Essential Apps for China Travel
LOCAL TIPS
Without a VPN, services like Google, Facebook, and YouTube do not function properly within China’s network.
The smartphone penetration rate in China has surpassed 90%, and the country leads the world in mobile adoption, especially in mobile payments, e-commerce, and social media. Services like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used across virtually all daily life scenarios. Installing essential apps will greatly enhance the convenience of your travels.
Social Media
WeChat
WeChat is the most popular social platform in China.
Payment & Finance
Alipay
In China, a lot of places only accept mobile payments, and Alipay is one of the most commonly used payment methods. Having an Alipay account makes shopping, eating out, and getting around a whole lot easier.
Navigation & Transportation
Amap
Amap is China's largest mapping application, offering route navigation, public transit and subway inquiries, driving, walking, and other transportation planning services, as well as ride-hailing. Users can quickly call taxis or ride-hailing vehicles through the built-in ride-hailing feature for convenient travel.
Didi
Didi is a leading Chinese ride-hailing platform that offers a range of transportation services including taxi hailing, private car rides, and bike sharing. Users can easily book rides through the mobile app, which also provides real-time tracking and payment options, making urban travel more convenient and accessible.
Translation
Google Translate
The best translation software. However, Google's services have always had trouble working correctly on China's internet network.
Microsoft Translate
Microsoft Translator is a translation service by Microsoft, offering real-time text and speech translation in a wide range of languages.
Baidu Translate
Baidu Translate is a language translation service developed by China's leading internet company, Baidu, providing instant text and speech translation into multiple languages.
The downside is that it often pushes content unrelated to translation. The advantage is that it is definitely usable under China's internet environment.
Dining
Meituan Waimai and Ele.me are two major food delivery platforms in China that allow users to order meals from a wide variety of restaurants and have them delivered directly to their doorstep, providing a convenient way to enjoy dining options from local eateries.