Key Takeaways: The China-Netflix Situation
- Censorship in China: The internet is heavily restricted and monitored in China due to the government’s efforts to suppress freedom of speech and outside influence.
- Netflix in China: Netflix does not operate in China due to its strict internet regulations and the competitiveness of China’s streaming market.
- VPNs in China: VPN availability in China is limited to those approved by the government, but they are sure to risk your privacy. Additionally, China blocks many foreign VPN services, so it’s best to download a few before you travel to the country
How to Access Netflix in China
- Download a reliable VPN provider such as Surfshark, ideally before you leave for China.
- Connect to a server in a country where your desired Netflix library is. For example, to watch the U.S. Netflix library, connect to a U.S. server.
- Open Netflix and start streaming.
If you have a Netflix account, prepare to be disappointed when you try to wind down with ‘Supacell’ or ‘Bridgerton’ after a day out in the Forbidden City or trekking along the Great Wall of China. In brief, there is no Netflix in China. To ensure you can keep up with your favorite shows while you’re away, read this article to find out how to watch Netflix in China with a VPN.
The Chinese government endeavors to make inaccessible any VPNs it hasn’t approved. Even some of the best VPN providers don’t work there. In our experience, providers sometimes work well before suddenly becoming unusable. In some cases, VPNs can manage to find a way around the block and make a comeback, but not always.
While no VPN is sure to work consistently in China, netizens have highlighted certain providers that currently work in the country. In addition to showing you how to access Netflix, we’ll explore your options for a VPN (virtual private network) for China. To cut to the chase, our top pick is Surfshark.
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09/02/2024 Facts checked
We rewrote this article to include a comprehensive how-to guide and discuss VPNs currently reported to be working in China.
Blocked or Available: Is Netflix Banned in China and Why?
Netflix isn’t officially blocked in China, but it may as well be because it’s simply not available. If you try to access Netflix without a VPN in China, you’ll get an error message from your browser because there’s no Chinese version.
Due to strict censorship in China, Netflix would have a hard time operating there, as plenty of its content would certainly be banned. Furthermore, Netflix content has a history of stirring controversy in China. In early 2024, Firstpost reported that some people in China were upset by the Netflix series ‘3 Body Problem’ due to its “harsh” portrayal of the country.
Another alternative option is to download Netflix content offline using the Netflix app, rather than trying to stream it in China; but then you’ll miss out on new episodes that come out while you’re there.
Are VPNs Legal in China?
The Chinese government approves only certain VPN providers. Providers like Surfshark aren’t approved by the government.
Plus, those caught selling unlicensed VPNs in China have been fined and even jailed, but it’s unclear whether there are penalties for simply using a VPN. There have been no reports to date of foreign visitors getting in trouble for using VPNs in China, but it may be different for Chinese citizens.
Like many quality VPNs, Surfshark doesn’t have servers in mainland China, as it would compromise customers’ privacy. That’s why you can’t get a Chinese IP address.
How to Watch Netflix in China With a VPN
Surfshark is one of the VPN providers that users have mentioned as being up and running in China. Remember, many VPNs are blocked in China, so it’s best to download the VPN app before you travel.
Here’s how to use the Surfshark VPN app to get into Netflix libraries from around the world.
- Subscribe to a VPN
Choose a VPN that works in China, like Surfshark, and subscribe (Surfshark’s most affordable plan is Starter, costing as low as $2.19 per month).
- Download the VPN
Go to the VPN’s “download” page and select the device you want to install the app on. Alternatively, download the app from the Apple (iOS) or Google Play (Android) app stores.
- Turn on Obfuscation
This process may differ for each VPN provider, and not all providers offer obfuscation. If you’re using Surfshark, go to “settings,” then scroll down to “protocols.” Select OpenVPN — Surfshark automatically obfuscates traffic on this protocol. Obfuscation stops your ISP and the government from seeing that a VPN is in use.
- Connect to a Server
From the main screen, connect to a VPN server in the country where your chosen Netflix library is. For example, if you want to watch U.S. Netflix, connect to a U.S. server.
- Stream Netflix
Open Netflix normal and start streaming.
