Published on: October 11, 2024
Only 3 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Access Instagram From China in 2024:
- Get a VPN that works well in China. I recommend ExpressVPN since it gets around censorship without any problems in China, and it also provides obfuscation on all servers, high-end security, and super-fast speeds.
- Install the VPN on your device. Afterward, make sure to open the VPN app and enable the provider’s obfuscation tool (this will help you avoid VPN connection blocks).
- Connect to a server where Instagram is available. It’s best to pick a nearby location (like South Korea, Japan, or Singapore) to get the fastest speeds.
The easiest way to access Instagram from China is to use a VPN. This is an online service that lets you circumvent government censorship by allowing you to connect to VPN servers in other countries. When you connect to a server, the VPN assigns you an IP address that matches your new server location, allowing you to access Instagram.
The only issue is that many VPNs don’t work in China, because the government is extremely aggressive detecting and blocking VPNs. Out of the few VPNs that get around the Great Firewall, many aren’t great choices since they have poor security features or are too slow.
However, I managed to find a few good VPNs that work in China without any problems. I listed them all in this article, and I also included a step-by-step guide showing you how to use a good VPN (like ExpressVPN, for example) to access Instagram in China.
Access Instagram With ExpressVPN
NOTE: Access to Instagram might be restricted in your region. So, I recommend first making sure it’s 100% legal to use the social media platform in your location. Also, keep in mind that only government-approved VPNs are legal in China. The authorities mostly target Chinese citizens who illegally sell VPNs, but it’s still important to exercise caution when using a VPN as a tourist in China.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Access Instagram From China on Any Device
1. Get a VPN that works well in China.
I recommend going with ExpressVPN — it’s very good at getting around IP blocks, it supports obfuscation on all servers, it has server locations near China, and it provides high-end security and privacy.
2. Download the VPN app on your device.
Just download the VPN provider’s app from its website or your device’s app store. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install and set up the app. The whole process shouldn’t take you more than 2 minutes.
3. Connect to the VPN and access Instagram.
Launch the VPN app, enable the obfuscation feature (if it’s not already turned on), and connect to a VPN server, ideally one near your location. You should now be able to access Instagram from China without any issues.
Best VPNs for Accessing Instagram From China in 2024
Quick summary of the best VPNs for accessing Instagram from China in 2024:
- 🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Instagram from China (with obfuscation on all servers).
- 🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great VPN for beginners (easy to connect to servers).
- 🥉3. PrivateVPN — Provides very fast speeds for accessing Instagram from China.
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Accessing Instagram From China in 2024
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing Instagram from China. I talked with 10 ExpressVPN live chat reps, and they all confirmed that the VPN works without issues in China. It’s actually the best VPN for China too since it’s also super secure and very easy to use. Plus, it has mirrored links, which are exact copies of the provider’s site that are hosted on different URLs — you can use these links to download the VPN in China.
The VPN works so well in China because it refreshes its server IPs extremely fast, which allows it to get around IP blocks. I tested this by running 15 leak tests on one single ExpressVPN server — every leak test showed a different IP address. What’s more, ExpressVPN also supports obfuscation on all servers, which is a security feature that hides your VPN usage. That allows you to circumvent VPN traffic blocks.
Plus, ExpressVPN also has servers in many locations near China, including Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan. If you connect to nearby servers, you’ll get the fastest speeds.
ExpressVPN has plans that start at $5.49 / month. Its longest plan often includes extra months of service for free, and the provider also backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Beginner-Friendly VPN for Accessing Instagram From China
Private Internet Access (PIA) works very well in China, and it’s very easy to use. Its apps take less than 2 minutes to download and install, and the app design is extremely intuitive.
The provider works very well in China because it refreshes its server IPs really fast. It also provides obfuscation via Shadowsocks, which is an encrypted proxy that many people in China often use to get around internet censorship — just access the Settings tab, switch to the OpenVPN protocol, head to Multi-Hop (on desktop) or Obfuscation (on mobile), and enable the Shadowsocks option.
Private Internet Access is very affordable, with prices beginning as low as $2.03 / month. In addition, it also backs all of its plans with a 30-day refund policy.
Read our full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Great Speeds for Using Instagram From China
PrivateVPN provides very good speeds for using Instagram. That’s mainly because it has servers in many countries near China, such as Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.
The VPN also works really well in China since it provides obfuscation via its Stealth VPN feature. Plus, the provider also lets you bypass port blocks by using TCP port 443 via the OpenVPN protocol — this is the same port that’s used by HTTPS web traffic, which means the Chinese government won’t block it.
PrivateVPN is super-affordable, as its plans begin at only $2.00 / month. What’s more, the provider backs all purchases 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
I relied on our proven testing methodology when deciding which VPNs to include in this article. I made sure to only consider features that would be relevant to someone wanting to access Instagram from China — here’s a quick but in-depth look at all the metrics I used:
- I only picked VPNs that work well in China. I only included VPNs on this list that can access Instagram (and the web in general) without any issues in China. All of my top picks have built-in obfuscation features that allow them to get around censorship. They also have a very fast server IP refresh rate to bypass IP blocks too.
