When traveling in China, having these essential Chinese apps on your phone will make your journey remarkably smooth and hassle-free, helping you navigate daily life with ease. They've already been sorted for you. Just download what you need.
Translation:
1. Youdao (Dear Translate)
Youdao is a widely used language app in China that helps foreign travelers communicate with ease. It supports translation in 107 languages, offering photo translation, voice translation, instant AR camera translation, online/offline translation, and simultaneous interpreting. With fast recognition of Chinese characters and natural translations, Youdao is a practical companion for navigating daily situations during your trip in China. It is available on both iOS and Android platforms.
2. Baidu Translate
Baidu Translate is another powerful language app and widely used in China. It supports text, voice, photo, and conversation translation in 200 languages, making it especially helpful for foreign travelers dealing with menus, street signs, transport information, and everyday conversations. The app performs well with Chinese characters and offers fast, reliable translations, even in complex real-life scenarios. With offline language packs available, Baidu Translate is a handy tool for staying confident and understood while traveling in China.
Payment:
1. Alipay
As China's version of PayPal, Alipay is one of the most widely used mobile payment apps in the country, launched by Alibaba Group. After downloading the app from your app store, you can register using an international phone number or email, set a login password, verify your identity with your passport, and bind an international bank card – Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Diners Club – or a Chinese bank card with the UnionPay logo. Once set up, you can scan merchants' QR codes or show your own payment code to pay at automatic vending machines, malls, supermarkets, restaurants, hospitals, or even vendor stalls. You can also access e-transit cards in the "Transport" section and use them on buses and the metro. It also provides services for ride-hailing, and for paying water and electricity bills.
When using an international card, payments under 200 yuan (about $28) are free of service charges; For transactions over 200 yuan, a service fee of around 3 percent applies (the exact rate may vary by card issuer and will be shown on the payment page). The limit is $1,000 per transaction and $10,000 per year.
Payment rules may be adjusted periodically. For the most accurate details, please follow the information displayed during checkout.
2. WeChat
When in China, you will find that nearly every Chinese with a smart phone uses WeChat. It's a powerful all-in-one app for messaging, payments, entertainment, and mini-programs, combining the functions of APP Store, WhatsAPP, PayPal, and Facebook.
WeChat Pay supports binding bank cards issued by major international card networks, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Diners Club, and Discover (credit or debit cards). International users can register and bind overseas bank cards after completing identity verification using a valid passport or Chinese permanent resident ID.
Transactions of 200 yuan or less: no service fee
Transactions over 200 yuan: 3% service fee applies
Refunds: if a refund occurs, the service fee is returned proportionally.
During payment, the amount in yuan is automatically converted to foreign currency at the current exchange rate of the issuing bank for billing purposes.
Payment rules may be adjusted periodically. For the most accurate details, please follow the information displayed during checkout.
Transportation:
1. DiDi
DiDi is the Uber-like service in China and can be used for ride-hailing, carpool, and taxi. Users can choose from cars in different price ranges, from economy to premium.
2. Baidu Map
It is a substitute for Google Maps in China. With built-in 3D maps and multiple navigation options, this powerful app can help you plan routes and find your destinations. It is also useful for ride-hailing and hotel booking.
3. Amap (Gaode Map)
This app (with Amap Global as its international edition), launched by Alibaba Group, is similar to Baidu Map. The domestic version of Amap (Gaode Map) focuses on serving users on the Chinese mainland, offering high-precision navigation and real-time traffic information. Users can download offline maps to ensure navigation works even without an internet connection. It also provides:
Ride-hailing service: Integrates third-party platforms and allows payments via WeChat Pay or Alipay bound to international bank cards.
Real-time public transit: Provides bus route and stop information, tracks vehicle locations in real time, and offers estimated arrival times.
4. 12306
This is China's official rail ticketing app. Air tickets and coach tickets are also available.
Travel/Hotel booking:
1. Trip.com
Similar to Booking.com, Trip.com is a comprehensive travel service app that offers one-stop services including flight booking, hotel reservations, vacation packages, train tickets, car rentals, and attraction tickets.
2. Fliggy
Fliggy is a travel brand under Alibaba Group, providing online booking services for air tickets, hotels, train tickets, bus tickets, and attraction tickets, and also offers car rentals, weekend tours, group tours, individual travel services, self-driving tours, cruises, and travel vacation products.
Takeaway ordering:
1. Meituan
You can count on Meituan in China for booking restaurant tables online, ordering takeaway meals, fresh groceries, late-night snacks, and daily essentials with cheaper delivery fees, and can ask for citywide delivery within an hour. You can use the English version in its WeChat mini-program.
2. Taobao
Taobao released its food delivery services – Taobao Instant Commerce – in April 2025.
3. JD.COM
JD.COM app launched its takeaway services in March 2025, aiming to make it a quality food delivery platform that consumers can trust.
Restaurant recommendation:
1. RedNote
Have no idea of what to eat? Open RedNote and search for what you want. As an app synthesizing the functions of Instagram and Google, it provides numerous posts from other people, which can offer inspiration for your menu.
2. Dianping
Find your Chinese Tripadvisor – Dianping. It helps you choose restaurants that satisfy your demands. You can search restaurants by the name or enter the address to find nearby eateries.
Shared bike riding:
Common shared bikes in China belong to three major operators – Meituan, Hellobike, and DiDi Qingju. You can download the corresponding apps from your mobile app store (such as the Meituan app, HelloBike app, or DiDi app), or use them directly by scanning the QR code via WeChat or Alipay.
For first-time use, you need to register an account in the app or mini-program by entering your mobile phone number and verification code.
Some brands require real-name verification, which involves providing your passport number and full name to ensure that users meet the age requirements for riding (generally, at least 12 years old for bicycles and 16 years old for electric bikes).
Everyone has their own app preferences, and each app is designed to be as user-friendly as possible with multiple functions. These recommendations are for your reference. You can make your own choice that suits you best and use the apps you truly enjoy.