TLDR : I’m using ProtonVPN in China without much issues, though this isn’t an endorsement if you need critical access to a VPN in China. If you plan on using ProtonVPN, then make sure to get the app and login BEFORE being in China, also, avoid Chinese brand phones even if it’s the global market ones as ProtonVPN doesn’t work on my Xiaomi phone.
Having family in China, I go back from time to time. Since China is blocking a lot of stuff, I always used VPNs.
Just before the pandemic, I had setup a Softether VPN that works perfectly for 2 visits. I only had issues with one cellphone provider that seem to be blocking any and all VPN on their network.
I know China cracked down more since then, and so I had setup 3 VPS with VPNs 1 Softether (same as previously), 1 OpenVPN, and 1 Wireguard.
Even though all “VPN in China” articles out there were saying ProtonVPN doesn’t work in China, I had made free accounts and installed it on my devices, just in case.
I didn’t expect all 3 of my VPNs to be blocked almost instantly. I lost VPN connection to all 3 within minutes, I can still SSH into my VPS, but the VPN connection doesn’t work anymore.
Only thing that works at the moment is Proton, I’m actually surprised!
I’m only using it when I need to use Facebook of Messenger to talk to my Canadian family and post pictures.
Also, funny anecdote, the only device where ProtonVPN won’t work is a Xiaomi phone (global market version) that I got years ago as my “China phone” and that I’ve since given to my teen daughter. The app opens, but refuses to even login.