How to Get a Hong Kong IP Address in 2024 With a VPN
When you’re in Hong Kong, adding a bit of security to your browsing experience isn't just a suggestion, but a necessity. Internet censorship is strong, and keeping your actual IP address (and identity) private is important. We’ll show you the easy steps of how to get a Hong Kong IP address using a VPN.
Written by Andrej Hadji-Vasilev (Writer)
Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-02-26T12:58:00+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
There are many reasons why someone might want a Hong Kong IP address, but the two biggest ones are internet privacy while online in the region, and access to local sites while being abroad.
Starting with the former, China has been increasingly cracking down on democratic freedoms in Hong Kong, especially with freedom of speech (both online and with real life protests) and with critical news publications. Recent examples include blocking the HKChronicles publication and the Transitional Justice Commission.
Additionally, people who want to access local sites — from bank accounts to online entertainment — will need an IP address based in Hong Kong to get around geoblocks. For example, if people want to enjoy TVB while abroad, they’ll need a Hong Kong IP address because it’s not available outside of the territory.
Key Takeaways:
- A VPN is the best way to get an IP address in Hong Kong and add a bit of privacy to your online activity.
- ExpressVPN is the overall best choice for a Hong Kong IP. However, NordVPN and CyberGhost are solid and slightly more affordable alternatives.
- There is a growing level of internet censorship in Hong Kong, so exercise caution when browsing online and pay attention to changing laws.
The way to get a Hong Kong IP address is by using a VPN, or virtual private network. A VPN will allow you to get an IP that tells websites and services that your location is somewhere else, plus encrypt your data and hide your actual IP address. Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to get a Hong Kong IP address using a VPN, and which VPNs are the best for the job.
-
08/13/2021
Reformatted the steps and updated the article to include the latest Hong Kong news.
How to Get a Hong Kong IP Address
Admittedly, there are other options of getting a Hong Kong IP besides a VPN. Namely, a proxy comes to mind because it’s sometimes simpler than a VPN. However, a proxy won’t encrypt your data or add any security to your browsing whatsoever. Plus, any basic route-tracing service can find your actual IP address in an instant.
A VPN is a much more secure option, as users get an IP that disguises their real one and that data is encrypted and secure. Most VPN providers also offer additional security or functionality, like a kill switch, P2P-optimized servers and a slew of other features you might find handy.
Below are the steps on how to get a Hong Kong IP address with a VPN. We’ll use ExpressVPN as an example because it’s the best VPN for Hong Kong, plus it’s simple to download and install.
Step by Step: Get a Hong Kong IP Address With a VPN
- Download and Install ExpressVPN
Head to ExpressVPN’s website and click the “Get ExpressVPN” button. Once you’ve downloaded the installation file, start the install wizard. The steps are very simple, and you should have it installed within a few minutes.
ExpressVPN uses top-notch security and privacy features to keep you safe online, making it difficult even for deep packet inspection technology to track or monitor you. - Select a Hong Kong Server
ExpressVPN boasts a simple location picker. It’s the button with the three dots to the right, and it’ll open a list of available servers from which you can choose. Use the search bar to find “Hong Kong” and click the server you want to connect to.
- Connect to the Server
Once you’ve chosen a server in Hong Kong, all you have to do is click the “on” button, and that’s it. You’re now connected, protected and have a Hong Kong IP.
Connect to a server in Hong Kong using ExpressVPN.
The Best VPNs to Use for a Hong Kong IP Address
There are five key things to look for in a Hong Kong VPN: servers in Hong Kong, strong security, a large server spread, good speeds and device compatibility. We have three excellent VPN providers that’ll get you an IP in Hong Kong, and you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
1. ExpressVPN
More details about ExpressVPN:
- Pricing: $6.67 per month on a yearly plan
- Provider website: www.expressvpn.com
Pros:
- Excellent speeds
- Great device support
- Strong security
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Servers in Hong Kong
Cons:
- Pricey
When it comes to the best VPN for the job, ExpressVPN takes the win. It’s the fastest VPN out there, it has three servers in Hong Kong and it’s compatible with nearly any platform or device you could think of, including routers and smart TVs.
Security is excellent, with multiple VPN protocols supported and AES-256 encryption over UDP for your data. You can also opt for IKEv2 or L2TP/IPsec, although we wouldn’t recommend them for risky locations. Speeds should be consistently good across each server, but you can always switch to a different one if you have any issues. You can find out more in our ExpressVPN review.
