Visiting China for the first time? The biggest culture shock isn’t the language or the food — it’s discovering that cash is rarely used, Google Maps doesn’t work properly, and many restaurants expect you to order by scanning a QR code.
The good news: with the right apps installed before you board your flight, you’ll feel a lot more prepared.
Here’s what you actually need.
Essential Apps for China Travel
| App | What For | Must Install? | Set Up Before Flight? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Mobile payment (QR codes) | Yes | Yes |
| Backup payment + messaging | Recommended | Yes | |
| 12306 | High-speed train booking | Yes | Yes |
| DiDi | Ride-hailing (like Uber) | Optional (use via Alipay) | No |
| Amap | Maps and navigation | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Translate | Real-time translation | Recommended | Download Chinese pack |
| OrientGo | Setup guides + offline phrases | Recommended | Yes |
Payment: Alipay (Required)
China runs on mobile payment. Street vendors, train stations, convenience stores — most transactions use QR codes. Both Alipay and WeChat Pay now support international Visa and Mastercard, so you have two solid options.
Setup takes about 10 minutes per app. Do this before you arrive — you’ll need stable internet and possibly SMS verification.
What to know:
- Alipay covers the majority of merchants and is the easiest starting point for visitors
- WeChat Pay is equally widespread — some smaller vendors only accept WeChat, so setting up both gives you full coverage
- Note that international card payments may have usage limits or may not work at every merchant — coverage is broad but not 100%
- Keep some cash in small denominations (1–20 yuan bills) as backup. Not just for rural areas — public buses, smaller scenic ticket windows, and older shops may not accept QR payments either
Transportation: Three Apps
12306 (Train Booking)
China’s high-speed rail network is fast, affordable, and covers most major cities — and 12306 is the official booking app. You can book tickets with your passport number. Book early for popular routes (Beijing-Shanghai, Guangzhou-Shenzhen).
Pro tip: on regular days, arriving 40-60 minutes early is usually enough at major stations. During peak travel periods (Chinese New Year, National Day Golden Week, summer holidays), allow 75+ minutes — security lines and ID checks get significantly longer. If it’s your first time navigating a Chinese train station, err on the side of more time.
DiDi (Ride-Hailing)
DiDi is China’s Uber. You can access it through the DiDi app or through the Alipay mini-program. The Alipay route is often easier because you don’t need to register a separate account.
DiDi’s English interface is polished and includes an in-app message translation feature — your English messages are automatically translated to Chinese for the driver, and vice versa. That said, having key addresses saved in Chinese characters still helps, especially for less common destinations.
Amap / Gaode Maps
Google Maps is not available as a fully functional map service in mainland China. Amap (also called Gaode Maps) is the local standard — it provides accurate navigation, real-time transit schedules, and walking directions, and it covers buses, metro, and ride-hailing all in one app.
Communication: Get Your SIM Ready Before Landing
This is the one thing you must decide before your trip:
- eSIM: Convenient if your phone supports it. Buy online, activate before departure. No physical card to swap. Check that your chosen eSIM provider covers your destination cities — coverage varies.
- Physical SIM: Available at the airport on arrival, but also at any major carrier store (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom) with your passport. Carrier stores in cities often have dedicated tourist packages. Some convenience stores in major cities can also help with setup.
Critical: set up your eSIM or plan your SIM purchase before arriving. You’ll need internet access to set up Alipay, DiDi, and everything else.
About internet access in China: Some international services (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) are not accessible on standard Chinese networks. Before your trip, let family and friends know they can reach you on WeChat — it’s the universal messaging app in China. Consider downloading any content you’ll need offline before departure.
Maps and Translation
- Amap / Gaode Maps for navigation (mentioned above)
- Apple Maps works reasonably well in major cities as an alternative
- Apple Translate or Google Translate — download the Chinese offline pack before your trip for real-time translation
- Youdao Translate or iFlytek Translator — Chinese-made translation apps optimized for local scenarios like menus, transit signs, and spoken conversation
- Pleco for a dedicated Chinese dictionary with character recognition
Accommodation
Most international booking platforms (Booking.com, Agoda, Trip.com) work for China hotels. All hotels in China are legally required to accept foreign guests, and since mid-2024 authorities have reinforced this policy. Major hotel chains and star-rated hotels handle passport check-in smoothly. Smaller guesthouses or budget properties may not have completed the required foreign-guest registration setup with local police systems, so confirm passport check-in capability with the property before booking if you’re staying outside major cities or at independent hotels.
Trip.com (Ctrip) is the largest Chinese travel platform — it has the widest selection and generally flags properties that handle international guests well.
The “All-in-One” Option
Setting up 5+ separate apps can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out the differences between Alipay and WeChat Pay, or whether you need an eSIM or a physical SIM.
OrientGo: China Travel Guide
One offline app that walks you through everything above:
- Set up Alipay — step-by-step walkthrough
- Navigate train stations — what to expect at 12306 gates
- SIM vs eSIM — side-by-side comparison
- 40+ Chinese phrases — tap to hear, show to locals when your data fails
Free, no ads, no account required.
Download on the App StoreOrientGo doesn’t replace Alipay or DiDi — you’ll still need those. But when you’re standing in a Chinese train station with no data connection, trying to find your gate, OrientGo is the app that works.
Quick Checklist Before Your Flight
- Download and set up Alipay — link your international card
- Download and set up WeChat — backup payment + messaging with family back home
- Choose eSIM or physical SIM — if eSIM, activate before departure
- Download offline maps — Amap or Apple Maps for your destination cities
- Download offline translation — Chinese language pack in your translator app
- Book your first night’s hotel — confirm it handles passport check-in (major chains are fine)
- Save key addresses in Chinese — hotel, airport, train stations
China is an incredible destination once you get past the initial setup hurdle. The first 24 hours are the hardest — after that, the apps do most of the heavy lifting.
FAQ
Do I need WeChat Pay if I have Alipay?
You don’t strictly need it, but it helps. Most merchants accept Alipay, but some smaller shops or street vendors may only have WeChat. WeChat Pay now supports international cards, so it’s easy to set up as a backup.
Does Google Maps work in China?
No. Google Maps is not available as a full map service in mainland China. Use Amap (Gaode Maps) for the most accurate and feature-rich experience, or Apple Maps as a simpler alternative in major cities.
Do China’s apps have English language support?
Yes, mostly. Alipay and DiDi have English interfaces. 12306 has a basic English version. For everything else, a translation app and a phrase guide like OrientGo will get you through.
What if I have no internet connection?
This is exactly why offline preparation matters. Download your maps, translation packs, and an offline guide like OrientGo before your flight. Most airports have free Wi-Fi for initial setup, but don’t count on it.
Safe travels.