Looking to make your trip to China as smooth as possible? Discover the must-have apps that will help you navigate transportation, communication, and payments with ease.
Read our article to plan your next trip to China!
Overview
Travelling to China is a thrilling experience. Navigating such a vast country with different systems and languages can be challenging. We know that to make our journey smoother, we need to be equipped with the right tools – and by tools, we mean mobile apps.
From navigation to communication, there are several apps that can be extremely handy for any traveller. We’ve gathered our insights to help you find the essential apps that make travelling around China stress-free.
Why Use Mobile Apps in China?
China is known for its unique internet landscape. Many of the services we’re used to back home, like Google Maps and WhatsApp, are either blocked or don’t function properly due to restrictions.
But no need to worry – there are plenty of local apps that are just as good and, in many cases, better suited to navigating China’s distinctive environment.
How to Download Apps in China
Before we dive into the apps, it’s worth mentioning that Google Play isn’t available in China due to government restrictions on foreign digital services. To ensure smooth access, we always suggest downloading these apps before you arrive.
Alternatively, you could use a local app store once you’re there. For those with Apple devices, the App Store works fine, but content can vary depending on the country.
Essential Apps for Travelling in China
Chinese apps are often designed differently from what many Western users may be accustomed to. They tend to have numerous features bundled into one app, such as payments, social media, and travel booking all within a single platform.
This multifunctional approach can seem overwhelming at first, but it’s incredibly efficient once you get used to it. Apps like WeChat and Alipay, for example, function as a combination of messenger, payment service, and lifestyle hub, making them essential for a seamless experience in China.
1. Payments
1.1. WeChat
WeChat on Google Play Store | WeChat on Apple App Store
This app is the heart of communication in China. Beyond just messaging, WeChat is an all-in-one platform for payments, making reservations, and even booking transportation. We use it almost as a survival tool for everything from buying snacks to chatting with locals.
WeChat will also be indispensable when looking to book tickets for attractions in China, as the Chinese government seems to use it as a primary means of verifying identity.
Most state run attractions in China will require you to book tickets via their mini-program in WeChat. Setting up a WeChat Pay account before you go is definitely worth the effort. You will need someone to refer you beforehand. We got our referral via one of the Facebook group members on a China Travel group.
1.2. Alipay
Alipay on Google Play Store | Alipay on Apple App Store
Alongside WeChat Pay, Alipay is widely accepted in China, from street food stalls to upscale hotels. We prefer to have both options set up to ensure we never run into trouble when trying to pay for something.
Like WeChat, Alipay also offers remote ordering functionality at restaurants. Simply scan the QR code at any restaurant and their menu will appear through the mini-app.
This will prove to be invaluable given that you can translate it with Alipay’s floating translator. This functionality will really help with the language barier. The Alipay Tour Pass is handy for foreigners who want to use their international cards. You can learn more about payments through Alipay from their video below:
2. VPN
2.1. Surfshark VPN & Nord VPN
Since many Western services are blocked, a reliable VPN is an absolute must. This allows you to use restricted apps and access familiar services like Google, Gmail or Instagram. Make sure to download and set up your VPN before arriving in China.
2.2. OpenVPN (Self-Hosted)
For more tech-savvy travellers, hosting your own VPN service using OpenVPN is also a great option. We host our own VPN server at home, and it worked perfectly while travelling in China.
This method provides extra privacy and control but requires some technical knowledge to set up. If you’re comfortable with networking, it can be a reliable alternative to commercial VPN services.
3. Navigation and Maps
3.1. Amap (China Map App)
Amap on Google Play Store | Amap on Apple App Store
Google Maps won’t be of much help in China due to restrictions and inaccurate data, and Baidu Maps isn’t available on the Play Store as of 2024. Instead, we used Amap for our travels.
While Amap’s interface and outputs are all in Chinese, it does understand English inputs, which made it quite handy. We got around the language barrier by using Google’s Assistant Search Screen translation feature to translate the app’s content when needed.
For iOS users, it’s been reported that Apple Maps offers a good enough out of the box experience for users.
You can learn more about Amap in their official video below:
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4. Translation Tools
4.1. Google’s Assistant Search Screen (Built-in Android feature)
We found Google’s Assistant Search Screen (previously Google Now) to be very helpful in translating on the go. To enable on screen translations, press and hold the home button on your Android device, and then press the translate button.
This feature makes it easy to translate on screen text. It allows us to translate text by simply pressing the translate button, making it easy to understand signs, menus, and more.
4.2 Google Lens
Google Lens on Google Play Store
Google Lens is another valuable tool for translating signs, menus, and other written content while travelling in China. Simply point your camera at the text, and Google Lens will translate it instantly.
We found this especially useful when trying to understand restaurant menus, tourist instructions and street signs.
For iOS users, there is a similar Lens app you can download.
