Is a VPN legal in China?

Privacy, internet access and public Wi-Fi in China, with the sources behind each rating. Verified 16 Oct 2026.

No pick for China yetWe can't confirm any VPN works reliably here.Read the guide below before you travel, and check official sources.

VPN Sight guide availableNot yet covered

Destinations with current VPN Sight guides

We've launched with well-researched profiles of 24 top destinations. We’ll add more as users request them.

China

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Verified

Privacy & surveillance

Extensive monitoring documented

Extensive online monitoring and real-name registration are well documented.

Sources: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net

Internet access

Heavily restricted

Many foreign services are blocked, including major search, social, messaging and news sites. Only government-approved VPNs are permitted, and access to others changes frequently.

Sources: Freedom House, Freedom on the Net, Top10VPN research

Connection security

Extra care advised

Extra care advised on public networks, which may require phone-number registration.

Sources: CISA, U.S. State Department travel advisories

What are you planning?

We can't confirm that any provider currently works here. We haven't verified any provider here yet, and conditions change often. We'd rather say so than guess.

Proton VPNNot yet tested here

ExpressVPNNot yet tested here

NordVPNNot yet tested here

Mullvad VPNNot yet tested here

SurfsharkNot yet tested here

CyberGhostNot yet tested here

Private Internet AccessNot yet tested here

WindscribeNot yet tested here