If you are looking to access the internet in China, such as Chinese TV or streaming entertainment like Youku, CNTV, or Tudou from outside China, then you will need a VPN that can give you a Chinese IP address. Most VPNs don’t have server networks in China, but a few do. Others use virtual IP addresses, which means the IP address belongs to China but the server is actually located elsewhere.
We have a step-by-step guide on how to get a Chinese IP address.
If you’re outside China looking in and need a provider that can VPN into China, your options are pretty limited:
Hotspot Shield is our top recommendation. It uses a virtual IP address to unblock China-only websites and apps.
HideMyAss has four IP addresses in Beijing
PureVPN has locations available in Beijing and Shanghai. Users inside of China report mixed results for tunneling past the GFW, though.
EarthVPN has at least one location in China.
FlyVPN has a few locations in China
For more information on how to VPN into China, check out our tutorial on how to watch Youku from outside China and how to get a Chinese IP address.