Updated on: October 30, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Access Facebook From China in 2024:
- Step 1: Download and install a VPN. ExpressVPN is great for getting around the Great Firewall in China — it provides obfuscation on all of its servers and has super-fast speeds.
- Step 2: Enable the VPN’s obfuscation tool. Every VPN’s obfuscation tool works differently. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is enabled automatically.
- Step 3: Connect to a server in a country where Facebook is available. Then, log into your Facebook account!
Accessing Facebook from China is tricky due to the country’s strict internet censorship, known as the Great Firewall, which blocks many popular social media websites, including Facebook.
However, it’s still possible to connect to Facebook in China by using a VPN. A VPN bypasses government censorship by routing your internet traffic through a server in another country, making it appear as though you’re accessing Facebook from outside of China.
Many VPNs are blocked or ineffective in China, so make sure you pick one that works in the country. In the article below, I list the providers that are reliable in the country (ExpressVPN is my top choice) and provide a simple, step-by-step guide for how to use a VPN to access Facebook.
NOTE: Access to Facebook might be restricted in your current location. Please check to see if it’s legal to use it first. You should also be aware that only government-approved VPNs are legal in China. Many people in China use VPNs as the authorities rarely target regular VPN users. However, it’s still wise to exercise some caution.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Access Facebook Content on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works well in China.
I recommend ExpressVPN because it can reliably bypass the Great Firewall, supports obfuscation on all of its servers, and has server locations near China. Plus, it offers super-fast speeds and is easy to use.
2. Download and install the VPN to your device.
You can get the VPN app from the provider’s official website or your device’s app store. The VPN’s website and app may be censored in China, so it’s best if you do this before arriving in the country. If you’re already in China, the easiest way to download a VPN is to email its customer support and request a mirrored link.
3. Connect to the VPN and access Facebook.
Launch the VPN app, turn on the provider’s obfuscation feature, and connect to a VPN server outside of China. Connecting to a nearby server, like Taiwan or Hong Kong, will get you the fastest speeds. You can now access Facebook from China.
Best VPNs for Accessing Facebook From China in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for accessing Facebook from China in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for accessing Facebook from China (auto obfuscation).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great VPN for accessing Facebook in China via browsers.
- 🥉3. PrivateVPN — Minimalistic VPN for beginners accessing Facebook from China.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Accessing Facebook From China in 2024
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for accessing Facebook from China and is our top VPN for China overall. I spoke with multiple support reps who all confirmed that their service works in China. It also has servers in many nearby locations where Facebook is unblocked, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, and Singapore. Additionally, I like that ExpressVPN offers mirrored links, which are copies of its official website hosted on different URLs — this allows users in China to download the VPN if the main website is blocked (which is often the case).
The VPN’s obfuscation tool, which disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic to avoid VPN blocks, is one of the best on the market. It works on all servers and all protocols, and it activates automatically, so you don’t have to change any settings to get it working. Most other VPNs only support obfuscation on dedicated servers and/or the OpenVPN protocol, which limits your server options and slows your connection speeds. The support reps I spoke to recommend using the Automatic protocol in China, which will select the best protocol for you at any given time.
Another reason why ExpressVPN works so consistently in China is because it refreshes its IP addresses very frequently. This makes it hard for the Chinese government to detect and block them.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at $4.99 / month, and it backs all subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Best VPN for Accessing Facebook on the Web App
Private Internet Access (PIA) is good if you like to use the web app because of its advanced split-tunneling tool. Split-tunneling allows you to choose which traffic you want to go through the VPN tunnel and which you want to use your regular internet connection. This lets you access Facebook in China without affecting your other online activities. And PIA’s split-tunneling feature is better than most competitors because it works on both apps and IP addresses (most VPNs only let you split-tunnel apps).
This VPN provides obfuscation via the Shadowsocks protocol, which gives you access to 5+ server locations (including a server location in Japan) and reliably circumvents the Great Firewall. Its obfuscation is also pretty easy to turn on — just navigate to the Multi-Hop tab in its settings menu and select a server. If you don’t want to use Shadowsocks, PIA gives you the option to choose TCP port 443 with the OpenVPN protocol. This port is used for all secure HTTPS traffic, so there’s less of a chance that China will block it.
