What apps do I need for traveling in China?
The 4 must-have apps: Alipay (payment everywhere), Amap/Gaode (maps & navigation), Didi (ride-hailing), WeChat (messaging + everything). Download ALL before arrival — Google Play is blocked. Optional: Dianping (restaurant reviews), Trip.com (booking), Meituan (deals), Fliggy (tickets).
Quick answer
The 4 must-have apps: Alipay (payment everywhere), Amap/Gaode (maps & navigation), Didi (ride-hailing), WeChat (messaging + everything). Download ALL before arrival — Google Play is blocked. Optional: Dianping (restaurant reviews), Trip.com (booking), Meituan (deals), Fliggy (tickets).
Detailed answer
4 Must-Have Apps (Install Before Landing)
Alipay — Payment. Bind your foreign Visa/Mastercard via Tour Card. Scan QR codes to pay at 95%+ of merchants. Also handles metro/bus rides, hotel check-in, and more.
Amap (Gaode) — Maps & Navigation. Best maps for China with English interface. Real-time traffic, public transit routes, walking directions. Far more accurate than Google Maps (which is blocked).
Didi — Ride-hailing. China's Uber. English interface available. Register with foreign phone number, pay via Alipay/WeChat. Cheaper and more reliable than taxis. Airport pickups are excellent.
WeChat — Messaging + Super App. Everyone in China uses it. Text/voice/video calls, group chats, mobile payment (WeChat Pay), mini programs (book hotels, order food, buy tickets), social feed.
Food, Travel & Booking Apps
Dianping — Restaurant reviews & discovery (like Yelp). Has English version. Find nearby restaurants, read reviews, see menus with photos, book tables.
Trip.com (Ctrip) — Hotels, flights, trains, attraction tickets. English interface, accepts foreign cards. Best for booking high-speed trains as a foreigner.
Meituan — Deals & food delivery. Discounts on restaurants, movies, hotels. Food delivery in major cities (some English support).
Fliggy (Alibaba) — Attraction tickets, tours, hotels. Often cheaper than Trip.com for domestic tickets. Some English support.
12306 — Official train booking app. Chinese only but most reliable for high-speed train tickets. Use Trip.com as English-friendly alternative.
Qunar — Budget flights and hotels comparison. Good for finding cheap domestic flights.
Utility & Translation Apps
Google Translate — Download Chinese offline language pack BEFORE arrival. Camera translation for menus and signs is invaluable. (App itself may need VPN to download, but offline mode works without VPN.)
Pleco — Best Chinese dictionary app. OCR camera translation, stroke order, flashcards. Essential for serious travelers.
Baidu Translate — Alternative translator that works without VPN. Good for Chinese-English translation.
China Metro (地铁通) — Offline metro maps for all major cities. Works without internet.
ExpressVPN / Astrill — For accessing blocked apps (WhatsApp, Google, Instagram). Install BEFORE arrival.
Airalo / Nomad — eSIM apps for data connectivity. Buy and activate before landing.