China Has Blocked Google For Years! Here’s the Only Way to Access It
Reading time: 7 min
Last Updated: Oct 7, 2025
About 10,000 websites are currently blocked in China due to that country’s Internet censorship policy, which aims to limit most knowledge of the world outside of China, particularly viewpoints and truths counter to those issued by the Chinese government.
In 2000, Google China launched to give viewers the option of Simplified and Traditional Chinese versions of the website, only to begin facing censorship six years later, with Google pulling out of China in 2010.
In 2014, China began blocking all parts of Google, including Gmail, the world’s most-used mail server.
With the ban in place, any attempts to search Google or to log into Gmail from your PC, laptop, tablet, or smartphone will be met with an error message that these websites are blocked by order of the Chinese government.
China’s government has control over all Internet access to every computer in the country and has been called “The Great Firewall of China” not only for its ability to limit what users inside its borders see, but also for its ability to use that firewall to carry out malicious attacks on websites located in other countries that run negative coverage of the Chinese government and its Internet policies.
With that sort of censorship in place, the only effective way to access Gmail, Google, and its various subsidiaries while in China is to use a virtual private network (VPN).
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
How Do VPNs work?
VPNs avoid censorship in countries likes China by using a remote server located outside the country’s borders to act as your proxy to browse the websites you wish to visit. However, a simple proxy server is highly vulnerable to Internet censorship like the kind China practices because its traffic can be viewed by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), which of course in this case is the Chinese government.
VPNs go a step farther in security that proxies by using an encrypted connection that joins your device to the remote server. All data sent through this “tunnel” in either direction is heavily encrypted, making it impossible for your ISP to see what websites you are visiting or what data you are downloading or uploading. The remote server downloads your requests, pairs them with an IP address from its own country, and sends them along to the Internet.
How to Use a VPN in China
- Sign up for a VPN service. There are lots of choose from, but do your research to determine which service fits your budget, location, and needs best – see below for our recommendations.
- Download the VPN client and launch it onto your preferred device.
- Create a login and password and commit them to memory.
- Choose a server to connect to. For use in China, try to find something physically close to your location, but in a country that does not practice similar censorship to China.
- Ensure the connection is secure, then begin surfing the Internet and using your favorite apps as you would normally.
Best VPNs to Use Google in China
1. ExpressVPN — Obfuscation on Every Server for Reliable Google Access
Key Features:
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries with automatic obfuscation
- Lightway protocol delivers stable speeds for Google access
- Works on up to 14 simultaneous connections
- Fast support with 24/7 live chat, email, and online guides
- 30*-day money-back guarantee for first-time users
ExpressVPN is the most reliable way to reach Google in China because every server has built-in obfuscation. This disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS, letting you bypass the Great Firewall without extra setup. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol makes connections quick and stable, so Gmail and Search load smoothly.
Its wide network of 105 countries includes nearby hubs like Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore, giving fast routes with low latency. ExpressVPN also comes with a 24/7 live chat that provides working setup tips for China. You can test it risk-free with its 30*-day money-back guarantee.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WatchEverywhere, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
2025 Update! You can subscribe to ExpressVPN for as low as per month with a 2-year + 4 months purchase (save up to %)!! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. Astrill VPN — StealthVPN and OpenWeb Bypass Tough Blocks
Key Features:
- Global servers in 60+ countries with StealthVPN/OpenWeb protocols
- Obfuscation keeps Google access stable under censorship
- Works on up to 5 devices simultaneously
- Support available through live chat, tickets, and guides
- No refund policy, but you can try it risk-free with a 7-day free trial
Astrill’s StealthVPN hides OpenVPN traffic under obfuscation, while OpenWeb offers a fast, lightweight TCP option. Both are built for China’s DPI filtering, keeping Google services accessible when other VPNs fail. Power users can add VIP routing for prioritized speeds on congested networks.
A drawback is Astrill has no refund policy, so you can’t test it risk-free. However, there is a 7-day free trial which should be enough for you to try it out first. If that’s not enough, you should buy the shortest plan first and switch between StealthVPN and OpenWeb in-app until you find the most stable option for your connection.
Access Google services with Astrill VPN
3. PrivateVPN — Stealth Mode With SSL-VPN for Hard Blocks
Key Features:
- 200+ servers in 63 countries with Stealth + SSL-VPN support
- Obfuscated traffic keeps Google usable behind the firewall
- Works on up to 10 simultaneous connections with the Plus plan
- Support via live chat, email, and setup walkthroughs
- 30-day pro-rated money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN includes a Stealth Mode that obfuscates OpenVPN traffic, plus SSL-VPN, which tunnels traffic through TLS to evade China’s firewall. It even offers a Hong Kong–China Route server for faster, localized access to Google services.
Its network is relatively small, limited to just 63 countries. However, PrivateVPN owns and manages all its servers, which reduces the risk of third-party interference. It’s also one of the few VPNs that offer free dedicated IP addresses in 15 countries. You can try PrivateVPN risk-free as it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Use Google with PrivateVPN in China
Are VPNS legal in China?
It’s hard to say what is and isn’t legal in China as the government seems to add new violations on a whim. VPNs are definitely used by Chinese businesses, particularly those with international partners, because otherwise they would be extremely limited in their abilities. Those are mostly corporate-grade VPNS, however, not the same as ones used by individuals.
In the last few years, China has removed all VPN apps from the Chinese Apple store, and several VPN websites are blocked by the Great Firewall.
If you are traveling to China and want to make sure you have the same Internet access you enjoy outside of the country, select and download a VPN client before beginning your trip.
*Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
