. You can do this in 2 easy steps:
- Open “Advanced Settings”. This is located in the “Options” area under the cog icon.
- Enable IP leak prevention. Check the boxes next to “Prevent IPv6 address detection while connected.”
It’s easy to navigate and configure ExpressVPN’s app to use the VPN in China 
It’s easy to navigate and configure ExpressVPN’s app to use the VPN in China
3. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies
Websites can block VPN IP addresses, but they can also use your cookies and cache history to see your true location. If your VPN IP doesn’t match the location data in your browser’s cache, you might face issues accessing certain sites (like Netflix). All you have to do is go into your browser’s settings and delete your cache and cookies. This option can usually be found under privacy and security settings.
If you don’t want to delete everything, you can just delete the caches from the sites that are blocking you. This easy step might help you get past the blocks and let you access the sites you want.
4. Re-connect the VPN or try another server
A poor internet connection or a technical glitch could cause the VPN to stop working. It may take up to 30 seconds to connect to the server if your internet isn’t fast enough, or it might not work at all. Wait until ExpressVPN’s connection status shows “failed” before trying to reconnect. If the connection fails, close the app, restart your device, then try to connect again. Also, make sure to wait for the app to show the “connected” status before you start browsing.
In case the VPN application indicates it’s connected but fails to unblock content, consider reestablishing the connection to the server. Doing so will provide you with a new IP address and potentially resolve the problem.
You can also try connecting to a different server. I contacted ExpressVPN’s chat support to find the best servers for China. The representative was extremely helpful and redirected me to a web page with troubleshooting tips for connecting in China. ExpressVPN recommends the following servers: Japan (Yokohama), USA (Los Angeles – 5 and Santa Monica), UK (Wembley), Singapore – (Marina Bay), and France – (Alsace).
5. Reinstall or update the app
If connection problems persist, consider reinstallation of the app. At times, file corruption or altered settings can lead to difficulties. However, prior to uninstalling the app, ensure you possess a copy of the installer file. This precaution is necessary as re-downloading it can present challenges if you’re located in China.
Also, check if your app is up to date. An older version might not work as smoothly, especially if ExpressVPN has released updates to improve performance or fix bugs. So, update your app to the latest version before you head to China. If you’re already there and need to update, use ExpressVPN’s website mirror link.
6. Get in touch with customer support
You can also contact ExpressVPN’s customer support and ask for guidance. Since the website is blocked in China, you can email [email protected] (Yahoo and Hotmail are both accessible in China). The support team is prompt and usually sends a response within 24 hours. If you already know the most current mirror site link, you can use it to contact ExpressVPN’s 24/7 chat support, too.
Does ExpressVPN Work in China in 2023? (Tips for Using It)
Being the best VPN your money can buy, ExpressVPN is known for excellent performance, the fastest speeds, rock-solid security, and the ability to bypass censorship. As we speak, many people use ExpressVPN in China, Iran, Turkey, and other countries to enjoy free internet. This is vital to mention, as we’re talking about highly-censored regions with almost no internet freedom and thousands of blocked sites. Perhaps China is the worst of them due to the Great Firewall that blocks more than 10,000 websites and pages, which is estimated to grow further.
Being so desperate to enjoy the internet again, people started using ExpressVPN as a VPN for China. The great thing about it is that it works pretty reliably. But before using it in this country, you need to know a few things to make the most out of it.
Why Should I Use ExpressVPN in China?
When talking about China, things are very delicate. This country’s communist regime took control of the entire internet space and limited it severely. The authorities are looking to protect their citizens from misleading information and fake information through internet censorship.
It’s no wonder we’re talking about thousands of blocked sites, even including social media, Google services, YouTube, Netflix, betting sites, and pretty much anything you can access in your home country. On top of that, China is pretty heavy on government surveillance.
This means they will spy on your internet activities and react if you criticize the government, seeing you as a potential threat to the regime. The authorities in this country can spy on your conversations, read through your messages, and listen to your video/voice calls.
Does ExpressVPN work in China to remedy these issues? Absolutely, which is why you should use ExpressVPN in China. This provider offers 256-bit encryption coupled with private DNS and RAM-based servers, which ensures total privacy and anonymity.
3000 servers
94 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
5 simultaneous connections
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Our opinion: One of the best VPN out there!
Ease of use
Customer support
Value for money
Encrypting your connection, it’ll prevent the authorities from tracking you online and accessing your messages. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s kill switch will prevent potential IP and DNS leaks, while RAM-based servers will ensure no identifiable data is stored by ExpressVPN.
