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How to get a China IP address using a VPN service

Many Chinese websites are geo-locked to China, meaning they aren’t available to anyone trying to access them from another country. However, you CAN get to them if you have an IP address in China. How can you get a Chinese IP address? By connecting to a reliable VPN provider with locations in China. When you connect to a VPN server, you get an IP address from the location where that server is based. This allows you to easily ‘spoof’ your location and appear as if you were browsing directly from China.

Not all VPNs have servers in China, which is why we have put together a list of the most secure VPN services that can give you a Chinese IP address. We also give you top tips to help you get the most out of your new VPN service.

What are the best VPNs to get a Chinese IP?

Below, we have listed the best VPN services that also have servers based in China so you can get a China IP address. If you need more information about any of the services in the list, scroll down to see an in-depth analysis of each service.

  1. CyberGhost VPN - The best VPN for getting Chinese IP addresses. Has intuitive apps and works with most Chinese and international apps and websites.
  2. Hotspot Shield - A great all-around VPN with servers in mainland China and Hong Kong. It's easy to use and offers high speeds for streaming.
  3. VPNArea - The most secure VPN on our list. It has fast servers in China and comes with obfuscated (hidden) connections for bypassing firewalls.
  4. ZenMate VPN - The best buy VPN for accessing content in China. It's super affordable, has servers in China, and comes with unlimited connections.
  5. HMA - A popular VPN for getting Chinese IP addresses. It has servers in a few Chinese locations and comes with customizable features.

All the services listed above have the following features to ensure they keep you secure and can unblock the Chinese content you're looking for:

  • Chinese IP addresses
  • Strong encryption
  • Fast servers
  • Ability to unblock Chinese websites and streaming services

China actively blocks VPNs and Proxies

Please note that China actively works to block VPN providers. We try our best to stay on top of this list regularly, and these services should still all have servers in China. However, the providers on this list are subject to change at any time, so it's worth quickly double-checking with the VPN provider's customer service that it still offers access to Chinese content before you subscribe.

Best VPN for a China IP

We take a closer look at the services to get a Chinese IP address below. If you still need more information about any of the services below, check out our detailed VPN reviews.

1. CyberGhost VPN
Editor's Choice | March 2024

CyberGhost is the best VPN with servers in China. It provides slick apps, easy-to-use yet advanced features, and worldwide coverage.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months + 3 months FREE: $2.11/mth
      83% OFF
    • 6 months: $6.99/mth
      42% OFF
    • 1 month: $11.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Great speeds for streaming, gaming, and other data-intensive tasks
    • Servers optimised for streaming
    • Impressive servers network
    • Beginer-friendly
    • Generous 45-day money-back guarantee
  • Cons

    • Lacks obfuscation, although it does provide NoSpy servers
    • No GUI for Linux, command-line only
    • Not independently audited
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

CyberGhost Demo

CyberGhost Demo CyberGhost Demo


CyberGhost is a no-hustle VPN from Romania that's beginner-friendly but also very private, thanks to no government surveillance in that country and the strong privacy features that this service offers. It comes with robust OpenVPN encryption, a strict no-logs privacy policy, and NoSpy servers all over the globe, so you can rest assured your online activities are neither tracked or spied on.


A plethora of servers in 100 countries worldwide, including China – with IPs in Shenzhen, enable you to access your favorite international and Chinese content from nearly anywhere in the world. You also get over a thousand servers in the US optimized for streaming, making it an ideal VPN choice for Netflix US, YouTube TV, Disney+, and any other US entertainment services. This VPN will also make your torrenting activities safer and more convenient, thanks to its dedicated P2P servers throughout its impressive network.


CyberGhost provides slick and intuitive apps for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, as well as easy-to-set-up command-line software for Linux. Instruction guides, FAQs, and even 24/7 live chat support are also available for free on its website, making this service ideal for VPN newbies. CyberGhost VPN is super affordable considering the number of features and servers it offers and especially the fact that it can circumvent the great firewall of China.


If it's still hard for you to make up your mind, you can always make use of its generous 45-day money-back guarantee to try it without risking your money.

Hotspot Shield is great all-around VPN suitable for accessing content in mainland China. It has a strong focus on bypassing geo-restrictions, provides high speeds, and comes with slick apps.

