Claude is blocked in China twice: once by the Great Firewall, and once by Anthropic’s own list of supported regions, which leaves out mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. A VPN gets you through both blocks, but only if you connect to a server in a supported country such as Japan, not Hong Kong.
- Register with a VPN that works inside China (we recommend 12VPX)
- Connect to a server in Japan or another supported country (not Hong Kong)
- Open claude.ai or the Claude app
VPN Life is operated by SNI members with deep expertise in the Chinese business landscape and daily life. Our team is stationed in cities such as Tianjin, Suzhou, Yuyao, and Nanchang, where we rely on VPNs for our day-to-day operations. Additionally, we conduct connectivity stability tests in major hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xiamen during business trips to ensure reliable performance across different local networks.
- Major Testing Regions: China (Tianjin, Suzhou, Yuyao, Nanchang, etc.)
- Testing Devices: iPhone, Android, PC, etc.
- Testers: VPN Life Operations Team
- Detailed Results: VPNs That Actually Work in China:Verified Results (Confirmed by Our Local Team)
※Availability can change with Chinese regulations or Anthropic’s policy. We checked Anthropic’s official list on September 20, 2026.
Why Claude Is Blocked in China (Twice)
Most guides explain only the first block. The second one is why a Hong Kong server, which works for Gemini, fails for Claude.
Block 1: The Great Firewall
Mainland China blocks foreign generative AI services along with Google, Facebook, and most Western platforms. Our team in Tianjin, Suzhou, Yuyao, and Nanchang confirms this daily: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini do not load from a local connection. >> How to Access ChatGPT in China
| Categories | Unavailable in China |
|---|---|
| Social Media & Messaging Apps | Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, BeReal, Line |
| Search Engines | Google, Yahoo Search |
| Email Apps | Gmail |
| Video Sites & VOD Services | YouTube, Vimeo, and most international VOD services (e.g., Netflix) |
| News Sites | BBC, New York Times, Reuters |
| Communication Tools | Google Meet |
| Cloud Storage | Google Drive, Dropbox, Box |
| Generative AI Services | ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, Grok, Genspark |
| Other | Wikipedia, Dify |
Block 2: Anthropic’s supported-regions list
Anthropic publishes a “Supported countries and regions” page. Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the US, and most of Europe are on it. Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau are not. (Source: Anthropic, Supported countries and regions)
The list is the same for Claude.ai and the Claude API, so Claude Code and API-based tools are covered by the same rule.
This means that even after your VPN gets past the Great Firewall, Claude still checks where your IP address is. If the VPN exit is in Hong Kong, Anthropic turns you away with the “App unavailable” page below.
Pick the Right VPN Server: Hong Kong Won’t Work for Claude
VPNs built for China often default to a Hong Kong server because it is close and fast. For Gemini or Netflix that is fine. For Claude it fails, because Hong Kong is not a supported region.
| Service | Why it’s blocked in China | VPN server to pick |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | Great Firewall + Anthropic excludes mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau | Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, US (not Hong Kong) |
| ChatGPT | Great Firewall + OpenAI excludes mainland China and Hong Kong | Japan, US, or another supported country |
| Gemini | Great Firewall only (all Google services are blocked) | Any server outside mainland China, Hong Kong included |
Choose Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, or the US manually, and Claude works. That single setting is the difference between “the VPN is broken” and “Claude is working.”
How to Access Claude in China
Inside China the VPN itself is a target of censorship, so we recommend a service that is built for China and lets you sign up from inside the country. >> What is a VPN?
- Register with 12VPX
- Connect to a server in Japan (not Hong Kong)
- Open claude.ai
Step 1: Register with 12VPN
To register with 12VPX, click the “Sign Up Now” button as shown below and follow the instructions. 12VPN has a China-accessible sign-up page, so you can subscribe even if you are already inside the country.
You can get 30% off with our site’s exclusive coupon code: nsspirit.
Step 2: Connect to a server in Japan
Download and launch the app, then choose a server in Japan (Osaka or Tokyo), Taiwan, Singapore, or the US. Skip the Hong Kong servers for Claude.
Step 3: Open claude.ai
With the VPN connected, go to claude.ai and sign in. On a phone, connect the VPN before opening the Claude app.
Set Up Your Account Before You Travel
Two things are much easier to do outside China than inside it.
First, the Claude account. Anthropic requires “a phone number from a supported location” and states that “only users physically located in one of our supported locations can create and use Claude accounts.” VoIP numbers, app-generated numbers, and landlines are not accepted. (Source: Claude Help Center, Verify your phone number) A Chinese mobile number will not pass, so create the account before you go.
Second, the VPN. Many VPN websites are themselves blocked by the Great Firewall, so sign up and install the app before departure. 12VPN is the exception we rely on because its sign-up page is reachable from inside China.