As mentioned in our ExpressVPN review, the provider comes with a certified zero-logging policy, so it stores NO relevant information about you. Even if the Chinese authorities requested the company to hand out anything, it’d come out empty-handed, as it has nothing to share.
Other than that, ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries, and thanks to top-grade performance, you’ll be able to enjoy fast speeds and overall stability. Its Lightway VPN protocol is another perk, as it’s the most dependable solution currently available both in terms of privacy and anonymity.
Bear in mind that the service also works on all platforms, so if you’re in China, you can use ExpressVPN on your phone, tablet, laptop, or any other device. This will allow you to unblock all restricted websites and enjoy the internet as you would in any other country.
How to Use ExpressVPN in China
As said, ExpressVPN indeed works in China but before using it in this country, there are a few tips we’d like to share from our personal experience that will help you maximize the performance and get the highest level of privacy and security.
Let’s see how to use ExpressVPN in China in a step-by-step guide.
1. Subscribe to ExpressVPN and Set It Up
The first step is to subscribe to this provider if you haven’t already. I recommend getting its 49% discount and 3 free months for the annual plan. This plan, along with the others, is backed up by a 30-day money-back guarantee, letting you get a refund if you’re dissatisfied.
Once you subscribe, download ExpressVPN to your device, install it, and sign in using the credentials you provided during the sign-up process. This step is simple and you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to complete it – but it’s mandatory if you want to use the service.
2. Turn on Network Lock
Now, it’s time to open the app and make sure the security is tight. In Settings, turn on the feature called Network Lock. Network Lock is ExpressVPN’s name for a kill switch, which shuts down your internet connection if the VPN connection breaks, preventing you from exposing your identity to the authorities.
This feature should be ON at any given moment and it’s important if you want to make ExpressVPN work in China reliably. Besides, it’ll be a good IPv4/IPv6 leak protection, so you won’t expose yourself to the public eye even if you encounter a VPN connection problem.
3. Make Sure the App Is Updated
If you subscribed a few minutes ago, chances are that ExpressVPN already downloaded the latest version of the app. However, if you’re using this provider for a while and you see this notification in the upper portion of the app’s window, don’t ignore it!
Click on Update Now, download the latest setup file from the site, and install ExpressVPN’s app. It’s crucial to keep your application up to date, as it features the newest features and improvements that will allow the service to work in China.
4. Clear the Browser Cache
Just to make sure you can reliably unblock websites in China, I suggest clearing your browser cache and cookies. While a VPN will change your online location, cookies and cache can sometimes reveal your true location to the website you’re visiting.
That’s why, in some instances, a VPN can’t unblock the site you want, as the site detected your real location through cache and cookies in your browser. Simply go to Settings in your browser, clear everything up, and go back to ExpressVPN’s app.
5. Connect to a VPN Server
Before connecting to a server, go to the Protocol tab and make sure you’ve selected “Automatic.” If you’re using this VPN on Linux, use this command in the terminal:
expressvpn preferences set preferred_protocol auto
Now, simply connect to the server you want through the application. Keep in mind, however, that ExpressVPN currently recommends these servers for the best results:
- Yokohama, Japan
- Los Angeles – 5 & Santa Monica, USA
- Wembley, UK
- Marina Bay, Singapore
- Alsace, France
In addition, when you open the server list, you can opt for ExpressVPN’s Smart Location. It’s another option recommended by the provider, as it’ll automatically choose the best server based on your location and other parameters.
The connection success can be determined by the application turning green. If this happens, it means ExpressVPN is working in China and you successfully bypassed the Great Firewall. You’re now completely anonymous and can unblock restricted websites, platforms, and portals in China.
How Is ExpressVPN Working in China?
As you’ve seen, using ExpressVPN in China is pretty simple, although the technology behind the VPN is complex to be able to bypass the Great Firewall. The key, in this case, is something called obfuscation or obfuscation technology.
The provider automatically applies obfuscation to all servers, which means it hides the fact that you’re using a VPN. This means the sites you visit will see your request as if it was coming from an “ordinary” connection rather than a VPN connection that can be blocked.
As a result, the provider is extremely efficient at bypassing deep-packet inspection (DPI) in censored countries and restricted networks. That’s how ExpressVPN works in China, or even NordVPN with its obfuscated servers that do the same.
