9 Best VPNs for Hong Kong and some to avoid in 2026

Hong Kong has historically been a more democracy-friendly place than mainland China. However, the “one country, two systems” approach was officially killed in 2020, when Chinese authorities decided they should be able to intervene directly in cases involving “secession, subversion, foreign collusion, and terrorism”. Of course, supporting democracy counts as subversion, so if you’re not already using a VPN in Hong Kong, it’s time to start.

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are privacy tools that enhance your anonymity by encrypting your traffic. This stops Internet Service Providers, authoritarian governments, and public hotspot owners from seeing what you do online. They also hide your real IP address and allow you to spoof your location so that the websites you visit know as little about you as possible, too. For those living in or traveling to Hong Kong, a VPN bridges the digital divide, granting access to cherished geographically restricted content like BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Facebook, and Wikipedia, to name a few.

In this article, I list the best VPNs for Hong Kong, explain how to use them, and answer some common VPN questions. If you’re pressed for time, here’s a snapshot of my findings:

Best VPNs for Hong Kong:

1. NordVPN My top VPN for Hong Kong. A veteran provider that doesn’t compromise on speed. Good at unblocking popular streaming content. Strong privacy and security. Strict no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Hong Kong.
2. Surfshark Best budget VPN for Hong Kong. A fast service that puts major emphasis on security and privacy. Boasts excellent unblocking ability and even works in mainland China.
3. Total VPN Fast servers in Hong Kong and China. Strong encryption and leak protection. Subscriptions come with free antivirus software.
4. ProtonVPN Servers are available in over 112+ countries. High speeds and strong security make it ideal for bypassing restrictions to watch Hong Kong TV abroad.
5. ExpressVPN Well-designed apps that provide strong privacy and excellent security, as well as the ability to unblock tons of restricted overseas content.
6. IPVanish A quick and versatile VPN that can secure all of your devices at once. Strong on security and great for torrenting, streaming, or gaming.
7. PureVPN A beginner-friendly VPN with unbreakable encryption, a kill switch, and a proven no-logging policy. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network. Secure up to 10 devices at once.
8. PrivateVPN Strong security and privacy, and can access US Netflix and more. Owns its servers and acts as its own ISP for maximum privacy. Popular in Hong Kong and includes a 10-device connection limit.
9. CyberGhost Easy to use VPN catering to those who want privacy and the ability to access geo-restricted sites and services while in Hong Kong.

Why do you need a VPN in Hong Kong?

Residents of Hong Kong don’t have the same kind of walled-off internet that’s prevalent in mainland China, but that doesn’t mean the Communist Party isn’t watching your every move. Democratic activists in Hong Kong attest that Chinese authorities monitor residents’ web activity, emails, and online communications. Many people have been arrested for holding views that advocate independence from China as well as being critical of the Chinese government.

A VPN encrypts all of your online communications so that anyone snooping on your connection won’t be able to decipher its contents or what you do online. A VPN protects you from various online threats, including malware, man-in-the-middle attacks, and denial-of-service attacks. This is especially important for people visiting Hong Kong for business or leisure who plan to use public and/or unsecured Wi-Fi networks at hotels, restaurants, airports, and cafes.

Furthermore, a VPN can help you regain access to a wide range of content and services from abroad. These include geo-blocked streaming sites like Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and Netflix libraries in other countries.

How I found the top Hong Kong VPNs

There are plenty of VPNs on the market, but they don’t all provide the same level of service. I ranked providers based on a series of tests, which were carried out in the following areas:

• Speed: I carried out multiple speed tests to determine the speed and reliability of each VPN’s Hong Kong servers.
• Features: I examined which providers could bypass the most stringent VPN blocks. I also considered how many device connections each permitted and the size of their server networks.
• Security and privacy: To keep your connection safe while in Hong Kong, you should choose a VPN that is strong on security and privacy. I used 16 different metrics to evaluate which providers offer the best protection.
• Ease of use: If you’re trying a VPN for the first time, you’ll unlikely want to wrestle with complicated software. I evaluated providers against ten different criteria to determine which offer a user-friendly service.
• Streaming: VPNs are a popular way to access new streaming content, making this a key area for testing. I used nine different metrics to evaluate each VPN provider’s suitability for streaming.

The results of my tests—and a more detailed explanation of the tests themselves—are included in the methodology section later in the article.

Best Hong Kong VPNs compared

I’ve compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – my #1 choice VPN for Hong Kong.

The best VPNs for Hong Kong: Reviews

I try to bring you the best and most accurate VPN advice on the internet. To do this, I use and test every VPN before recommending any of them to you. The following reviews are based on my first-hand experiences and extensive real-world testing.

