Smartphone apps

Essential China Travel Apps: Payments, Maps & Translation

Your digital survival kit — payments, navigation, transportation, and translation tools for China.

Payments

Digital wallets & cashless living

WeChat Pay

微信支付

Essential

Integrated into WeChat — scan QR codes to pay everywhere. Street vendors, restaurants, subway, online shopping.

•Link your international Visa/Mastercard in WeChat → Me → Payments
•Works at virtually all merchants across China
WeChat Pay Official

Alipay

支付宝

Essential

Alibaba's payment platform with the broadest merchant acceptance. Handles transfers, bills, and investments.

•Download and register with your passport before arrival
•Tour Card feature allows linking foreign credit cards
Alipay Setup GuideVideo Tutorial

Cash (RMB)

现金

Always carry backup cash. Some small vendors, rural areas, and temples only accept cash.

•Withdraw from ATMs at major banks (ICBC, CCB, ABC)
•Exchange at airports or banks — avoid hotels for better rates
View detailed guide

Transportation

Ride-hailing & public transit

DiDi

滴滴出行

Essential

China's Uber equivalent. Book taxis, private cars, carpooling, and even bike-sharing.

•Has an English interface in the app
•You can link international credit cards
•Always confirm the license plate before getting in
•Cheaper than street-hailed taxis
Google PlayApp Store

12306 (Rail)

铁路12306

Essential

Official app for booking high-speed rail tickets across China. Essential for intercity travel.

•Register with passport number before your trip
•English interface available on the app and website
•Book tickets in advance — they sell out quickly during holidays
Google PlayApp Store

Metro via Alipay

支付宝乘地铁

Essential

Use Alipay to ride the metro in major Chinese cities — no separate app needed. Scan QR code at the turnstile to enter and exit.

•Open Alipay → tap "Transport" (出行) on the home page
•Select your city — it auto-detects or choose manually
•A ride QR code will appear — scan it at the entry turnstile
•Scan again at the exit turnstile — fare is auto-deducted
•Works in most major cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Hangzhou, etc.
Video Tutorial

Translation

Language tools & essential phrases

Google Translate

谷歌翻译

Essential

Works offline for basic translation. Camera mode translates text in real time — point at menus and signs.

•Download Simplified Chinese language pack before arrival for offline use
•Camera translation is invaluable for menus and street signs
•Voice translation works well for basic conversations

WeChat Translate

微信翻译

Built-in translation in WeChat. Long-press any message to translate. Also translates text in images.

•Useful for translating WeChat messages from Chinese contacts
•Works within the app you already have — no extra download needed
Video Tutorial

Pleco

Pleco词典

Essential

The best Chinese-English dictionary app. Essential for reading characters and understanding context.

•Free with paid add-ons for OCR (camera character recognition)
•Handwriting input lets you draw characters to look them up
•Works completely offline
Pleco Official
View detailed guide

Before You Arrive

  • • Download and set up all essential apps before landing — some require phone verification
  • • Get a Chinese SIM card at the airport — it makes app registration significantly easier
  • • Download offline language packs in Google Translate and Pleco
  • • Install and test your VPN before arriving — you can't download one from inside China
  • • Link your international credit card to WeChat Pay and Alipay before departure if possible