Video-sharing platform YouTube has consistently maintained its rank as the second most popular website globally for years now, only falling behind Google. Even media outlets in the Middle Kingdom, like China Central Television (CCTV), have official accounts on the site. Still, accessing YouTube in China poses a challenge for most people.
So, is YouTube banned in China? The short answer: yes, it is, along with a slew of other international websites and online services. The ban is upheld by the Great Firewall, a notorious system of technological and regulatory measures implemented by the Chinese government to control and censor internet access.
Good thing there are a few workarounds to this issue, and the most reliable of them is using a quality VPN. This article will walk you through the process of circumventing the ban so you can use YouTube in China. Let’s dive in.
Unblock YouTube in China: Our Quick Guide
YouTube is blocked in China but you can unblock the website by connecting to a safe and secure VPN. We recommend NordVPN as a risk-free VPN with obfuscated servers that work perfectly in China. Here’s how to use it:
- Subscribe to NordVPN. It’s risk-free, thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Open NordVPN and sign in to the app.
- Connect to an obfuscated server outside of China where YouTube works.
- Go to YouTube and watch your favorite content creators.
Why is YouTube Banned in China?
China is renowned as one of the most restrictive countries in the world, and that reputation is well-earned. The government has a strict mandate to preserve the country’s culture, and that involves banishing access to resources and technologies it finds contrary. YouTube happens to fall into that category.
YouTube is not alone in facing a ban in China. Many Western websites and online services, ranging from the widely popular to the relatively obscure, share the same fate. They include Meta-owned platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as Spotify, Snapchat, and even The BBC. Notably, the entire suite of Alphabet’s products, including Google, Gmail, and Google Maps, are blocked on the mainland.
The initial ban on YouTube dates back to 2007, and it lasted for approximately five months. While that was temporary, a permanent ban kicked into effect in 2009.
Attempting to access YouTube in China through Baidu, the country’s predominant search engine, results in an error message stating, “According to local regulations and policies, some results cannot be shown.”
The country has not intimated any plans to reverse that policy any time soon. Instead, it promotes home-grown alternatives, the most popular of which is Youku. Like YouTube, the platform allows users to view, upload, and share videos.
Expectedly, these alternatives operate under data-logging agreements with regulators and hand over user information when requested.
It’s important to note that while YouTube is blocked in China, people living in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau enjoy free and open access.
How to Watch YouTube in China — 5 Easy Steps
China’s restrictive measures are stringent, and bypassing them to use YouTube may sound daunting. That said, it’s a simple, straightforward process that involves using any of the top VPNs for YouTube.
We’ll prove it in this tutorial on how to unblock YouTube in China.
1. Choose a Reliable VPN Service
Not all VPNs are created equal. When you’re choosing a VPN to use in China, it’s important to select one with a proven track record of success bypassing the Great Firewall.
But there’s more to look out for, including fast speeds, strong encryption and other privacy features, and a broad collection of server locations. NordVPN checks all the right boxes, so we recommend using it to enjoy YouTube freely in China.
2. Purchase a Subscription
Head over to the VPN provider’s official website, create an account, and subscribe to a plan that suits your preferences.
3. Download and Install the VPN
Next, download and install the VPN app on your device. Most providers offer dedicated clients for mainstream platforms like Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more. The installation process is usually straightforward, and you should be able to get up and running in a matter of minutes.
4. Connect to a VPN Server Outside China
Launch the VPN app and log in using your account credentials. From the VPN’s server list, connect to one located outside China. For optimal performance, select a location near China where YouTube is still accessible, like Hong Kong or Taiwan.
This step effectively masks your location and allows you to bypass the Great Firewall.
5. Enjoy Unrestricted Access to YouTube in China
Once connected to a VPN server, you should be able to access YouTube without any restrictions in China.
Simply launch the YouTube app or visit the website in your web browser, and you should be able to watch all the videos and content the video-sharing platform has to offer.
Best VPNs for Unblocking YouTube in China — Our Top 3 Picks
Loads of VPN services claim they can bypass China’s YouTube ban, which is a wild boast considering how tough the Great Firewall is to circumvent. In reality, only a handful of providers are capable of making their way through.
So that you don’t waste your time and effort with a dud, we’ve tested dozens of VPNs to bring you the best options with this capability. Below, you’ll find three of the best VPN services for unblocking YouTube in China.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN combines lightning-fast speeds, ease of use, excellent unblocking, and top-notch privacy functionality in a relatively affordable package.