Here’s my list of the best VPNs for Hong Kong:

1. NordVPN

Mar 2026 Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

NordVPN is my number-one choice VPN for Hong Kong. It’s an industry veteran with a great reputation and an extensive auditing history. Not only that, it refuses to log any user data, allows multiple connections, and has one of the largest networks around (8,000+ servers in over 120 countries, with dozens in Hong Kong).

Usefully, the service also works with a multitude of streaming services. During testing I was able to access Netflix, as well as Hulu and BBC iPlayer.

NordVPN has been audited several times, with independent experts verifying that it retains no metadata about browsing habits, timestamps, or choice of servers. This policy — together with its use of RAM-only servers — has thwarted attempts by authorities to obtain user information. The company is based in Panama, so there aren’t any mandatory data retention laws to comply with.

To find out how quick NordVPN’s Hong Kong servers were, I tested their performance at three times of day (morning, noon, and afternoon) using a 250 Mbps connection. NordVPN achieved an average download speed of 164.47 Mbps, making it one of the fastest providers I tested. As such, you shouldn’t notice any slowdown even when performing data-intensive tasks like streaming or making video calls.

NordVPN comes equipped with more security tools than most of its rivals. There’s unbreakable encryption to begin with, as well as a customizable kill switch and protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. Better still, this VPN can block ads and trackers, plus it offers two ways to beat Chinese internet censorship: obfuscated servers or the NordWhisper protocol. There’s even split tunneling functionality and automatic Wi-Fi protection to keep you safe on unsecured networks.

Easy-to-use iOS and Android apps, as well as desktop software for Windows, Linux, and MacOS, are available. It’s also possible to manually install NordVPN on most routers, bypassing the 10-device limit.

BEST VPN FOR HONG KONG:NordVPN is my first choice VPN. Extremely fast and versatile. Works well in Hong Kong. Excellent security features and accommodates up to 10 devices. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at Comparitech’s full review of NordVPN.

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2. Surfshark

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

Surfshark is my top budget recommendation. It’s an affordable, highly versatile VPN with 4,500 servers across 100+ countries and no limit on the number of devices you can connect. Better still, it excels at evading detection, and works flawlessly in China. It can also help you access a wide range of geo-blocked platforms abroad. I successfully used it with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer — though it doubtless works with many more.

My next challenge was to find out whether Surfshark was actually quick enough to handle whatever you throw at it. To this end, I tested its Hong Kong servers at multiple times of day.

With an average download speed of 160.1 Mbps, Surfshark was marginally slower than NordVPN but still significantly faster than most of its competitors. In short, streaming, torrenting, and chatting with friends won’t be an issue. Here’s a full breakdown of Surfshark’s speeds at different times:

Surfshark hides your activities from prying eyes with AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and protection against WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks. It also has a NoBorders feature that reshapes your traffic, hiding the tell-tale characteristics of VPN data and concealing that you’re using a VPN. You can also activate the rotating IP address feature to make it virtually impossible to track your activities over longer sessions.

This service is based in the British Virgin Islands, a location with no mandatory data retention laws. Accordingly, it doesn’t keep any personally identifiable information, meaning that you’re effectively untraceable once connected. You can pay in Bitcoin, Ripple, or Ethereum if you’d prefer to sign up without providing your real personal information.

Surfshark has apps for Android, Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Linux. Manual installation is required for use on supported internet routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark not only keeps your activities private, it does so at a very reasonable price. Allows you to secure all of your devices at once. Decent speeds, advanced security features, a no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee make this service a great choice for anyone in Hong Kong.

Read Comparitech’s full review of Surfshark here.

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3. Total VPN

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

Total VPN is a reputable provider with servers in 85 countries (including both Hong Kong and, more unusually, China itself). During testing, I found that it worked flawlessly with popular streaming platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Users can connect five devices at the same time and talk directly with staff using the 24/7 live chat-based support service.

Its apps are newcomer-friendly and clutter-free, so getting protected is as easy as possible. Even the settings menu is simple, with most options controlled by a simple toggle button.

I ran three separate speed tests using Total VPN’s Hong Kong servers, and recorded an average download speed of 154.35 Mbps. There was around 15 Mbps of fluctuation across the day, which is reasonable but could still be improved. Suffice to say, you’re not going to experience any stuttering or buffering while using this VPN. Let’s take a look at the full test results:

Total VPN pays close attention to your privacy, and it shows. All of your activities are shielded by 256-bit AES encryption, plus there’s a kill switch and protection from IPv6 and DNS leaks. There’s a strict no-logs policy in place, plus a custom protocol called Hydra that maximizes your speeds while hiding the tell-tale signs of VPN usage. You can also take advantage of its split tunneling functionality to let specific websites bypass the VPN’s encryption entirely.

