Must-Have Apps for Traveling in China
If you come to travel in China, you need to prepare in all aspects of food, clothing, accommodation and transportation. These apps will be able to help you solve most of the scenarios you need in China. Getting to know these apps in advance will make your trip to China smoother!😀Pro Tip: To stay connected throughout your visit, consider getting a China eSIM. Just activate and go!
Category | App Name | Notes |
Communication | Also used for payments (if set up) | |
Payment | Alipay | Widely accepted; cash alternative |
Navigation | Baidu Maps | Better than Google Maps in China |
Translation | Google Translate | Download Chinese language pack |
Translation | Pleco | Great for learning Chinese characters |
Ride-hailing | DiDi | Link international card for payment |
Travel Booking | Trip.com | Formerly Ctrip; covers China well |
Subway Navigation | MetroMan | User-friendly for tourists |
Food & Dining | Dianping | Chinese Yelp |
Apps for China Travel | WeChat
Like whatsapp, wechat is mainly a tool for communication. However, it also has the functions of payment and scanning codes to order food in restaurants. When traveling in China, wechat is definitely a software that you must download and understand. I have listed its main functions for you:
Essential Communication
The dominant way locals communicate. Necessary for contacting hotels, tour guides, drivers, restaurants (reservations, questions), or fellow travelers. Unlike WhatsApp, WeChat works reliably without a VPN.
Mandatory Digital Payments
- WeChat Pay is one of China's two dominant cashless payment systems (alongside Alipay). You can pay with WeChat almost at anywhere.
- Setting Up: Absolutely critical to set up WeChat Pay before arrival and link an international credit card (supported by WeChat, though setup can sometimes be fiddly). Alternatives like "TourCard" exist if linking fails.
Access Key to "Mini-Programs"
This is WeChat's secret sauce for tourists. You can regard Mini-Programs as lightweight apps within WeChat, no separate download needed!
Examples Vital for Travel:
- Public Transport: Scan city metro/bus QR codes using Mini-Programs.
- Ride-Hailing: Access DiDi directly.
- Travel Booking: Use Trip.com for flights, trains, hotels, tours.
- Food Ordering / Reviews: Access Dianping (大众点评 - like Yelp) for reviews and reservations.
- Bike-Sharing: Scan Meituan bikes.
- Attractions: Book tickets or access audio guides.
- Translation: Mini-Programs for quick translation.
QR Code Scanner
- Pay: Scan vendor QR codes instantly to pay.
- Add Contacts: Scan someone's WeChat QR to add them.
- Access Everything: Scan codes everywhere - menus, attraction info points, museum exhibits, hotel check-in, airport services, posters, even adding WiFi sometimes. WeChat is your go-to scanning tool.
Key Setup Tips for Travelers
- Download & Register BEFORE Arrival: Do this on your home SIM if possible. Verify your account.
- Set Up WeChat Pay: Link an international credit card (Visa/Mastercard) ASAP. Look for "Wallet" -> "Cards" -> "Add a Card".
- Add Funds: If card linking works, top up a small balance (¥100-200) for initial small purchases before your bank authorizations kick in each time. If linking fails, research "TourPass" or "TourCard" alternatives.
- Search for Mini-Programs: Immediately find key ones like DiDi, Trip, Dianping.
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Apps for China Travel | Alipay
When it comes to payment methods, another one that cannot be ignored is Alipay. It is listed as one of the two most popular payment methods in China along with wechat pay. Unlike wechat, alipay focuses on payment, but compared with wechat, it also has some different functions and advantages.
The biggest difference between wechat and Alipay mainly lies in that wechat is used for social interaction. Usually, small transfers between acquaintances are mainly made through wechat. Alipay, on the other hand, mainly focuses on electronic payments. Online shopping and utility bills are still mainly handled through Alipay. However, when you use the Taobao software, wechat usually cannot make payments, so Alipay still has its place.
Why Alipay over Wechat?
- Alipay revolutionizes the payment experience for international travelers with its TourPass feature. This dedicated prepaid balance system bypasses China's strict bank account requirements, allowing foreigners link international Visa or Mastercard cards more easily.
- Top up once, and you can pay seamlessly everywhere—from street vendors to high-end boutiques, but you still to need to show your code on WeChat to Pay.
- Unlike WeChat Pay, transactions rarely face declines, making Alipay the most reliable cashless tool for visitors.
Apps for China Travel | Trip.com
Trip apps are essential digital tools for travelers exploring China, combining itinerary planning, real-time navigation, local discovery, and booking services in one platform. These apps solve most travelers‘ challenges including:
- Transport Booking: Secure high-speed train and flight tickets
- Attractions: You can find the ticket of any attraction and how to book it
- Hotels: You can book hotels with discounts
- Car Hire: Provide car rental service
- Integrated Payments: Pay via Alipay and WeChat Pay inside partnered apps
Things to Do in China
Apps for China Travel | Didi
DiDi Chuxing is China’s largest ride-hailing platform. With over 550 million users, it’s the #1 app for booking taxis, private cars, premium rides, and even buses across 4,000+ cities. For travelers, it’s a lifeline: no language haggling, no cash payments, and real-time tracking in a country where street taxis can be challenging.
