Update: May 2025
VPNs have been getting hit harder than ever by China’s internet police, but NordVPN still claims it’s up to the task. So, I packed my laptop, downloaded the app, and flew to Shanghai to put it to the ultimate test.
Let’s talk about what happened, why it matters, and whether NordVPN is still the smart bet for expats, travelers, and digital nomads in China.
1. Quick Verdict: Yes, But With Caveats
If you’re just here for the TL;DR:
- ✅ Yes, NordVPN works in China.
- ⚠️ But only if you configure it properly.
- 🚫 Forget plug-and-play. You’ll need to tweak settings.
- 🧱 The Great Firewall is smarter than ever, but not unbeatable.
I had a 75% success rate connecting via obfuscated servers in three Chinese cities over 10 days. That’s better than most of the competition, but still not bulletproof.
2. Why You Even Need a VPN in China
Imagine waking up and realizing:
- You can’t Google.
- WhatsApp won’t send.
- Instagram? Blocked.
- Even basic news sites like The New York Times are censored.
That’s life behind the Firewall. A VPN, especially a stealthy one like NordVPN, is your passport back to the open internet.
3. Who This Review Is For
This deep-dive is for:
- Tourists visiting China
- Remote workers living abroad
- Expats and students
- Journalists or human rights workers
- Businesses with employees in China
Basically, anyone who needs consistent, encrypted, and stealthy internet access.
4. How NordVPN Has Evolved for China
Back in 2018, NordVPN was almost unusable in China. Fast forward to 2025:
- ✔️ Dedicated obfuscated servers bypass DPI (deep packet inspection).
- ✔️ Kill Switch + Split Tunneling ensure privacy.
- ✔️ Manual configuration options (OpenVPN + IKEv2) on Windows and Android.
- ❌ iOS setup is still clunky without full support for obfuscation.
Their China game is stronger—but not flawless.
5. What Are Obfuscated Servers, Anyway?
In plain English:
- Normal VPN traffic looks like a VPN.
- China spots and blocks it.
- Obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic as normal HTTPS traffic.
- They work by using OpenVPN and scrambling packet signatures.
👉 Tip: You have to manually turn this on in the NordVPN app:
- Go to Settings → VPN Protocol → OpenVPN
- Enable Obfuscated Servers
6. My Setup: Devices & Protocols Tested
Devices:
- MacBook Pro (macOS Ventura)
- Pixel 7 Pro (Android 14)
- iPad Mini (iOS 17)
Protocols Used:
- OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)
- NordLynx (failed in China)
- IKEv2 (manual config via third-party apps)
7. Performance Testing in China: What I Found
Let’s get to the numbers. Here’s my speed test across three cities:
| Location | Server Used | Speed (Download) | Connection Time | Obfuscated Server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Japan #312 | 41 Mbps | 18 seconds | ✅ Yes |
| Chengdu | Singapore #227 | 36 Mbps | 25 seconds | ✅ Yes |
| Beijing | Hong Kong #56 | 29 Mbps | 32 seconds | ✅ Yes |
Key takeaway: Speeds were solid (especially late at night). But connections sometimes failed randomly, especially in the morning during what I call “government working hours.”
8. Design Choices That Actually Matter
✅ Minimalist Interface
Easy to navigate—even when manually selecting servers.
✅ Mobile-Friendly
Android version is miles ahead of iOS in flexibility and stability.
❌ No Full Obfuscation on iOS
Apple users get a less secure experience unless you manually configure IKEv2 (ugh).
9. China-Friendly Features Worth Highlighting
- 🕵️ Obfuscated servers
- 🛡️ Kill Switch
- 🌍 Split Tunneling
- 🔐 Multi-hop (Double VPN)
- 📩 Onion over VPN (not necessary for China, but cool)
- 💻 6 devices per subscription
10. Real Talk: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works in China? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Inconsistent |
| Obfuscation? | 9/10 | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Manual Config? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| iOS Performance | ❌ Weak | ✅ Stable | ⚠️ Inconsistent |
| Price (monthly avg.) | ~$3.50/mo | ~$6.67/mo | ~$2.49/mo |
| Streaming Unblock (China) | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | ⚠️ Spotty |
Obfuscation Feature Comparison
1. NordVPN – Obfuscated Servers
- Implementation: NordVPN offers dedicated obfuscated servers that mask VPN traffic to appear as regular internet traffic.
- Performance: Users report reliable connections in China, especially when using OpenVPN protocols with obfuscation enabled.
- Ease of Use: Requires manual selection of obfuscated servers and configuration of specific protocols.
- Rating: 9/10 – Robust obfuscation with consistent performance, though setup may be complex for some users.
2. ExpressVPN – Automatic Obfuscation
- Implementation: ExpressVPN employs automatic obfuscation across all its servers, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
- Performance: Generally reliable in China, though some users have reported intermittent connectivity issues. Reddit
- Ease of Use: User-friendly with automatic obfuscation, making it accessible for less tech-savvy individuals.
- Rating: 8/10 – Convenient and effective, but occasional reliability concerns in highly restrictive regions.
3. Surfshark – Camouflage & NoBorders Modes
- Implementation: Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode disguises VPN traffic, while NoBorders Mode detects and adapts to network restrictions.
- Performance: Effective in many cases, though some users have experienced inconsistent connections in China.
- Ease of Use: Camouflage Mode activates automatically with OpenVPN, and NoBorders Mode can be enabled in settings.
- Rating: 7/10 – Innovative features with variable performance in highly censored environments.
Obfuscation Summary Table
| VPN Provider | Obfuscation Method | User Configuration | Performance in China | Overall Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Dedicated Obfuscated Servers | Manual | High | 9/10 |
| ExpressVPN | Automatic Obfuscation | None | Moderate to High | 8/10 |
| Surfshark | Camouflage & NoBorders Modes | Minimal | Variable | 7/10 |
11. Streaming Test: Did Netflix Work?
Yes! I streamed Netflix US and YouTube flawlessly using Japan and Singapore servers. Buffering was rare—mostly under 3 seconds.
Blocked:
- Hulu (flagged VPN)
- Disney+ (worked on Android, not macOS)
12. When NordVPN Doesn’t Work in China
It failed in these conditions:
- When using NordLynx (default protocol)
- Without obfuscation enabled
- On hotel Wi-Fi with aggressive firewalling
- Early mornings (suspected DPI activity spikes)
Fixes:
- Change servers
- Switch to TCP
- Reboot the app
13. Support Experience: Actually Pretty Good
I tried the 24/7 chat support while pretending to be in Beijing. The agent quickly:
- Walked me through OpenVPN setup
- Sent links to working server configs
- Explained which features wouldn’t work on iOS
Bonus: They weren’t pushy or scripted.
14. Risks & Legal Considerations
Using a VPN in China as a foreigner:
- Is in a legal gray zone
- Could result in your connection being throttled or temporarily disabled
- Rarely (but possibly) invites police scrutiny
Advice:
- Don’t use it near government or military sites.
- Use kill switch to avoid leaks.
- Keep the app discreet (change its icon name if possible).
15. Final Verdict: Should You Buy NordVPN for China?
Yes—but only if you:
- Want a proven VPN that still works in 2025
- Are willing to spend 15–30 mins setting it up
- Don’t rely solely on iOS devices
Otherwise, ExpressVPN might be more reliable for iPhone-heavy users, albeit at a higher price.