How to Get a China IP Address (Updated 2024)

Deep Shikha
Last Updated by Deep Shikha on March 05, 2024

Losing access to your usual sites when traveling outside China is frustrating. You can only access them with an IP address from China or a nearby country like Hong Kong. Finding the right VPN to get an IP address from China is even more frustrating because most VPNs don’t have servers in the country due to strict censorship.

My team and I tested 40+ VPNs and found 3 that work with Chinese websites. Be sure to check the Terms of Service of the platform you visit so you don’t break copyright law.

ExpressVPN is my #1 choice as its Hong Kong servers work with many Chinese sites. Even though it doesn’t have any servers in China, its Hong Kong servers are speedy and secure. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you can get a full refund if you’re not happy.

Get a China IP address with ExpressVPN

Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Get an IP Address in China

  1. Get a VPN. I recommend trying ExpressVPN to get a China IP address, as it has the best speeds and security features for China.
  2. Connect to a server in China or a nearby location (like Hong Kong). This will hide your actual IP address and give you a China IP address instead.
  3. That’s it! Now, you can start browsing the internet in China.

The Best VPNs to Get a China IP Address (Tested in 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Strong Obfuscation With Tight Security to Get a Chinese IP Address

Key Features:

  • 2 server locations in Hong Kong, 1 in Macau, and 3,000+ servers worldwide
  • TrustedServer technology, an automatic kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy
  • Connect up to 8 device connections at the same time
  • Compatible with Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick, and more
  • Customer support via 24/7 live chat and email
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN’s obfuscated servers in Hong Kong reliably access Chinese websites despite China’s tight internet censorship and VPN blocks. These servers are closer to China compared to other VPNs, allowing for fast and reliable connections. Plus, ExpressVPN keeps your China connection secure with:

  • Leak protection — protects your connection from IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks, ensuring you don’t lose access to Chinese sites because of exposed data.
  • Network Lock — an automatic kill switch blocks your internet connection in case the VPN is interrupted, preventing your actual IP from leaking.
  • Strict no-logs policy — as verified by KPMG and Cure53 in recent audits, ExpressVPN doesn’t record what you do with the China IP.
  • Based in the British Virgin Islands — a privacy-friendly jurisdiction that doesn’t require user data retention, keeping your activity secure.

While ExpressVPN doesn’t have a server in China, its servers in neighboring countries work with most Chinese platforms. My teammates in Hong Kong and Macau tested ExpressVPN with multiple streaming platforms and confirmed that it works with:

LeTV WeTV iQIYI Tencent MangoTV
Youku Open163 QQ Music Bilibili …and more!

It’s also the fastest of all the VPNs I’ve tested. Its Lightway protocol is designed for speed and efficiency, offering instant connections. In my tests, I recorded speeds above 90 Mbps on Hong Kong servers — less than a 10% drop in base speeds. These speeds are sufficient for most data-intensive activities, including streaming, gaming, and more.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN's speed test results while connected to its Hong Kong servers

ExpressVPN’s speeds allow for lag-free gaming and streaming with a Chinese IP

I have a lot of devices, and I wanted to make sure I could use ExpressVPN on all of them. Fortunately, ExpressVPN has friendly apps for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Amazon Fire Stick. The apps are pretty similar across platforms, and even a beginner wouldn’t have trouble finding and connecting to a Hong Kong server.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN’s monthly plan is more expensive than other services. I recommend subscribing to its 1-year + 3 months plan at a 49% discount. This will only cost you $6.67 per month.

All ExpressVPN plans have a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can get a full refund if you’re not happy with the service. I tested this policy myself and asked for a refund via live chat. The agent approved it right away, and I got my money back 3 days later.

ExpressVPN works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Box, Chromecast, Roku, Android TVs, smart TVs, routers, and more.

2024 Update! ExpressVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $6.67 per month for the 1-year plan + 3 months free (you can save up to 49%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.

2. CyberGhost — 80+ Servers to Get a China IP Address From Anywhere

Key Features:

  • 12 servers in China, 15 in Macau, 70+ in Hong Kong, and 9,780+ servers worldwide
  • Built-in ad blocker, RAM-only servers, leak protection, no-logs policy, and more
  • Allows connection on 7 devices simultaneously
  • App for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick and more
  • Customer support via 24/7 live chat and email
  • 45-day money-back guarantee

CyberGhost has 80+ servers that can give you a China IP address — more than any other VPN on this list. 10+ of these servers are virtually located in China, making it easier to get a China IP address despite China’s restrictive network. This means you can watch Chinese TV channels and streaming platforms, even those unavailable in Hong Kong.