- I made sure to only recommend secure VPNs. It’s important to protect your Instagram privacy and data in China. That’s why I only added VPNs to my list that have all essential VPN security features: 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch to protect against traffic leaks if the VPN connection drops, and a strict no-logs policy. All the VPNs on my list also use advanced security features, like full leak protection, RAM-only servers (every server reset wipes all data), or perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN session.
- I prioritized VPNs with fast speeds. When you use a VPN, your original speeds will always slow down due to the added encryption and the distance between you and the server. But all of the VPNs on my list maintain fast speeds for watching videos on Instagram, posting stories, and making audio and video calls. They achieve this by using fast VPN protocols, and by having many server locations near China.
- I only added user-friendly VPNs to my list. I made sure to only rank VPNs that have mobile and desktop apps that are very simple to install and use. It shouldn’t take you more than 10 seconds to connect to a server and start securely using Instagram in China with any of my top picks.
- I only ranked VPNs that have very good email support. You might not be able to download the VPN in China, or you might sometimes experience issues when using it there. The VPNs on my list have live chat support, but you likely won’t be able to access their websites in China to chat with live chat reps. So, I made sure the VPNs I recommend also have very responsive and helpful email support — on average, you should get a reply with helpful information in less than 24 hours.
- I made sure to only include affordable VPNs in this article. All of the VPNs I recommend have affordable plans that provide excellent value. Plus, each one of them also backs all purchases with a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why Is Instagram Blocked in China?
The Chinese government uses nation-wide firewalls to block tons of online content and web services, not just Instagram. For example, the government also blocks access to Google, YouTube, Discord, WhatsApp, and Gmail — and these are just a few examples.
Chinese authorities do this to prevent people from freely sharing anti-government opinions on Instagram. They also block Instagram to promote the growth of local alternatives, like Weibo for example.
VPN Not Working With Instagram in China? Here’s What to Try
Before I begin, I want to mention that these tips are for people who already have access to a VPN app on their device while they’re in China. If you don’t have a VPN installed on your device, and you can’t sign up for it or download it in China either, try the tips mentioned in this article.
With that out of the way, here’s how to troubleshoot a VPN connectivity issues in China:
- Get a new VPN server IP address. If you can’t connect to the VPN server, it’s very likely that the government blocked the server’s IP address. To get a new VPN IP that isn’t blocked (yet), you just need to reconnect to the same server. If that doesn’t work, just use a different VPN server.
- Enable the VPN’s obfuscation feature. This security feature will hide your VPN traffic, helping you bypass VPN network blocks. You usually just need to enable a setting to turn on obfuscation, though some providers (like ExpressVPN) automatically enable it by default.
- Try a different VPN protocol. Some VPN providers recommend changing the protocol you’re using to fix connectivity issues. This might be because the Chinese government sometimes blocks ports used by certain VPN protocols, like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec.
- Use TCP port 443. This is another tip that will help you bypass port blocks. Basically, if you use TCP port 443, Chinese authorities won’t block your connection because they can’t close this port, as it’s the same port used by HTTPS traffic. TCP port 443 can normally only be used via the OpenVPN protocol.
Which Social Media App Is Used Instead of Instagram in China?
I read several online articles and Reddit posts from Chinese subreddits, and it seems like Weibo is the closest thing to Instagram in China. It’s mainly a microblogging platform, but it also has features that are similar to Instagram — users can use hashtags, have one-on-one chats with other users, tag other users in their posts, use emojis, and even create Stories, which are similar to Instagram Stories.
Obviously, switching from Instagram to Weibo isn’t convenient. You won’t see the same content you do on your Instagram profile, and your friends and family likely won’t be willing to start using Weibo to chat with you. It’s better to just use a VPN to access Instagram from China instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the easiest way to access Instagram from China?
The best way to do this is with a VPN — it routes your traffic through an encrypted server, allowing you to circumvent government censorship. And using a VPN to access Instagram in China is also very simple, as you only need to sign up for one, download and install it on your device, and connect to a server outside of China.
Will I have slow speeds if I use a VPN to access Instagram in China?
You’ll always experience slowdowns when using a VPN. This is due to the added layer of VPN encryption, and also due to the distance between your device and the VPN server. But top VPNs (like the ones on my list) minimize the speed loss and maintain fast speeds. They achieve this by using fast VPN protocols. Also, they have tons of server locations, so that you can easily connect to a server near China.
Can I use a free VPN to access Instagram from China?
You can try, but I don’t recommend it. Free VPNs generally don’t work in restrictive countries like China — they don’t refresh their server IPs fast enough to evade IP blocks, and they also usually lack obfuscation. It’s much better to get a paid premium VPN that works without issues in China, like ExpressVPN for example.
Can I access Instagram from China with Tor?
Tor is a privacy network that works similar to a VPN — it changes your IP address and encrypts your data. That said, it’s not a good solution since the Chinese government is extremely effective and detecting and blocking Tor servers. It’s much better off to just use a good VPN that works well in China (like ExpressVPN, for example).
