How to watch Bilibili outside China

Bilibili is one of the most popular Chinese streaming platforms. It’s a great place to watch reviews, travel videos, food content, Chinese anime, Chinese dramas, and gaming content.

If you try to watch Bilibili outside China, you’ll see a geo-restricted error message. The same is true of other Chinese TV services, such as Tencent, iQiyi, and Youku. In this guide, I explain how a VPN unblocks Bilibili from anywhere.

A reliable VPN offers a Chinese IP address or Hong Kong servers. The caveat? The Great Firewall of China blocks most VPN connections, so you need a VPN capable of bypassing geo-blocks. To help you out, I’ve pinpointed fast VPNs suitable for watching Bilibili abroad or at work.

How to watch Bilibili outside China with a VPN

I understand that getting started with VPNs can feel confusing. However, thousands of Chinese expats and international viewers use a VPN to watch Chinese TV every day. To help you out, I’ve included the steps you need below.

How to watch Bilibili outside China:

1. Choose a VPN for Bilibili. I recommend NordVPN for its ease of use and excellent value. Surfshark is a strong alternative if you want unlimited connections, and Total VPN is ideal if you want a cheaper option that comes bundled with an antivirus.
2. Subscribe to the VPN. You can use the links I’ve provided to access discounted plans. Each VPN includes a money-back guarantee, which lets you test it risk-free.
3. Install the VPN app on your device. The VPNs I recommend support Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, making it easy to watch Bilibili on your phone, tablet, or computer.
4. Connect to a Chinese or Hong Kong server. To bypass geo-blocks, you’ll need a server that provides a valid IP in China or Hong Kong. This makes Bilibili think you’re accessing the platform from within a licensed region.
5. Open Bilibili and start streaming. Once connected, launch Bilibili in your browser or app and sign in. If everything is set up correctly, videos should load normally, giving you access to anime, dramas, gaming content, and user-generated videos from anywhere.

The best VPNs for watching Bilibili outside China

Although only a few VPNs reliably work for watching Bilibili abroad, I wanted to provide you with as many viable options as possible. I tested the market and found eight reliable services that still work with popular Chinese streaming platforms thanks to Smart DNS–style routing.

Best VPNs for watching Bilibili:

1. NordVPN — Best overall VPN for Bilibili. Delivers fast Hong Kong connections suitable for HD streaming with minimal buffering. Well-suited if you want a balance of speed, stability, and security.
2. Surfshark — Best budget VPN for Bilibili. A good option if you want to unblock Bilibili at a lower price while still getting solid Hong Kong server coverage and unlimited device connections.
3. TotalVPN — Best value VPN bundle. Includes Hong Kong servers that work with Bilibili and comes packaged with basic antivirus protection, making it a sensible all-in-one option if you want streaming plus security.
4. Proton VPN — Best choice for privacy-focused users. Offers audited apps, a strong privacy reputation, and reliable Hong Kong routing for Bilibili streaming.
5. ExpressVPN — Best premium option for consistency. Provides fast Hong Kong connections and excellent speeds, though it’s more expensive than most alternatives.
6. CyberGhost – Ideal for beginners. Secure enough to unblock Bilibili at work without tracking. Chinese IPs make it good for Tencent Video and other Chinese TV platforms.
7. Private Internet Access – Fast and reliable with lots of customization. It offers advanced connection settings and superb privacy features to watch Bilibili from anywhere.
8. PureVPN – Obfuscation to access Bilibili in restrictive regions. Works to connect in tougher network conditions, such as at work, in school, or outside the Great Firewall of China.

Bilibili VPN troubleshooting

If you are using a VPN not included in this guide, it is likely already blocked. Of course, you are free to test my troubleshooting steps anyway. If you manage to find a server that works by using my tips, great!

Just bear in mind that very few VPNs work to access streaming services like Netflix, never mind hard-to-reach platforms like Bilibili, Tencent, iQiyi, and Youku. If you still see an error message after following these steps, you will need to switch to a recommended VPN.

Work through these Bilibili VPN troubleshooting steps:

1. Connect to your VPN first, then open Bilibili. Always connect to your Chinese or Hong Kong VPN server before opening Bilibili. Loading the site first can lock in your real location and trigger geo-blocks.
2. Use the Bilibili website instead of the app. The Bilibili app can rely on extra signals like app-region settings, device identifiers, or location data. For testing, the browser player is usually more reliable.
3. Clear cookies and site data. Old cookies and cache can conflict with your VPN connection. Clearing cookies gives you a clean session and helps to resolve region errors.
4. Change servers or virtual locations. If one Chinese or Hong Kong server doesn’t work, try another. Your provider may have optimized one of its servers for streaming.
5. Restart the VPN app. If you’re using an outdated version, you could be missing new server configs or settings needed to unblock Bilibili. Try restarting the app and check that you have the latest version to give it a full refresh.
6. Restart your device. This reloads the VPN’s network adapters and ensures all drivers load correctly for a stable, encrypted connection.
7. Switch VPN protocols. Some protocols handle China’s network restrictions better than others. If available, test WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, or any China-optimized protocol your VPN offers.
8. Contact VPN support. All the VPNs I recommend include live chat support. Support agents can tell you which servers or connection modes currently work best for Bilibili.

