Is Instagram blocked in China? Yes, like most other international social media sites. But that’s no surprise for anyone who knows how repressive the country’s government is. If you try to access Instagram in China, you’ll quickly discover that it’s not as simple as opening the app or typing in the website address.
The Middle Kingdom’s internet censorship system, referred to as the “Great Firewall,” restricts access to tons of websites and online platforms. That’s why you’re met with the legend, “feed cannot be refreshed,” when you try to use the photo and video sharing app.
Thankfully, there’s a way around it that involves using a VPN service. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll work you through the process of past the restriction on Instagram. And because even VPNs have a tough time in China, we offer a few recommendations for trouble-free access to Instagram.
Why You Can’t Use Instagram in China
The Chinese government maintains tight control to regulate information flow and maintain social and political stability. In fact, China is one of the world’s most restrictive countries in terms of information access and expression. Instagram is just one of the many casualties of that tight grip.
International platforms like the Meta-owned app challenge the government’s control by allowing users to freely share information without oversight. What’s more, it hosts a wide range of content, much of which authorities find conflicting with its stand. For instance, several human rights and political activist individuals groups are active on Instagram.
The Chinese Communist Party prefers domestically controlled platforms where it can maintain a hold on political discourse. That’s why there are alternatives like Weibo and Douyin.
China’s restriction techniques include deep packet inspection (DPI), DNS tampering, IP blocking, and URL filtering. But a VPN presents a workaround.
A quality provider bypasses the restrictions and lets you access Instagram and many other websites and online services blocked in China.
How to Access Instagram in China With a VPN
Using Instagram in China may seem like an uphill battle due to the Great Firewall’s restrictions. Actually, it is — but with the right VPN, you can regain access to this popular social media platform. Here’s a straightforward four-step guide to help you do just that:
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Picking a capable VPN service is key. Not all VPNs are created equal, and many will not work within China due to ongoing crackdowns by authorities. You want a provider with a proven track record of success in circumventing the Instagram block, but it must also excel in other areas, like performance.
We’ll cover it below, but you should know that the best VPN for unblocking Instagram in China is NordVPN.
Bypass censorship with NordVPN
Step 2: Install the VPN
Visit the VPN provider’s official website. Register an account and purchase a subscription plan that works for you. Next, download and install its application on your device. Many top VPNs offer apps for various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Follow the installation instructions provided on its resource base, or contact a customer care representative if you have any issues.
Step 3: Connect to a Server Outside China
Once installed, launch the VPN app and log in with your account credentials. From the VPN’s server list, connect to one located outside China. For best results, select a location near China where Instagram is unrestricted, like Hong Kong or Taiwan.
Step 4: Access Instagram
With your VPN successfully connected and your internet traffic routed through a server outside of China, you can now access Instagram as if you were in another country. Open the Instagram app or visit the website, and you should be able to use the platform just as you would anywhere else.
Remember that while a VPN is a powerful tool for bypassing censorship, its effectiveness can vary depending on the service you use. Besides, the Chinese government may periodically target VPN services. For consistent results, stick with a reputable provider.
Note that the procedure is identical if you’re looking to unblock WhatsApp in China.
Best VPNs to Access Instagram in China — Our 3 Picks for 2024
Now that you know how to unblock Instagram in China, let’s look at the best VPN services that can help you. To be clear, getting past the Great Firewall is no small feat, which is why so few VPNs manage it. That’s why we assessed dozens of them to pick out the three best options. Here they are.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a very popular option for Chinese VPN users. Like ExpressVPN and Surfshark, it unblocks Instagram along with virtually every other website or service restricted in China.
The provider offers more than 6,300 servers across 11 countries. That’s way more countries than ExpressVPN, on top of which, it’s present in multiple nearby locations. If you’re big on torrenting, you’re in luck, as a significant portion of its servers are optimized for the activity.
