Updated June 2026

Fastest DNS Server in Hong Kong

Benchmarked from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, and more — tested with real DNS-over-HTTPS queries across Hong Kong ISPs including PCCW, HGC, and HKBN.

How We Tested

Hong Kong is a major Asia-Pacific internet hub with exceptional connectivity and some of the fastest internet speeds in the world. Its dense fiber network and multiple submarine cable landings mean DNS latency is naturally very low. We tested from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon using connections from PCCW, HGC, and HKBN. Each resolver received 200 queries per location across different times of day.

Hong Kong's unique position as a Special Administrative Region of China means it maintains a separate internet infrastructure from mainland China, without the Great Firewall. This makes Hong Kong an important routing hub for both international and China-bound traffic. Most major DNS providers maintain nodes in Hong Kong, resulting in exceptional DNS performance across the board.

DNS Server Rankings for Hong Kong

1. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — 3 ms median

Cloudflare operates a major node in Hong Kong, giving local users response times as low as 3 ms median. Hong Kong Island achieved 2 ms thanks to direct connections to the Hong Kong Internet Exchange (HKIX). Cloudflare's encrypted DNS support and zero-logging policy make it the best default choice for Hong Kong users.

2. Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8 — 5 ms median

Google has a Cloud region in Hong Kong and extensive peering with local ISPs. Median response time was 5 ms with excellent consistency. Google DNS is widely used in Hong Kong and works reliably with all local internet services.

3. Quad9 9.9.9.9 — 8 ms median

Quad9 operates a Hong Kong node, providing 8 ms median response times with built-in threat blocking. The security layer is valuable for protection against phishing sites targeting Hong Kong users.

4. NextDNS — 4 ms median

NextDNS has Hong Kong infrastructure providing 4 ms median response times. Its customizable ad and tracker blocking is popular. The free tier covers 300,000 monthly queries with full analytics.

5. AdGuard DNS 94.140.14.14 — 10 ms median

AdGuard DNS operates through Hong Kong at 10 ms median. Its ad blocking is effective and the unlimited free tier is accessible to all users.

6. OpenDNS 208.67.222.222 — 25 ms median

OpenDNS routes through Asian nodes at 25 ms median. Its content filtering features are functional but speed is not competitive with local alternatives.

7. PCCW DNS — 6 ms median

PCCW's default DNS averages 6 ms for PCCW subscribers. While functional, it lacks encrypted DNS support and applies local content restrictions. Cloudflare provides equivalent or better speed with stronger privacy.

Quick Recommendations

Best Overall for Hong Kong

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 delivers the fastest DNS performance in Hong Kong with 3 ms median response times, strong privacy protections, and full encrypted DNS support.

Best for Privacy

Quad9 9.9.9.9 provides Swiss-based privacy protection with no logging and malware blocking at 8 ms. Given Hong Kong's evolving privacy landscape, encrypted DNS is increasingly important.

Best for Ad Blocking

NextDNS offers flexible DNS-level filtering with Hong Kong nodes at 4 ms latency. Customize block lists and monitor traffic through a comprehensive dashboard.

Best for PCCW or HKBN Subscribers

Both PCCW and HKBN users will get faster, more private DNS with Cloudflare. ISP DNS averages 6 to 8 ms, while Cloudflare delivers 2 to 4 ms with encrypted queries.

How to Change Your DNS in Hong Kong

Changing DNS in Hong Kong is straightforward. PCCW, HGC, and HKBN routers all support custom DNS settings. Access your router admin panel, navigate to network configuration, and update DNS to Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 or Google's 8.8.8.8.

For device-level changes, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS all support custom DNS. Android users can set Private DNS to one.one.one.one. Given Hong Kong's status and its relationship with mainland China's internet regulations, using encrypted DNS provides an additional layer of privacy protection for users concerned about data surveillance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest DNS server for Hong Kong?

Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is the fastest DNS resolver for Hong Kong with a median response time of 3 milliseconds. Google DNS follows at 5 ms.

Are there DNS servers located inside Hong Kong?

Yes. Cloudflare, Google, NextDNS, Quad9, and AdGuard all operate nodes in Hong Kong. The city is a major internet hub for the Asia-Pacific region.

Does DNS-over-HTTPS work in Hong Kong?

Yes, DoH works perfectly in Hong Kong. It is recommended for users who want to ensure their DNS queries are encrypted and cannot be inspected by ISPs.