VPN for China

Question

What VPN do travellers find best for this area of China down to Xian?

Answer

Travelling in Urumqi (and more broadly in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) and down to places like Xi’an in China presents the same challenges that apply throughout mainland China when it comes to internet access: many popular sites and apps (Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) are blocked behind the “Great Firewall”.

If you’re planning to stay connected (for work, messaging, navigation, etc.), using a VPN ahead of time is strongly recommended. However, there are a few caveats and best‐practices to be aware of:

Things to know:

You should install and configure the VPN before you arrive in China. Downloading apps or services once you’ve landed may be difficult, as VPN stores and websites can be blocked.
The legal situation is somewhat grey: while China restricts many unapproved VPNs, foreign travellers using a VPN for personal use generally do not face enforcement actions.
Not all VPNs are reliable in China — blocking methods and restrictions can vary by region (and places like Xinjiang may have elevated scrutiny or lower connectivity). In practice, some VPNs work “better” than others.

Recommended VPN options for travellers:

NordVPN – Frequently cited as a strong all-round choice in China: good speed, strong obfuscation, large server network.
Surfshark – A more budget-friendly option with features aimed at restricted networks (“NoBorders” mode) and decent performance in China.
ExpressVPN – Long-standing reputation for reliability and speed; often recommended for travellers in China, though higher cost.

Additional practical tips:

Once installed, enable any “obfuscated” or “stealth” mode if your VPN offers it — this helps bypass deep-packet inspection which is used to detect VPN traffic in restrictive regions.
Choose exit servers in nearby locations (e.g., Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore) for better speed and lower latency.
Have a backup plan: sometimes the VPN you picked may struggle in harder-to-reach areas (like remote western China). Consider having a second VPN installed or a hardware option/emergency eSIM if connectivity is critical. > From Reddit: “Get 2+ VPN apps installed for redundancy.”
Avoid relying solely on free VPNs — these are often blocked quickly, have weak performance, and may not guarantee your security.

In summary: yes, you can use a good VPN while travelling in Urumqi and beyond, but you must prepare ahead of time. Among the top choices for reliability are NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN. Install and test before you depart, and ensure you have a fallback option for more remote regions.

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