Essential Apps to Download Before Your China Trip (2026)
You'll use your phone constantly in China โ for navigation, translation, payments, ordering food, calling rides, and communicating. But most Western apps don't work there (Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp are blocked or useless). Download these apps before you board your flight. Setting them up inside China is significantly harder.
๐ Table of Contents
Payment Apps (Critical)
Without these, you'll struggle to buy anything. See our detailed payment guide for setup instructions.
Alipay (ๆฏไปๅฎ) Essential
China's most widely accepted payment platform. Works at virtually every merchant. The international version (Alipay Tour Pass) allows linking foreign credit cards.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / alipay.com
WeChat (ๅพฎไฟก) Essential
Messaging + payment in one. WeChat Pay is accepted everywhere. Also used for communication with locals, hotel staff, guides, and new friends. You'll need this.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / wechat.com
Navigation & Maps
Google Maps is blocked and wouldn't work well anyway โ Chinese addresses in Google are often wrong or incomplete. Use Chinese map apps instead.
Amap / Gaode Maps (้ซๅพทๅฐๅพ) Best Choice
The most accurate map for China. Real-time traffic, public transit directions, walking navigation, and POI (restaurant, hotel, attraction) listings. Works entirely in English if you set your phone language to English.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play (search "Amap")
Baidu Maps (็พๅบฆๅฐๅพ)
Alternative to Amap. Slightly better for some rural areas. Interface can be switched to English, but some features remain in Chinese.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play
Apple Maps
Works in China using TomTom and local data. Good enough for basic navigation if you don't want to install another app. Less detailed than Amap for POI.
๐ฑ Built into iPhone
Translation
Google Translate is blocked without a VPN. These alternatives work natively in China:
DeepL Best Quality
Highest-quality translation for Chinese โ English. Works in China without VPN. Supports text, image, and voice translation. Better than Google for nuanced text.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / deepl.com
Baidu Translate (็พๅบฆ็ฟป่ฏ)
Chinese-developed translation app. Works perfectly in China. Supports camera translation (point at menus, signs) and voice. Interface can be set to English.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play
Microsoft Translator
Works in China. Supports offline translation (download Chinese language pack before you go). Good for conversations with split-screen mode.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play
Pleco
The best Chinese-English dictionary app. Essential if you're learning Chinese or need to look up specific characters. Works offline. Camera feature recognizes Chinese text.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / pleco.com
Transportation
Uber doesn't exist in China. Use these instead:
Didi (ๆปดๆปดๅบ่ก) Essential
China's ride-hailing app โ essentially Uber. Works in all major cities. International version accepts foreign credit cards. You can call regular taxis, private cars, or luxury vehicles.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play (search "Didi")
Trip.com
Book train tickets, flights, hotels, and attraction tickets. Full English interface. Essential for booking high-speed rail tickets if you don't want to use 12306.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / trip.com
12306 (Official Railway App)
China Railway's official app. Cheapest train tickets (no booking fees), but interface is mostly Chinese. Use Trip.com if you want English, or use this if you're comfortable with basic Chinese.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play / 12306.cn
Communication
WeChat Already installed
You already have this for payments, but it's also the primary communication tool in China. Everyone uses it โ business contacts, hotel staff, tour guides, new friends. Scan QR codes to add contacts.
Blocked in China without VPN. Useful for calling home if your VPN works, but don't rely on it for local communication.
FaceTime / iMessage
Works in China (Apple services are generally accessible). Good for calling/message home if both parties have iPhones.
Food & Delivery
Food delivery is huge in China. These apps let you order from thousands of restaurants:
Meituan (็พๅข)
China's largest food delivery and services app. Order food, book hotels, buy movie tickets, and more. Interface is Chinese-only. Worth using if you can read basic Chinese or use translation.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play
Ele.me (้ฅฟไบไน)
Alibaba's food delivery app. Similar to Meituan. Chinese interface. Often has different restaurant options than Meituan.
๐ฑ iOS App Store / Google Play
VPN (Before You Go)
If you need to access Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, or other blocked services, download a VPN before arriving. See our full VPN guide.
ExpressVPN
Most reliable VPN for China. Easy to use. Download and set up before you arrive.
๐ฑ expressvpn.com (website may be blocked in China)
Astrill VPN
Best for heavy users and expats. More setup required but highest reliability.
๐ฑ astrill.com (website may be blocked in China)
Download Checklist
Before your flight, download and set up these apps:
Absolute Essentials (Don't Skip)
- โ Alipay โ set up account, link credit card to Tour Pass
- โ WeChat โ create account, add profile photo
- โ Amap (Gaode Maps) โ download offline maps for your destinations
- โ DeepL โ download Chinese language pack for offline use
- โ Didi โ create account, link payment method
Highly Recommended
- โ Trip.com โ for booking trains, flights, hotels
- โ Pleco โ for looking up Chinese characters
- โ Baidu Translate โ backup translation app with camera feature
- โ VPN โ ExpressVPN or Astrill, fully set up and tested
Optional (Nice to Have)
- โฌ Meituan โ if you read Chinese and want food delivery
- โฌ 12306 โ if you want to book trains directly from official source
- โฌ Baidu Maps โ alternative to Amap
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these apps without a Chinese phone number?
Yes. Alipay, WeChat, Didi, Trip.com, and most apps accept international phone numbers for registration. Some features (like WeChat Pay without a Chinese bank account) were historically limited, but international visitors can now use these services with linked foreign credit cards.
Do I need a VPN to use these apps?
No. All the apps listed above (Alipay, WeChat, Amap, DeepL, Didi, Trip.com) work in China without a VPN. They're either Chinese apps or designed to work in China. You only need a VPN for blocked Western services (Google, YouTube, WhatsApp, etc.).
What if I can't find an app in the App Store?
Some apps may not appear in search results inside China due to regional restrictions. Download before you arrive. If you're already in China, try: (1) changing your App Store region temporarily, (2) asking a friend outside China to send you the app, or (3) downloading from the app's official website.
Can I use Apple Pay in China?
Limited. Apple Pay works at some locations (Starbucks, Apple Stores, some hotels) but is not widely accepted. Alipay and WeChat Pay are accepted virtually everywhere. Don't rely on Apple Pay.
Do these apps work on Android?
Yes. All apps listed are available on both iOS and Android. Google Play Store is blocked in China, so download Android apps before arriving or use third-party app stores (APKPure, etc.) once inside China.
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