Subscriptions are keenly priced, with a one-year plan costing the equivalent of $1.59 a month. Users get free access to Total VPN’s ad-blocking and antivirus software, which makes the deal even more appealing. Apps are available for Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, and tvOS.

OBFUSCATION PROTOCOL:Total VPN can bypass network blocks and is great for streaming. It has fast servers in 85+ countries, including China and Hong Kong. Subscriptions include free antivirus software and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full Total VPN review.

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4. ProtonVPN

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

ProtonVPN is a capable, easy-to-use service with one of the largest networks I’ve seen. There are 15,000 servers to choose from, spread across 120+ countries, and there are even some optimized for tasks like torrenting and accessing the dark web. While connected, I was able to access lots of popular streaming services, including Netflix Hong Kong, myTV SUPER, ViuTV, Max, Sling TV, and TVBAnywhere+.

So how fast is ProtonVPN, really? To find out, I performed speed tests on its Hong Kong servers in the morning, at noon, and in the afternoon using a 250 Mbps connection. With an average speed of 131.23 Mbps, it’s quick enough to stream nearly a dozen 4K videos simultaneously, and will let you download a 1 GB file in about a minute. Let’s see the full test results:

ProtonVPN is perfect for those who need assurances about their privacy. It was created by the team behind ProtonMail, has been audited to prove that it doesn’t keep logs on several occasions, and is based in Switzerland — a country with no mandatory data-retention laws.

This service keeps you safe online using a blend of unbreakable encryption, a kill switch that stops sending data if your connection drops, and automatic protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a combined ad and tracker-blocker, an obfuscated Stealth protocol (though this doesn’t work in China, sadly), and special Secure Core servers that are kept in high-security data centers. Finally, ProtonVPN supports both split tunneling and port forwarding at no extra cost.

This VPN has apps for iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and Linux. You’ll have to manually configure it for use with routers, though.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is perfect for advanced users who want a VPN for using the internet privately. It is great for torrenting and gaining watertight online privacy. Servers are available in over 120 countries, and it’s ideal for watching Hong Kong TV abroad. 24/7 live chat support is available on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in Comparitech’s ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

ExpressVPN is another fantastic choice for anyone looking to browse the web safely in Hong Kong. I like that its apps are very easy to use while also providing access to servers in 105 countries, including Hong Kong itself. This VPN has no problem beating strict regional restrictions either. It worked well with stubborn platforms such as Netflix, WhatsApp, and Discord during testing. If you need help, customer support is available 24 hours per day over live chat.

I tested ExpressVPN’s servers in Hong Kong at various times of day, while using a typical 250 Mbps connection. ExpressVPN provided an average speed of 67.96 Mbps, which is a decent result, provided your connection is fairly quick. You shouldn’t have any issues with everyday tasks like streaming and torrenting, though you may want to consider one of the faster VPN providers on this list if your connection is on the slower side. Here are the complete test results:

ExpressVPN doesn’t store any detailed user logs. The only information recorded is the metadata of the “date (not time) of connection, choice of server location, and total bandwidth used”. Your individual IP address will never be logged. How do I know? Because this provider has had its infrastructure, apps, and privacy policy audited more than a dozen times. That’s a level of assurance that very few other VPNs can provide.

The apps themselves do a great job of keeping you safe, too. There’s uncrackable encryption (quantum-resistant if you use ExpressVPN’s custom Lightway protocol), DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch that ensures you never accidentally browse unprotected. ExpressVPN also lets you block ads, trackers, and malicious websites, and will automatically obfuscate your traffic if it realizes you’re in a country with strict digital restrictions. In other words, this VPN can secure your traffic whether you’re in Hong Kong or visiting the mainland.

ExpressVPN recently switched to a tiered pricing system. This means you can get a trusted, versatile service for less than ever before. As an additional benefit, this VPN now has a higher connection limit too — 10 devices on the Basic plan, 12 on the Advanced, and up to 14 on the Pro plan.

Apps are available for iOS, MacOS, Android, Windows, and Linux. This VPN even offers its own router firmware, allowing you to secure every device you own with minimal fuss.

PRIVACY AND SECURITY:ExpressVPN is privacy-focused, with RAM-only servers and powerful obfuscation. Scores highly for unblocking Netflix and other streaming sites. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Here’s Comparitech’s in-depth review of ExpressVPN.