During tests, CyberGhost’s servers were consistently fast — connections in China, Macau, and Hong Kong were more than enough for streaming, gaming, video calling, and more. Our team didn’t experience any dropped connections or dips in quality when using CyberGhost.

My colleagues in Hong Kong and Macau tested CyberGhost with local streaming platforms. Although my teammate in Hong Kong couldn’t get CyberGhost to work with Tencent, he streamed shows on iQIYI in HD without any buffering.

Screenshot of Hello, I'm At Your Service streaming on iQUIYI while connected to CyberGhost

You can watch your favorite shows on iQIYI with CyberGhost’s China servers

In addition to iQIYI, my teammates confirmed that CyberGhost reliably works with:

Open163 QQ Music LeTV Youku …and more!

When connected, CyberGhost ensures your data and online activities are always protected from ISPs, government, and snooping third parties. It employs tight security measures like:

  • Kill switch — automatically disconnects the internet in case the China server you’ve connected to stops working, ensuring your data remains secure and unexposed.
  • Based in Romania — it benefits from Romania’s privacy-friendly laws, offering stronger protection against strict surveillance in China.
  • Verified no-logs (by Deloitte) — guarantees your online activities are not recorded, maintaining anonymity while using China IP.
  • Leak protection — stops accidental IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks from exposing your data and triggering content blocks.

With broad device compatibility, CyberGhost supports major platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. It also works with most smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other streaming devices. Plus, you can use it on 7 devices simultaneously.

Like ExpressVPN, CyberGhost’s monthly plan is costly and only has a 14-day money-back guarantee. But you can save 84% on its 2-year + 4 months plan and pay only $2.03 per month. This plan has a 45-day money-back guarantee.

The refund process is simple. After testing CyberGhost for 2 weeks, I asked for my refund via live chat. The agent didn’t ask me a single question and approved my request. I got all my money back 4 days later.

CyberGhost works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Chrome, Firefox, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.

3. Private Internet Access — Customizable Security to Boost Connection Speeds While Connected to a China Server

Key Features:

  • Many servers in China and 35,000+ servers in 91 countries globally
  • Customizable 128 and 256-bit encryption, ad and tracker blocker, no-logs policy, and a kill switch
  • Offers unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • App for Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Amazon Fire Stick and more
  • Offers customer support through 24/7 live chat and email
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

Private Internet Access (PIA) can give you a Chinese IP address while allowing you to customize your encryption level. This is great for balancing speeds and security for different needs. For instance, 128-bit encryption is perfect for fast streaming, while 256-bit is ideal for secure activities like online banking.

Screenshot of PIA's customizable encryption levels on its Windows interface
Choose OpenVPN with 128-bit encryption to boost speeds while using a Chinese IP

In addition, PIA keeps all your internet activity via China IP secured with many other advanced security features, including:

  • MACE — blocks ads and malware, enhancing browsing safety when accessing Chinese websites.
  • Multi-Hop — routes your connection through multiple servers even while using a China IP address, making it harder to trace your online activities back to you.
  • Leak protection — prevents your actual IP and DNS data from leaking and exposing your identifying information.
  • Kill switch — automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, safeguarding your data from exposure during unexpected disconnections.

Speed tests show PIA maintains an average of 76.32 Mbps, roughly a 24% reduction from base speeds. These speeds are enough for gaming, torrenting, browsing, and streaming without noticeable lag. Our team in Hong Kong ran streaming tests, and PIA works with:

Open163 Tencent MangoTV Youku and more…

PIA offers detailed Windows, macOS, Android, iOS apps, and more. I tested its Windows app and found that it may initially seem overwhelming. However, the default settings are more than adequate for most users. Advanced users will appreciate the ability to fine-tune settings for specific needs.

One minor concern is PIA’s US base, which might worry privacy-conscious users due to stringent US data retention laws. However, their strict no-logs policy, proven in court, offers a strong counterpoint, ensuring your online activities remain private.

PIA is competitively priced on both its short- and long-term plans. It’s one of the top monthly VPNs if you only need a short subscription, but you get better value overall with a more extended plan — just $2.03 per month on its 2-year + 4 months subscription.

