Even though rivals like TikTok have been giving it a hard time, YouTube still remains the go-to video platform for loads of users. If you’re one of those people and are heading to the Middle Kingdom, you’re probably wondering, “Is YouTube banned in China?”
The short answer? Yes, YouTube has been blocked in China since 2009. So, no, you cannot watch videos on the site anywhere in mainland China without help, and that includes YouTube clips embedded on websites. The notorious Great Firewall of China enforces this ban, so it’s no child’s play.
The good news is that, with a good workaround, you can still access and use YouTube in China during your stay. There’s really only one approach that works consistently, and in this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using it.
What is the Best Way to Access YouTube in China?
Usually, unblocking a blocked website or online service is as simple as using a proxy server or smart DNS. Unfortunately, most of those traditional methods are no match for the Great Firewall of China. That leaves us with the safest and most reliable option: a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
A VPN encrypts your network traffic and routes it through a remote server in a different location, hiding your IP address in the process. So, for instance, you could be in China and connect to a server in Japan. Because YouTube is freely accessible there, you should have no issues enjoying the platform.
Truth is, the restrictions are so formidable that most VPNs struggle to beat them. However, if you use a top-tier VPN built to bypass censorship in China, you’ll be able to unblock YouTube and other banned services like WhatsApp.
How to Unblock YouTube in China With a VPN: Step-by-Step Tutorial
Now that you understand that a VPN is the best approach to accessing YouTube in China, let’s dive into the steps to follow.
Step 1: Choose a Trusty VPN that Works in China
As mentioned earlier, most VPNs are not equipped to work in China. It follows then that you must pick one with a track record of doing so. Features to watch out for include advanced encryption, obfuscation, a kill switch, and fast, stable servers. After deciding, choose a subscription package that works for you and sign up for the service.
We recommend NordVPN because it checks all the right boxes and delivers blazing-fast connection speeds for smooth streaming on YouTube.
Step 2: Download and Install the VPN
Every provider that can unblock YouTube in China has native apps for all the popular operating systems. Some even have VPN apps for smart TVs, so you can stream YouTube on the big screen.
When you’re done signing up, download and install the app for your device on the VPN’s website or app store.
Step 3: Connect to a Server Outside China
Launch the newly installed app and sign in with your account details. From the home screen, navigate to the server selection menu and connect to one located outside mainland China.
Make sure the server isn’t located in another country that blocks YouTube or censors its content. “Safe” nearby locations include South Korea and Japan.
If you’re using NordVPN in order to access YouTube in China, navigate to the “specialty servers” tab and click “obfuscated servers.”
The provider will automatically connect to the fastest obfuscated server closest to your location.
Step 4: Verify Your VPN Connection
You cannot be too careful when trying to hoodwink the Great Firewall. Once you’ve connected to the server, and before you try accessing YouTube, take a minute to ensure that your connection is working properly.
To verify, you can use a free online IP checker tool (https://whatismyipaddress.com/). If the IP address displayed on the website matches the VPN location you selected earlier, you’re good to go.
Step 5: Use YouTube in China
Now, the hard work is out of the way, and you’re all set to catch up with your favorite channels and content creators on YouTube. Launch the YouTube app (if you have it installed) or visit the website on your browser and stream away.
The Best VPNs for Unblocking YouTube in China in 2026
Way more VPNs claim they can unblock content in China than can deliver. As you’ve probably pieced together from this post so far, the restriction in your way is not the average firewall at work or school. In fact, it’s the most sophisticated censorship system in the world.
Unless you want to waste your money, choose a VPN with a proven track record of working in China. Here are three of the best options available in 2026:
9200 servers
167 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.4 /10
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
9.1 /10
4500 servers
100 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
Unlimited connections
8.7 /10
1. NordVPN
Arguably the best VPN service out there, NordVPN blends unparalleled unblocking, performance, and security into a competitively-priced package.
Test after test, the provider unblocks every website and streaming service we throw at it, including in China. For example, it successfully bypasses the Great Firewall to allow expats and visitors to use platforms like Facebook and Instagram in China.
With over 6,900 servers spanning 113 countries, you’re never short of connection points, especially since the VPN has a presence in many nearby countries. Connecting to NordVPN’s obfuscated servers disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic, fooling China’s deep packet inspection (DPI) detection and blocking methods.
What’s more, NordVPN is incredibly speedy. Because there’s barely any dent in your original connection speeds, you can stream 4K YouTube videos without frustrating buffering and lags.
There’s no chance of you leaving digital breadcrumbs that could lead right back to you since NordVPN has a strict, audited no-logs policy. It’s also chock-full of top-tier security tools, including AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and Double VPN for an extra layer of protection.
NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can take it on a spin before committing — or trying something else.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another excellent choice for watching YouTube in China. It’s also a reliable VPN for streaming YouTube TV content from anywhere. Based on our latest ExpressVPN review, we can confidently say that it should work seamlessly in China without the need for any adjustments.
ExpressVPN is incredibly consistent when it comes to unblocking. Over and over again, we’ve been able to unblock virtually every streaming service or content library we attempted using the VPN. All servers are obfuscated by default, so your traffic sneaks past the Great Firewall’s detection measures.
Apart from YouTube, it effortlessly bypasses the geo-restrictions on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. It certainly helps that the provider’s 3,000+ servers spanning 105 countries include several nearby YouTube-friendly locations.
As for performance, you can expect blazing-fast connection speeds. Even while connected to a remote server thousands of miles from China, we could stream YouTube videos buffer-free. And closer? We tried simultaneously streaming 4K content on multiple screens, and the VPN delivered without any hitch.
Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re unimpressed by the VPN’s performance in China, you can request a full refund, no questions asked. As for the subscription price, we recommend reading our article on the current promotions at ExpressVPN. This way, you’ll get the best prices available.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark makes this list despite being a pretty affordable option — if you can disregard its rather expensive monthly plans.
The feature-rich VPN has always impressed in highly restrictive countries like China, thanks to tools like NoBorders. Surfshark automatically deploys NoBorders when it detects network restrictions, supplying you with a list of servers to help you bypass them.
On top of that, obfuscation, a.k.a. Camouflage Mode, hides the fact that you’re using a VPN by masking the digital makeup of your traffic. That way, neither the notorious firewall nor your ISP can see your privacy protection. Unsurprisingly, it locks your connection with ultra-secure AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, IP/DNS leak protection, and an audited no-logs policy.
Besides its exceptional unblocking, Surfshark’s fantastic speeds make it an excellent VPN for streaming. Since upgrading its entire network to 10 Gbps servers, the provider has impressed with its propensity for smooth streaming and fast downloads.
To get Surfshark at the best price in 2026, use our Surfshark coupon.
Can You Access YouTube in China With a Free VPN?
No, there’s pretty much no chance a free VPN will help you unblock and use YouTube in China. The Great Firewall isn’t something free VPNs are built to handle — they simply don’t have the advanced features or resources to bypass it.
Let’s say you somehow manage to connect. Even then, you’re likely looking at congested servers, sluggish speeds, constant drops, and bandwidth caps from most free VPNs. Not quite ideal for streaming YouTube.
Final Thoughts
Because of the country’s low tolerance, YouTube is banned in China, along with thousands of other online platforms. Thankfully, you can bypass the Great Firewall’s heavy restrictions with a top-tier VPN.
However, while there are hundreds of VPNs out there, only a handful of them work in China. This article provided a shortlist of the best options alongside easy-to-follow instructions for unblocking YouTube in China. We recommend using NordVPN, as it’s easily the best VPN for China in 2026.