Essential China Travel Apps: Your Pre-Trip Download Guide

First time to China and planning for your trip? Unlike most destinations, China operates on a unique digital ecosystem! Your familiar Google services, social media, and even cash may not work the same way you are used to. To ensure a smooth, connected, and truly immersive experience, downloading the right apps before you depart is non-negotiable. This direct guide provides the essential apps that will make your travel seamless in China.

⚠️ Crucial Pre-requisite: Before diving into apps, remember that a reliable eSIM is foundational for connectivity in China. Start by checking our comprehensive guide on How to Access the Internet in China.

Absolute Essential Apps - WeChat 微信 and Alipay 支付宝

For any non-Chinese travellers, WeChat and Alipay are absolutely essential apps to download before going to China. These "Super Apps" form the backbone of daily life in China, making them also critical for seamless travel and interaction across the country.

WeChat is more prevalent in China, especially in rural places, but we recommend having both installed for maximum flexibility and convenience. Expect each app to take up around 1GB on your phone.

• Download WeChat for iOS or Android

• Download Alipay for iOS or Android

You will be using these Super Apps for 2 crucial functions - Cashless Payments and Mini-Programs.

Digital and Cashless Payments in China

While technically possible to use cash, everywhere in China overwhelmingly operates on cashless payments through WeChat Pay and Alipay.

Your Most Important Pre-Trip Action Item: It is critical that you download the apps, register your account, authenticate with your passport and link your international credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.). Authentication on the app may take a couple of days, so do this a few days before your trip to China. Check out our how-to guide to Making Cashless Payments in China.

Note: Your Alipay and WeChat setup is successful once your submitted ID is approved, and you have added your credit card details without errors. You will not be able to test cashless payments until you are in China.

Mini-Programs in WeChat and Alipay

"Mini-programs" are lightweight applications that run seamlessly within the WeChat or Alipay ecosystem. Think of them as apps-within-an-app, making them indispensable for essential apps to have when travelling to China, including payments for public transportation like metro/subway and buses.

With Mini-programs, you eliminate the need to install individual apps cluttering your phone. All transactions within these mini-programs automatically connect to your linked WeChat Pay or Alipay account, ensuring a hassle-free checkout. F&B places use Mini-programs for their menu, order and payments.

Simply search for (or scan the QR codes you find at the shop) and open the mini-program directly from within WeChat or Alipay, no separate downloads or logins. In WeChat, Mini-programs can be found in “Discover”. In Alipay, make sure your location is set at the right city (top left-hand corner) before you search. You can also add the Mini-programs as favourites for quick access.

Useful Mini-Programs You Should Know

1. Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行): Also known as Didi, it is your go-to for ride-hailing in China, functioning just like Uber/Grab. The experience is similar to the full app, hence there is no need to download Didi App.

2. Dianping (大众点评): China's equivalent of Yelp or TripAdvisor. Use it to find restaurants, read authentic reviews, discover local services, and even find entertainment, all integrated within WeChat or Alipay.

3. Meituan (美团): China's leading platform for food delivery, restaurant bookings, and a vast array of local services. You need a local mobile number for this. Some hotel concierge can help if you do not have one.

4. Railway 12306 (铁路12306): Book high-speed rail tickets directly. While the official standalone app is Chinese-only, WeChat and Alipay’s built-in translation help with basic navigation.

Essential Translation Apps for China

While WeChat and Alipay offer built-in translation features for their mini-programs (accessible via the "..." menu in WeChat or the persistent "Translate" icon in Alipay), these are often rudimentary. They're excellent for navigating an unfamiliar mini-program interface, but for broader communication and daily interactions, you'll want a dedicated translation solution.

We Tested the Best Chinese to English Translation Apps for Travellers

We, fluent in both English and Chinese, put the most popular translation apps through their paces for practical travel use. We focused on popular apps that offer features like offline translation (download “Chinese, Simplified”) and camera translation in China, allowing you to point your phone at text and get an instant translation.

Generally, all the apps we tested managed to convey basic meanings, but have subtle differences in accuracy and real-world performance exist. Here's our summary of the best translator apps for China:

Google Translate > DeepSeek > Baidu Translate > iOS Translate > DeepL Translate

We don’t see the need to install more than 1 translation app, especially if you already have one installed by default. As a backup, you can always access Baidu Translate via your phone’s web browser.

💡 Tip: For those with a deeper interest in learning Chinese, Pleco is one of the best Chinese dictionary app for you to understand specific words and phrases, especially with the nuances of Chinese cuisine! Get Pleco for iOS or Android.

China Map & Ride-Hailing Apps: Your GPS & Transport Navigator

Once your payments are sorted, let’s get to know how to get around China efficiently. Forget relying on Google Maps, it simply does not work well in China. Some people even suggest Apple Maps, but we couldn’t use it reliably to find attractions, restaurants and directions. Instead, we use local apps that truly understand China's streets.