It is not only affordable in price, but also available in most cities in China. Whether you are looking for a cheap car or a more comfortable one, Didi offers different types of rides (such as the fast ride "Express", or the more advanced "Lux").
Besides, unlike taxis, the Didi app will display the price in advance, so it won't surprise you.
And especially for English users, you just need to select the destination on the software and provide the last four digits of your mobile phone when getting on the bus.
Apps for China Travel | Baidu Maps
Baidu Maps is China’s answer to Google Maps – but optimized for the country’s unique infrastructure. With 1.3 billion+ users, it’s the most accurate tool for navigating cities, public transport, and hidden alleyways where global apps fail.
Baidu Maps has also launched an English version of the map, which not only supports English navigation but also covers various travel methods such as walking, cycling, public transportation and driving.
According to the official introduction, the English version of Baidu Maps has built over 1.5 million precise points of interest data, covering more than 100 subcategories of information in 19 major categories such as food, hotels, and life services. Whether it is looking for restaurants, scenic spots or supermarkets, the English version of the map provides intuitive information, greatly eliminating the inconvenience caused by language barriers and offering a comprehensive reference for foreign tourists.
Apps for China Travel | Meituan
Meituan is China’s "everything app" — merging food delivery, travel booking, local services, and entertainment into one platform. With 650M+ users, it handles 70% of China’s food delivery orders and powers millions of daily bookings. For travelers, it’s the digital key to authentic local experiences beyond tourist traps.
Core Functions for Travelers
Food Delivery: Order from 10M+ restaurants (street stalls to high-end). Multilingual photo menus & reviews.
Services: Book massages, haircuts, pet grooming, and repair services.
Ride Services: Hail taxis, bikes, and e-scooters.
China Hotels Recommendation
5 star
Business travel
Breakfast
Apps for China Travel | Xiaohongshu
Xiaohongshu is China’s hybrid of Instagram × Pinterest × TripAdvisor, where 300M+ users (mostly Gen Z/young professionals) share authentic reviews, hidden gems, and visual guides. For travelers, it’s the best platform to find local-approved spots beyond tourist traps and scripted guides.
Advantages to Use Xiaohongshu
1️⃣ Find Authentic Local Experiences: Search the restaurant or hotel you are interested, and get the authentic review.
2️⃣ Get reliable Tips: When searching for related spots or travel guides, Xiaohongshu is usually the best choice because they are all written by locals based on their own personal experiences
3️⃣ Keep up with the popular trends: Search for relevant travel destinations and you will get things like popular shooting poses and methods, as well as the best shooting locations
Apps for China Travel | Baidu Translate
Baidu Translate is one of China's most robust translation tool, specializing in real-world travel scenarios with deep AI training on Mandarin idioms, local slang, and travel terminology. Unlike Google Translate, it excels at handling China-specific challenges like handwritten menus, dialect variations, and offline functionality.
✅ Advantages for China Travel
- No VPN Needed: Works seamlessly inside China (unlike blocked Google services).
- Handwriting Recognition: Draw unknown characters with your finger → get instant translations (e.g., on ancient temple plaques).
- Culture Context Tips: Translates idioms literally: "马马虎虎 (mǎmahūhū)" → "so-so" + explains origin.
- Free & Ad-Light: Zero cost, minimal pop-ups (unlike many global apps).
China Travel Tips
1. Visa & Documentation
- Apply Early: Secure your tourist visa (L-visa) well in advance. Requirements vary, so check the latest rules with the Chinese embassy.
- Register Locally: If staying in private accommodation (not hotels), register with local police within 24 hours (hotels handle this automatically).
2. Digital Essentials
- VPN (Virtual Private Network): Install one before arriving. Popular apps (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) are blocked. Recommendations: ExpressVPN, NordVPN.
- Mobile Payment: Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay (foreign cards now supported). Cash is declining, but carry some RMB for small vendors or rural areas.
- Apps to Download:
- Navigation: Baidu Maps (Google Maps doesn’t work well).
- Transport: Didi (ride-hailing), MetroMan (subway guides).
- Translation: Pleco or Google Translate (download offline Chinese packs).
3. Connectivity
- Local SIM Card: Buy at airports (China Mobile/Unicom) or major malls. Passport required. Prefer eSIMs like Airalo if compatible.
4. Shopping & Bargaining
- Markets: Haggle politely in markets (e.g., Silk Market). Start at 30-50% of the quoted price.
- Receipts: Keep for luxury purchases; required for customs declarations.
5. Best Times to Travel
- Spring (Apr-May) & Autumn (Sep-Oct): Mild weather, fewer crowds.
- Avoid: Golden Weeks (Oct 1-7; late Jan/Feb for CNY) – everything is crowded.
Questions about China App
What is China's everything app?
The Chinese version of WeChat, Weixin, has been described as China's "app for everything" and a super-app because of its wide range of functions.Which app is used in China instead of Instagram?
Little Red BookDo I need WeChat in China?
Yes, WeChat is essentially a necessity for navigating daily life in China. It's not just a messaging app; it's a super app that handles everything from communication to payments, transportation, and more. While it's possible to get by without it, especially with some planning and alternative solutions, WeChat significantly simplifies daily tasks and interactions in China.