ExpressVPN China Guide: Expert Setup for UK Travellers 2025

Planning a trip to China from the UK? You’re about to discover why your usual internet access won’t work the moment you land. The Great Firewall blocks everything from Google to WhatsApp, BBC iPlayer to Facebook. And here’s the thing: you can’t just download a VPN once you’re there. The app stores are blocked too.

That’s where preparation matters. ExpressVPN China setup needs to happen before you board your flight. I’ve spent considerable time testing VPN performance behind the Great Firewall, and the difference between a properly configured connection and a rushed setup is massive.

This guide walks you through exactly what UK travellers need to know about using ExpressVPN China in 2025. No fluff, just practical steps that actually work.

Why ExpressVPN China Access Matters for UK Travellers

Look, China’s internet censorship isn’t just inconvenient. It’s comprehensive. We’re talking about blocking access to essential services that UK travellers rely on daily.

The BBC reports that China’s internet restrictions affect virtually all Western platforms. Gmail? Blocked. WhatsApp? Blocked. Your company’s cloud storage? Probably blocked. Even innocent services like Google Maps won’t load.

For UK business travellers, this creates genuine problems. You can’t access your work email through standard channels. Video calls with colleagues back home require workarounds. Cloud-based project management tools simply won’t load.

And for leisure travellers? Forget posting holiday photos to Instagram. Can’t check your online banking. Want to stream BBC iPlayer to catch up on your favourite programmes? Not happening without a VPN.

That’s why 65% more UK travellers used VPNs when visiting China in 2024 compared to previous years. It’s not optional anymore. It’s essential infrastructure.

What Makes ExpressVPN China Performance Stand Out

Not all VPNs work in China. Actually, most don’t. The Great Firewall actively identifies and blocks VPN traffic using deep packet inspection. It’s sophisticated, constantly updated, and remarkably effective.

ExpressVPN China reliability sits around 70% uptime, which sounds modest until you realise most competitors can’t maintain any consistent connection at all. That 70% represents thousands of hours of engineering work to stay ahead of censorship technology.

The secret? Obfuscation technology that disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS connections. Plus server infrastructure specifically designed to work behind the Great Firewall. ExpressVPN doesn’t just throw servers at the problem. They engineer solutions.

Setting Up ExpressVPN China Before You Travel

Here’s where most people go wrong: they wait until they’re in China to sort out their VPN. By then, it’s too late. The ExpressVPN website is blocked. App stores won’t let you download VPN apps. You’re stuck.

Smart UK travellers handle this before departure. And the process is straightforward if you follow these steps.

Step 1: Subscribe and Download Whilst in the UK

First things first. Subscribe to ExpressVPN whilst you’re still in Britain. Visit their website, choose your plan, and complete payment. Don’t wait. Don’t think you’ll do it at the airport. Do it now.

Download the ExpressVPN app for every device you’re taking. Phone, tablet, laptop. All of them. The apps are different from standard versions when you’re in China, so having them pre-installed matters enormously.

Install the apps and sign in. Run a test connection to make sure everything works. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people skip this step and discover problems only after landing in Shanghai.

Step 2: Configure Protocol Settings for China

ExpressVPN China performance depends heavily on protocol selection. The default settings work fine in the UK but need adjustment for Chinese internet restrictions.

Open your ExpressVPN app settings. Look for the protocol option. You want either Lightway or Automatic. Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, designed specifically to work in restrictive environments. It’s fast, secure, and crucially, harder for the Great Firewall to detect.

Automatic mode lets the app choose the best protocol based on your network conditions. In China, this usually means Lightway or obfuscated OpenVPN. Both work, but Lightway typically delivers better speeds.

Avoid IKEv2 and L2TP protocols in China. They’re easily detected and blocked. Stick with Lightway or let Automatic mode handle the decision.

Step 3: Test Multiple Server Locations

ExpressVPN China reliability varies by server location. What works brilliantly one day might struggle the next as the Great Firewall updates its blocking methods. Having backup options matters.

Before you travel, test connections to these locations:

• Hong Kong (geographically close, usually fast speeds)
• Japan (excellent performance, good for streaming)
• Singapore (reliable, moderate speeds)
• UK servers (essential for BBC iPlayer and UK banking)
• US locations (needed for some services)

Save your favourites. The ExpressVPN app lets you bookmark servers, which saves precious time when you’re trying to connect from a hotel in Beijing.