Plus, PIA provides 30-day money-back guarantee with all its plans. When I requested a refund via live chat, the agent happily approved after I gave my feedback. I received my money back in 6 days.

PIA works with: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV devices, Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, smart TVs, routers, and more.

How Does a VPN Get a China IP Address?

When you connect to a VPN, it routes your internet traffic through a server located in the country of your choice — in this case, China. Connecting to a server in China will change your IP and make it look like you’re browsing the internet from China.

China has stringent internet surveillance and censorship policies, making choosing a VPN with robust security features crucial. Features like leak protection ensure your real IP address is never exposed, while server obfuscation techniques can disguise your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. This helps you bypass China’s VPN blocks and surveillance.

A Chinese IP is primarily used for accessing content that’s region-specific to China. This includes streaming services, local news, or websites that are only available within Chinese digital borders.

Note that while VPNs are common for accessing geo-restricted content, you should respect the legal regulations of your location and the content provider’s terms of service. My team and I don’t condone using a VPN to break the law.

Research Methodology: How I Tested the Best VPNs for a China IP Address

When testing the best VPNs of 2024, I used the following criteria to determine the best options for obtaining a China IP address:

  • China server locations — I selected VPNs with at least one server in China or Hong Kong, ensuring access to Chinese content.
  • Speed — I verified that each VPN offers fast speeds for HD streaming, torrenting, and lag-free gaming, even during high-traffic periods.
  • Security and privacy — All the VPNs on this list have essential features like military-grade encryption, malware blockers, no-logs policies, kill switches, and leak protection.
  • Device compatibility — The VPNs on the list are compatible across multiple devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and smart TVs.
  • Customer support — I evaluated the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support via live chat and email for quick problem solving with a China IP address.

FAQs: Changing Your IP Address With a VPN

Are VPNs legal in China?

It’s complicated. Government-approved VPNs are legal in China, but others are restricted. That being said, getting a Chinese IP address from abroad is legal as long as your country doesn’t ban VPNs.

You can use a VPN to access Chinese content, but be sure to adhere to the Terms of Service of any platform you will access. My team and I don’t condone using VPNs to infringe on copyrights.

Also, using VPNs in China to access blocked content from other countries is illegal. Be sure to check your local laws to be sure you’re not using a VPN service where it is not allowed.

Can I use a proxy to get a China IP address instead of a VPN?

Yes, you can use a proxy, but I only recommend the best VPNs to get China IP. Proxies can mask your IP address but don’t encrypt your data, leaving you vulnerable to surveillance and data theft. Plus, proxies don’t get updated regularly, so they’re less reliable for accessing Chinese content.

A VPN provides a China IP and ensures your online activities are encrypted and secure. VPNs offer better privacy protection and secure connections and often come with additional features like kill switches and no-logs policies, making them a safer and more reliable choice.

How do I check if my IP address has changed?

To check if your IP address has changed, find your current IP on this IP checker tool. After connecting to a VPN and choosing a server, such as one in China, repeat the search. If the IP address displayed is different from the first one and shows the location of the VPN server you’ve connected to, it has successfully changed.

Can I use a free VPN to get a China IP address?

Most free VPNs don’t have servers in China or surrounding countries. Only premium VPNs are reliable for getting a Chinese IP. Even if you find a free VPN with servers in China, they’ll not be reliable because of the lack of resources to update their IPs and infrastructure.

Also, free VPNs often have data caps, limiting the amount of data you can use, which is not ideal for streaming or downloading large files. They typically offer restricted speeds, leading to frequent buffering and slow downloads.

In addition, free VPNs usually lack robust security features, leaving you vulnerable to cyber threats. Also, they have unclear privacy policies; some free VPNs have been known to track and sell user data, compromising your privacy. Even the best free VPNs won’t have the same security and speeds as premium VPNs.

Access Chinese Content With a VPN Now

A VPN is the only reliable way to get a China IP address. After testing 40+ VPNs, my team and I found that ExpressVPN is the best. It provides blazing-fast connections and robust security features. Plus, it works with many Chinese sites and streaming platforms.

With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can test ExpressVPN to get a China IP. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can request a refund within 30 days. I tested the process, and the agent approved without asking any questions — I received my money back in 3 days.


Summary — Best VPNs to Get a China IP Address in 2024

Top Ranked Top Choice
ExpressVPN
$6.67 / month Save 49%
CyberGhost VPN
$2.03 / month Save 84%
Private Internet Access
$2.03 / month Save 83%

We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.

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