  • Pricing

    • 36 months: $2.99/mth
      76% OFF
    • 12 months: $7.99/mth
      38% OFF
    • 1 month: $12.99/mth
    • Free: $0/mth
  • Pros

    • Super fast connections
    • Highly customizable
    • Works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu
  • Cons

    • Based in the US
    • Command-line interface for Linux
    • Some invasive policies even on elite
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu
  • Website

Hotspot Shield Demo

Hotspot Shield Demo Hotspot Shield Demo


Hotspot Shield Elite is a premium VPN service that provides access to thousands of servers in 80 countries around the world – including in China. With Hotspot Shield, you get super-fast connections thanks to its proprietary "Catapult Hydra" encryption protocol. This VPN can be installed on all devices, and those apps have plenty of useful VPN features. This VPN also unblocks streams and geo-restricted content from around the world – such as Netflix US and BBC iPlayer.


Overall, this VPN is reliable and will suit people who want to stream a lot of content. However, for hardcore privacy advocates, it is probably better to go for one of the VPNs that implements OpenVPN encryption, which is known to be secure, having been in use for decades now. Catapult Hydra remains something of an unknown in terms of real-world security. With that said, this is a useful VPN that many people like because of the free plan. However, to access an IP in China, you will need to pay for a premium subscription. You can test it risk-free thanks to its generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

3. VPNArea

VPNArea is the most secure VPN service on our list. It is also one of the few VPNs to offer a full-GUI for Linux users, and features such as obfuscation (stealth) servers and double-hop VPN connections.

  • Pricing

    • 36 months: $2.99/mth
    • 12 months: $4.92/mth
    • 1 month: $9.9/mth
  • Pros

    • Kill switch included
    • Dedicated IP available
    • Unblock Netflix US and iPlayer
  • Cons

    • Not as affordable as some other VPNs on this list
    • Fewer servers than CyberGhost and ZenMate
    • Only five simultaneous connections
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu

VPNArea Demo

VPNArea Demo VPNArea Demo


VPNArea is an absolutely amazing option for anybody that needs a Chinese IP address. Not only is this VPN superb value for money, but it is also based in Bulgaria - well out of the way of any invasive jurisdictions. This zero-logs VPN is extremely trustworthy, has apps for all platforms, and is fully featured with a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and stealth mode (for bypassing the Great Firewall of China).


VPNArea provides fantastic speeds for streaming on sites like Youku. In addition, it permits peer-to-peer (P2P) with BitTorrent. With servers in 55 countries and over 100 different locations, including both Quingdao and Shanghai, this VPN is perfect for getting a Chinese IP address. You can try it out for yourself risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. ZenMate VPN

ZenMate is the best value-for-money VPN with Chinese IP addresses. It offers feature-rich apps for all popular platforms and you can use it on an unlimited number of devices.

  • Pricing

    • 18 months: $2.22/mth
      79% OFF
    • 6 months: $5.39/mth
      50% OFF
    • 1 month: $10.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • Stealth servers and a kill-switch available
    • Super affordable
  • Cons

    • Lacks some privacy features compared to CyberGhost
    • Not as fast as the VPNs above
    • Somewhat confusing privacy policy
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime
    • Hulu

ZenMate Demo

ZenMate Demo ZenMate Demo


ZenMate is a superb VPN choice for getting Chinese IPs and accessing restricted local content when abroad. It comes with thousands of fast servers, scattered across 81 countries worldwide, including China, giving you plenty of browsing, streaming, and gaming options. It also provides robust encryption and stealth features, such as obfuscated (hidden) servers, to protect your online privacy, regardless if you're accessing Chinese or international content.


Other privacy features that ZenMate offers include a kill-switch, to protect your traffic data from leaking even if your VPN connection drops, and a strict no-logs policy, to ensure your sensitive data never gets into the wrong hands. P2P support is also available, so you can make your torrenting experience safer and more private with this VPN.


ZenMate comes with an incredibly small price tag for a VPN that offers such great customization, an impressive server network, and unlimited simultaneous connections, speed, and bandwidth. What's more, you get a generous seven-day free trial option, plus another month to test it without risking your cash (there's a 30-day money-back guarantee with every purchase). So you can always test any of its affordable plans risk-free and decide if this is the best VPN option for you.

5. HMA

HMA is a popular VPN with IP address in China. It has servers in multiple Chinese locations and all around the world. Offers split tunneling, a kill-switch, and advanced leaked protection.

  • Pricing

    • 24 months: $3.99/mth
      63% OFF
    • 12 months: $4.39/mth
      60% OFF
    • 6 months: $8.99/mth
      18% OFF
    • 1 month: $10.99/mth
  • Pros

    • Huge number of servers located just about everywhere
    • US Netflix and BBC iPlayer available
    • Great speed test results
  • Cons

    • Only five simultaneous connections with basic plan
    • No GUI for Linux, command-line software only
    • Some connection logs are kept
  • Available on

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • iOS
    • Android
    • Linux
  • Unblocks

    • Netflix
    • iPlayer
    • Amazon Prime

HMA Demo

HMA Demo HMA Demo


The best way to get a Chinese IP address in 2024 is still the popular VPN service, HMA. This is despite the fact it has suffered minor setbacks from time to time (including when it lost all its servers temporarily last year).