Speed test each location. Note which ones deliver acceptable performance. In China, you’re looking at average speeds around 12-15 Mbps according to recent measurements. That’s enough for email, browsing, and standard definition streaming. Just don’t expect your usual UK broadband speeds.

Using ExpressVPN China After Arrival

Right, you’ve landed. You’ve cleared customs. Your hotel WiFi password is scribbled on a card. Now what?

First thing: don’t panic if ExpressVPN doesn’t connect immediately. The Great Firewall is aggressive, and initial connections sometimes take multiple attempts. This is normal.

Connecting for the First Time in China

Open your ExpressVPN app. It should look slightly different from the UK version, with a notice about using the service in restricted locations. That’s expected.

Tap connect. The app will attempt to establish a secure tunnel. This might take 30 seconds to two minutes. Longer than you’re used to, but patience pays off.

If the first attempt fails, try these troubleshooting steps:

• Switch to a different server location (Hong Kong often works when others don’t)
• Toggle your device’s WiFi off and on
• Try mobile data instead of hotel WiFi (sometimes more reliable)
• Close and restart the ExpressVPN app completely
• Check that Lightway protocol is selected in settings

Once connected, test your access. Open Google. Load Gmail. Check WhatsApp. If these work, you’re properly connected and your ExpressVPN China setup is functioning correctly.

Optimising Performance Behind the Great Firewall

ExpressVPN China speeds won’t match what you get in London. That’s just physics and politics combined. But you can optimise performance with smart habits.

Connect to geographically closer servers when speed matters. Hong Kong and Japan typically deliver the fastest connections for users in Beijing or Shanghai. Singapore works well for southern China.

For UK-specific services like BBC iPlayer abroad access, you’ll need a UK server. Accept that speeds will be slower. That’s the trade-off for accessing geo-restricted content from 5,000 miles away through an encrypted tunnel behind the world’s most sophisticated firewall.

Schedule bandwidth-heavy activities for off-peak hours. Chinese internet congestion peaks during business hours. Late evening or early morning connections often perform better.

Close unnecessary apps and browser tabs. When you’re working with limited bandwidth, every bit counts. One video stream or large file download can monopolise your ExpressVPN China connection.

Mobile Device Considerations

Using ExpressVPN China on mobile requires extra attention. Battery drain increases significantly when running a VPN constantly. Encrypted connections consume more power than standard browsing.

Enable the VPN only when needed. Unlike in the UK where you might leave it running all day, in China you’ll want to toggle it on for specific tasks, then disconnect to preserve battery life.

iOS devices sometimes struggle more than Android with ExpressVPN China connections. Apple’s stricter app sandboxing can interfere with VPN protocols. If you’re having persistent issues on iPhone, try these steps:

• Delete and reinstall the ExpressVPN app (your subscription remains active)
• Reset network settings (Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings)
• Ensure iOS is updated to the latest version
• Try connecting via mobile data instead of WiFi

Android users generally experience fewer problems, but similar troubleshooting applies if connections fail.

ExpressVPN China Legal Considerations for UK Nationals

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Is using ExpressVPN China actually legal?

The honest answer: it’s complicated. Chinese law technically prohibits unauthorised VPN services. But enforcement focuses almost entirely on Chinese nationals and domestic companies, not foreign visitors.

The UK Foreign Office doesn’t explicitly warn against VPN usage for British travellers in China. That’s telling. If there were significant risks of prosecution for tourists using VPNs, they’d mention it.

That said, use common sense. Don’t:

• Discuss VPN usage publicly or on Chinese platforms
• Attempt to sell or distribute VPN services whilst in China
• Use VPNs to access illegal content (illegal anywhere, not just China)
• Draw attention to your VPN usage in official settings

Millions of foreign business travellers use VPNs in China annually without incident. UK nationals visiting for tourism or business face minimal practical risk when using ExpressVPN China for legitimate purposes like accessing work email or staying in touch with family.

Still, discretion matters. The political climate can shift. What’s tolerated today might face stricter enforcement tomorrow. Stay informed about current conditions, and consider your risk tolerance.

Alternative VPN Options When ExpressVPN China Fails

Even the best VPNs experience downtime in China. The Great Firewall updates constantly, sometimes blocking previously reliable servers. Having a backup plan isn’t paranoia. It’s sensible preparation.

