Must-Have Apps for Traveling in China

Jun 5

Written By Anastasia Lew

1. VPN

Many Western apps and websites (including Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube) are blocked in mainland China.

Recommended VPNs:

VPN - Super Unlimited Proxy
ExpressVPN
NordVPN

Tip: Download and activate your VPN before arriving in China. Once there, access may be restricted.

2. WeChat (微信 – Wēixìn)

A must-have app used across China for:

Messaging and calls
Social media feed
QR code payments
Booking taxis, medical appointments, and flights

WeChat is essential for communication and daily life.

3. Alipay (支付宝 – Zhīfùbǎo)

Another major mobile payment app used across China. It also offers the Tour Pass feature for international visitors, allowing you to:

Link international credit/debit cards
Pay for shopping, dining, and transportation

Most businesses accept either WeChat Pay or Alipay.

4. DiDi (滴滴出行 – Dīdī Chūxíng)

China’s equivalent of Uber. Available in English and supports:

Ride-hailing and taxi booking
Mobile payments
In-app translation for communicating with drivers

Reliable and widely used in cities across China.

5. Baidu Maps (百度地图 – Bǎidù Dìtú) or Amap (高德地图 – Gāodé Dìtú)

Since Google Maps is unreliable in China, use one of the local alternatives:

Amap: More user-friendly for non-Chinese speakers, especially for public transportation
Baidu Maps: Stronger for address accuracy and local services

Both apps are mainly in Chinese. Combine with a translator app for best results.

6. Pleco

A Chinese-English dictionary app that works offline. Features include:

Word and character lookup (by pinyin, handwriting, or OCR)
Audio pronunciation
Useful for reading menus, signs, and practicing Mandarin

7. Google Translate

Still useful in China if you have a VPN. Features include:

Camera translation for signs, packaging, and menus
Conversation mode for speaking with locals
Offline Chinese-English language pack (highly recommended)

8. Trip.com (携程 – Xiéchéng)

Formerly CTrip, this is a leading travel booking platform in China. Use it to:

Book domestic and international flights
Reserve train tickets, buses, and hotels
Access English-language customer support

9. Rednote (小红书 – Xiǎohóngshū)

A popular Chinese app for local tips and lifestyle content. It’s widely used by young Chinese travelers for:

Restaurant and cafe recommendations
Shopping and sightseeing spots
User-generated posts with reviews and photos

Searchable by location and topic. Great for discovering hidden gems and local favorites.

10. Meituan (美团 - Měituán)

A food delivery and local services app. Especially useful for:

Ordering meals to your hotel or accommodation
Browsing local restaurants
Booking services like massages, movie tickets, and more

The interface is mostly in Chinese but can be navigated with a translation tool.

Anastasia Lew

Must-Have Apps for Traveling in China

1. VPN

Many Western apps and websites (including Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube) are blocked in mainland China.

Recommended VPNs:

VPN - Super Unlimited Proxy

ExpressVPN

NordVPN

Tip: Download and activate your VPN before arriving in China. Once there, access may be restricted.

2. WeChat (微信 – Wēixìn)

A must-have app used across China for:

Messaging and calls

Social media feed

QR code payments

Booking taxis, medical appointments, and flights

WeChat is essential for communication and daily life.

3. Alipay (支付宝 – Zhīfùbǎo)

Another major mobile payment app used across China. It also offers the Tour Pass feature for international visitors, allowing you to:

Link international credit/debit cards

Pay for shopping, dining, and transportation

Most businesses accept either WeChat Pay or Alipay.

4. DiDi (滴滴出行 – Dīdī Chūxíng)

China’s equivalent of Uber. Available in English and supports:

Ride-hailing and taxi booking

Mobile payments

In-app translation for communicating with drivers

Reliable and widely used in cities across China.

5. Baidu Maps (百度地图 – Bǎidù Dìtú) or Amap (高德地图 – Gāodé Dìtú)

Since Google Maps is unreliable in China, use one of the local alternatives:

Amap: More user-friendly for non-Chinese speakers, especially for public transportation

Baidu Maps: Stronger for address accuracy and local services

Both apps are mainly in Chinese. Combine with a translator app for best results.

6. Pleco

A Chinese-English dictionary app that works offline. Features include:

Word and character lookup (by pinyin, handwriting, or OCR)

Audio pronunciation

Useful for reading menus, signs, and practicing Mandarin

7. Google Translate

Still useful in China if you have a VPN. Features include:

Camera translation for signs, packaging, and menus

Conversation mode for speaking with locals

Offline Chinese-English language pack (highly recommended)

8. Trip.com (携程 – Xiéchéng)

Formerly CTrip, this is a leading travel booking platform in China. Use it to:

Book domestic and international flights

Reserve train tickets, buses, and hotels

Access English-language customer support

9. Rednote (小红书 – Xiǎohóngshū)

A popular Chinese app for local tips and lifestyle content. It’s widely used by young Chinese travelers for:

Restaurant and cafe recommendations

Shopping and sightseeing spots

User-generated posts with reviews and photos

Searchable by location and topic. Great for discovering hidden gems and local favorites.

10. Meituan (美团 - Měituán)

A food delivery and local services app. Especially useful for:

Ordering meals to your hotel or accommodation

Browsing local restaurants

Booking services like massages, movie tickets, and more

The interface is mostly in Chinese but can be navigated with a translation tool.

How to Learn Mandarin with ADHD: Fun and Effective Tips to Stay Engaged