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6. IPVanish

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

IPVanish has plenty to offer and just keeps improving. There are around 3,200 self-owned servers in 100+ countries, and the company has been working hard to enhance its streaming capabilities of late. I had no problems accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus during testing — which is a great result. Best of all, IPVanish doesn’t limit the number of devices you can connect at the same time, meaning it represents exceptional value for families.

I wanted to get a feel for IPVanish’s performance and consistency, so I ran multiple speed tests using its Hong Kong servers. This provider delivered an average speed of 133.16 Mbps overall, making it suitable for streaming 4K video, downloading large files quickly, and handling video calls. Let’s take a look at the test results:

IPVanish boasts a robust set of privacy tools. By default, it uses AES-256 encryption on the OpenVPN protocol, though you can also switch over to WireGuard. There’s a kill switch too, as well as DNS and IPv6 leak protection and a tool that blocks ads and trackers. Crucially, IPVanish doesn’t keep any logs of your activities and has proven this with an independent audit. You can obfuscate OpenVPN traffic, but this isn’t effective in China. There is also split tunneling support, plus multi-hop servers.

The company’s basic plan costs just over $2 a month for the first two years, making it one of the cheaper VPNs available. Its Advanced plan costs a dollar a month more and includes a sandboxed secure browser and 1TB of cloud storage.

IPVanish has its own apps for MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. It can also be manually installed on most Linux systems and routers.

UNLIMITED DEVICES:IPVanish can connect any number of devices. Uncongested network with good connection speeds, privacy, and extra security. A favorite for Kodi and Amazon Fire Stick. Works well in Hong Kong but won’t work in China. Annual plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full review of IPVanish.

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7. PureVPN

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

PureVPN is a solid choice for expats or those needing a Hong Kong IP address while traveling abroad. It’s affordable, reliable, and capable of accessing Hong Kong streaming platforms like myTV SUPER, ViuTV, and TVBAnywhere+. It does have a slightly smaller network, with around 65 countries to choose from, though this should be plenty for most people.

I found PureVPN to be a good choice for streaming international services, too. I had no problems accessing Netflix US, Hulu, Max, ESPN, Disney+, and British channels, including BBC iPlayer and ITVX. I appreciated that PureVPN listed servers that worked with particular platforms, as it meant I didn’t have to waste time guessing.

As with the other providers, I performed speed tests on PureVPN’s Hong Kong servers at different times of day. PureVPN’s overall average speed of 90.9 Mbps was a pretty solid result, and significantly faster than is required for gaming or video calling — though there are faster providers in this list. Here are the test results in full:

PureVPN cares about your privacy, which is why it has such a strong set of security features. For instance, there’s a kill switch, protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks, and unbreakable AES encryption. This was the first provider to undergo an independent audit, so you can trust that it doesn’t keep logs. It’s also capable of blocking trackers, letting certain sites bypass the VPN’s encryption, and obfuscating OpenVPN traffic. You’ll even be able to browse safely while in mainland China.

The VPN is compatible across multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux (graphical or command line). While the response time for live chat support might not be the quickest, the overall reliability is outstanding considering the low cost of a subscription.

AMAZING VALUE:PureVPN offers one of the cheapest and most reliable ways to get a Hong Kong IP address. It is easy to use and comes with everything you need to gain watertight online privacy and security, including AES encryption and a kill switch. Torrenting is permitted throughout its network. It has a 31-day money-back guarantee to test it yourself.

Find out more in Comparitech’s PureVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

PrivateVPN is a secure choice for users in Hong Kong despite having just 200 servers in 63+ countries. That’s because it owns and operates these servers in-house and acts as its own ISP, ensuring no third party ever has access to your traffic. Not only that, it excels at accessing stubborn geo-blocked content. I used it to access Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and several of Hong Kong’s many streaming platforms.

I wanted to make sure that PrivateVPN was fast enough to keep up with a range of online activities. I performed a series of speed tests on its Hong Kong server, checking its performance in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon. This VPN achieved an average speed of 40.34 Mbps, which is quick enough for most tasks. However, if your base connection is on the slower side, I’d suggest using one of the other VPNs mentioned above. The table below shows my full test results:

This VPN keeps you safe using unbreakable encryption, a customizable kill switch, and protection against IPv6 and DNS leaks. It also has a no-logging policy, though this hasn’t been professionally audited at the time of writing. If you’re worried about privacy, just activate the Stealth VPN feature — this will even help you browse anonymously on the Chinese mainland. PrivateVPN is also a great option for torrenting, as it allows port forwarding. There’s nearly 24/7 support via live chat and a 10-device limit.

PrivateVPN apps are available for iOS, MacOS, Android, and Windows. You can also manually install it on Linux systems and most routers.

