Youku Toudu, usually referred to simply as Youku, is a Chinese streaming platform owned by the powerful Alibaba Group and it is known for allowing users to legally stream videos in different categories. Youku offers international movies and TV shows that can only be accessed through a paid subscription in most countries. Thanks to the fact that Youku has acquired rights to stream popular US TV shows, the website has become the favorite source of entertainment for many users in China. While there are policies are in place to prevent copyright infringement, it is also possible to find a wide selection of full movies. The library of content features over 1,000 films from several studios and production companies.
Unlike YouTube, which mainly offers content by independent creators, Youku focuses on top TV and film productions. Although it offers many videos in English, if you try to watch a video that is subject to licensing agreements, you will get an error message letting you know that the video can only be watched within mainland China. Since Youku offers a great variety of content, many international viewers would love the chance to access everything that Youku offers. Thankfully, this is possible with the help of a VPN service. With this technology, you can mask your IP address and appear as if you were in China, which will grant you access to Youku’s geo-restricted content.
In order to be able to unblock Youku using a VPN, it is very important that you go for a VPN that has servers in China. This way, you will be able to get a Chinese IP address and trick Youku into thinking that you are in that country. Usually VPNs are used by people in China to defeat the Great Firewall and get access to content that is blocked in China. This is why only some providers have servers in China. However, in this case, you need to appear as if you were in China, connecting to a servers located there. This will allow you to access Youku, a service that is definitely worth checking.
Once you sign up for a VPN service that includes China in its global coverage, you can install the VPN client on your device. Then run the VPN and connect to a server in China to enjoy access to Youku and other websites and services that are only available there. Simply go to www.youku.com and look for the content you want to watch. It is possible to look for TV shows and movies in English, although in some cases, you may need to search for the title in Chinese. What you can do is to search for the English title on Baidu and you will see the Chinese version of it. In the list below, you will find VPNs that have servers in mainland China and that offer good speeds, ensuring that you can watch content on Youku without hassle.
PureVPN
PureVPN will allow you to access content from many locations, thanks to its extensive network of servers. This provider is based in Hong Kong and it offers advanced technology that ensures that you can enjoy services like Youku with security and flexibility. PureVPN adds high encryption to protect sensitive data and it is also a fast service. They have servers in over 141 countries, including China. It is an effective solution for those who want to watch TV shows and movies on Youku from outside China, but it is also good for users who want to bypass the Great Firewall to access content that is blocked in China.
HideMyAss
HideMyAss has been around for a long time and it is still one of the most popular names in the VPN industry. With HideMyAss, you will enjoy remarkable speeds to browse, download and stream content. It works very well with platforms like Youku and since they have servers in over 190 countries (including China), you will enjoy a versatile online experience. HMA’s servers in China are located in Beijing, Shenzhen and Chengdu. There are over 400 IPs to choose from. HideMyAss also offers affordable plans and many convenient features
TorGuard
TorGuard brings a great set of features that will let you bypass geo-location restrictions so that you can access the content that you want. Due to its stealth servers, TorGuard is a practical option for users who are in China and want to bypass online censorship. In addition, it offers users in other countries the possibility of accessing Youku since it has servers in China. TorGuard’s plans come with Viscosity software and you can enjoy a high level of encryption for your data.
VPNArea
VPNArea has servers in over 60 countries and China is one of them. New options are regularly added to their network of servers so you can enjoy a versatile experience and bypass many restrictions. Apart from allowing you to bypass restrictions, VPNArea offers a strong level of security and with the help of its advanced features such as kill switch, anti-DNS leak, anti-WebRTC and protection against IPv6 leaks, your traffic will be safe. It is another good solution to watch content on Youku.