The Most Useful Apps For Travelling In China
Planning a trip to China? You're in for a treat.
From the maze-like streets of Beijing’s Hutongs to the serene landscapes of Guilin, China offers a variety of experiences. But navigating this vast country can be a bit challenging, especially if you're not fluent in Mandarin.
Don’t worry! I've got your back. Here’s a roundup of the most useful apps that will make your journey smoother, more fun, and a whole lot easier.
1. WeChat (微信)
Let’s start with the big one. If you ask anyone in China what is the most important app they will say WeChat. WeChat is the Swiss Army knife of apps in China. It’s not just for messaging – you can use it for everything from making payments to booking taxis and hotels, and even translating languages.
Why you need it:
Communication: Stay connected with friends and locals.
Payments: Many places in China prefer WeChat Pay over cash. It now accepts International cards so you can use your phone to pay.
Social: Follow official accounts for tips and events.
If you are planning on staying in China for a little while then I would urge you to get WeChat as it will make your life a lot easier if you are socialising and contacting a lot of locals whilst you are in the country.
You should set it up before you get to China but the downside is it isn’t super easy for foreigners to do this. To verify your account you need to find someone who can help you register.
When you sign up you need to send the QR code to a friend who also has WeChat, has been using it for 1-6 months, has not been blocked in the last 6 months and hasn’t helped anyone register in the last 30 days - a bit of a list. I also believe they should have a Chinese ID but this may have changed since I last tried to help someone.
The registration itself only takes a few minutes but finding someone who can help you to verify is the tricky part.
If this all sounds a bit too much and you are only going for a short time to China then I would skip WeChat and head straight for…
2. Alipay (支付宝)
Another giant in the Chinese payment landscape, Alipay is essential for making cashless payments at stores, restaurants, and online. It is very similar to WeChat but WeChat has a more social feel because you use it as a messaging service like WhatsApp but Alipay doesn’t have this.
Why you need it:
Wide Acceptance: From street vendors to luxury malls, everyone uses it.
Ease of Use: Get the English version of the app and link your international card.
Mini-Programs: Access services like bike rentals, translation, and more.
I’ve noticed that when I travel around China I use Alipay more than any other app as it has nearly everything I need in one place.
If you only have time to make sure you have one app ready for your trip make sure it is Alipay. It will make your life so much easier. Not only can you pay using it you can use the transport section to get the metro, bus or taxi.
It also has mini-programs on the app so you can use Didi which is a bit like a Chinese Uber to get taxis. You can use their bike-sharing program so you can rent bikes in different Chinese cities and you can even book your travel be that flights or trains using Alipay as it takes you to the Trip app.
I don’t know why but for bookings I do like to have this on a separate app and so I use…
3. Trip.com
You can book anything you need via the Trip.com app and it keeps it all in one place. It is super convenient as it keeps track of your itinerary and you earn Trip coins whenever you book which saves you money on future purchases. Whether it’s flights, trains, hotels, or even tours, this app has you covered.
Why you need it:
Comprehensive: Book all your travel needs in one place.
Deals: Access to exclusive discounts and offers.
Support: 24/7 customer service in multiple languages.
I have used Trip for years as it is so convenient we always book our flights and hotels with them for any trip to China. We have had times in the past where we have booked a hotel to find out we can’t stay there as foreigners and Trip have helped us find and rebook at no extra cost.
The only issue is if you book Chinese train tickets using the app there is a larger booking fee. I use this app to book train tickets in the UK and there is no booking fee but for some reason in China, there is. The bonus with using the app is having everything in one place but if you are really trying to keep costs down then you can use the Chinese train app to book instead, as the booking fee is less.
4. 12306 China Railway
This app (and website) is just for booking trains. Thankfully they have an English version so it is really easy to use. There are a lot of FAQs and travel guides on the website, so if you are struggling to figure it out, it should talk you through it.
Why you need it:
Ease of Booking: Search, book, and manage train tickets with ease.
Seat Selection: Choose your preferred seat type and class.
Lower Booking Fee: Save some money on fees.
Once you have registered and used it once it is so easy to input your details after this. Your Chinese train tickets will appear on the app so you don’t need a physical ticket as everything is linked to your passport.
