I tested 4 VPNs in China. Only 2 worked reliably. Here's the real data.

ChinaTravelMemo

My friend from Germany is a remote worker. He needs Google, Slack, and Zoom. He tested four VPNs over 3 weeks in Shanghai and Beijing.

The results:

ExpressVPN ($6.66/month):
• Connection rate: 85%
• Speed: 45 Mbps down
• YouTube 1080p: Smooth
• Zoom: One brief disconnect in 30 min
Verdict: Most reliable overall. Expensive but works.

NordVPN ($3.09/month):
• Connection rate: 70%
• Speed: 38 Mbps down
• YouTube: Occasional buffering
• Zoom: Two disconnects in 30 min
Verdict: Cheaper but less consistent.

Surfshark ($2.19/month):
• Connection rate: 60%
• Speed: 52 Mbps down (when connected)
• YouTube: Good when connected
• Zoom: Three disconnects in 30 min
Verdict: Best speed but least reliable. Budget option.

LetsVPN ($6.69/month):
• Connection rate: 90%
• Speed: 35 Mbps down
• YouTube: Smooth
• Zoom: Stable, no disconnects
Verdict: Designed for China. Higher connection rate than ExpressVPN.

The reality:

No VPN works 100% of the time. The Great Firewall gets stronger during major events and holidays. During the Two Sessions in March, all VPNs struggled. During Golden Week, speeds dropped 30%.

Free VPNs: ProtonVPN free tier works but is slow. Windscribe free (10GB/month) is okay for light use. Most 'free' VPNs don't work in China at all.

Tips:
• Download and set up your VPN BEFORE arriving in China
• Have 2-3 VPN subscriptions as backup
• Use obfuscated servers if available
• If one protocol fails, switch protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, etc.)
• Local WiFi + VPN is often more stable than 5G + VPN

My friend's choice: ExpressVPN as primary, LetsVPN as backup.

"I thought one VPN would be enough. I was wrong. The day ExpressVPN wouldn't connect, LetsVPN saved my job interview. In China, VPN redundancy isn't paranoia — it's survival."

Anyone else tested VPNs in China recently? What's working for you?