4.3. Samsung’s Interpreter App (Built-in Samsung feature)
As we are Samsung users, Samsung’s built in Interpreter app was another tool we used frequently. It offers real-time translation, making communication smoother when speaking with locals who do not speak English. You can learn more about this feature below:
5. Public Transport & Ride Sharing
5.1. Didi
Didi on Google Play Store | Didi on Apple App Store
China’s answer to Uber, Didi, is essential for getting around cities. While taxis are available, we’ve found Didi to be more convenient, and the app provides an English interface and all Chinese destinations will be in English.
It’s also safer as everything is recorded, and payments are done through the app. Alipay also has a Didi mini-app which is what we used in our 2024 China trip and found it conveniant as we didn’t need to download the standalone app. The payment was already facilitated via the Alipay app.
5.2. Alipay’s Built-in “Transport” Feature
We extensively used Alipay’s built-in “Transport” feature to access public transport options like buses and metro. It made paying for these services seamless, without the need for physical tickets or cash.
What you will find is that whilst in Beijing you can tap in and out with your bank card, in most of the country it’s not possible. For metro systems you typically have to buy single journey tickets or at best 24h cards (if that city has them) but for buses you really need a transport card as they only accept exact change (and that’s if they do take cash). The Alipay Transport feature is your answer to all these issues.
See their video below on how to use this feature:
5.3. “Hello” Bike Mini App
Within Alipay, we also used the “Hello” mini app to rent bikes. This feature was incredibly convenient for short trips around the city. We could unlock and pay for the bikes directly through the app, making it an easy and eco-friendly way to explore.
It’s really great for those 1-2 km distances inbetween attractions and metro stops.
6. Travel (incl. Chinese High Speed Rail) and Food Recommendations
6.1. Trip.com
Download Trip.com APP Here (Android&iOS)
Trip.com, the parrent company of Skyscanner is another must-have app for travellers. We use it to book hotels, flights, and even train tickets. It offers an English interface, which makes it very user-friendly, and often provides better rates than other services.
It’s our go-to for planning the logistics of our trips within China espcially since this is their home market. This app will be key when booking accomodation and travel (especially high speed trains) but more importantly attractions.
6.2. Klook
Download Klook APP Here (Android&iOS)
Klook, a Hong Kong based company, is another fantastic app that we used extensively for booking tickets to attractions, tours, and activities. It offers discounted tickets, easy reservations, and a smooth booking process.
The English interface makes it incredibly convenient for international travellers, and we found it especially helpful for accessing experiences that are otherwise difficult to book online.
6.3. Dianping
Dianping on Google Play Store | Dianping on Apple App Store
Dianping is an incredibly useful app for finding restaurants, attractions, and reviews. Mastering this app will make your experience in China significantly better. We’ve found it to be similar to Google Restaurant Reviews, but tailored to China’s local scene.
It helps us find the best places to eat, things to do, and even get discounts. The app is mostly in Chinese, but the images and ratings can be very helpful for deciding where to go.
In their last October 2024 update they now provide an hovering translate button which does a relatlively decent job at translating most things in the app. Making a good enough experience for tourists looking for a good place to eat.
Tips for Using Apps in China
- Download Before Arrival: Due to restrictions, always download essential apps before arriving in China.
- Data Plan: We found it helpful to get a local SIM card or e-SIM upon arrival. Having mobile data is vital, especially when using maps, translation apps, or ride-hailing services. The benefit of e-SIMs is that most of them can have VPN built into them saving you the hassle of buying a dedicated VPN service.
- Set Up Payments Early: It can be a bit of a hassle, but setting up Alipay or WeChat Pay will save you a lot of trouble. Most places simply don’t accept cash (although it is illegal to do so) or international cards.
Final Thoughts
Travelling in China can be an amazing experience if you’re well-prepared. These apps have helped us feel more at ease and confident while exploring, making each day an adventure rather than a logistical challenge.
If you’re planning a trip, we hope our experience helps you navigate China with a little more ease!
Ready to book? Below are some recommendations to get your trip started:
- Flights – we use flight aggregators such as Skyscanner and Google flights to find the best options. You can find more information about finding cheap flights here.
- Accommodation – would recommend booking your accommodation through an aggregator such as Booking.com, Trip.com or Agoda to get the best rates. We also use TripAdvisor to read reviews.
- Transport – consider Rentalcars.com for car renting or if you rely on public transport, you can use Omio for trains, coaches, ferries, airport transfers and even flights.
- Activities – a great option is GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator for tours, excursions, experiences and tickets to many tourist attractions.
- Travel money – we have Starling Bank accounts (UK residents only) with 0% fees on FX and a good Mastercard exchange rate. Revolut is another good option.
- Internet abroad – with Airalo or Nomad you can access a wide range of eSIMs (digital SIM cards) available for different countries and regions.
- Luggage storage – if you need to store your bags whilst exploring the destination, you can use Radical Storage to find your closest luggage storage and enjoy your journey until the very end.
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