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Surfshark China results depend on when and where you test. Cybernews measured Surfshark as the fastest of 25 VPNs in Shenzhen in November 2025, using NoBorders with OpenVPN or WireGuard. Gizmodo says it works in 2026 with NoBorders and Camouflage. But mychina.guide, written by someone living in China, reports that after the April 2026 firewall upgrade, Surfshark connects only intermittently.
This guide covers the two features that matter, the setup before travel, what different testers found, and a backup plan.
NoBorders and Camouflage Mode
NoBorders switches on automatically when Surfshark detects a restrictive network, Security.org explains, and narrows the server list to locations built to get past censorship. CyberInsider recommends turning it on manually before you connect in China, rather than waiting for detection.
Camouflage Mode is Surfshark’s obfuscation. It makes VPN traffic look like ordinary web traffic, so firewalls find it harder to spot. Gizmodo notes that Camouflage works with OpenVPN, and that without changing protocol Surfshark almost certainly will not connect in China. Our obfuscation guide explains how it works.
What Testers Found
Results range widely. GreatFirewallGuide measured a 65% success rate on China Telecom in Shenzhen in April 2026. TheBestVPN opened all 19 test sites on two networks. VPNPassport rated it partially working in August 2026, and WallMama described it as heavily blocked.
mychina.guide, updated in June 2026, ranks Astrill and ExpressVPN as the most reliable after the April upgrade, with Surfshark and NordVPN intermittent. These are snapshots, not contradictions. Plan for the days when nothing connects.
Surfshark China Setup Before You Travel
Install Surfshark on every device before you arrive. VPNPassport notes that Surfshark’s website is blocked in China, so you cannot download or sign in from there easily. Sign in on each device at home and save your login details offline.
Turn on NoBorders, switch the protocol to OpenVPN for Camouflage, and turn on the kill switch. CyberInsider and Html.it suggest nearby locations such as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Macau. Test the setup at home before you leave.
When the App Will Not Connect
VPNPassport reports that Surfshark’s own help centre suggests manual WireGuard configurations when the app fails. Download a few configuration files for nearby locations before you travel, and keep them on each device. VPNdada also found manual setups to specific servers more reliable.
Switch networks too. A hotel’s Wi-Fi and mobile data can be filtered differently, so a setup that fails on one may connect on the other.
Surfshark China Use on Phones
Most travellers rely on phones in China. Install Surfshark on the phone before you leave, sign in, and turn on NoBorders in the settings. Surfshark’s Android support lists NoBorders among its features. Our Surfshark iPhone guide covers the iOS app.
Hotel Wi-Fi and mobile data behave differently, so test both on arrival. Turn on the kill switch, as our kill switch guide explains, so messages do not leave unprotected during a drop.
Keeping the Connection Stable
Connections in China drop more often than elsewhere. Our Surfshark disconnection guide covers protocol and network changes that help. After reconnecting, check the IP with our VPN test page before sending anything sensitive.
A Backup Provider
No VPN works every day in China. mychina.guide recommends installing at least two before travelling and testing both. Our China VPN guide compares providers, and our NordVPN China guide covers the sister brand’s setup. Surfshark belongs to Nord Security, which also owns NordVPN.
Using Surfshark on a Laptop in China
On a laptop, the same settings apply: NoBorders, OpenVPN for Camouflage and the kill switch. Our Surfshark Windows guide shows where each setting sits. Keep the manual WireGuard files on the laptop too, since a desktop is easier to configure by hand than a phone.
If the app connects but sites stay blocked, check for DNS leaks with our DNS leak guide. A leaking DNS request can reveal what you are trying to reach.
The Legal Side
China restricts unapproved VPNs, and enforcement varies. A VPN encrypts traffic but cannot change the law. Read our guide to VPN legality in China before relying on any VPN there.
What Surfshark Costs
On 25 September 2026, the Starter 2-year plan cost $67.23 for the first 27 months. Renewal sits at about $79 a year, according to Security.org and VPNOverview, since Surfshark’s own renewal table did not load. Surfshark sets no device limit. Our Surfshark price breakdown covers the plans, and our Surfshark refund guide explains the 30-day window.
| Provider | Renewal price | Per month | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $139.08/yr | ~$11.59 | Basic |
| Surfshark | ~$79/yr | ~$6.58 | Starter |
| ExpressVPN | $99.95/yr | ~$8.33 | Basic |
| CyberGhost | $56.94/yr | ~$4.75 | 2-year |
| PureVPN | $47.95/yr | ~$4.00 | Standard, 2-year (1-year renews $57.95) |
| IPVanish | $89.99/yr | ~$7.50 | Essential |
| Windscribe | ~$69/yr | ~$5.75 | Pro |
| Proton VPN | ~$83.88/yr | ~$6.99 | VPN Plus |
| Mullvad | ~$65/yr | ~$5.40 | flat, no tiers |
| Norton VPN | $79.99/yr | ~$6.67 | Standard |
| Hotspot Shield | ~$95.99/yr | ~$8.00 | Premium annual |
| Astrill | $300 every 2 yrs | ~$12.50 | 2-year, same at renewal |
Speed Expectations
Obfuscation adds overhead, and traffic crosses the border to reach the server, so speeds fall well below home levels. GreatFirewallGuide measured about 350 ms of latency in Shenzhen. That suits messaging, email and browsing better than video calls or gaming.
If a connection works but crawls, try another nearby location before switching protocol. Our Surfshark speed guide covers the general fixes.
How We Research
This page draws on Surfshark China guides and tests from Gizmodo, Cybernews, CyberInsider, Security.org, mychina.guide, GreatFirewallGuide, VPNPassport, VPNdada, WallMama, TheBestVPN and Html.it. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 6 October 2026. Surfshark’s renewal table did not load, so renewal figures come from Security.org and VPNOverview. The main source we relied on is Gizmodo’s Surfshark China guide. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
Surfshark China FAQ
Sometimes. Cybernews and Gizmodo report success; mychina.guide calls it intermittent after the April 2026 upgrade.
A mode that activates in restrictive networks and limits servers to ones built to bypass censorship.
OpenVPN, which enables Camouflage Mode, per Gizmodo. Cybernews also succeeded with WireGuard.
Not easily, since China blocks its site. Install before you travel.
Try manual WireGuard configurations, which Surfshark’s help centre suggests, and switch networks.
The Verdict
Surfshark China use is possible with NoBorders and Camouflage, but results vary by date and network. Install before you travel, keep manual configurations and a second provider ready, and expect slow speeds.