Essential apps make your visit to Beijing easier

Alipay

Alipay (支付宝) is a leading third-party online payment solution, providing an easy, safe and secure way for customers to pay and buy. You can see its QR-codes in most shops in China where people pay for their products using their mobile phones. The QR-code is usually the Alipay account of the vendor. You just need to link you own card with Alipay, and then, you can enjoy a cashless tour in China. The app is friendly to English speakers and English service is available.

WeChat

This is a multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app.

It was formerly dubbed "the Chinese WhatsApp", however, currently, it has proven to be much more than just a social media app. Among its many packages is the option of money transfer within the country (in Chinese RMB), cashless transactions, as well as helping you to keep up-to-date with news or information from relevant institutions or companies by following their official WeChat accounts.

Waygo

Language may be the prior problem for your tour in China. Waygo can translate Chinese menu and signage into English. It doesn't require an internet connection, uses minimal disk space, and is available for iOS and Android. It currently supports translation of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

Ctrip

Ctrip is a leading travel site in China. It can help you plan your trip in China in all dimensions including hotels, flights, trains and things to do. Booking tickets in China is most helpful because the official website of China's railway network is only available in Chinese. Ctrip offers ticket booking in 12 languages and has English, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese-speaking customer service online or byphone.

Dianping

Dianping (大众点评) is China's leading platform in providing independent consumer reviews and merchant information. The platform is built on hundreds of thousands of recommendations by locals ensuring authenticity and quality. Dianping has tons of cool functions such as making online restaurant reservations, take-out service, coupon promotions but visitors to China will find the reviews section the most useful. One can find the best rated restaurants, attractions or entertainment by proximity, cuisine/type. In addition, in each restaurant listing there are recommendations on which dishes to order, the price and how to get there. The only catch is, it’s only available in Chinese.

Didi

This is the "Uber of China". It is the major car ride-sharing platform, providing transportation services for more than 450 million users across over 400 cities in china. With a didi app, you will can access services including taxi hailing, private car hailing, Hitch (social ride-sharing), DiDi Chauffeur, DiDi Bus, DiDi Test Drive, DiDi Car Rental, DiDi Enterprise Solutions, DiDi Minibus, DiDi Luxe and bike-sharing on your smartphone.

"Manage my flight" app

Helps you remember your flight time so that you won't miss them, among other important information that you would need for your travel.