Private Internet Access’s plans start at just $2.03 / month, and it backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Best VPN for Beginners Accessing Facebook From China
PrivateVPN is a beginner-friendly VPN for accessing Facebook from China. You can turn on its obfuscation feature by simply going to the Stealth VPN tab in its settings menu and clicking on the toggle. I also like how you can adjust its apps to better suit your needs — people new to VPNs can use its Simple view to hide most of its customization options, making the apps easier to navigate.
Like ExpressVPN, PrivateVPN’s obfuscation tool also works on all of its servers, including its servers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other nearby countries, so you have plenty of locations to choose from.
PrivateVPN’s plans start at a low $2.00 / month, and all of its plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full PrivateVPN review
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best VPNs for accessing Facebook from China, I followed our proven testing methodology. I paid particular attention to whether or not the providers work consistently in the country but also took into account factors such as speeds, security, and ease of use. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the criteria I used to rank and compare the VPNs on my list:
- I only picked VPNs that work well in China. Many VPNs have trouble bypassing the Great Firewall to access Facebook, but all of the VPNs on my list have advanced obfuscation tools to evade VPN blocks.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. Using any VPN will slow your connection speeds slightly due to the time it takes to encrypt your data. Obfuscation will slow your speeds even more. But the VPNs I picked all maintain fast enough speeds to browse, chat, and make video calls on Facebook with minimal load times and no lag.
- I prioritized VPNs with strong security features. Privacy is crucial when accessing Facebook in China due to government surveillance. That’s why all my recommended VPNs include industry-standard security features, like 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch (disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops), and a strict no-logs policy.
- I chose VPNs that are easy to use. Every VPN I picked has intuitive apps for all major platforms that make it quick and easy to connect to a server near China to access Facebook.
- I evaluated each VPN’s overall value. The VPNs on my list all have affordable plans, allow a minimum of 8 simultaneous connections, and come with useful extra features, like split-tunneling. Plus, they all come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try them out risk-free.
Alternative Methods to Access Facebook From China
Using a VPN is the easiest and most reliable way to access Facebook from China, but here are some alternative methods you can consider:
- Tor Browser. Tor is a free software and network that routes your traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers to hide your identity and location. It also encrypts your data every time it passes through a node. All of this makes it very difficult to track your online activities and allows you to bypass the Great Firewall. However, Tor can be very slow, and you have to perform a workaround to connect to it because it’s blocked in China.
- Proxies. Some proxies, such as Shadowsocks, are designed to bypass censorship. They do this by routing your traffic through a proxy server, which is located outside of China, which then forwards you to Facebook. The downside of proxies is that many are blocked in China, and they typically lack encryption, which makes them less secure.
- eSIM/Foreign SIM Cards. If you have access to a foreign eSIM or physical SIM card, you can bypass Chinese censorship by connecting to a foreign mobile network. However, using a foreign SIM card may be expensive due to roaming fees, so it may not be a sustainable solution for long-term use. Another problem you might face is that a lot of apps require a local number for activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
It’s a legal gray area. Technically, China only allows the use of government-approved VPNs. Most popular VPNs for bypassing the Great Firewall aren’t allowed. However, there are no known cases of individuals being penalized for using an unapproved VPN. The government mainly targets businesses and people selling unauthorized VPN services. Still, you should exercise some caution if you plan on using a VPN to access Facebook from China.
Can I use a free VPN to access Facebook from China?
It’s extremely unlikely that a free VPN will work in China. Most of them lack the advanced obfuscation technology required to evade China’s strict censorship measures. Other problems with free VPNs include strict data caps, slow speeds, and weak security features. To reliably access Facebook and other restricted sites in China, it’s better to invest in a reputable paid VPN service that is known to work consistently within the country.
Is Facebook available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, or Macau?
Yes, Facebook is freely accessible in all 3 of these locations, so they’re great nearby server locations to connect to from China. The VPNs on my list all have servers in at least 2 of these locations and have advanced obfuscation tools to evade VPN blocks.
Why can’t I access Facebook in China?
The Chinese government enforces strict internet censorship to control the flow of information and maintain oversight of online activities. Many foreign websites, including social media platforms like Facebook, are blocked as a result. To access Facebook from China, you would need to use a VPN, proxy server, or other method to bypass the block.