The Best VPN Services for Accessing Claude in China
Here are the VPN services our China team uses and recommends.
| 12VPX | UCSS | ExpressVPN | |
| Prices | 1-Month: $29.99 12-Months: $14.17/month ($169.99/yr) 24-Months: $11.25/month ($269.99/2yr) | Lite 1-Month: from $29.00 Standard 3-Months: from $36.00 / 12-Months: from $108.00 Global Edge (outside China) 1-Month: from $15.00 / 12-Months: from $120.00 | Basic: $2.99/mo Advanced: $3.99/mo Pro: $5.99/mo (2 Years + 4 Months plan, as of September 2026) |
| Money-back Guarantee | 14 days (first order only, under 5GB used) | No free trial (refunds per terms) | 30 days |
| Countries | 15 (31 locations) | 16+ (Standard) | 113 (214 locations) |
| Servers | Not disclosed | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | 6 | 3 | Basic 10 / Advanced 12 / Pro 14 |
| Connection Speed | Ultra Fast | Ultra Fast | Fast |
| Security | AES-256 | AES-256 Kill Switch | AES-256 Kill Switch |
| Privacy | No-logging | No-logging (Excluding Korean servers) | No-logging |
| Support | 24/7 Email Support | 24/7 Email Support | 24/7 Live Chat Support |
12VPX (12VPN): VPN Renowned for Stability in China [Subscription Available from China!]
| Prices | 1-Month: $29.99 12-Months: $14.17/month ($169.99/yr) 24-Months: $11.25/month ($269.99/2yr) |
| Money-back Guarantee | 14 days (first order only, under 5GB used) |
| Countries | 15 (31 locations) |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | 6 |
12VPX is a VPN provider based in the Netherlands, particularly well-regarded for its reliable performance for users in China. A key strength is its dedicated link, allowing users to subscribe even from within China.
- Quick to adapt to internet restrictions in China
- Responsive customer support
- Can subscribe from within China via a dedicated link
- Generous 6 simultaneous connections
- Easy to operate via Google Chrome extension
- Relatively expensive
- Primarily need a VPN for use in China.
\14 day Money-Back Guarantee/
UCSS: VPN Optimized for China with a Reputation for High-Speed Connections
| Prices | Lite 1-Month: from $29.00 Standard 3-Months: from $36.00 / 12-Months: from $108.00 Global Edge (outside China) 1-Month: from $15.00 / 12-Months: from $120.00 |
| Money-back Guarantee | No free trial (refunds per terms) |
| Countries | 16+ (Standard) |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | 3 |
UCSS is a service operated by a South Korea-based security company, functioning more accurately as a Shadowsocks provider rather than a traditional VPN. It is reportedly managed by a multinational team of experts.
The service is specifically optimized for use in internet-restricted environments like China, priding itself on delivering stable connections and high-speed communication.
- Fast and stable connections
- Optimized for use in China
- High level of security
- Compatible with a wide range of devices
- Relatively expensive
- Data usage limits apply
- No money-back guarantee or free trial
- Fewer simultaneous connections
- Want to fully enjoy streaming services like Netflix while in China.
- Are looking to play online games in China without interruption.
- Require a consistently stable internet connection for work in China.
＼Achieve a Seamless Online Experience!／
ExpressVPN: Ultra-fast Internet Speeds
| Prices | Basic: $2.99/mo Advanced: $3.99/mo Pro: $5.99/mo (2 Years + 4 Months plan, as of September 2026) |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days |
| Countries | 113 (214 locations) |
| Servers | Not disclosed |
| Maximum devices supported | Basic 10 / Advanced 12 / Pro 14 |
ExpressVPN offers some of the fastest internet speeds among the VPNs we have used. All VPNs may slow down your internet connection, but ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, and you rarely notice the difference. Review sites consistently rank ExpressVPN as one of the fastest VPNs. Additionally, with servers in 113 countries across 214 locations, you have a wide choice of countries to change IP addresses to. Real humans are available 24-hour live chat support to help you with setup and troubleshooting. ExpressVPN also has a no-log policy.
After you’ve registered with ExpressVPN, you can use it to easily browse the internet just by downloading their app.
- Excellent speed and stability
- Fast and user-friendly app
- Strict no-logs policy
- Wide range of server countries
- Accepts Bitcoin payments
- Slightly more expensive than competitors
- Place a high importance on internet speed
\30 day Money-Back Guarantee/
FAQs
Is it legal to use a VPN in China?
VPN use is regulated in China, so it needs to be handled with care. In practice, individuals using a VPN for personal browsing are rarely the target of enforcement, but read our detailed article before you decide. >> Is it Legal to Use a VPN in China?
Can I use a free VPN?
We recommend paid VPN services for privacy and security. Free VPNs rarely explain how they handle your traffic logs, and inside China they are also the first to stop working when censorship tightens. >> Free VPNs vs. Paid VPNs
Does the same VPN work for ChatGPT and Gemini?
Yes. The only difference is the server you pick. ChatGPT needs a supported country such as Japan or the US; Gemini works from any server outside mainland China, including Hong Kong. >> How to Use Gemini in China
How much does Claude Pro cost?
Claude Pro is listed at $20 per month or $200 per year, and Claude Max starts at $100 per month. Prices are in US dollars and exclude tax. (Source: Claude, Pricing, as of September 2026)
Conclusion
- Claude is blocked in China by the Great Firewall and by Anthropic’s supported-regions list.
- A VPN works, but the exit server must be in a supported country. Hong Kong servers fail for Claude.
- Create your Claude account with a supported-country phone number and install the VPN before you enter China.
Based in Hong Kong rather than the mainland? The situation is different there: >> Is Claude Available in Hong Kong?