China Apps
Essential China apps for foreign visitors, including payments, maps, rides, translation, local tips, and what to install before landing.
Most first-day friction in China comes from app setup. You do not need every app. You need a small stack that covers payment, transport, maps, translation, and hotel support.
Core App Stack
- Alipay (支付宝, Zhifubao): payments, mini programs, ride-hailing access, some transit and travel functions.
- WeChat (微信, Weixin): messaging, WeChat (微信, Weixin) Pay (微信支付, Weixin Zhifu), mini programs, hotel and restaurant communication.
- DiDi (滴滴, Didi): ride-hailing and airport-to-hotel transport.
- Maps: Apple Maps can be usable for many foreign visitors; AMap / Gaode Maps (高德地图, Gaode Ditu)/Gaode and Baidu Maps (百度地图, Baidu Ditu) have broader local detail but may require more Chinese-language tolerance.
- Translation: keep one translation app that works offline or through your roaming/eSIM plan.
Read First
- Best Apps to Install Before Traveling to China
- How to Set Up Alipay (支付宝, Zhifubao) in China as a Foreigner
- WeChat (微信, Weixin) Pay (微信支付, Weixin Zhifu) for Foreign Visitors to China
- How to Use DiDi (滴滴, Didi) in China as a Foreigner
- Google Maps Alternatives in China
Setup Principle
Do not rely on one perfect app. China travel is smoother when you have redundancy: two payment paths, two navigation options, two ways to translate, and one offline fallback.
When your data works but the service does not
- Do you really need a Chinese phone number? A data-only eSIM can keep you online without solving local SMS or phone-number checks.
- What if a QR code or mini program refuses to work? Try the correct scanner, read the error, then ask for the human route instead of rebuilding every account.
When scanning or renting creates an account or charge
- Is this QR code safe to scan?
- How do I buy the right Chinese SIM plan?
- How do I make sure a power bank rental has ended?
Which app should you choose?
- Amap, Baidu Maps, or Apple Maps?
- Travel eSIM, roaming, or a Chinese SIM?
- Google Translate, Apple Translate, or Pleco?
- Standalone app or mini program?
When an app assumes you have a local number
What should I do when an app requires exactly 11 digits? Check whether the number is for login, identity, a courier or only a queue notification before borrowing one.