October 1st is China's National Day, marking the founding of the People's Republic. The week-long holiday (Golden Week) is accompanied by increased internet surveillance and VPN disruptions. If you have not experienced a Golden Week in China before, here is what to expect.
What Happens During Golden Week
The GFW intensification around National Day is similar to NPC in March but typically slightly less severe:
- Increased DPI sensitivity for VPN protocol detection
- Expanded IP blocklists targeting known VPN servers
- Heavier UDP throttling (affecting WireGuard, Hysteria2)
- Reduced international bandwidth allocation
The disruption typically begins 2-3 days before October 1st and continues through October 7th, with gradual normalization over the following week.
Historical Pattern
Golden Week 2025 impact by VPN:
- Astrill: Partial outages October 1-3. Some servers worked, others did not. Full service restored by October 5.
- ExpressVPN: Intermittent connectivity October 1-4. Lightway connections dropped frequently.
- NordVPN: NordWhisper showed reduced reliability. 60-70% success rate during peak disruption.
- VLESS+Reality: No disruption detected. Maintained full connectivity throughout the period.
Preparation Checklist
- By September 25: Verify your VPN is working properly. Update client software.
- By September 28: Download any critical files, software updates, or reference materials.
- September 29-30: Test your VPN connection. If it is already struggling, consider a backup plan.
- During Golden Week: Avoid peak hours (7-10 PM) for bandwidth-intensive activities. Schedule important calls for mornings.
- Have a backup: If your primary VPN fails, a secondary option can bridge the gap.
Silver lining: Golden Week disruptions are temporary. The GFW returns to normal intensity within a week of the holiday ending. Plan around the disruption and it becomes a minor inconvenience rather than a crisis.