Quick answer: Download these apps before your flight — not after you land. The essential ones: Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments, a roaming-partner eSIM app for internet, Amap or Apple Maps for navigation, and a translation app with offline Chinese support. Most of these can be set up from home; some become much harder to configure after you arrive in China.
Last reviewed: May 2026. App availability, features, and requirements can change. Check your app store before traveling.
Essential Apps at a Glance
| Category | App | Install Before? | Why You Need It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payments | Alipay | ✅ Yes | Pay for almost everything via QR code. Link international card before flying. |
| Payments | ✅ Yes | Backup payment, messaging, mini-programs for trains and attractions. | |
| Internet | eSIM provider app | ✅ Yes | Buy and install China data plan before departure. See eSIM guide. |
| Navigation | Amap (Gaode Maps) | ✅ Yes | Most accurate maps in China. Some English support. Download offline maps. |
| Navigation | Apple Maps | Pre-installed | Works well on iPhone — uses Amap data. Good fallback. |
| Translation | Microsoft Translator / DeepL | ✅ Yes | Camera translation for menus and signs. Download offline Chinese pack. |
| Transport | Trip.com | ✅ Yes | Book trains, flights, hotels in English with international card. |
| Transport | 12306 (official) | Optional | China’s official rail app. Harder for foreigners but no service fee. |
| Communication | VPN app | ✅ Yes | Needed for Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram. Install and test before flying. |
| Food | Meituan / Dianping | Optional | Restaurant reviews, food delivery. Chinese interface mainly. |
Payment Apps: Alipay and WeChat
China runs on QR codes. From street food stalls to metro tickets to temple entrances — you pay by scanning a code with your phone. Cash is legal but increasingly impractical; foreign credit cards are accepted at major hotels and upscale restaurants but nowhere else.
Setup before departure:
- Download Alipay and WeChat from your app store.
- Sign up with your phone number and link an international Visa or Mastercard.
- Complete identity verification — you’ll need to photograph your passport.
- Make a small test transaction to confirm everything works.
Full setup guides: How to Use Alipay and Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay.
Internet Apps: eSIM and VPN
For most travelers, a roaming-partner eSIM is the simplest internet solution. It gives you data through Hong Kong or Singapore routing, which means Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, and Instagram work without a VPN. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you.
- Airalo — Dedicated eSIM app with China plans starting around $5. Install before departure.
- Saily — eSIM by the makers of NordVPN. Competitive pricing for China data.
If you need laptop access or want a VPN regardless, install and test it before your flight. VPN websites are often blocked inside China. See our VPN guide for provider recommendations and setup steps.
Navigation: Amap, Apple Maps, and What to Avoid
Google Maps is unreliable in China. Street layouts are often offset, transit directions don’t work, and business locations can be wrong. Do not depend on it.
Apple Maps works well on iPhone — it uses Amap (Gaode Maps) data through Apple’s MapKit. Transit directions, walking routes, and place search are generally accurate.
Amap (高德地图 / Gaode Maps) is the best choice for Android users and anyone who wants the most accurate public transit directions. The app has some English interface support in major cities. Full setup guide: How to Use Amap/Gaode Maps.
Translation: Camera Mode Is the Killer Feature
English is not widely spoken in China — even in Beijing and Shanghai, most restaurant staff, taxi drivers, and shopkeepers don’t speak English. A translation app with camera mode changes the trip.
- Microsoft Translator — Camera mode for menus and signs. Download offline Chinese pack before departure. Free.
- DeepL — More natural translations for longer text. Useful for communicating complex requests.
- Pleco — Chinese-English dictionary. Essential for reading individual characters and understanding menu items. Works offline.
Transport: Booking Trains, Flights, and Getting Around
Trip.com is the most foreigner-friendly booking platform. English interface, international card support, and it covers trains, flights, hotels, and attraction tickets in one app. For train tickets, Trip.com charges a small service fee — worth it for the English interface and payment convenience.
12306 is China’s official railway app. No service fee, but the interface is primarily in Chinese and foreign card support can be inconsistent. Best for travelers comfortable navigating Chinese-language apps. Full guide: How to Book High-Speed Rail.
For flights, Kiwi.com and Aviasales are useful search tools for comparing international and domestic flight options. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Also see our Flights guide.
Food and Discovery
Meituan and Dianping are China’s Yelp-equivalents — restaurant reviews, ratings, photos, and food delivery. The interfaces are primarily in Chinese, but the photo galleries and star ratings are universally understandable. Useful for finding well-reviewed restaurants near you and seeing what dishes look like before ordering.
One-Tap Setup Checklist
Work through this in the week before your flight. Each app should be downloaded, logged in, and tested before departure:
- ☐ Alipay — download, link card, verify identity, test a transaction
- ☐ WeChat — download, link card, verify identity
- ☐ eSIM app (Airalo or Saily) — purchase China plan, install profile
- ☐ VPN app — install, enable obfuscation, test with Google/WhatsApp
- ☐ Amap or Apple Maps — download offline maps, save hotel address in Chinese
- ☐ Translation app — download offline Chinese pack
- ☐ Trip.com — create account, save passport details
- ☐ Screenshot everything: hotel address, booking confirmations, passport, visa
FAQ
Can I download these apps after I arrive in China?
Some, yes — Alipay and WeChat can be downloaded anywhere. But VPN and eSIM apps may be blocked or unavailable on Chinese app stores. Install everything before your flight.
Do I need a Chinese phone number?
Not for most travel apps. Alipay and WeChat work with foreign numbers. Trip.com works with foreign numbers. A Chinese number is only needed for certain local services like bike-sharing or food delivery accounts — not essential for a first trip.
What if my phone doesn’t support eSIM?
Use international roaming from your home carrier, or buy a physical local SIM at the airport after arrival (China Mobile, China Unicom counters). You’ll need your passport for registration.
Can I use Google Maps offline?
Offline Google Maps can show you your location, but street layouts and business locations may be offset in China. Better to use Amap or Apple Maps as your primary navigation, with a translation app for reading Chinese map labels.
Related Guides
- First Trip to China — Complete planning guide
- Best eSIM for China Travel
- Best VPN for China Travel
- How to Use Alipay
- Can Foreigners Use WeChat Pay
- How to Use Amap/Gaode Maps
- How to Book High-Speed Rail
- How to Book Flights to/within China
Editor note: App availability, features, payment support, and interface languages can change. Use this guide as a practical starting point, then check your app store for current versions and requirements before traveling.