How to Watch Netflix in China (despite Netflix blocking VPNs)?

Is it possible to watch Netflix in China? Well, I’ve got some good and bad news for you. The bad news is that Netflix is actively working to keep us from streaming shows while in China. The good news is that with the right tools and a bit of flexibility, it’s not too hard to overcome their efforts. Here’s a simple guide on how to watch Netflix in China.

Imagine this: your favorite Netflix series has resumed and you just can’t miss it. There is, however, one slight problem; you have an important business trip to China. Watching Netflix in China is virtually impossible because of Netflix’s geo-restricting policies.

Any attempt to access the Netflix library of shows in China will be met with the error message shown below:

Don’t despair. Creative methods of using VPNs and SmartDNS in China can help you circumvent Netflix’s tight restrictions. Here’s how to do it.

Note: The following article may contain affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I will be compensated if you choose to use some of the services mentioned. You can be confident that I never recommend anything I never use or that doesn’t work (I love watching Netflix in China!). Also, I’ve negotiated special deals for you, such as this 3-months free with ExpressVPN.

Why Does Netflix Geo-Restrict Content?

Netflix geo-restricts their content for one reason: money.

Any entertainment product (music, movies, and TV series) is subject to something known as a licensing agreement. Netflix forges partnerships with content providers through licensing deals to ensure that you get the TV shows and movies you desire.

READ MORE: What is Geo-restricting?

This is true of major networks, such as with CBS, which licenses shows like The Big Bang Theory on Netflix only for two countries.

Netflix also creates licensing agreements for its original series such as Orange is the New Black or Stranger Things.

These licensing deals are meant to protect both the content and the producer. All licensing deals contain some form of royalty arrangement that allows the producer of the content to earn a percentage of the earnings. These licensing agreements are country-specific, however, and won’t cover streaming outside the country the agreement covers.

Netflix has licensing deals in most countries around the globe, even if the content library doesn’t look the same in each country. This is a product of different licensing deals.

China, however, is a different beast. Along with a few other countries (such good company as North Korea and Syria), China is very picky about what it allows on the internet.

Netflix at one point attempted to partner with a Chinese company but those negotiations fell through. In late 2017 they made a deal to stream Netflix-produced content on China’s iQiYi, but that still doesn’t help you want other shows you want.

You paid for Netflix…you should be able to watch it!

How to Watch Netflix in China | 3 Easy Steps

With Netflix dishing out so much money to license content, it is no surprise that they take a hard stance against the use of Virtual Private Networks, or “VPNs” to bypass geo-restrictions (read more if you don’t know what a VPN is).

Officially, the company prohibits the use of VPNs, proxies and unblocking tools allowing users to bypass viewing restrictions.

So how can you ensure that you’ll be able to use a VPN in China to watch your favorite Netflix shows?

Step 1: Research & Download a Reputable VPN

Lots of VPN and SmartDNS services claim to be “the best”, but not many of them actively target the China market, since it’s such a costly market to maintain (this is also why I recommend using a paid VPN instead of a free VPN). China’s attempts to clamp down on the VPNs that are skirting their system have resulted in some VPNs just giving up on China altogether.

You need to find a VPN that is willing to play the game.

Over the decade that I’ve personally lived in China, I’ve tested quite a few VPNs and SmartDNS services. Not all of them have performed well, but the ones that have consistently allowed me to stream content include:

ExpressVPN

I currently stream Netflix in China using ExpressVPN regularly (use this link to get 3 months FREE on ExpressVPN). Read my full review of ExpressVPN here.

Try ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Another excellent VPN that works well with Netflix & offers numerous country server options. (I use this as my backup). Read my full review of NordVPN here.

Try NordVPN

VyprVPN

Finally, I like VyprVPN as an option for watching Netflix in China. It’s worked well for me over the years both on my computer and phone. Read my freview of VyprVPN here.

Try VyprVPN

Step 2: Adjust VPN Settings and Server Locations

Don’t limit yourself to one VPN service. I personally subscribe to both ExpressVPN and NordVPN so that I always have a backup. Determine which VPN and which server that works best for your location (in China, every location reacts differently to VPNs). Trying them also means that you’ll have to connect to the fastest, less secure protocol, PPTP.

If you log on to Netflix and you still get a proxy error, don’t give up! This happens to me often and I usually go through the following checklist:

• Try at least 3-5 different servers on the same VPN service. If that doesn’t work…
• Switch VPNs and try a few different servers. If that doesn’t work…
• Switch between different VPN connection protocols (usually in the VPN software settings).

Step 3: Be Patient and Flexible

It’s possible that you’ll get an error message in the middle of watching a show on Netflix in China. Again, don’t despair. This happens to me every once in a while.

In most cases, I’ve found that just reloading the page will reset the connection and allow me to continue streaming. In other cases I have to change servers or VPN services. Either way, patience is absolutely essential to watching Netflix in China.

No matter what, patience is absolutely essential if you want to watch Netflix in China.

Bonus: The Power of SmartDNS

Another viable solution (for some people, it’s the preferred solution) to watch Netflix in China is to use what is known as “SmartDNS” (not sure what that is? Learn more about SmartDNS here).

Unlike a VPN, which focuses on securing and encrypting your data while bypassing geo-restrictions, SmartDNS is only useful to bypass geo-restrictions. In short, SmartDNS “tricks” Netflix into thinking that you’re watching from another country besides China.

Because there’s no encryption involved, using SmartDNS is can tend to be a better solution in China because it streams faster.

The only problem is that SmartDNS doesn’t help you access Facebook, YouTube, Gmail or any other blocked websites in China. That’s why most people tend to use a VPN to do it all.

Want to Stream in China? (Recommendation)

I recommend starting with ExpressVPN (use this link to get 3 months of free service with ExpressVPN). ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPN providers globally, and definitely in China. The company is based in the British Virgin Islands and was formed in 2009. The beauty of ExpressVPN is that it offers one plan, but this plan provides access to over 1,000 servers in over 94 countries on virtually any device.

What really makes ExpressVPN stand out is that they offer a 30 day money-back guarantee. This means that if you arrive in China and the VPN doesn’t work like you hoped it would, you have an entire month to request a refund.

When using a VPN in China, you have to be willing to do some amount of trial and error. Before coming to China, download a couple different VPNs that offer 30-day money back guarantees – both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have this guarantee.

Once you arrive, you can figure out which one works best for you and then return the other. Or better yet, you can do what I do and have a few VPNs to use as backup when you inevitably have trouble.

Final Thoughts | How to Watch Netflix in China

Watching Netflix in China is impossible without using some sort of VPN, proxy or SmartDNS technology. It may seem like a bit of a pain to set up, but in the end it will be worth the effort as long as you’re willing to be patient.

If you follow the strategies outlined in this article, you’ll be watching Netflix in China in no time!

What’s been your experience streaming Netflix in China? Was it good or bad? Easy or hard?

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