RELIABLE AND SECURE:PrivateVPN is excellent at unblocking region-locked content. Boasts a strong privacy focus, a zero-logs policy, and live chat-based support. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full PrivateVPN review.

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9. CyberGhost

Works in Hong KongTested Mar 2026

CyberGhost has everything you’ll need to browse securely in Hong Kong. Its apps are intuitive, versatile, and great for anyone new to VPNs. There are thousands of servers spread throughout 100+ countries, with some in Hong Kong that are even optimized for torrenting.

During my time with CyberGhost, I had no trouble accessing typically stubborn streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. The provider allows up to seven simultaneous connections, and there’s 24/7 live chat just in case of any issues.

I wanted to make sure that CyberGhost was quick enough to handle everyday tasks like streaming, which is why I ran multiple speed tests on its Hong Kong servers. It delivered an average speed of 57.73 Mbps, which is a decent result. That said, its speeds were noticeably inconsistent, with one result below 20 Mbps and another over 100 Mbps — so I’d like to see that improved. You can see the complete test results in the following chart:

CyberGhost offers a remarkably strong set of security tools. There’s uncrackable 256-bit AES encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, plus an independently-verified zero-logs policy. However, that’s just the beginning. This VPN also offers ad and tracker-blocking, NoSpy servers that are kept in high-security data centers, and a basic form of obfuscation. Finally, users can create smart rules that tell the VPN to connect on its own or open certain apps in specific situations.

Apps are available for both Android and iOS, as well as a desktop client for Windows, Linux, and MacOS. To install this VPN on your router, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

VALUE AND PERFORMANCE:CyberGhost has a simple set up. Works well in Hong Kong. Good option if you are looking for an easy-to-use interface and strong unblocking ability. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read Comparitech’s full review of CyberGhost.

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Some VPNs to avoid in Hong Kong

One of the major factors in opting to use a VPN is the reassurance that your traffic will be properly secured. After all, that’s why these tools were conceptualized in the first place. The VPNs we’ve recommended in this list have no documented cases of handing over customer data, but there are a few out there that aren’t so forthcoming. I recommend you avoid them. Here’s one such case:

HolaVPN

Israel-based Hola once had a massive user base of almost 50 million — people were attracted to its free VPN extension for Chrome. Unfortunately, it chose to undo all the good work and turned the community into a huge botnet army.

Using a free VPN in Hong Kong

Some cash-strapped users tend to opt for a free VPN service. But it’s better if you know the full picture before diving into something you might regret.

Many free VPN providers have been caught mining and selling user data. Even if that doesn’t happen to you, there are definitely going to be things like download data caps, bandwidth throttling, and a feeble selection of servers. Such services aren’t built to relentlessly guard your privacy either, so don’t expect world-class service.

Free VPN companies have to make money, too. So, you’ll definitely be bombarded with invasive advertisements and migraine-inducing popup windows. My recommendation to stay safe on the internet is to cough up a few dollars each month for a reputable provider. Free VPNs just aren’t worth the additional risk you take.

How do I use a VPN in Hong Kong?

In this section, I’ll take you through two use cases. Follow these steps if you’re a foreign expatriate and would like to obtain an IP address from outside of Hong Kong while physically located in the country.

Here’s how to use a VPN in Hong Kong:

1. Sign up for a suitable VPN; I particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download the appropriate VPN app for your device
3. Clear your cookies and cache in all web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, UC Web) to remove old location identifiers
4. Open the VPN companion software and log in
5. Select a server from the country you’re trying to obtain an IP address — such as the US or UK
6. Allow a few seconds for the connection to be established. Once that’s done, the app should change to let you know that everything’s working as expected.

   

7. Browse the web like you normally would. You’ll notice that host websites will assume your true location is in the country you’re currently connected to. This will open up things like streaming media content and local online banking services

The other scenario is for residents of Hong Kong who are traveling abroad and need a local IP address. This could be for streaming content, accessing online banking, or any other requirement.

Here’s how to get a Hong Kong IP address from abroad:

1. Browse through my recommendations and settle for an option that works for you, I particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Register and pay for the online service — select either a monthly or annual plan, depending on how much you would like to spend initially
3. Once that’s done, download and install the VPN app.
4. Clear your cookies in all web browsers (Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) to remove old location identifiers
5. Open the VPN software and log in
6. Select a server in Hong Kong and click connect
7. Allow a few seconds for the connection to be established. Once that’s done, just browse the web like you normally would. You’ll notice that host websites will assume you’re now physically located in Hong Kong, thanks to your Hong Kong IP address

Using a VPN in Hong Kong: FAQs