A yearly subscription works out to just $4.99 per month, which is incredibly affordable considering what you're getting with your subscription. For that price, you'll get access to servers located in 210 countries – including mainland China. That's really exceptional worldwide coverage! HMA is a VPN that has been growing in strength over the years, and it is now a solid no logs VPN that is great for gaining privacy and unblocking content from all around the globe.


Subscribers can use up to 5 simultaneous connections, which makes HMA great for families or people with a lot of devices. Speeds are excellent on the Chinese servers, so you will have no trouble streaming content in HD. Encryption is watertight OpenVPN; which is our recommended protocol. And HMA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free. Because of its excellent Chinese servers, HMA is the best way to get a China IP in 2024.

How to get a China IP with a VPN?

If you choose to purchase one of the services above, the process to get a Chinese IP address is relatively straightforward. All you need to do is follow these steps:

  1. Sign up for one of the services listed in this article.
  2. Download the provider's software to your device of choice. This can be found easily on the provider's website and the setup should be easy.
  3. Open your new VPN app and, before you connect to a server, check your settings to ensure that you are using OpenVPN encryption, or IKEV2/IPsec if you are using Mac.
  4. Connect to a server based in China.
  5. You will now have a Chinese IP address and browse the web as though you are in China.

hidemyass-china

Top Tip - save money

Paying for a VPN annually will save you money overall, so if you need to have a Chinese IP address regularly it'll be a good idea to opt for a yearly or longer-term subscription package (though we do not recommend signing up for "lifetime" deals). This will ensure you take advantage of the greatest savings the provider can offer. Most providers also offer a money-back guarantee (usually 30 days, but not always, so be sure to check the fine print), so you can test the service before committing long-term.

What VPN features do you need to get a China IP address?

Choosing a VPN for a Chinese IP address requires that you keep a few important considerations in mind. In this guide, we have carefully paid attention to these considerations to ensure that whichever Chinese VPN provider you choose does the job well.

Not every VPN on the market works as advertised, with many being terribly slow or lacking in modern security features and usability. What's more, many VPNs are neither trustworthy nor reliable, actually compromising your online privacy rather than protecting it in an attempt to harvest your details.

There are hundreds of VPN providers out there, many of whose services have outdated encryption and privacy policies that make them incredibly risky to use. Some only exist to gather customer data to sell on to third parties, which defeats the purpose of using a VPN in the first place!

In order for a VPN to be fit for use in obtaining a Chinese IP address, it must have the following features:

  • Must be able to access content and websites that are only available in China. This includes being able to unblock Youku along with other Chinese streaming services, social media sites, etc.
  • Must provide fast servers so you can stream content. A fast Chinese server will allow you to stream content in HD.
  • Have multiple locations based in China. The Chinese government actively blocks VPN providers, so having multiple locations to choose from means the VPN is more likely to remain usable long-term.
  • Offers users' strong encryption. We always recommend that users use OpenVPN encryption, as this is the strongest VPN encryption method. 
  • The provider should keep no logs of user activity. A no-logs VPN will vastly improve your online privacy.

What can I do with a Chinese IP?

With a VPN subscription, internet freedom becomes the norm. Subscribers can privately and securely access content anywhere that their VPN has servers. If you want to use Chinese websites that are blocked outside the country, you will need a Chinese IP address. All the VPN services that we have recommended in this guide provide this service.

Our recommended providers have servers located all over the world. This means that you can use your VPN subscription to connect to websites in many other countries as well. Privacy is always important, so you should use a VPN to encrypt your data any time you are online. You can also access excellent geo-restricted content from all over the world. If internet freedom is what you're looking for, a VPN is the answer.

China blocks VPNs

China continues to actively crack down on VPNs, and domestic VPNs within China have been the worst affected. Even some international VPNs that had servers based in China have had to withdraw from the country in the face of threats of legal action.

This is a fluid and ongoing battle that is unlikely to have a decisive winner any time soon. As you can see from this article, though, the good news is that there are still some VPNs that allow you to get an IP address in China. However, because of the ongoing political climate, it is always worth clicking through to the VPN's site to make sure they still have servers in China.

The VPNs on this list all have great support teams that will get back to you quickly, and at least then you will have a definitive answer about getting a Chinese IP address.

Do all VPNs have an IP address in China?