Unfortunately for all train travel in China, you can only book 2 weeks in advance, which, to be honest, is a huge pain especially if you are travelling around a public holiday. There is a big risk at busy periods that the train tickets will sell out. My advice would be to fly if you have no flexibility in your schedule as you can book further in advance but it may be more expensive. Otherwise, make sure you know the date they will come on sale and try to get them as soon as you can.
5. Maps
Google Maps is great but not in China. I’m sure you are aware that there are some apps and websites which are banned in China. Google is one of them, so you can’t use Google Maps without using a VPN (see below). If you do manage to get on Google Maps then it isn’t very comprehensive and doesn’t give you the most up-to-date information.
If you have an iPhone then Apple Maps works pretty well in China so you should be fine with this. It is more up to date and it is in English which helps. You can also get public transport updates which is useful as the buses can be a bit confusing otherwise.
If you don’t have an iPhone then Baidu Maps or AMaps are the best to use in China but the downside is that they are only in Chinese so for a first-timer these can be hard to navigate. Between Google Maps and Baidu, you might be able to work it out.
Why you need it:
Direction: It will give you the best route to where you are going and how to get there.
Public Transit: Detailed routes for buses and subways.
Local Points of Interest: Find restaurants, attractions, and more.
6. MetroMan
If you plan to use the metro a lot in China then this app will be your best friend. You can download every city’s metro map on your phone and plan your journey with the most up-to-date information.
Why you need it:
Accuracy: Up-to-date information and real-time updates.
Planner: Help you plan your journey and see the length of time it will take.
Information: It will give you the price as well as the best route to take.
7. VPN
Many websites won’t work in China so you need to invest in a good VPN (Virtual Private Network). You can read more about it here, but if you want to access any social media, many Western websites, and possibly your email then you are going to need a VPN.
Why you need it:
Connectivity: To connect to Western Apps and social media.
Communication: Stay in touch with friends and family on WhatsApp which you can’t use without a VPN.
Entertainment: If you want to watch Netflix or YouTube then you are going to need a VPN.
8. Google Translate
Google Translate will be your life saver in China. Not that many people speak English in China so sometimes it can be a bit hard to communicate. If you have a translation app like Google you can use it to translate text and even have spoken conversations with people. It isn’t always fully accurate but it certainly gives you a helping hand. Make sure you download the offline language pack so you can use it without using data or a VPN.
Why you need it:
Versatility: Translate between multiple languages.
Conversation Mode: Real-time translation for spoken conversations.
Camera Translation: Point your camera at text to translate instantly.
9. Food
You’ll find food on pretty much every corner in China so you may not need these apps as often as some of the others. But if you are feeling overwhelmed and looking for something more specific then Dianping 大众点评 is great. It may take a bit of time as it is all in Chinese but there are a lot of pictures which will help you.
Top tip: Take a screenshot of what you want to understand then put it in a translation app to translate the text so you know what to order. Or you can use these apps via WeChat and there is a translate function so it will translate the page for you.
There is also a map feature on it so you can see what restaurants are nearby which might help you choose somewhere close that looks tasty.
Another amazing food app is Meituan 美团 if you can’t face the bustling streets but want to order some food to your hotel room then this is the best app to do it. Again it is all in Chinese and you may need some help to translate it and with the address, but if you can figure it out then it is super convenient. This app isn’t just for food you can order shopping, buy tickets and more. The only issue is you will need a Chinese number as the driver calls you when they arrive. If you get a local SIM then you are good to go.
10. Currency Converter
Don’t get caught out paying more than you should for things. Make sure you have the conversion rate to your local currency on lockdown. I normally use XE app but this only works online. I have another app called Currency Converter that works offline but obviously, this doesn’t stay quite as up-to-date if it is offline. Whatever you have just make sure you can use it offline so that you can understand the prices of things as you go.
If you are armed with these apps on your phone then you're all set for an unforgettable adventure in China. They’ll help you navigate, communicate, and make the most of your trip. So, download them, get familiar, and don’t forget a portable phone charger so you don’t run out of battery. Happy Travels!
If you need some help planning your itinerary for your China trip then get in touch I can help you!