You also get to choose between the 6,400+ servers in its massive network, distributed across 11 countries. That’s a very wide country spread you’ll no doubt enjoy, plus, NordVPN strikes with another punch in the form of a significant presence in multiple nearby locations.
In addition, NordVPN’s performance is on par, if not better than ExpressVPN. The provider’s high-performance infrastructure and protocols, including its proprietary NordLynx, contribute to impressive speeds, so you can experience seamless streaming in up to 4K resolution.
Moreover, NordVPN excels as a streaming VPN, effortlessly overcoming geo-restrictions on global platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. Bypassing the Great Firewall to watch YouTube in China is a piece of cake.
Beyond streaming capabilities, NordVPN prioritizes your online privacy and security. It’s packed with data safety features, including bank-level encryption, a kill switch, and RAM-only servers. Obfuscation, Double VPN, and native Onion over VPN are a few of the advanced features you should expect. And, no surprise here, the VPN has a strict no-logs policy and will not preserve your digital footprints.
If you’re interested in giving NordVPN a go, there’s no risk involved, thanks to its 30-day refund policy.
2. ExpressVPN
British Virgin Islands-based ExpressVPN is your second-best bet for regaining access to YouTube in China. That’s no surprise, considering it’s arguably the most revered provider on the market.
The VPN operates a collection of 3,000+ servers. They are distributed across 105 countries, the most on this list. As a result, you have plenty of options to connect to for unrestricted use of YouTube in China, including nearby locations like Hong Kong, Nepal, and Myanmar.
Connect to a YouTube-compatible server, launch the video app, and start watching immediately. With the provider’s exceptional geo-block bypassing capabilities, it’s really that easy. On top of that, ExpressVPN also provides access to exclusive content libraries on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
In addition, it’s the fastest of the bunch, effectively guaranteeing blazing-fast speeds, thanks to high-performance infrastructure and its proprietary tunneling protocol.
While you stream, military-grade encryption keeps your device safe from spies, data thieves, and hijacking. ExpressVPN is also immune to government censorship and monitoring, with features like an automatic kill switch, leak protection, and obfuscated servers coming in handy. ExpressVPN follows a no-logs policy, a stance that independent auditors have verified.
The VPN comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you have ample time to test it out risk-free.
3. Surfshark
NordVPN may be affordable, but Surfshark is even more so. That said, a budget tag doesn’t point to any compromise in quality. In fact, it’s one of the best VPNs around.
Surfshark provides over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, with ample connection options close to China. That way, you can be sure of smooth experiences while you watch or upload videos on YouTube.
The video-sharing website aside, Surfshark effortlessly unblocks other websites and online services banned in China. It’s also effective for geo-restricted streaming platforms, allowing you to watch Netflix US, as well as BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video, and more. And because it permits unlimited simultaneous device connections, you can enjoy streaming on all your gadgets at the same time.
Surfshark offers lots of privacy features. Obfuscation offers stealth, making it significantly more difficult for your ISP or government authorities to detect your VPN use. NoBorders is another excellent feature that comes in handy in China’s restrictive space.
On top of that, the VPN implements AES 256-bit encryption to keep cyber criminals away. Its no-logs policy has undergone third-party verification and has been proven to be airtight.
Like the other providers on this list, there’s enough time to make up your mind, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can You Access YouTube in China With a Free VPN?
Don’t hold your breath.
While we certainly understand the apparent allure of free VPNs, there’s a slim to none chance that they circumvent the Great Firewall. That’s because the intricate web of restrictions the Chinese government imposes is too formidable a challenge.
Attempting to access YouTube in China demands a robust and reliable VPN with advanced capabilities, something that most free services simply don’t offer.
Their limitations include slow connection speeds, small server networks, and inadequate privacy features. You’re much better off using a premium VPN provider for watching YouTube videos in China — an affordable one, if pricing is a significant concern.
Conclusion
The Chinese government is not a fan of what Google represents. Consequently, its entire suite of products, including YouTube, is banned in China. If you find yourself on the mainland and eager to access these restricted platforms, your options are limited, with a quality VPN provider representing the most reliable approach.
To qualify, your chosen VPN must offer exceptional unblocking capabilities, fast connection speeds, a wide server network, and high-level privacy features.
Our #1 recommendation is NordVPN due to its superior blend of qualities. You can take advantage of a generous 72% discount to purchase its two-year subscription.