NordVPN offers solid ExpressVPN China alternatives. Their obfuscated servers work reasonably well behind the Great Firewall, though reliability sits slightly below ExpressVPN’s 70% uptime. Still, when your primary VPN fails, having NordVPN as backup can save a business deal or keep you connected with family.

The smart approach? Subscribe to both before travelling. Yes, it costs more. But consider the alternative: being completely cut off from essential services because your single VPN stopped working. For UK business travellers, that’s not an acceptable risk.

NordVPN’s Obfuscated Servers setting specifically targets restrictive networks like China’s. Enable it in the app settings before you travel. Test connections to their Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore servers whilst still in the UK.

Some UK travellers also maintain a ProtonVPN subscription as a third backup. Their Secure Core architecture routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries, adding an extra layer of protection. Performance in China varies, but having multiple options increases your chances of maintaining connectivity.

Accessing UK Services Through ExpressVPN China

One major reason UK travellers need ExpressVPN China access is to maintain connections to home services. Banking apps often block foreign IP addresses. Streaming services enforce geographic restrictions. Even government websites sometimes flag unusual login locations.

ExpressVPN solves this by routing your connection through UK servers, making it appear you’re browsing from London even whilst physically in Shanghai.

Streaming BBC iPlayer and UK TV

BBC iPlayer requires a UK IP address. That’s non-negotiable. Connect to an ExpressVPN UK server before opening the iPlayer app or website.

Performance varies depending on Chinese internet conditions. Standard definition usually works reliably. High definition can be hit-or-miss. 4K? Forget it. The bandwidth simply isn’t there when you’re tunnelling through a VPN from China.

Similar principles apply to other UK streaming services. ITV Hub, Channel 4, Sky Go—all require UK IP addresses that ExpressVPN China connections provide. Just manage your expectations about streaming quality. You might need to watch Channel 4 abroad at lower resolution than you’re used to.

UK Banking and Financial Services

Many UK banks flag Chinese IP addresses as suspicious. Some automatically block transactions. Others lock accounts pending verification calls. It’s frustrating but understandable from a fraud prevention perspective.

Using ExpressVPN China to connect through UK servers prevents these headaches. Your bank sees a London IP address. Transactions process normally. No fraud alerts, no locked accounts, no international phone calls to verify your identity.

Enable two-factor authentication before travelling. Even with ExpressVPN, banks may request additional verification for large transactions. Having 2FA set up means you can receive codes via text or authentication app rather than dealing with customer service.

Work and Business Applications

Corporate VPNs often struggle in China. If your company uses a standard business VPN, it probably won’t work behind the Great Firewall. The protocols are too easily detected and blocked.

The workaround? Use ExpressVPN China to establish an initial connection, then connect to your corporate VPN through that tunnel. It’s VPN-through-VPN, which sounds complicated but works reliably.

Cloud services like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack all require VPN access in China. None of these services work without circumventing the Great Firewall. For UK business travellers, ExpressVPN isn’t just convenient. It’s essential for maintaining productivity.

ExpressVPN China Performance Expectations

Let’s set realistic expectations. ExpressVPN China won’t deliver the same experience as using it in Manchester or Edinburgh. The Great Firewall introduces latency, reduces speeds, and occasionally blocks connections entirely.

Average speeds hover around 12-15 Mbps when connected through ExpressVPN China servers. That’s adequate for:

• Email and messaging
• Web browsing
• Standard definition video streaming
• Voice calls
• Cloud document access

It’s not adequate for:

• 4K video streaming
• Large file uploads/downloads
• High-quality video conferencing
• Online gaming
• Multiple simultaneous HD streams

Connection stability matters as much as speed. ExpressVPN China maintains roughly 70% uptime, meaning you’ll experience disconnections. They’re usually brief, and the app automatically reconnects. But expect interruptions.

Peak hours see degraded performance. When millions of Chinese users are online simultaneously, bandwidth becomes scarce. Your ExpressVPN connection competes with enormous traffic volumes, and speeds suffer accordingly.

Early morning and late evening typically offer better performance. If you need to upload important files or join a critical video call, schedule it outside Chinese business hours when possible.

Troubleshooting Common ExpressVPN China Problems

Even with perfect setup, you’ll encounter issues. The Great Firewall is designed to make VPN usage difficult. Here’s how to solve the most common problems UK travellers face.

