Does anyone use a 3rd party CDN for shopify? as customers from China is complaining about the site speed, i am resolving the issue by compressing image and reducing codings already, and we are looking into 3rd party CDN service to improve the speed as well. I have talked to Cloudflare, and they also tell me that shopify’s default cloudflare CDN does not include Cloudflare China, meaning the default CDN does not CDN to China servers. So, i would like to know does anyone uses a 3rd party CDN for China? And how did you implement it to your store?
Topic summary
A merchant is experiencing slow site speeds for customers in China and seeks solutions beyond image compression and code optimization.
Core Issue:
Shopify’s default Cloudflare CDN does not include mainland China coverage, causing performance problems for Chinese visitors.
Potential Solutions Discussed:
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China-specific CDN providers (Alibaba Cloud, Tencent Cloud, ChinaCache)
- Require an ICP license, which needs a Chinese business entity
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Third-party acceleration services
- Cloudflare China Network (Enterprise plan only)
- Chinafy (specifically built for optimizing Shopify sites for China)
- Typically require reverse proxy setup
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Practical workarounds
- Host heavy assets on China-based cloud services
- Create separate storefront on China-based platform
Implementation Challenge:
Shopify doesn’t support custom CDNs directly. Full integration typically requires a reverse proxy setup, routing traffic through another server that caches and delivers content.
Developer Perspective:
A China-based Shopify developer confirms that while storefronts are accessible in China, assets like images and fonts cannot load without VPN due to CDN restrictions.
The discussion remains open with the merchant seeking specific CDN recommendations and implementation guidance.
Shopify’s built-in CDN (via Cloudflare) unfortunately does not include coverage in mainland China, so what you’re seeing is expected. A few options that merchants sometimes explore are:
-
China-specific CDN services
– Providers like Alibaba Cloud CDN, Tencent Cloud CDN, or ChinaCache have nodes inside mainland China.
– However, to legally serve content through a CDN within China you’ll need an ICP license, which can only be obtained if you have a Chinese business entity. -
Third-party acceleration services
– Some merchants use services like CDN77, Akamai China CDN, or Cloudflare’s China Network (Enterprise plan only).
– These often require either Shopify Plus or a proxy setup in front of Shopify to cache and serve static assets. -
Practical workarounds
– Keep optimizing your assets (images, fonts, scripts) as you’ve started doing.
– Consider hosting heavy non-Shopify files (like large videos) on a service that already has China nodes (e.g. Baidu Cloud, Alibaba Cloud).
– Some stores even create a separate storefront on a China-based platform for smoother performance if they have a large customer base there.
Because Shopify doesn’t support custom CDNs directly, full integration with a 3rd party CDN inside China typically requires a reverse proxy setup, which means routing traffic through another server that can cache and deliver content. This usually needs a developer or agency familiar with China networking regulations.
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thank you for your prompt reply, may i know whether you have experience in using a china-specific CDN service? and what is the process of implementing it?
You’re welcome! I don’t personally use a China-specific CDN, but from what I’ve seen other merchants share:
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Shopify’s built-in CDN doesn’t cover mainland China, so many stores work around this by setting up a reverse proxy or using services like Cloudflare China Network (requires an enterprise plan) or Chinafy, which is built specifically for optimizing Shopify sites for China.
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The process usually involves pointing your custom domain (or a subdomain like cn.yourstore.com) through the 3rd-party service, which then optimizes and caches your site content on servers inside or near China.
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Keep in mind, some solutions require an ICP license if you want true mainland China hosting, but for many merchants, using an optimization layer (like Chinafy) works without needing that.
If you want to try this route, I’d recommend reaching out directly to providers like Chinafy or Cloudflare Enterprise so they can walk you through the setup steps.
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Hello, I’m a Shopify developer from China. Unfortunately, Shopify’s website cannot be accessed or used normally in China. This is related to Shopify’s CDN.
We are able to access your storefronts in China, but we cannot request assets such as images and fonts. These resources can only be loaded through a VPN.
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Thank you for tell me your situation. May i know is there any suggestions for CDN you are using for shopify in China?