China Travel Guide
Essential Apps for Traveling to China (and What Each One Does)
What each app does, when you'll need it and what to install before your trip.
By @mesapara1. I traveled through China in April 2026 and created this article and guide to share what I learned planning the trip independently.
In China, your phone isn't just convenient—it's essential. You use it to pay, book taxis and order food by scanning QR codes. Even some hotel washing machines are operated through an app.
The good news is that you don't need twenty apps. A handful will cover payments, transportation, hotel and train bookings, tours and translation. The catch is that you should set them up before you travel: some features behave differently outside China, and downloading or setting up an app after arrival can be difficult.
My advice is simple: install everything before boarding your flight and check that it works. Here are the apps I actually recommend.
Planning a trip to China? My guide brings together all the practical information I wish I had before I went. Explore the guide →
How to Pay in China: Alipay and WeChat
If there are two apps you really need, they are Alipay y WeChat.
QR-code payments are part of everyday life in China. Cash and physical cards are much less common for day-to-day purchases. Both apps let you link an international bank card and pay from your phone.
Alipay
Alipay is particularly useful for travelers. It's a superapp: besides being a digital wallet, it gives you access to DiDi for rides, Railway 12306 for train tickets and services such as Meituan and Taobao without installing each app separately.
WeChat is China's main messaging app. Scan someone's QR code, send a contact request and, once accepted, you can chat, call and share voice messages, photos or money. Like Alipay, it also handles payments and offers mini programs: small apps that run inside WeChat. Many businesses use them for reservations and orders instead of having standalone apps.
You probably won't use half of WeChat's features as a tourist, but it's worth having ready.
How Do QR-Code Payments Work?
There are two ways to pay: scan the merchant's QR code, or show your own payment code for the merchant to scan.
It sounds like a small difference, but knowing which method to use is helpful when there's a line of people waiting behind you. Both methods are explained step by step, with screenshots, in the guide →
Do Alipay and WeChat Charge Fees?
They may charge a fee above a certain amount: 3% on payments over CNY 200. Smaller payments are generally exempt. Fees and limits can change, so check the current terms in each app before traveling.
Should You Install Alipay or WeChat?
Both. One might not work at a particular shop, or the feature you need may be available in only one of them.
They aren't interchangeable, though: each works better in certain situations. I explain when to use each one in the guide →
Which Maps App Works in China? Amap
If you usually rely on Google Maps, this is one of the first things you'll need to adjust.
Amap —also known as Gaode Maps—is one of China's leading mapping apps. You can plan public transportation routes, check distances, find restaurants and shops, and look up opening hours and locations. Its main advantage over Western alternatives is that its local information is much more complete.
It can take a little getting used to, so try it before you travel rather than on your first day out exploring.
Does Google Maps Work in China?
It may work with a VPN, but I wouldn't use it as my main map. Get familiar with Amap before your trip.
What About Apple Maps?
It can work better than Google Maps, but I still prefer the local app.
How to Book a Ride in China: DiDi
DiDi is China's main ride-hailing service—roughly the local equivalent of Uber.
The convenient part is that you don't need another standalone app. You can access DiDi through Alipay or WeChat, so once your payment app is set up, booking a ride is straightforward.
China felt very safe to travel around, but as with any destination, it helps to know a few basic precautions when using ride-hailing services. I cover those in the guide →
How to Book Trains in China: Railway 12306 and Trip.com
If you're visiting several cities, you'll probably use high-speed trains. There are two main booking options.
Railway 12306 is the official Chinese railway booking platform. It lets you check schedules and buy tickets directly, although it can be less intuitive if you don't speak Chinese. You can access it through Alipay.
Trip.com is easier for many international travelers: you can book trains, domestic flights, hotels and activities in one place. It's a convenient option for a first trip.
My combination: Amap for getting around cities and Trip.com for traveling between them.
Where to Book Hotels, Tickets and Tours
For hotels, Trip.com again. For tours and activities, you can also use Klook y GetYourGuide.
All three cater to international travelers, accept international payment methods and offer English-language support. Trip.com and Klook also run promotions, coupons and rewards programs, so it's worth comparing prices before booking.
If you haven't planned your route yet, take a look at what to see in China.
How to Communicate If You Don't Speak Chinese
You'll need a translation app—whichever you prefer—but make sure it has these two features.
Voice conversation translation. This is the most useful feature for talking to people. Handing someone your phone so they can speak is often easier than asking them to type on an unfamiliar keyboard.
Camera translation. You'll use this constantly for menus, signs, instructions, screens and directions at stations.
Google Translate and Apple Translate both offer these features. Before you leave, download the Simplified Chinese language pack so you can use it offline too.
Which Apps Should I Install Before Traveling to China?
Here's the short list:
Alipay
Payments, transportation and other services.
WeChat
Payments, messaging and mini programs.
Amap
Maps and public transportation.
Trip.com
Hotels, trains and tours.
A translation app
Conversations, signs and menu translations.
You can access DiDi and Railway 12306 through Alipay without installing separate apps.
Is Installing the Apps Enough?
Not quite. This is what most lists of “apps for China” leave out: downloading them is the easy part.
What matters is arriving with your cards linked to Alipay and WeChat, identity verification completed where needed, Amap tested, the Chinese translation pack downloaded and internet access sorted.
Because not every app works the same way for international visitors: some translations are incomplete, certain features require a Chinese phone number, and some services ask for details tourists simply don't have. Your first day in China is not the ideal time to discover that.
And there's one last piece that makes everything else work: how you'll get internet access in China.
The China Travel Guide
Linking your card, making payments and staying connected—all in the guide
- Day-by-day 2-week itinerary
- Apps, payments and internet set up before you travel
- Everything checked in person, not copied from the internet
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I link an international card to Alipay?
- Yes. International cards are supported, although availability and terms depend on your card and account. Link and test yours before you travel, rather than trying to set it up at the airport.
- Do I need a Chinese phone number?
- Not for most everyday travel needs. Some local apps and services require one for specific features, so not having a Chinese number won't stop you traveling, but it may limit a few options.
- Should I install the apps before traveling?
- Yes. Don't just download them: open each one, create your account, complete the setup and check that it works.
- Is Alipay available in English?
- Many features are available in English, although some screens and mini programs may still appear in Chinese. The language options vary by app version and feature.
- Is Google Maps useful in China?
- It may work with the right connection, but I wouldn't rely on it as my main map. Amap has much more useful local information.
- What if one of the payment apps doesn't work?
- That's why I recommend setting up both Alipay and WeChat and carrying a little cash as backup. You may never need it, but having another option is better than troubleshooting at the checkout.
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