When it comes to pricing, ExpressVPN is expensive. If you want to save a bit, though, rather than a monthly plan, you should go for a yearly subscription. The 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered in case you change your mind.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN
More details about NordVPN:
- Pricing: $3.67 per month on a two-year plan
- Provider website: www.nordvpn.com
Pros:
- Map overview UI shows you where you’re connected to
- Double-VPN functionality for added privacy & security
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Servers in Hong Kong
Cons:
- Dedicated IP option is expensive
If a simple UI is your cup of tea, you’ll love NordVPN. The service has a proven track record when it comes to performance, and with servers in Hong Kong, it’s perfect for our list. Speeds are solid, and device compatibility is great with apps for pretty much any operating system and platform out there, including gaming consoles, Raspberry Pi devices and Chromecasts.
NordVPN also comes with a Double-VPN functionality. So if you’re connecting to Hong Kong and want a bit of added security, you can add a second “middleman” to the internet connection for a bit more privacy.
Pricing-wise, a two-year plan gets you a very reasonable monthly price, and a 30-day money-back guarantee has you covered in case you change your mind and want a refund. You can find out more about NordVPN in our NordVPN review.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 6
- Yes
3. CyberGhost
More details about CyberGhost:
- Pricing: $2.25 per month on a three-year plan, with three free months
- Provider website: www.cyberghostvpn.com
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Optimized for P2P transfers & torrenting
- Servers in Hong Kong
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- No local networking functionality
- Requires too long of a commitment
CyberGhost is touted as one of the best affordable options for a VPN, and it’s one with excellent performance. When it comes to getting an IP in Hong Kong, it’s a great solution with 60 servers, plus solid speeds and apps for various devices and platforms. It even has P2P-optimized servers that are great for torrenting.
When it comes to security, the default protocol depends on the device you’re using, but you can choose between IKEv2, OpenVPN and WireGuard — which are excellent choices. The WireGuard protocol uses ChaCha20, which is a symmetric encryption equivalent to AES-256 and offers just as much protection. In addition, you have a built-in ad blocker that works rather well.
Pricing is dirt cheap, provided you’re willing to commit to a three-year plan. You also get a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is more than the competition gets you, but it’s still quite the commitment. You can find out more about it in our CyberGhost review.
- *The $56.94 price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
Can I Use a Free VPN to Get a Hong Kong IP Address?
When it comes to keeping your browsing secure, using a free VPN usually isn’t a good idea. We did a roundup of free VPN providers, and the results were, well, not that impressive. That being said, Windscribe is a notable exception to the “all free VPNs are bad” rule, providing solid speeds and a generous 10GB free plan.
Sure, there are limitations to the free pan, but it’s impressive that Hong Kong is one of the 10 server locations included for free. So if your budget is zero, we strongly recommend using Windscribe (though it won’t be great for streaming shows because of the data cap).
30-Day Money-Back Guarantees
If you only need an IP address from Hong Kong for a short while, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and CyberGhost all offer excellent money-back guarantees. You can use the 30-day money-back guarantee with ExpressVPN and NordVPN — or the 45-day money-back guarantee with CyberGhost — to do your thing with a VPN and then cancel for a refund of your subscription.
Risks of Using a Hong Kong IP Address
Hong Kong is a region currently caught between the freedoms promised when the UK gave the semi-autonomous territory to China in 1997, and the increasing restrictions being imposed by the Chinese government, like the National Security Law in 2020.
Although government legislation does technically allow freedom of speech and expression, and VPNs are still legal in the territory, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on any legal changes from the Chinese government.
Internet Censorship in Hong Kong
The government has imposed some restrictions after passing the 2020 National Security Law, including granting it the authority to order internet service providers (ISPs) to delete information posted online.
Since the passing of the National Security Law, some ISPs have blocked some websites, usually for political or governmental reasons. However, there’s no denying that freedom of expression — both online and offline — are shrinking in Hong Kong, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest news from the area.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, whether you want to add a bit of privacy and security to your browsing experience or access Hong Kong-only content that’s location-restricted, a VPN is the way to go. We’ve suggested three excellent options with servers in Hong Kong, and it’s up to you to choose the one that suits your needs best.
For similar articles, we have guides on how to get Vietnam IP address, Filipino IP address and Bangladeshi IP address.
Do you go for ExpressVPN’s no-compromise functionality, or do you save a bit by opting for NordVPN or CyberGhost? Or maybe you don’t want to pay at all, so Windscribe takes the win as a free VPN. Let us know in the comments, and as usual, thank you for reading.
FAQ
You can connect to a Hong Kong VPN by downloading a reliable VPN — such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN or CyberGhost — and searching for the location in the list of servers.
When you’ve connected to a server in Hong Kong, you can do a Google search for “what’s my IP,” and you’ll get your IP as a result.
While IP addresses aren’t “assigned” to a country, one could perform a route trace and find a user’s location using their IP address.