Connection Failures

ExpressVPN won’t connect at all? Try this sequence:

1. Switch to a different server location (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore)
2. Change protocol to Lightway if not already selected
3. Toggle device WiFi off, wait 10 seconds, toggle back on
4. Try mobile data instead of WiFi
5. Restart the ExpressVPN app completely
6. Restart your device
7. Check if other apps can access the internet without VPN (confirms your base connection works)

If none of these work, the Great Firewall might be experiencing an aggressive blocking period. This happens occasionally, especially around politically sensitive dates. Wait an hour and try again. Frustrating, but sometimes patience is the only solution.

Slow Speeds

Connected but painfully slow? Several factors might be responsible:

Server congestion is common. Too many users on one server degrades performance for everyone. Switch to a different server in the same country. ExpressVPN operates multiple servers in popular locations, and load balancing isn’t always perfect.

Protocol selection affects speed significantly. Lightway typically delivers the fastest ExpressVPN China performance. If you’re using OpenVPN, switch to Lightway and test again.

Local network quality matters enormously. Hotel WiFi is notoriously variable. If speeds are terrible, try mobile data. Chinese mobile networks often outperform hotel internet, especially in major cities.

Time of day influences performance dramatically. If you’re trying to stream video at 8 PM Beijing time, you’re competing with peak usage. Try again at 6 AM or 11 PM for better results.

Frequent Disconnections

ExpressVPN keeps dropping? This usually indicates the Great Firewall is actively interfering with your connection.

Enable the kill switch in ExpressVPN settings. This prevents data leaks when the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. Your internet access stops completely until the VPN reconnects, protecting your privacy.

Check your device’s power saving settings. Aggressive battery management sometimes kills VPN connections to save power. Disable battery optimisation for the ExpressVPN app specifically.

Switch to a less popular server. The Great Firewall targets heavily-used VPN servers more aggressively. A less crowded server in the same location might maintain more stable connections.

ExpressVPN China Costs and Subscription Management

ExpressVPN pricing remains consistent globally, but payment whilst in China presents challenges. Chinese payment systems don’t integrate with Western services easily, and the ExpressVPN website is blocked.

Handle subscription management before travelling. Ensure your payment method has sufficient funds for automatic renewal. The last thing you want is your ExpressVPN subscription expiring whilst you’re in Shanghai with no way to renew it.

ExpressVPN offers various subscription lengths. Longer commitments cost less monthly but require larger upfront payments. For UK travellers making occasional China trips, even a month-to-month subscription makes sense compared to being without internet access.

Consider your total China travel plans when choosing subscription length. Multiple trips over a year? The annual plan offers better value. Single two-week visit? Monthly might suffice, though you’ll pay more per day.

Staying Connected: Beyond ExpressVPN China

VPNs solve the access problem, but smart UK travellers prepare additional connectivity strategies.

Download offline maps before arrival. Google Maps won’t work without a VPN, and even with ExpressVPN China connections, loading maps consumes data and time. Apps like Maps.me offer offline navigation that works without any internet connection.

Save important contacts and information offline. Screenshot hotel addresses in Chinese characters. Save emergency numbers. Download offline translation apps. When your VPN fails at a critical moment, offline resources become invaluable.

Consider a Chinese SIM card for your mobile device. China Mobile and China Unicom offer tourist SIM packages with data allowances. Mobile data often works better with ExpressVPN than hotel WiFi, and having local connectivity provides backup options.

WeChat deserves special mention. It’s the super-app that runs Chinese daily life. Payments, messaging, bookings—everything happens through WeChat. Set up an account before travelling. Verify it with a Chinese phone number (your tourist SIM works). Having WeChat functional gives you payment options and communication channels even when other services fail.

But remember: WeChat is monitored. Don’t discuss sensitive topics. Don’t mention VPN usage. Keep conversations innocuous. Use your ExpressVPN connection to access WhatsApp or Signal for private communications.

Business Travel Specific Considerations

UK business travellers face unique ExpressVPN China requirements beyond tourist needs. Corporate data security, compliance obligations, and productivity demands create additional complexity.

Inform your IT department about China travel plans. They need to whitelist your Chinese IP addresses (even when using ExpressVPN) to prevent security lockouts. Corporate systems often flag foreign logins as suspicious, blocking access until manual verification occurs.

Test your corporate VPN through ExpressVPN before departure. Some corporate VPN configurations conflict with commercial VPN services. Discovering this incompatibility whilst trying to join an important meeting from Beijing helps nobody.

Schedule critical meetings outside your China trip when possible. Video conferencing through ExpressVPN China connections works, but quality suffers. Latency makes real-time conversation challenging. Audio-only calls perform better than video.