Why are some VPNs blocked by Bilibili?

Chinese streaming platforms like Bilibili are bound by licensing contracts. These agreements limit where broadcasters can offer content. To comply with its obligations, Bilibili checks each visitor’s IP address. This shares your exact location with Bilibili; if you’re outside Hong Kong or China, you’ll see an error message.

A VPN is a privacy tool that hides your IP address from websites. When you connect to a VPN server that gives you an IP address in China, even if it uses virtual routing, as many VPNs do nowadays, Bilibili treats your connection as domestic.

When you use a reliable VPN, you virtually access the licensed region, allowing you to log in and watch Bilibili. The caveat? Bilibili is fully aware that people use VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions. To prevent this, it tracks every visitor, flags suspected VPN IPs, and blocks as many VPNs as possible.

The result? Only a handful of VPNs still work to watch region-locked content. And the number of VPNs that work with Chinese streaming platforms is very low.

What are the most common Bilibili error messages?

If you see an error when trying to watch Bilibili from abroad, it usually means your location or VPN connection is being blocked. Below, I’ve included common Bilibili error messages related to geo-restrictions and VPN use. This will help you identify your problem, so you can use the troubleshooting tips above.

Region and copyright restriction errors

• 非常抱歉，根据版权方要求 您所在的地区无法观看本片
  We’re very sorry, due to copyright restrictions, this video is not available in your region.
• 本视频在您所在的地区无法观看
  This video cannot be watched in your region.
• Not available in your country
  Bilibili has detected that your IP address is outside the licensed region.

VPN detection and risk-control errors

• Error 412 – Risk control triggered
  Your IP address or request pattern has been flagged as suspicious, often due to VPN or proxy use.
• 请求已被风控系统拦截
  The request has been blocked by the risk-control system.
• 由于安全策略，本次访问被拒绝
  This access was refused due to security policies.

Playback errors linked to blocked connections

• 播放失败，请稍后重试
  Playback failed, please try again later.
• 加载失败，请检查网络
  Loading failed, please check your network connection.

Errors that are not VPN-related

• 大会员专享
  VIP-only content. A paid 大会员 subscription is required.
• 仅限大会员观看
  Only VIP members can watch this content.

These messages indicate VIP-only content and are not caused by geo-blocking or VPN use.

What can you watch on Bilibili?

Bilibili is China’s answer to YouTube and Daily Motion. The platform is built around user-generated content. Bilibili originally centered on ACG culture (anime, comics, and gaming), but it has grown to include nearly every content category you can think of.

My favorite thing about Bilibili is its community. You’ll find fan edits, theories, commentary, and niche interest zones that give you access to thousands of tightly focused content hubs you won’t find on other platforms.

I’ve included some of what’s on offer below to give you an idea.

Anime and donghua

Bilibili is one of the best platforms for Chinese animation (donghua) and licensed Japanese anime. You’ll find fantasy, sci-fi, slice-of-life, and “guochuang” titles, alongside fan discussions and edits.

• 狐妖小红娘 (Fox Spirit Matchmaker)
• 一人之下 (Under One Person)
• 罗小黑战记 (The Legend of Luo Xiaohei)
• 雾山五行 (Fog Hill of Five Elements)
• 妖神记 (Tales of Demons and Gods)

Gaming and esports

Gaming is one of Bilibili’s strongest categories. You can explore gameplay videos, guides, reviews, live tournaments, and esports coverage focused on titles popular in China.

• 英雄联盟 (League of Legends) tournament streams
• 王者荣耀 (Honor of Kings) pro leagues
• 原神 (Genshin Impact) guides and live pulls
• APEX Legends and Valorant tournaments
• Speedruns and lore analysis

Knowledge and education

Educational content on Bilibili is creator-led and often surprisingly high quality. Topics range from math and physics to psychology, history, and tech explainers.

• 李永乐老师 (Teacher Li Yongle) math and physics
• 回形针 PaperClip science animations
• 硬核的半佛仙人 (Hardcore Semi-Buddha) psychology and social topics
• 何同学 (Classmate He) tech breakdowns
• 国家宝藏 (National Treasure) history series

Lifestyle and vlogs

Everyday life content is also highly popular. This includes cooking, travel, fashion, crafts, and traditional “guofeng” aesthetics.

• 李子柒 (Li Ziqi) countryside lifestyle and crafts
• 手工耿 (Handmade Genius Geng) DIY inventions
• 美食作家王刚 (Food Writer Wang Gang) cooking tutorials
• Fashion vlogs, mukbangs, and ASMR

Entertainment and variety

Bilibili hosts comedy sketches, music covers, dance videos, horror stories, and short-form dramas.