If you live in China, you should know this is the ONLY provider whose site can be accessed in this country. ExpressVPN is blocked in this country but it has a mirror site that you can use to access it and subscribe to it even while residing here.
However, if you’re not living in China and you’re planning your vacation there, I strongly suggest subscribing to it and installing it on your devices while you’re still home. This will ensure the provider works smoothly and without any problems, once you arrive in Mainland China.
What If ExpressVPN Can’t Connect in China?
On rare occasions, you might experience some problems with ExpressVPN in China. That is normal, having in mind that the Great Firewall is updated frequently and Chinese authorities are doing their best to uphold their censorship in spite of all odds.
However, if ExpressVPN isn’t working in China for you and it won’t connect to the server or unblock the websites you want, consider applying certain fixes. For one, you can always try to connect to another server if one isn’t working.
It has 3,000+ servers in 160 locations, so through trial and error, you’ll find a server that’s working properly. This may happen due to technical issues on ExpressVPN’s side as well, so waiting for the problem to be solved by the company can also be a solution.
If you’ve connected to the server successfully and the provider can’t unblock restricted sites, consider clearing the browser cache/cookies or using another browser. I often switch from Chrome to Edge and find that particular sites can be unblocked this way.
Other solutions include updating or even reinstalling the app if things go south, as this can solve many potential problems. If all else fails, I recommend contacting 24/7 support through live chat. The support team responds immediately and it will help you to make it work.
In my experience, however, ExpressVPN rarely fails to work in China, and in 99% of the cases, it’ll work properly if you follow the steps that we presented a few minutes ago.
Summary
So, does ExpressVPN work in China after everything we said? Yes, the provider works perfectly in this country and is, in fact, one of the best options if you want to bypass censorship, unblock restricted sites, and stay completely anonymous online.
Thanks to obfuscation, 256-bit encryption, a no-logging policy, and Lightway support, ExpressVPN is the most dependable solution on the market. Just make sure to enable the kill switch, set your protocol to Automatic, and keep your ExpressVPN app up to date.
As long as you’re following the steps we presented and using the recommended servers, you’ll have no problems enjoying the Internet freely in China with this service.
FAQ
Let’s now answer a few relevant questions regarding the subject matter.
Can I download ExpressVPN in China?
If you live in China and you’re not a foreign user, chances are that you’ll be forced to download ExpressVPN in this country. However, this provider is blocked by the government, so its website is inaccessible.
The good thing is that the provider has a mirror link that you can use to download the app even in this country. But if you want to make sure you can download it properly, I recommend connecting to a WiFi network of a tourist hotel that isn’t heavily censored.
This will allow you to access the provider’s website and subscribe to it without issues. Alternatively, you can also travel to Hong Kong, as this is an uncensored part of China. Here, ExpressVPN works perfectly fine, and subscribing to it shouldn’t be an obstacle.
Generally speaking, I recommend downloading ExpressVPN BEFORE you travel to this country. But if you already live there, try the workarounds I mentioned or simply wait until you travel abroad and subscribe to the provider then.
What is the best ExpressVPN server to use in China?
While the provider works in China without any particular problems, not all servers will provide you with the best performance all while ensuring proper obfuscation and security. ExpressVPN recommends some of its servers, which include countries like the US, the UK, Japan, Singapore, and France.
Earlier in this article, we mentioned all of these servers, so make sure you scroll up and check them out. Besides, you can connect to a Smart Location in which case, ExpressVPN will automatically pick the server for you for the best performance and stability.
Does ExpressVPN have servers in China?
No, the provider has no servers in China, except for Hong Kong. This is good news because Chinese authorities are known for censorship and surveillance, which would impact ExpressVPN’s servers in this country and compromise the privacy of its users.
A safe and secure VPN like ExpressVPN will never have any servers in this country – physical or virtual. It doesn’t have a point having servers in this country because it’s a victim of censorship either way, so a Chinese IP address won’t provide you with access to many sites.
Is ExpressVPN owned by China?
No, it’s not. This company was independent until late 2021 when it was bought by Kape Technologies. Kape Technologies is a company based in the UK and currently owns some of the most popular VPN brands, such as CyberGhost, PIA, and ZenMate.
All of these providers are renowned for their privacy and security efforts that this provider is also known for. On top of that, ExpressVPN is legally based in the British Virgin Islands, an offshore location with no data-retention laws, far away from China or any other similar country. This is why it maintains a no-logging policy effortlessly and protects the personal information of millions of users around the world.