Unfortunately, the Chinese government restricts the use of consumer VPNs. The authorities understand that VPNs are a useful tool for bypassing online blocks imposed by the government. For this reason, the government blocks the websites of leading VPNs, as well as the VPN servers. This prevents people from using those VPNs to bypass the Great Firewall of China.

For VPNs to be allowed in China, those services must gain a government license. Unfortunately, registering your VPN with the Chinese government opens the VPN provider up to the possibility that they may be asked to provide data about their users. 

Providing usage data or other information to the Chinese government would put the VPn provider in violation of its own no-logging policy. For this reason, most market-leading VPNs opt not to gain a government license.

As a result of this, those VPNs usually choose not to maintain a server in China. This means that many reliable and trustworthy VPNs do not let you get an IP address in China.

A few VPNs have found a way to provide an IP address in China using DNS routing tricks. This allows them to provide an IP address in China via a server in a different country. This is a good workaround because it means that the server is not vulnerable to being raided by Chinese authorities.

For legal reasons, some VPNS find it easier simply not to provide access to any server locations in China, to ensure that they are not pressured to gain a license and are not potentially vulnerable to being raided or being subjected to data requests at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party.

Conclusion

In this guide, we have shown how anybody can easily obtain a Chinese IP address. Each VPN will unblock Chinese websites without issue. In addition, they all offer a money-back guarantee, so you can test the VPN risk-free to be confident it works and fits your needs. All the VPNs that we have recommended are trusted services that provide some of the fastest connection speeds on the market.

Watertight privacy policies were high on our list of requirements, and these VPNs run a tight ship, providing excellent privacy for their users. In addition, the encryption they use and the VPN protocols they offer are up to date, so you can be confident of staying secure when browsing Chinese websites.

Everything has been carefully considered by the team here at ProPrivacy.com, so you can select a VPN for China with confidence. HMA remains the best option for getting a Chinese IP address, but the other four recommendations will do the job every bit as well:

From $2.11/month

The best VPN for getting Chinese IP addresses. Has intuitive apps and works with most Chinese and international apps and websites.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
10 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
7
Free trial
Yes
Server locations
126

From $0.00/month

A great all-around VPN with servers in mainland China and Hong Kong. It's easy to use and offers high speeds for streaming.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.9 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
5
Server locations
115
Free trial
Yes
VPNArea

From $2.99/month

The most secure VPN on our list. It has fast servers in China and comes with obfuscated (hidden) connections for bypassing firewalls.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.8 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
8
Server locations
100
Free trial
No
ZenMate VPN

From $2.22/month

The best buy VPN for accessing content in China. It's super affordable, has servers in China, and comes with unlimited connections.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.7 out of 10
Free trial
No
HMA

From $3.99/month

A popular VPN for getting Chinese IP addresses. It has servers in a few Chinese locations and comes with customizable features.

ProPrivacy TrustScore:
9.6 out of 10
Simultaneous connections
5
Server locations
290
Free trial
No

How to get a China IP address – FAQs

Written by: Ray Walsh

Digital privacy expert with 5 years experience testing and reviewing VPNs. He's been quoted in The Express, The Times, The Washington Post, The Register, CNET & many more. 

12 Comments

Robert
on October 16, 2022
Ivacy has quit China. https://www.ivacy.com/blog/ivacy-vpn-exits-china/
Bo Yu
on July 21, 2022
VPNArea does not have china servers anymore.
Danka Delić replied to Bo Yu
on September 19, 2022
Thanks for your comment, Bo Yu. Yes. unfortunately, VPNArea does not offer China servers any longer, we're looking to update this article at the soonest.
Alan Liu
on June 4, 2017
I had been a user of HideMyAss for more than one year. Initially , they have three server locations inside China . but Today , they were all gone. There existing beijing only , but with the ip , the browser can visit those website that indeed were banned by China Goventment. It seems they play false with it. Sincerely Yours
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to Alan Liu
on June 5, 2017
Hi Alan, China has recently cracked down on VPN services that operate within China. It seems likely that HMA has had to close its China VPN servers as a result of this.
Pengster
on May 5, 2017
I have Astrill and they removed China endpoints a while ago. Feels like your article is outdated.
https://cdn.proprivacy.com/storage/images/2024/01/douglas-crawfordpng-avatar_image-small_webp.webp
Douglas Crawford replied to Pengster
on May 5, 2017
Hi Pengster, The Chinese governmnet is cracking down on VPN services operating in China, so the situation is uncertain. Ray has added a proviso to this effect to the article. He also contacted Astrill about the issue and received the following reply, "We do have China server. However, it is currently unavailable and is being fixed as of the moment."

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