The best replacement for Google Maps is Amap (Gaode). Their recent update includes English support. While you can search in Amap using English, we find it best to copy and paste the Chinese names of places than using English names. Taking note of local addresses in Chinese helps make sure we select the correct place for pick-up and drop-off when using Didi.

We also have Baidu Maps installed as a backup. However, it is in Chinese and there is no English support (yet). So it is not useful if you do not understand Chinese.

• Download Amap (Gaode) for iOS or Android

• Download Baidu Map (Chinese only) for iOS or Android

China City Metro/Subway Maps in English

While Amap has public transport options and navigation options, sometimes it is easier to navigate the subway with a subway map. Every city subway has a mini-program for payment and may include their subway maps 地铁路线图 in English. It is notoriously hard to access Official sources when not in China. We compiled a list of major Chinese city metro maps in English from official sources you can download.

Which Didi Option to Choose?

We noticed many times that it was worth taking a Didi when travelling in 2 pax or more, especially after factoring the convenience and comfort. We find ourselves considering Didi many times when we need to return to our hotel at the end of the day.

When booking a Didi, the fares shown are estimates and exclude any road or bridge tolls in the trip. The final price is shown at the end of the trip and you will need to complete the payment in-app after the ride. Here’s a quick guide of the different Didi ride options:

• Express or Discount Express - This is the most basic and quickest option. It’s perfect for 1-4 passengers. For most journeys, Express will be your go-to. You may see the “Discount Express” option when there are discount coupons available.

• Premier - A slightly more upscale option with newer cars and often more well-rated drivers. It's a bit more expensive than Express but offers enhanced comfort, great for special occasions or longer journeys.

• Taxi - You can also hail standard street taxis through the Didi app. The fare is metered, similar to flagging one down on the street, but with the convenience of booking through your phone.

• Luxe - For those seeking a top-tier experience, Luxe offers high-end vehicles and premium service. This is your choice for ultimate comfort and style.

Airport Transfers in China

While Didi is fantastic for city travel, arriving at an airport with jet lag and multiple large suitcases can be daunting. For convenience and to ensure our large suitcases are accommodated, we book our airport transfer to the hotel when we land in China and decide later if we Didi or book another transfer when we return.

A pre-booked service usually means a driver will be waiting for you, often with a sign, and you'll have a comfortable vehicle specifically chosen to fit your luggage, eliminating any potential language barriers or sizing issues. Prices are similar to ordering a Didi Luxe or less. Check out how much your airport transfer will cost with Trip.com or Klook.

China Travel & Local Lifestyle Apps: Plan & Explore

When it comes to booking accommodation, domestic flights, or high-speed rail tickets within China, Trip.com is our essential English-friendly resource. The Trip.com Group owns brands like Skyscanner, Ctrip and Qunar. Download Trip.com and have all your bookings made there at your fingertips when in China.

Guide to Lifestyle and Local Scene

For hidden gems and finding out what we should check out near us, we turn to Dianping. While Dianping is available in Chinese only, you can navigate it as a Mini-program in WeChat and Alipay with English translation.

Think of Dianping as China's version of Yelp or review in Google Maps, but far more integrated into daily life. Browse user reviews, photos, and even discount vouchers for restaurants (if you have a local phone number), cafes, attractions, and local services.

High Speed Train Booking

For train bookings, we have tried booking with Railway 12306, 同程 and Trip.com. We prefer booking via Trip.com with the English instructions and booking policies. We didn’t find the need for use their “Priority Ticket Issuing” service but you may find it useful if you are travelling in a large group. There was a case where a train itinerary was available in Railway 12306 but not Trip.com, so we had to book using 12306.

Online Shopping In China

For the adventurous shopper or those planning a longer stay, Taobao (by Alibaba) is China's massive online marketplace, similar to Amazon or eBay but far more dynamic. Retail shops will point you to place an order online because they do not carry stock in store. Sometimes you can get better deals online than in stores!

Another popular online marketplace is JD.com but it does not have an english interface. Taobao has an English interface and it is possible for you to do your price comparisons and shop before you travel. Browse official stores only to avoid potential fakes. Check Taobao out on iOS or Android.

Make sure to confirm with your hotel that they accept delivery from Taobao and that the delivery period happens during your stay with them before ordering.

TLDR - Checklist for Apps to Download in China

Make sure you have a reliable eSIM. See our guide on How to Access the Internet in China for recommendations.

1. WeChat & Alipay: Setup, verified, and international credit cards linked a few days before your trip to China.

2. Amap: Downloaded, registration optional.

3. Translator Apps: At least one option installed with Chinese (Simplified) language pack downloaded.

4. Trip.com: Account created for easy hotel, flight, and train bookings.

5. Mini-programs: Familiarize yourself with Didi and Dianping.

We travel to China every year and will refresh this list as we discover useful apps for the English-speaking community. So bookmark/save this page for reference next time!

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