For presentations or client meetings requiring screen sharing, prepare offline versions. Don’t rely on cloud access through VPN connections. Download presentations, documents, and resources before meetings. Have everything local on your device.

43% of UK business travellers now use VPNs in restricted countries according to industry research. Your company likely has colleagues with China experience. Ask for their ExpressVPN China tips and lessons learned. Internal knowledge often proves more valuable than generic guides.

Regional Variations Within China

Not all Chinese internet censorship is equal. ExpressVPN China performance varies significantly by location.

Major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen have the most sophisticated firewall implementation. Blocking is aggressive, detection systems are advanced, and VPN connections face maximum interference. ExpressVPN works, but expect more frequent disconnections and slower speeds.

Smaller cities and rural areas often have less stringent enforcement. The Great Firewall still blocks the same services, but detection systems may be less aggressive. Some UK travellers report better ExpressVPN performance in second-tier cities compared to Shanghai or Beijing.

Hong Kong and Macau operate under different systems. The Great Firewall doesn’t apply. You don’t need ExpressVPN for basic internet access in these regions. However, if you’re travelling between Hong Kong and mainland China, having ExpressVPN configured saves hassle when you cross the border.

Border regions near Russia, Mongolia, or Central Asian countries sometimes show different connectivity patterns. Geographic proximity to different internet infrastructure creates variations in how effectively the Great Firewall operates.

None of this changes your preparation strategy. Set up ExpressVPN China access assuming you’ll face maximum restrictions. If conditions prove easier than expected, that’s a pleasant surprise. But don’t count on it.

Long-Term Stays and ExpressVPN China Reliability

Short tourist visits present different challenges than extended stays. If you’re spending months in China for work or study, ExpressVPN China management becomes more complex.

The Great Firewall evolves constantly. Servers that work brilliantly in January might struggle in March. ExpressVPN updates their infrastructure to counter new blocking methods, but there’s always a cat-and-mouse dynamic.

For long-term stays, maintain multiple VPN subscriptions. ExpressVPN as your primary, NordVPN as backup, possibly ProtonVPN as tertiary option. Yes, it’s expensive. But being without internet access for days whilst waiting for your single VPN provider to fix blocking issues costs more in lost productivity and frustration.

Join expat communities online before arriving. Reddit’s r/China and r/Chinavisa have active discussions about current VPN performance. UK expats share real-time information about which services work and which are currently blocked. This crowdsourced intelligence proves invaluable.

Budget for VPN costs as essential infrastructure, not optional extras. Some UK expats spend £30-50 monthly on multiple VPN subscriptions. That seems expensive until you consider the alternative: being digitally isolated in a foreign country.

Stay informed about Chinese political events. The Great Firewall becomes more aggressive around sensitive dates—political anniversaries, major government meetings, or international incidents. ExpressVPN China performance degrades during these periods. Plan accordingly. Don’t schedule critical work requiring reliable internet access during known sensitive periods.

Final Thoughts on ExpressVPN China for UK Travellers

Using ExpressVPN China isn’t optional for UK travellers who need reliable internet access. It’s essential infrastructure. The Great Firewall blocks too many critical services to function without a VPN.

Success comes down to preparation. Install ExpressVPN before you travel. Configure Lightway protocol. Test multiple server locations. Have NordVPN as backup. Save important information offline. These steps take an hour or two but save enormous frustration once you’re in China.

Expect imperfect performance. ExpressVPN China connections won’t match your UK internet experience. Speeds are slower, disconnections happen, and some attempts simply fail. That’s the reality of using VPNs behind the world’s most sophisticated censorship system.

But imperfect access beats no access. ExpressVPN maintains roughly 70% uptime in China, which represents the best reliability available. For UK travellers who need to check email, access work systems, stay in touch with family, or stream content from home, ExpressVPN China functionality makes the difference between a connected trip and digital isolation.

The investment—both financial and time spent on setup—pays dividends the moment you land and realise you can still access Gmail, WhatsApp, and BBC iPlayer whilst your fellow passengers struggle with blocked services.

China is fascinating, complex, and increasingly important for UK business and tourism. Don’t let internet restrictions diminish your experience. Set up ExpressVPN properly, understand its limitations, maintain realistic expectations, and you’ll stay connected throughout your visit.

For more information on using VPNs in restrictive environments, check our guide on VPNs that still work in China for additional options and strategies.