NordVPN is an excellent VPN for video viewing. It easily circumvents the geo-restrictions imposed by streaming services, offering more variety than is ordinarily available in China. As a result, you can enjoy your favorite content on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
High-performance infrastructure and protocols like its proprietary NordLynx translate to blazing-fast speeds. You can watch videos online in 4K and play online games with little to no buffering.
NordVPN excels in every area but primarily focuses on keeping your data safe and secure. The VPN offers military-grade encryption, an app-specific kill switch, and DNS leak protection. RAM-based servers ensure no data is ever written to a physical hard drive. On top of that, NordVPN offers advanced functionality like obfuscation and Double VPN, all helpful features for beating surveillance and censorship in China.
Purchase a NordVPN plan and you can use it on up to ten devices to unblock Instagram from China. It’s unlikely, but if you have a poor impression of the provider within a month, you can request a full refund.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the second most trusted VPN after NordVPN and there’s plenty of reason for that. You won’t find many better VPNs that unblock Instagram while providing blazing-fast speeds, robust security, and more.
Instagram aside, ExpressVPN lets you access WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Spotify, Snapchat, and other sites and services blocked in China.
If you’re looking to watch content, the VPN’s expansive network in 105 countries and excellent unblocking capabilities come in handy. It breezes past geo-blocks on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and many more streaming services.
On top of that, ExpressVPN is incredibly fast. If you start with a strong internet connection, you’ll barely notice a drop in performance after you connect to a server.
ExpressVPN is committed to privacy and security. It implements cutting-edge encryption to protect your data from prying eyes. It also offers an automatic kill switch, leak protection, and several advanced features. A strict no-logs policy coupled with TrustedServer technology means you need not fear unwanted access to data on your browsing sessions.
Instagram is mobile-focused, but ExpressVPN’s wide compatibility means you can use it on most devices. A single subscription covers up to 8 devices simultaneously. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee attached, which means you can try out the VPN risk-free.
3. Surfshark
Surfshark is another compelling option for accessing Instagram in China. It’s the newcomer on this list and has quickly established itself as a top provider. And there’s more to it than cheap pricing.
For instance, the VPN’s server network spans 100 countries, the most on this selection. It boasts servers in strategic locations, including Hong Kong and Singapore, ensuring you can establish a reliable connection to Instagram and other blocked content.
Speaking of which, Surfshark’s unblocking capabilities are impeccable. It can unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, and several other popular streamers. What’s more, the VPN is reasonably fast. You won’t get the speeds of NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but Surfshark isn’t far off. You can expect to watch videos on Instagram and other platforms without annoying buffering.
Surfshark’s budget pricing doesn’t mean it skimps on your privacy. It offers the industry-standard features of a quality VPN, including top-of-the-line encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and a no-logs policy. But we like that several advanced and extra features come along, such as obfuscation and a malware blocker.
Surfshark stands out by removing any limits to the number of devices you can use at the same time with one subscription, so it’s the perfect VPN for a large household. It also offers a 30-day refund policy, offering enough time to make up your mind about the VPN.
Can You Access Instagram in China With a Free VPN?
No chance. While the idea of using free VPNs to unblock Instagram in China may seem tempting, it’s a losing proposition, as they are ill-suited to the task.
China’s internet censorship measures are among the most advanced in the world. They are constantly evolving to block VPN services, especially free ones. Free VPNs simply lack the infrastructure to consistently outmaneuver these censorship efforts. As a result, they fail to provide reliable access to blocked platforms like Instagram.
Besides, unpaid VPNs come with lots of limitations. They impose data caps, slow speeds, and crowded servers, which can hinder your ability to use Instagram effectively. Even worse, some compromise your privacy by logging your data or subjecting you to intrusive ads.
Conclusion
China’s restrictive government blocks access to tons of websites and online services, and Instagram is one of its victims.
If you’re traveling to the country or just looking to explore Instagram from China, you need a VPN. We’ve shown you how to use one to access Instagram in China.
You need a provider powerful enough to beat the country’s countermeasures. NordVPN is our top recommendation as a result of its features and performance. You can take advantage of a 60+% discount on its 24-month plan and 3 extra months .
