Planning a trip to China? China is tech-savvy, and many services rely heavily on apps, making your smartphone one of the most essential tools during your trip. There are 4 essential apps for China that every traveller needs, be sure to download and set them up before your trip.
Note: before getting into the list of apps, most of these apps are in Chinese. Not all of the apps allow you to switch your app language to English. Some apps also have an English version but the English versions are often more limited in information. I recommend installing a translation app like Google Translate if you’re unable to read Chinese, rather than use English versions of the apps.
In This List Of Apps For China Travel
1. WeChat (微信)
微信 (WeChat) is not just a messaging app; it’s an all-in-one super-app that integrates social media, payments, and even travel booking. With WeChat, you’ll also be able to access other essential apps like DiDi for rail hailing and Meituan for food delivery. To access these apps, go to the “Pay and Services” section of WeChat.
Tip: set up your WeChat account in your home country. Link your bank card and open up all the essential mini programs such as DiDi and Meituan as they may require otp. Read more about WeChat in the In-depth WeChat Guide.
Download: WeChat on iOS | WeChat on Android
2. Gaode Maps / Amap (高德地图)
高德地图 (Gaode Maps) is similar to Google Maps but provides more detailed and accurate information for China, especially in terms of public transportation and walking routes. You can even see detailed directories of shopping malls in the app.
Note: Google Maps is geo-blocked in China and the directions on the app are often not accurate (tried and tested).
For non-Chinese readers, Apple Maps is also an alternative to Google Maps.
Download: Gaode on iOS | Gaode for Android
3. Dianping (大众点评)
大众点评 (Dianping) is your go-to app for discovering local favourites. Restaurants, cafes and activities are all discoverable on the app. Whether you’re searching for the city’s best eats or looking for tickets to a local show, Dianping has it all.
Download: Dianping on iOS | Dianping Android
4. Xiaohongshu / RED (小红书)
For inspiration on where to go, what to eat, and even how to dress while traveling in China, 小红书 (Xiaohongshu / RED) is a lifestyle app that’s part social media, part shopping platform. It’s used by millions of users in China to share their travel experiences, shopping hauls, and more. It’s perfect for discovering hidden gems and trends recommended by locals.
Download: Xiaohongshu on iOS | Xiaohongshu on Android
Other Apps For China That Are Good To Have
5. Alipay (支付宝)
While WeChat Pay is incredibly popular in China, Alipay is another essential mobile payment app that you’ll want to have on your phone. It’s widely accepted across the country and used for everything from paying for meals and transportation to shopping and booking tickets. It’s good to have both WeChat and Alipay as sometimes one may not work with certain merchants.
Download: Alipay on iOS | Alipay on Android
6. VPN
China’s strict internet censorship, known as the Great Firewall, blocks access to popular Western websites and services like Google, Facebook, Instagram, and even WhatsApp. To bypass these restrictions, you’ll need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect to servers outside of China. Make sure to download and set up the VPN app before arriving in China, as most VPN services are blocked once you’re inside the country. Popular VPNs for China include ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
7. eSIM
This is not an app, but it’s an alternative if you do not want to download or pay for VPN. Using an eSIM instead of a local SIM card would allow you to continue accessing your apps as per normal. This can be cheaper compared to paying for a VPN service.
Read also: Airalo Review | Kite.Mobi Review | Simoptions Review
However the downside to this is that you wouldn’t have a local number. The Internet speed can also be slow if you’re looking to access the Internet on your laptop via your mobile hotspot. From experience, Youtube does load quite slowly while using eSIM and the loading speed while using mobile hotspot for work on my laptop was also not ideal.
