Alipay
The most accepted mobile wallet in China. Link a foreign Visa or Mastercard, pay by QR code at shops, restaurants, taxis, and street vendors.
Tip: Setup takes 10-15 min. Need passport for verification.
Read setup guide →Mobile apps
Essential China Apps
A complete directory of apps you need in China — WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Baidu Maps, Meituan, 12306, VPN and more. Every app includes App Store / Google Play download links and H5 web versions that work without installing.
Before you go: Install these apps on WiFi before departure. Some app stores are slow or blocked from within China. Download offline translation packs and VPN apps at home.
Payment & Wallet
China's super app. Use it for messaging, calls, Moments (social feed), and WeChat Pay. Most Chinese people use this daily for everything.
Tip: WeChat Pay needs a linked card. WeChat itself works for messaging without setup.
Read setup guide →Transport & Ride-Hailing
DiDi
China's Uber. Book taxis and private cars. Supports English interface. Can pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Tip: H5 version works in browser or WeChat mini-program. No app needed for occasional rides.
Read setup guide →Alipay Transport Mini-Program
Within Alipay, use the transport mini-program to scan QR codes for city metro and buses in most major cities.
Tip: Open Alipay → "Transport" icon. No separate install needed.
Read setup guide →12306
Official China Railway app for booking train tickets. Chinese-only interface, needs verification. Alternative: use Trip.com.
Tip: Tricky for foreigners. Use Trip.com (English, no verification hassle).
Read setup guide →Trip.com (Ctrip)
English-friendly app for booking trains, flights, and hotels. Accepts foreign cards directly.
Tip: Best alternative to 12306 for train tickets. Higher service fee but much easier.
Navigation & Maps
Baidu Maps
Most detailed China map. Turn-by-turn navigation, public transit routing, restaurant search. Chinese-only but usable with gestures.
Tip: Google Maps is blocked in China. Need Baidu or Amap for navigation.
Amap (Gaode)
Alternative to Baidu Maps. Many locals prefer Amap. Better for taxi navigation, live traffic, and restaurant reviews.
Tip: Both Baidu and Amap work. Pick one. Amap tends to be more accurate for taxi hailing.
Google Maps
Works partially in China for browsing but navigation and real-time traffic are unreliable. Good for pre-trip planning.
Tip: Will not work for turn-by-turn navigation in China without VPN.
Read setup guide →Food & Dining
Meituan
Food delivery, restaurant booking, movie tickets, hotel booking. Chinese-only. Use inside Alipay mini-program for English help.
Tip: H5 food delivery works in browser. Pay with Alipay at delivery.
Read setup guide →Ele.me
Food delivery app (owned by Alibaba). Similar to Meituan. Can order food with Alipay.
Tip: Both Meituan and Ele.me work. Try both for best restaurant coverage.
Read setup guide →Dianping
Yelp of China. Restaurant reviews, ratings, photos. Helps find good local eateries. Chinese-only.
Tip: Use the photo search feature — see what dishes look like before ordering.
Read setup guide →Communication & VPN
VPN (choose one before travel)
Install a VPN BEFORE you leave. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Astrill work in China. Free VPNs mostly blocked.
Tip: ESSENTIAL: Install and test before arriving. Activate when you land.
Read setup guide →Google Translate
Camera translation for menus, signs, and documents. Download Chinese(Simplified) offline pack.
Tip: Best translation tool. Download offline pack before trip.
Read setup guide →Travel Booking
Trip.com (Hotels)
Best for booking hotels with foreign cards. Wide coverage. English interface.
Tip: Also works for flights and trains. One-stop shop.
Fliggy (Alitrip)
Alibaba's travel booking platform. Inside Alipay app. Good for domestic flights.
Tip: Can pay with Alipay. No separate download needed.
H5 Web Apps — No Download Needed
Many China services have web-based (H5) versions that work directly in your phone browser or inside WeChat/Alipay mini-programs. These are great for short-term travelers who don't want to clutter their phone with 10+ apps. Key ones:
DiDi — m.didiglobal.com (English available)
Baidu Maps — map.baidu.com (Chinese only)
WeChat Web — web.wechat.com (messaging only)
Meituan — waimai.meituan.com (food delivery)
Dianping — dianping.com (restaurant search)
Alipay Mini-Programs — Everything inside Alipay (no extra install)
Web versions work without a VPN in most cases. For app downloads, install before arrival on home WiFi.
App store links open official pages. Prices and availability subject to regional restrictions.