Does IPVanish Work in China? Results Updated for 2024 (2024)

IPVanish is a solid VPN that gives you access to content in over 90 countries worldwide, offers strong security features, and helps increase your online privacy. That said, it isn’t a reliable choice when it comes to getting an IP address for China.

After extensive tests, my top choice for China is ExpressVPN. It offers blazing-fast speeds, is highly reliable, and features industry-leading security. (Plus you can get it right now for 48% off!)

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 accessing local content.

Important! In China, VPN usage is tightly regulated, with only government-endorsed VPN services being legally allowed. That being said, there've been no public reports of tourists facing legal consequences for using non-approved VPNs. Nevertheless, it's prudent to familiarize yourself with the relevant laws prior to your trip and gain a comprehensive understanding of China's position on this matter.

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 isn’t going to work reliably to get an IP address for China, you’ll need to know where to look next. My recommendation is ExpressVPN, it offers plenty of servers and its new Lightway protocol features faster ping speeds over long distances than most VPNs I’ve tested. That means faster, safer, and more reliable connections for China.

Important!Please note that due to China's ever-evolving regulations, even the best VPNs can sometimes face temporary issues in the country. This includes ExpressVPN, though it was by far the most reliable VPN for China across all our tests.

Why You Should Use ExpressVPN for China

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.

ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries worldwide, including a server hub in China. Security features are strong enough to easily bypass the Great Firewall and get you access to your favorite local Chinese 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. In addition to local Chinese content, you can also access your Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer accounts from almost anywhere you go. 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.

Bottom Line

While IPVanish offers IP addresses for more than 105 countries, China is not among them. To have any chance of accessing websites like YouKu, manual configuration is required, which can be quite laborious when all you desire is swift access.

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 in 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

Is there anything I can do to try and access China with IPVanish?

IPVanish does offer a manual configuration guide if you want to try and use the service to get an IP address 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 you’ll be able to bypass the Great Firewall.

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 2024, 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.