• 老番茄 (Old Tomato) horror and comedy content
• 老高与小茉 (Lao Gao & Xiao Mo) mystery storytelling
• Dance covers and performance clips
• VTuber livestreams and idol content

Music and dance

Music content includes K-pop and C-pop covers, street performances, idol groups, and virtual singers.

• SING女团 (SING Girl Group) performances
• Bilingual covers and remix videos
• Concert clips and fan cams

Movies, dramas, and live content

Compared to platforms like Tencent, Bilibili places less emphasis on long scripted dramas. That said, its professionally produced content (OGV) library is growing.

Popular examples include:

• 人生一串 (Street Food Chronicles) documentaries
• Selected web dramas and mini-series
• Live theater and comedy specials

Can you sign up for Bilibili from the US or Canada?

Signing up for Bilibili from abroad is easier than signing up for other Chinese platforms, such as Tencent. This is largely because it is available in Hong Kong and China. This makes it easier to pay for Bilibili if you are a foreigner.

Please note that you will need a VPN, a valid payment method, and, in some cases, a Chinese- or Hong Kong-registered mobile number to receive a verification code.

If you already have a Chinese Bilibili account, you can connect to a Chinese or Hong Kong VPN server and sign in normally. If you don’t have a Chinese payment method and need to upgrade to a paid membership, I have included some options below.

How to pay for Bilibili outside China

If you are a Chinese expat living in the USA, Canada, Europe, or elsewhere, paying for Bilibili with your Chinese debit card is the easiest option. Simply connect to a VPN server in China or Hong Kong and purchase the subscription you require. Bilibili accepts:

• WeChat Pay
• Alipay
• Chinese-issued bank cards
• Hong Kong payment methods

Viewers living outside China who don’t have a Chinese or Hong Kong bank account will need to use a workaround. One option that’s becoming more popular is to hire someone in the country where the upgrade is sold to purchase it for you. You can find this type of service on freelancer platforms like Fiverr.

You can also buy Bilibili gift cards or VIP redemption codes from third-party resellers. These are available on sites such as SodaGift, SEAGM, and Cysend. Redeeming a code often avoids in-app payment checks and mobile verification, which makes the process much easier.

Hong Kong virtual cards are also available online and are generally much easier for foreigners to use than Chinese virtual cards. This is one of the reasons Bilibili is easier to pay for than many other Chinese streaming platforms.

Can I get a Hong Kong number to receive the SMS?

Bilibili may ask for SMS verification during sign-up or when upgrading. This doesn’t happen every time. The platform usually only requests it when risk signals are triggered. If you do need to receive a text, buying a prepaid Hong Kong SIM or eSIM online is often the simplest solution.

How to redeem a Bilibili VIP code on the website

1. Connect to your VPN and select a China or Hong Kong server
2. Log in to your Bilibili account at bilibili.com
3. Open your account or VIP membership page
4. Paste the redemption code into the gift / redeem field
5. Confirm to apply VIP status to your account

How much does Bilibili cost?

Bilibili keeps things simple. For video streaming, there is one main paid subscription. You may also see bundle plans that include Bilibili Comics, but these are optional add-ons rather than separate video tiers.

Bilibili Big Member (大会员)

This is the primary subscription for Bilibili video streaming. Big Member removes ads on most content and unlocks premium anime, donghua, higher-quality streams, early episode access, and other exclusive videos. Prices can vary based on promotions.

Standard pricing is:

• Monthly: ¥25 RMB (around $3.50 USD)
• Quarterly: ¥68 RMB (around $9.50 USD)
• Annual: typically ¥233–238 RMB (around $32–33 USD), depending on promotions

Can I watch Bilibili for free?

Yes. You can create a basic Bilibili account for free and watch a large amount of user-generated content, gaming videos, vlogs, music, and some anime. You only need to upgrade to a paid account if you want access to additional anime episodes, higher-resolution streams (HD and 4K), early releases, or other premium videos locked behind the paywall.

Can I use a free VPN to watch Bilibili outside China?

No. Although there are many free VPNs advertised in popular app stores like Google Play, they are unreliable for streaming. Streaming services know people use VPNs to bypass region locks, which is why they make a concerted effort to block them. This makes it difficult to get around licensing restrictions. Even many paid VPNs are blocked by Bilibili, and free VPNs are always the first to stop working. You’re free to test a free VPN, but the reality is that free services have very small server networks, which makes them easy for streaming platforms to detect and block.

Even free plans from well-known providers like Proton VPN or Hotspot Shield won’t work with Bilibili unless you upgrade to a paid tier. These services deliberately restrict streaming access on free plans to push upgrades. Free plans are intended for basic privacy use, such as staying connected during network disruptions or emergencies, not for streaming.

If you want to test Bilibili from abroad, the best option is to use a paid VPN with a money-back guarantee. All of the VPNs I recommend offer a 30-day refund window, which gives you plenty of time to see if they work with Bilibili.

Frequently asked questions