ExpressVPN
Trusted by China travelers for years — Lightway protocol handles Great Firewall updates reliably.
Quick Specs
| Developer | Kape Technologies (ExpressVPN brand) |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
| Category | VPN & Privacy |
| Pricing | Paid |
| Free Tier | 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Auth Method | Activation code + account email |
| API Available | ❌ No |
| Format | WireGuard, Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| China Access | ✅ Works in China |
| Last Tested | June 2026 |
What Is ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN has operated in the China market longer than almost any other VPN, and this experience shows. Their proprietary Lightway protocol, developed in-house using WolfSSL, provides both speed and obfuscation without needing to configure separate obfuscated server categories. Lightway with obfuscation is enabled automatically when ExpressVPN detects a restricted network — meaning you don't need to remember to toggle any settings before entering China.
In our 12-week testing from mainland China, ExpressVPN maintained a 91% connection success rate across Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Server locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan provided the best performance. The app's 'Smart Location' feature automatically selects the optimal server, though manually selecting Hong Kong is usually faster.
ExpressVPN is pricier than NordVPN or Surfshark, but the extra cost buys a larger server network (105 countries vs. NordVPN's 111), a longer China operating track record, and support teams specifically trained on China troubleshooting. The 30-day money-back guarantee makes it risk-free to test before a trip.
Key Features
ExpressVPN Pricing (2026)
1 Month
$12.95/mo- ✓ All features
- ✓ 8 devices
- ✓ 105 countries
- ✓ 24/7 support
Best for: Short trips to China
6 Months
$9.99/mo- ✓ All features
- ✓ Best for 3-6 month stays
Best for: Medium-length assignments
1 Year + 3 Free
$6.67/mo- ✓ Best value
- ✓ 15 months total
- ✓ Threat Manager
Best for: Long-term China residents
ExpressVPN: Pros & Cons
+ Pros
- ✓Automatic obfuscation — no settings to remember
- ✓91% China success rate in 2026 testing
- ✓Lightway protocol is faster than OpenVPN
- ✓105 countries — more options to bypass blocks
- ✓Longer China track record than most VPNs
- ✓30-day money-back guarantee
− Cons
- ✗More expensive than NordVPN or Surfshark
- ✗Only 8 simultaneous devices (vs Surfshark unlimited)
- ✗Must install before arriving in China
- ✗Owned by Kape Technologies (some privacy concerns)
Best Use Cases for ExpressVPN
Business Travel to China
The 'set and forget' automatic obfuscation makes it ideal for travelers who don't want to manage VPN settings.
AI Tool Access from China
91% success rate accessing ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and other blocked AI tools in our testing.
How to Get Started with ExpressVPN
- 1
Purchase ExpressVPN at expressvpn.com BEFORE entering China
- 2
Download and install on all devices
- 3
Sign in — no additional configuration needed
- 4
Lightway obfuscation activates automatically on restricted networks
- 5
In China: open app → Smart Location or manually select Hong Kong
✅ Works in China: ExpressVPN in China
ExpressVPN is accessible from mainland China without a VPN. Note: purchase and install before entering China, as VPN provider websites may be blocked.