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The 3 Best VPNs to Watch Netflix in China
| VPN | Price | Obfuscation | Speed | No-Logs Policy | Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
From $2.19 per month | Very fast | AES-256 ChaCha20 |
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 |
From $5.30 per month |
Very fast | AES-256 ChaCha20 |
||
 |
From $12.50 per month | Fast | AES-256 ChaCha20 |
One factor to remember is that no VPN is immune to the possibility of being blocked by China’s Great Firewall. Whichever VPN software you choose may have good days and bad days. On bad days, you might not be able to connect at all. It’s always advisable to download two or three VPNs before going to China so you have backups in case one doesn’t work.
Nevertheless, VPN users mention some providers as being the best VPNs for China as a rule. These include:
- Surfshark: Surfshark is one of Cloudwards’ favorite VPN providers due to its affordability, strong security and host of useful features, including obfuscation (camouflage mode) and NoBorders mode. These can come in handy in restrictive locations. Check out our full Surfshark review for the lowdown on its features.
- Mullvad: Mullvad is another provider that has recently been highlighted as functioning in China. It offers two obfuscation methods and is ideal for streaming thanks to its high speeds. Learn more in our Mullvad review.
- Astrill: Astrill offers obfuscation via its StealthVPN protocol and has a good track record of working well in China. However, in our full Astrill review, we rated its pricing as “terrible,” and there’s no money-back guarantee.
Can You Watch Netflix in China With Free VPN Providers?
There are secure free VPNs — including Privado VPN — which tops our list of the best free VPNs. However, free plans are always limited in some capacity, whether that be the number of servers you can connect to or a data cap (i.e., 10GB per month). To learn more about Privado VPN, read our Privado VPN review.
In addition, some free VPN plans, though secure, don’t offer obfuscation, which is an essential security feature for VPN users in China. Windscribe’s free version is an example of this. You can learn more about Windscribe in our Windscribe review.
Several paid VPNs, including Surfshark, let you claim your money back within 30 days of getting a VPN subscription, though you risk having trouble doing this if you get to China and find you can’t reach the VPN’s website. We recommend taking note of the VPN’s customer support team email address before you leave for China so you can contact them directly if the website is inaccessible.
How to Find the Best VPNs for Streaming Netflix in China
Not every VPN is secure, private and stealthy enough to handle China’s Great Firewall. Here are some metrics we go by to choose the best Netflix VPN for China.
- Obfuscation: The best VPNs for China are those that offer obfuscation, an extra security feature that makes it harder for ISPs and governments to tell that you’re using a VPN. Basically, traffic from obfuscated servers appears like normal internet traffic — not traffic coming from a VPN — making it less likely that your VPN will be blocked.
- Security features: In addition to obfuscation, features like a kill switch, secure VPN protocols (Wireguard, OpenVPN, etc.) and AES-256 encryption are essentials.
- No-logs policy: You’ll want a VPN with a no-logs policy to ensure your data isn’t collected and potentially visible to your ISP or the Chinese government.
- Community experience: VPN functionality in China can be up and down. We recommend checking sites like Reddit to find out which VPNs people in China report to have worked in recent weeks and months.
- Speed: A VPN with servers close to, but not in, China should provide decent speeds and will ensure a smooth, buffer-free streaming experience.
Final Thoughts: Watching Netflix in China
We won’t lie: There’s never any certainty when it comes to VPN functionality in China. That’s just the nature of using a VPN in a restrictive location. That said, a VPN is the only option for watching Netflix and using other banned platforms (YouTube, BBC iPlayer, WhatsApp, etc.) in the country. Moreover, some internet users in China swear by certain providers, such as Surfshark.
Have you used a VPN in China to watch Netflix? Which one works best for you? What VPN protocols do you use to ensure secure VPN connections when you travel? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading.
FAQ: Use Netflix in China
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Yes, some VPNs work with Netflix to get around geoblocks, but not all
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Partially. Only government-approved providers can operate in China. Popular providers like Surfshark, Astrill and Mullvad are banned, so make sure to download the VPN apps before you go.
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You can change your Netflix library location by connecting to a VPN server in another country. For example, if you want to access the British Netflix library from abroad, connect to a U.K. server.
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No, Netflix is unavailable in China. However, some VPNs work in China and allow you to access Netflix normally. Surfshark, Astrill and Mullvad are three VPN providers that are said to be functioning reliably in China at the moment.
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The post How to Watch Netflix in China: 3 Best VPNs That Work in 2024 appeared first on Cloudwards.
