Traveling in China is much easier when your phone is properly set up before you arrive.

From paying for coffee and calling a taxi to navigating the metro and booking train tickets, many everyday services in China are mobile-first.

For international visitors, downloading a few essential apps before your trip can make a huge difference.

Here are the best apps to download before traveling to China.


1. Alipay

Best for: Payments, transport and everyday services

If you only download one app before visiting China, Alipay should be near the top of your list.

International travelers can register using an overseas phone number and link eligible international bank cards. Alipay can then be used at many restaurants, shops, cafés and attractions.

It can also be used for:

  • Metro and bus transport
  • Taxi and ride-hailing
  • Some attraction tickets
  • Mini programs
  • Currency conversion
  • Everyday payments

For most visitors, Alipay becomes one of the most frequently used apps during a China trip.

Before you travel: Add your bank card and complete any required identity verification before departure.

Read our full guide: How to Pay in China – Alipay Setup for Foreigners


2. WeChat

Best for: Communication and mobile payments

WeChat is China's most widely used messaging and social platform, but it does much more than messaging.

Travelers may use it for:

  • Messaging local guides and hotels
  • WeChat Pay
  • Restaurant mini programs
  • Attraction bookings
  • Ride-hailing
  • Customer service

Foreign visitors can register with overseas phone numbers and link supported international cards for WeChat Pay.

If you're traveling with a local guide or booking local experiences, there's a good chance communication will happen through WeChat.

Read our guide: WeChat Pay in China for Foreigners


3. DiDi

Best for: Taxis and ride-hailing

DiDi is China's major ride-hailing platform.

Think of it as China's equivalent of Uber.

Foreign travelers can use DiDi to book rides around major Chinese cities, and the service supports foreign phone numbers and international credit cards.

You can choose different vehicle categories depending on your preference.

DiDi is particularly useful when:

  • Leaving the airport
  • Traveling late at night
  • Visiting places far from metro stations
  • Carrying luggage
  • Traveling somewhere difficult to explain in Chinese

In many cases, you can also access ride-hailing directly through Alipay.

Read more: How to Take a Taxi in China


4. Trip.com

Best for: Hotels, flights and train tickets

Trip.com is one of the easiest travel booking platforms for international visitors in China.

You can use it for:

  • Hotels
  • Domestic flights
  • Train tickets
  • Airport transfers
  • Attractions
  • Some tours and activities

Chinese government guidance also recommends Trip.com as one of the platforms international visitors can use for travel bookings and airport transfers.

Its English-language interface makes it particularly convenient for first-time visitors.


5. Railway 12306

Best for: Official China train bookings

12306 is China's official railway booking platform.

If you're planning to travel between cities by high-speed train, it can be useful to have.

China's railway system connects most major destinations including:

Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and many others.

China Railway also operates an English-language 12306 service for international travelers.

For travelers who prefer a simpler English interface, Trip.com can also be used for train bookings.


6. A Map App

Best for: Navigation

Navigation in China works slightly differently from many other countries.

Having a reliable local map app can make getting around considerably easier.

Popular options include:

  • Amap / Gaode Maps
  • Baidu Maps

Baidu Maps is also recommended in official travel guidance for navigating Chinese cities.

Some local map apps have more Chinese-language features than English ones, so first-time visitors may want to combine them with translation tools.

Before leaving your hotel, it's also useful to save your destination's Chinese address.


7. Translation App

Best for: Language help

You can travel around major Chinese cities without speaking Mandarin, but having a translation app makes the experience much easier.

Download one that supports:

  • Text translation
  • Camera translation
  • Voice translation
  • Offline language packs

Camera translation is especially useful for:

  • Restaurant menus
  • Signs
  • Product labels
  • Instructions

Download your offline Chinese language package before arriving in case you don't immediately have mobile data.


8. Dianping

Best for: Restaurants and local discoveries

If you want to discover where locals actually eat, Dianping is one of the most useful apps.

It includes:

  • Restaurants
  • Cafés
  • Bars
  • Spas
  • Local activities
  • Reviews
  • Photos
  • Opening hours

Official visitor guidance highlights Dianping and Meituan as popular platforms for discovering restaurants, including both upscale dining and local hidden gems.

The app is primarily Chinese-language, but translation tools can help.

For travelers interested in food, it's worth the extra effort.


9. Meituan

Best for: Local services

Meituan is one of China's largest lifestyle platforms.

It can be used for everything from restaurants and food delivery to attractions and local services.

For short-term visitors, you probably won't need every feature.

But it can be useful for discovering:

  • Restaurants
  • Local attractions
  • Entertainment
  • Food delivery

If you're only visiting for a week or two, Alipay, DiDi and Trip.com will usually be more important.


Which Apps Do You Really Need?

You don't need to download everything.

For most first-time visitors, we recommend starting with:

Essential

  • Alipay
  • WeChat
  • DiDi
  • Trip.com
  • Translation app
  • Map app

Useful for deeper travel

  • Railway 12306
  • Dianping
  • Meituan

Download Everything Before You Fly

The best time to prepare your phone is before arriving in China.

Before departure:

  • Download your essential apps
  • Create your accounts
  • Link payment cards
  • Download offline translation
  • Install your eSIM if needed
  • Save your hotel address in Chinese
  • Screenshot important booking confirmations


China's digital services for international visitors continue to improve, with recent initiatives focusing on foreign-language support, mobile payments, transport and tourism services.

Once your phone is properly set up, traveling in China becomes much easier than many first-time visitors expect.


Planning Your First Trip to China?

From mobile payments and transport to hotels, guides and unique local experiences, a little preparation goes a long way.

At Joy Traveller, we help international travelers experience China smoothly while discovering much more than the usual tourist route.

Planning a trip to China? Get in touch and let us create your customized China journey.