Best Apps to Download Before Traveling to China
From mobile payments and navigation to translation and ride-hailing, these are the essential apps travelers should download and set up before arriving in China.
Traveling in China becomes much easier when your phone is properly prepared.
Apps you normally use for payments, navigation, transportation, and communication may not work the same way in mainland China. Google Maps may be unreliable, Uber is not available, and mobile payments are far more common than physical cards.
The best approach is to download and set up the essential China travel apps before your flight. Here are the ones worth having on your phone.
Quick Answer: Which Apps Do You Need for China?
At minimum, download these apps before traveling to China:
- Alipay for mobile payments and local services
- WeChat for messaging, payments, and mini programs
- Amap or Apple Maps for navigation
- DiDi for taxis and ride-hailing
- Trip.com for trains, hotels, flights, and attractions
- Google Translate or Pleco for translation
- MetroMan for metro routes
- NIA 12367 for official entry-related services
You should also install your travel eSIM before departure so you can connect as soon as you land.
1. Alipay: The Most Useful App for Everyday Payments
China relies heavily on QR-code payments, and Alipay is one of the easiest payment apps for international travelers to use.
You can use Alipay to pay at convenience stores, restaurants, cafés, shopping centers, tourist attractions, and many other locations. It also provides access to useful mini programs for transportation, food ordering, and other local services.
Foreign visitors can generally register using an international phone number and link a supported international bank card. Requirements and card compatibility may vary, so complete the setup before your trip.
Best for: Payments, transport, restaurant ordering, and local mini programs.
2. WeChat: Messaging, Payments, and More
WeChat is more than a messaging app. In China, it is used for communication, mobile payments, bookings, restaurant menus, customer service, and mini programs.
Hotels, tour guides, local businesses, and new friends may ask to communicate through WeChat instead of WhatsApp. WeChat Pay can also serve as a backup if you experience a problem using Alipay.
International visitors can register using a foreign mobile number, although identity verification may sometimes be required.
Best for: Messaging, WeChat Pay, bookings, and local services.
3. Amap: A Better Map Option for China
Google Maps is not the most reliable navigation option in mainland China. Business information, public transportation details, and map data may be incomplete or outdated.
Amap, also known as Gaode Maps, offers more accurate local navigation, public transportation routes, walking directions, and nearby place information.
The main limitation is that much of the interface and place information may appear in Chinese. However, it is still useful if you copy and paste the Chinese name of your hotel or destination.
iPhone users can also consider Apple Maps, which may be easier to navigate in English while in China.
Best for: Local directions, public transportation, and finding nearby places.
4. DiDi: China’s Main Ride-Hailing App
Uber does not operate in mainland China, so travelers normally use DiDi instead.
DiDi allows you to enter your destination directly in the app, reducing the need to explain an address to the driver in Mandarin. Depending on your setup, you may be able to use DiDi through its standalone app or through a mini program inside Alipay or WeChat.
Save your hotel’s name and address in Chinese before requesting your first ride.
Best for: Airport transfers, taxis, and getting around without speaking Mandarin.
5. Trip.com: Trains, Hotels, Flights, and Attractions
Trip.com is one of the most convenient booking apps for international travelers in China because it offers an English interface and supports international payment methods.
You can use it to book:
- High-speed train tickets
- Domestic flights
- Hotels
- Airport transfers
- Attraction tickets
- Tours and activities
For train bookings, enter your passport details exactly as they appear on your passport. You will normally use the same passport when entering the train station.
Best for: Booking transportation and accommodation in English.
6. Google Translate or Pleco: Translation Support
A translation app can help you read menus, communicate with drivers, and understand signs.
Download the required language pack before departure so basic translation remains available if your connection is interrupted. The camera translation feature can be especially useful for menus and signs.
Pleco is another helpful option. It is designed specifically for Chinese translation and includes dictionary, handwriting, pronunciation, and character-recognition tools.
Best for: Menus, signs, addresses, and basic communication.
7. MetroMan: Navigating China’s Metro Systems
Major Chinese cities have extensive metro networks, but routes can feel overwhelming when you have just arrived.
MetroMan provides route planning, station information, estimated journey times, and transfer guidance for cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu.
It can be useful as a backup even if you already have Amap or Apple Maps installed.
Best for: Metro routes and transfers in major cities.
8. NIA 12367: Official Entry Information
Since November 20, 2025, foreign travelers have been able to submit China’s arrival information online through official channels, including the National Immigration Administration website, the NIA 12367 app, and official WeChat or Alipay mini programs.
The official online arrival card service is free. Avoid unofficial websites that ask you to pay a submission fee. China’s National Immigration Administration
Best for: Official arrival-card submission and immigration-related information.
What Should You Set Up Before Flying?
Downloading the apps is only the first step. Complete as much of the setup as possible before departure:
- Register your Alipay and WeChat accounts.
- Link your preferred international payment card.
- Complete any requested identity verification.
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese.
- Download offline translation languages.
- Add your passport details to your booking app.
- Install your China travel eSIM.
- Save important booking confirmations and QR codes offline.
It is also smart to carry some cash and a physical bank card as backups.
Will Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram Work in China?
Some international apps and websites may not be accessible as usual when connected through a mainland Chinese mobile network or local Wi-Fi.
A roaming eSIM may route your mobile data through a network outside mainland China, which can allow access to popular international services without relying on local Wi-Fi. However, access depends on the eSIM provider, plan, device, and current network conditions.
Check the plan details before purchasing and install the eSIM while you still have a stable internet connection.
Final Checklist
You do not need dozens of apps for a trip to China. For most travelers, the most important combination is:
- Alipay for payments
- WeChat for communication and backup payments
- Amap or Apple Maps for navigation
- DiDi for rides
- Trip.com for bookings
- A translation app
- A reliable travel eSIM
Prepare them before departure, and your arrival in China will feel much less confusing.