Does IPVanish Work in China? Results Updated for 2025
IPVanish is a solid VPN that offers servers in 140 countries worldwide, strong security features, and helps increase your online privacy. That said, it isn’t a reliable choice when it comes to using it in China.
After extensive research, a great alternative for use in China is ExpressVPN. It offers consistently fast speeds, is highly reliable, and features industry-leading security. (Plus, you can get it for 61% off right now!)
Keep reading to find out why you need a VPN for China, why IPVanish isn’t the best choice, and what service offers you the best speeds, security, and stability for any online activity.
Why You Need A VPN for China
If you're a fan of Chinese cinema, and expat, or just a Chinese citizen on vacation, you won't be able to access local content overseas without a VPN. The Chinese government places heavy restrictions on the internet and VPN use, citizens can't even use VPNs without having a license to do so. It’s even developed a combination of technological blocks and internet laws known as the Great Firewall of China to prevent unauthorized access to restricted sites and services.
That means that anyone else who wants to enjoy local online services, won't be able to access their accounts without a strong VPN. Unfortunately, to use IPVanish for China you need to use manual configurations and even then IPVanish itself doesn't guarantee reliable access. For that reason I can’t recommend IPVanish for China, especially for first-time users.
IPVanish Doesn’t Work for China, Now What?
Now that you know IPVanish won’t work reliably in China, even if you try setting it manually, you’ll need to know where to look next. My recommendation is ExpressVPN. It offers plenty of servers, and its Lightway protocol features faster speeds over long distances than most VPNs we’ve tested. That means faster, safer, and more reliable connections for China.
Why You Should Use ExpressVPN for China
![Small assortment of technological devices compatible with ExpressVPN.](/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/expressvpn-autoresized86X.png)
Tested February 2025 Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
- 3,000 servers in 105 countries
- 8 devices per license
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Works with: Netflix, YouKu, Hulu, Todou, BBC iPlayer, Sohu, and more
- Compatible with: Windows, iOS, Mac, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, and more
ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries worldwide, with some servers near China. Its security features are strong, so you can unblock social platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp and safely access streaming content from anywhere, including local Chinese content like SoHu, YouKu, and Todou.
Its new proprietary protocol Lightway is perfect for streaming, it offers fast connections over long distances as well as stability and security. This makes it easy to access the most popular streaming platforms in HD from anywhere. ExpressVPN also allows up to 8 simultaneous connections per license and is compatible with a wide variety of devices.
ExpressVPN doesn’t slack when it comes to security either, it offers multiple secure protocols including OpenVPN and uses 256-bit AES encryption. It also has a strict no-logs policy, so you’ll never need to worry about the service storing, sharing, or selling your information.
All of its apps are highly-intuitive but if you should need help it offers 24/7 live chat support and the customer service representatives are friendly and knowledgeable. ExpressVPN stands by its service too, all subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
Quick Guide: How to Use ExpressVPN for China in 3 Steps
- Subscribe to ExpressVPN.
- Download and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a server. The closer the server is to your location, the better the speeds.
Bottom Line
While IPVanish offers IP addresses for 140 countries, it doesn’t work reliably in China. Manual configuration is required, which can be quite laborious when all you desire is a simple solution.
It’s better to forgo the extra work and get a subscription to ExpressVPN. Then, you’ll just need to log in and connect to a server near China. Plus it offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can purchase a subscription without feeling tied into a plan if it isn’t a good fit.
Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.
FAQs
Can I use IPVanish in China?
IPVanish does offer a manual configuration guide if you want to try and use the service in China but it isn’t a job for VPN newbies. Manual configuration can take a lot of time and IPVanish still doesn’t guarantee that it will work.
Is using IPVanish for China illegal?
As IPVanish isn't approved by the Chinese government, it's technically illegal within the country. That being said, there have been no public reports of a tourist getting into legal trouble for using a non-approved VPN. However, IPVanish isn’t the best VPN for China. To learn more about VPN restrictions in China, check out this article.
Can I use a free VPN for China?
There are a couple of free VPNs that you can safely use for China but I wouldn’t recommend them over a premium service like ExpressVPN. Even the best free VPNs limit your data, speed, and server selection severely, in an attempt to get you to upgrade to paid plans. Some less reputable free VPNs are riddled with spyware, malware, and viruses that can put your devices and privacy at risk.
ExpressVPN gives you unlimited access to all of its features even on the lowest plan and comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no need to take a chance with a free VPN.
Looking for the best VPNs for China in 2025, try one of these:
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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