VPN when traveling: bypassing Internet censorship in China and around the world

Imagine that you're traveling, and you open your computer or smartphone to use the internet to update your loved ones on Facebook or search for information on Google. You might be in for an unpleasant surprise depending on the country you're in if you don't have a secure connection with a VPN or proxy. This is internet censorship. How can you overcome it? Here's a practical guide to essential tools for traveling and surfing the internet safely.

Internet censorship: the current situation

Countries affected

Around the world, several countries censor the internet by controlling and/or removing what's shared online.

For example, China and its famous Great Firewall (referencing the Great Wall) will block your access to Facebook, Wikipedia, WhatsApp, Spotify, or YouTube and modify Google search results. They have impressive resources (reportedly 2 million cyber police officers!) and very advanced methods (keyword filters) to channel information flow as they see fit. It's said they even have several hundred thousand volunteer or paid activists tasked with steering discussions on forums or blogs and reporting internet users who stray too far from official guidelines. Incredible in our time, isn't it?

But censorship isn't limited to China. You'll encounter similar problems in Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Cuba, or other countries less recommended for vacations (Syria, North Korea).

How Internet censorship works

There are several types of censorship, and we won't go into too much detail to keep this topic understandable. Basically, in 90% of cases, the government filters URLs from within its territory. So if you're in China, you simply won't be able to access Facebook or Instagram because their URLs will be directly blocked.

Bypassing censorship with a VPN or proxy

The solution is to go through an intermediary whose access isn't blocked and is located somewhere other than China. This way, it will redirect you to the website you want to visit. This is called a proxy server or a VPN. In principle, the difference between a VPN and a proxy is minimal. However, one is more advantageous than the other in terms of security, speed, and ease of use.

Proxy server

Generally, you access the proxy by entering its IP address in your browser by configuring the network settings. This way, you'll browse anonymously on censored sites by masking your IP address and using the proxy server's IP instead. The advantage is that this service is usually free. However, your data isn't encrypted. If a malicious person has access to the server, they could intercept your data. So avoid using your passwords! Also, you need to configure each application that accesses the internet... And since many users can be connected at the same time, the internet connection can become really slow. Another disadvantage is that proxies are often already blocked in countries like China...

In conclusion, a proxy server is sufficient for basic needs to access blocked sites, but due to an unencrypted connection, it offers little protection against surveillance. Also, it's difficult to find a proxy that will work long-term; you'll need to change frequently.

VPN

For all these reasons, I prefer using a VPN, Virtual Private Network. I'll explain what a VPN is and how it works.

Unlike a proxy, this type of network allows a fully encrypted connection between your computer and a server located in a censorship-free zone. Using a VPN masks your IP address to surf with a server IP from any country. Indeed, VPN providers generally offer connections to servers available in many different countries. Having an encrypted connection is a big advantage when browsing the internet using public Wi-Fi in a hotel, café, or airport, for example.

A VPN connection is therefore much safer and easier to use. You usually just need to install a small program on your computer or mobile device. This way, all your traffic will be managed by the server, no need to configure each application. Plus, the connection speed is excellent and allows you to surf, use streaming platforms (Netflix...), download torrents... In the end, it allows you to have your online activities as if you were in England, Switzerland, or anywhere else!

The downside is that you have to pay for this type of connection, often a few euros per month… But it offers excellent comfort for web surfing and more security for your data. In our opinion, it's perfect if you're traveling around the world or if you're a digital nomad!

To make the right choice, we've compared the best VPNs in the rest of the article.

Why and how to use a VPN while traveling?

Still not convinced? Here are some practical examples of VPN use that should finally convince you.

Secure your connection for payments

Imagine you're at an airport and want to book your next hostel. You turn on your computer and connect to one of the many free Wi-Fi networks, a situation that happens to many travelers. What if I told you that free airport Wi-Fi is kind of an ideal playground for a hacker who wants to intercept a password or credit card code? With a VPN, your personal data will be encrypted, and you can make your financial transactions securely. Handy, right? This obviously isn't limited to airports; it's valid for many places.

Find lower prices

With a VPN service, remember that your IP address and therefore your online activities will be masked, and you'll be browsing with an IP from another country depending on the server chosen. Since your computer will give the impression of being in another country, you can often find cheaper flight tickets and hotel rooms. Prices on flight comparison sites depend on your location, which can have certain advantages… It's up to you to play with this and do your tests :).

Unblock Netflix or TV channels abroad

In fact, on the internet, a lot of content is only accessible based on your location: national TV channels, videos, Netflix... Hence the usefulness of going through a VPN server! Indeed, for streaming, it might be difficult with a proxy given the slow connections...

For example, when we were in Austria, I connected to a Swiss server with my VPN. This allowed me to go online with a Swiss IP address and thus be able to watch national TV channels and watch Roger Federer's matches ;). I could also download torrents with peace of mind since in Switzerland, the IP address is personal data (Switzerland: a digital paradise?). With a VPN, you can also unblock Netflix in the USA to access more content.

The best VPNs for traveling

Arriving in China, we had a small surprise: we couldn't connect to our VPN server! You should know that certain protocols don't work in China and that certain servers are blocked. These Chinese are clever! Here's a small list of VPNs that work in China and around the world! (We updated this list in March 2025.) Small clarification: using a VPN in China is legal, even if Chinese authorities try to limit this practice.

Note: you must subscribe to a VPN before arriving in China. The Chinese aren't foolish and block access to most VPN provider sites. If you haven't already subscribed to a VPN provider before leaving, it will be difficult to do so from China!

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the reference in China! According to many Chinese users, it's the provider that offers the fastest and most secure connection! This means you have super sophisticated encoding protocols, no bandwidth limit, and no storage of your activity logs. So even if the Chinese government asked them, they couldn't give them anything. Plus, this VPN offers 5 simultaneous connections and servers in 105 countries. In my opinion, it's the best offer even if it's a bit more expensive than its competitors! By the way, we're still using it currently and are very satisfied with it!

NordVPN

NordVPN is another VPN provider that works in China and elsewhere. The main advantage of NordVPN compared to ExpressVPN is its price, which is quite a bit cheaper. They also take security very seriously with highly secure encoding protocols and no log storage. With a single account, you can securely connect to 10 different devices. However, the weak point is probably the connection speed, which is lower than ExpressVPN. Expect to lose a bit in download speed when connected. If you can live with that, then it's the best value for money in the VPN market for traveling around the world. The price of their 2-year offer is excellent!

Surfshark

Surfshark is a bit of a newcomer in the VPN gang trying to shake up the hierarchy. Like the previous two, it also works in China and offers the lowest prices on the market if you subscribe for at least 1 year. Certainly, even if it hasn't existed as long as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it has proven itself in recent years. The advantage is the absence of limits on simultaneously connected devices. Nevertheless, connection speeds are slightly lower and a bit random.

With this article, we hope to have enlightened you about VPNs for traveling around the world, particularly in China! Are you convinced by this tool? Have you ever faced internet censorship?

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