Top 10 Apps You Need for China (And How to Set Them Up)
Top 10 Apps You Need for China (And How to Set Them Up)
China runs on smartphone apps. Menus are QR codes, taxis are hailed by app, and even street musicians take mobile payments. With the right ten apps installed, a first trip to China feels easy; without them, simple tasks become daily frustrations.
Install everything on this list before you board your flight.
The Two Non-Negotiables
1. WeChat (微信)
China’s everything-app: messaging, payments, QR menus, mini-programs for trains and hospitals. International cards can now be linked to WeChat Pay — verify your account with a friend who has a mainland account before you travel. See our full explanation of why WeChat replaced WhatsApp.
2. Alipay (支付宝)
The other major payment app. Some vendors display only Alipay codes, and its built-in TourCard feature lets foreigners top up a prepaid balance with an international card — a useful backup when WeChat Pay acts up.
Payments in China are effectively cashless. Cash still exists and is legally accepted, but carrying these two apps matters more than carrying money. Details: Can I Use Cash in China?
Getting Around
3. DiDi (滴滴)
China’s ride-hailing giant — think Uber, but universal. The app has an English interface, shows your route in real time, and automatically charges your linked card. It solves the two biggest taxi problems: language barriers and rigged meters. Full walkthrough: How to Use DiDi.
4. Amap / Gaode Maps (高德地图)
Google Maps exists in China but its data is outdated and GPS is unreliable. Amap is the most accurate navigation app, with real-time bus and metro information. The interface is Chinese-only, but destination search accepts pinyin, and the map itself needs no translation.
5. MetroMan (地铁通)
A lightweight, English-language metro map covering 40+ Chinese cities. It works offline, calculates routes and fares, and tells you which exit to take — often the hardest part of Chinese metro navigation.
6. Trip.com (携程)
China’s largest travel booking platform, with a full English interface. Use it for domestic flights, train tickets (a backup to the official 12306 app), and hotel bookings that accept foreign guests — not all Chinese hotels are licensed to host foreigners, and Trip.com filters for this automatically.
Food and Daily Life
7. Meituan (美团)
The super-app for food delivery, restaurant reviews, and cheap group deals. Even without Chinese, photos and prices make ordering workable, and delivery addresses can be saved from your hotel.
8. Ele.me (饿了么)
Meituan’s main competitor for food delivery. Having both installed means you can compare delivery fees — and one will usually offer a first-time discount.
9. Pleco (词典)
The gold-standard Chinese-English dictionary. Its optical character reader lets you point your camera at any menu or street sign and get instant translations — the single best tool for travelers who don’t read Chinese.
10. Google Translate (Offline Chinese Pack)
Download the offline Chinese language pack before arrival. Combined with Pleco, you can handle almost any language situation. Note: Google’s services are partially blocked in China, so offline mode is essential.
Setup Checklist Before Departure
- Install all ten apps on your home app store
- Verify WeChat (requires a mainland friend to confirm you)
- Link an international card to WeChat Pay and Alipay
- Download offline maps and the offline translation pack
- Arrange roaming or an eSIM/SIM plan — verification SMS messages often can’t reach foreign numbers in China