Want a Chinese IP address? Proton VPN now offers one, unlike most rivals | Tech Radar

Overview

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Details

Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.

Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.

Want a Chinese IP address? Proton VPN now offers one, unlike most rivals

The new Smart Routing location is built for reaching Chinese content from abroad, not for beating the Great Firewall from inside the country

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Main use case is connecting to Chinese content and services from abroad

Proton joins a short list of VPNs offering a (virtual) Chinese IP

Proton VPN has just added one of the hardest server locations in the industry to offer: China.

As of September 3, 2026, Proton VPN offers Smart Routing servers in China, adding a Chinese IP address to a network that already spans well over 140 countries.

It's notable because a genuine China option is something even some of the best VPN services don't provide. Serving up a Chinese IP address is technically and politically fraught, and the list of providers willing to do it is short.

Proton VPN – best for privacy Based in Switzerland, this privacy-first VPN offers good speeds, advanced anti-censorship features, and a server network that spans 145 countries around the world — including across Africa and Asia, where other providers tend to struggle. While its free VPN plan is handy, it comes with limitations. The good news is that upgrading to a premium subscription will cost you only the equivalent of $2.99 per month.

The new China location isn't a physical VPN server inside the country.

Instead, it uses Proton's Smart Routing technology, which lets the provider offer servers in countries where it might not otherwise be able to, using infrastructure located elsewhere. In China's case, that infrastructure sits in Hong Kong.

The best VPNs for China: top choices to beat the Great Firewall tested on the ground by experts

Proton VPN servers – all you need to know about the provider's network

Security experts reveal Proton VPN avoids internal tunnel IP fingerprinting on i OS

When you connect, you appear to access the internet from China while keeping all of Proton's features and security.

These servers run on Proton's own bare-metal hardware, so they're as secure as any other on the network.

Leave No Trace investigates the companies and governments putting our digital freedom at risk — and the people fighting back.

📩 Subscribe now to get every edition delivered to your inbox every Friday, launching this September.

Proton VPN adds 89 new servers in Brazil after Caze TV World Cup streams flood its network

Proton VPN rolls out Rust-powered 'Proton Protocols' in beta across all major apps

Proton VPN quietly unveils a massive under-the-hood upgrade — here's all we know about 'Proton Protocols'

Proton is being careful about expectations. In a comment on the X thread announcing the change, Proton VPN's General Manager emphasised that "the primary supported use-case is for connecting into China from abroad to reach Chinese content and services."

In plain terms, this server is for people outside China who need to look like they're inside it: expats, travellers, and businesses reaching region-locked Chinese platforms, banking apps, or streaming.

It is not a fix for people inside China trying to escape the Great Firewall, though there is still some chance that Proton can help with that.

人在海外，还想看国内的剧？Living abroad doesn't have to mean losing the platforms you grew up with. Proton VPN now has a China server, so you can connect back and stream Bilibili, Tencent Video, Youku, and Mango TV from anywhere. pic.twitter.com/MMJsu HLE6l September 7, 2026

Getting a Chinese IP from a VPN is rare, because most providers don't offer a China server at all. Only a handful do: Private Internet Access, Cyber Ghost, and Pure VPN all use servers to hand you a virtual Chinese IP.

Most of the bigger names, however, don't. Express VPN, Surfshark, and Nord VPN don't offer a dedicated China server location. Their focus is the opposite direction, helping users inside China tunnel out via obfuscation, rather than providing a domestic Chinese presence.

If beating the Great Firewall from inside China is your goal, though, read our guide to the best VPN for China.

Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

Monica is a tech journalist with over a decade of experience. She writes about the latest developments in computing, which means anything from computer chips made out of paper to cutting-edge desktop processors.

GPUs are her main area of interest, and nothing thrills her quite like that time every couple of years when new graphics cards hit the market.

She built her first PC nearly 20 years ago, and dozens of builds later, she’s always planning out her next build (or helping her friends with theirs). During her career, Monica has written for many tech-centric outlets, including Digital Trends, Slash Gear, We PC, and Tom’s Hardware.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Ugreen DH4300 Plus NAS for home and small business drops to $374

Microsoft 365 users hit by two major threat campaigns - fake IT calls and phishing emails target users across the world

Proton VPN sign-ups soar in Vietnam as stringent new cyberlaw takes effect

Don't pay

400 for Sony's latest headphones — the excellent WH-1000XM5 are down to a record-low of

198 and the smarter buy

Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Key Takeaways

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards