10 Must-Have Apps to go to China

Key Takeaways

• Looking for the “10 must-have apps to go to China“? This article is for you!
• You can count on WeChat for messaging, social networking, and mobile payments, which is why it is a staple of life in China.
• Alipay makes it easy to manage your money and pay with no cash at many places throughout the country.
• DiDi came in handy for hailing taxis and ride-sharing on the cheap, with an English interface and cashless payment capabilities.
• Baidu Maps provides precise directions, dependable transit info, and real-time traffic information, which is handy for navigating urban areas!
• Trip.com makes booking flights, hotels, and travel packages easier so you can plan and manage your trip.
• Pleco breaks down language barriers with a dictionary, translation, and language-learning tools, keeping your communications flowing during your stay.
• Ubigi allows you stay connected to access the services of all these apps.

Introduction

Top apps in China to get stuff done, chat with friends, shop, and pay all in one. You come across WeChat and Alipay’s super apps everywhere.

Then there’s Didi, Meituan, and Douyin, which are all about rides, food, and short videos. Each app contributes a lot to everyday living and working.

You can see what essential apps fit your needs below as you read on.

1. WeChat

WeChat integrates messaging, social media and mobile payments into a unified app, allowing you to chat, share photos, pay bills or shop, all within one platform. More than 1 billion people use it daily in China.

Whether it’s booking a taxi, ordering food, or providing tips on where to eat, thanks to its mini-programs. WeChat Pay enables you to pay at a restaurant or store and you almost never need cash.

If you’re a new arrival in China, download WeChat, the king for both socializing and getting things done. The app is feature rich and the language can be a bit elusive; however, tools such as translation assist.

WeChat’s all-in-one design keeps your everyday life super simple.

2. Alipay

Alipay is the one for payments in China. You can pay for stuff with a quick scan, whether you’re at a corner store, a big chain, or in a cab. Nearly every shop, restaurant, and service provider accepts Alipay, so it’s tough to get by with cash only.

To begin, register an account, then connect your bank card or the TourCard option for short-term visits, which is capped at 10,000 Chinese Yuan for 180 days. Now even foreign bank cards function, so you can recharge and settle with convenience, no need for a Chinese bank card.

A few steps require some patience, particularly if you don’t read Mandarin, but utilities like Google Translate assist.

3. DiDi

DiDi allows you to request a ride with three simple taps, streamlining your trips around China. Choose between taxis or private cars with local drivers, and the app’s simple interface gets you moving quickly, even in the busiest Chinese cities.

DiDi supports English and other major languages so you won’t get lost in translation. With real-time location tracking, you’ll know where your driver is, and fare estimates help you plan your budget.

Rides tend to be cheaper than classic taxis, and payment is cashless via the app. Download DiDi, compatible with iOS 15 or later, occupies approximately 311 MB, and receives strong reviews.

4. Baidu Maps

Baidu Maps is the dominant navigation app in China. You have a complete English interface, so looking up city streets and public transportation is significantly easier if you don’t speak Chinese.

Search for locations, walking routes, metro lines and maps, browse local services, all with live traffic information. The app provides smart route advice and assists you in avoiding traffic jams.

It includes secret locations, tourist destinations, and even AI and AR guides. If you’re offline, maps still function, but no live train and bus updates display.

The search functions in English and, while there is a brief learning curve, you catch on quickly. Baidu Maps is the standout, but Amap is a formidable competitor.

5. Trip.com

Trip.com app allows you to book flights, hotels, and travel packages in a matter of taps. With its clean, easy-to-use layout, planning your trip in China is simple, even if you’re new to the region. You get access to cost-cutting deals and discounts, as well as support in English and other languages.

For international travelers, what makes this app unique is that you don’t need a Chinese phone number to register. There’s built-in translation for notes and quick assistance with your plans. Because Google Maps doesn’t work well in China, Trip.com fills that space and keeps you connected, wherever your trip takes you in this vast country!

6. Dianping

Dianping is China’s trusted source for truthful food reviews, ratings and tips. It is an amazing food app on which you can find local restaurants, famous places, street food and even order to your door. Launched in 2003, Dianping began with food reviews but now extends to hotel bookings, beauty salons and entertainment.

Owned by Meituan, it frequently runs deals or promotions with its parent platform. You can read user reviews, letting you discover hidden gems and avoid tourist traps. The app supports multiple languages like English, Japanese and Korean, which makes it convenient for travelers.

You need a phone number to sign up, so grab a local SIM card if you want hassle-free access.

7. Pleco

Pleco is a Chinese dictionary and translation app you can use to break language barriers in China. You have rapid word or phrase lookups, as well as camera translation through its integrated OCR.

Free users have access to stroke order diagrams for 500 characters, and paid users get the full 28,000. The app’s flashcard tool helps you drill vocab on the go.

Tap words in any entry to view their meaning and hear native male or female audio for over 34,000 words. It supports both simplified and traditional scripts and displays Zhuyin and Pinyin.

A few definitions might be a bit terse, but you can download add-ons such as a Cantonese dictionary, audio, or document reader.

8. China Railway 12306

China Railway 12306 lets you book train tickets for journeys on China’s massive high-speed rail network. It’s the official app, so you purchase tickets directly from the source without any added fees.

This Chinese train app offers a somewhat rudimentary English mode and enables payment via Alipay, WeChat Pay, UnionPay or even international credit cards if you’re a foreigner. Live train times and seats are available.

You’re able to select seats near the exit and receive early booking discounts. Refunds can be quickly arranged in the app. You simply put in your cities and dates and see what’s available.

If you’re non-Chinese, you can register by passport and book immediately.

9. Apple Maps

Apple Maps offers fundamental navigation and location searches in China through a neat, straightforward English interface. It’s great for discovery and provides really solid urban directions because it sources data from Gaode.

Access it and see simple, clear icons for services such as food or hotels in the area, and use the map offline when you want to save data. The app interconnects with other Apple services, so you can search for locations and share them seamlessly.

Apple Maps is great for simple trips, but it’s not as detailed as Baidu Maps. English support is minimal, but you can manage by copying and pasting addresses.

10. Ubigi eSIM

Ubigi eSIM offers you an easy avenue to acquire mobile data in China without acquiring a physical SIM. You simply scan a QR code and you are eSIM ready in minutes. Ubigi is powered by China Unicom, so you enjoy swift and affordable internet throughout your journey.

Ubigi works on most phones and tablets, check your device’s compatibility. Whether it’s for calls, texts, or just data, you can top up right in the Ubigi app. You can control your data usage and your data plan directly from the app in total transparency, no hidden fees or roaming fees!

Ubigi eSIM data plans are also the perfect solution for digital nomads! Coverage and internet speed are solid in most big cities, but you may experience spotty areas here and there.

Conclusion

You receive tons of assistance from these useful apps in China. You can chat with friends, pay for things, get a taxi, look up new places, plan trips, check out menus, or purchase train tickets.

Every app eases your day. Chat on WeChat, pay for a coffee with Alipay, get a ride with DiDi, or read signs with Pleco.

Get around with China travel apps like Baidu Maps or Apple Maps. Stay connected online with Ubigi eSIM. Give a few a shot, find what suits you, and keep life simple as you travel or live in China. See the latest before you go.

Let your China trip work for you with these “10 must-have apps to go to China“.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top apps you need when traveling in China?

You’ll want WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Baidu Maps, Trip.com, Dianping, Pleco, China Railway 12306, Apple Maps and Ubigi eSIM. These are apps that facilitate everything from talking to paying to travel booking and internet access.

Can you use international apps in China?

A lot of the world’s apps are blocked or don’t function well in China. Local options such as WeChat, Alipay, and Baidu Maps will be far more reliable, feature-rich, and relevant for China.

Is WeChat only for messaging?

No, WeChat is messaging on steroids. You can pay with it, book services, use it to network and interact with friends, and even access government services.

Do you need a Chinese bank account for Alipay?

They do let you do some basic Alipay with an international credit card, but for full use, you still need a Chinese bank account.

How can you get mobile internet in China?

You can use an eSIM service like Ubigi for mobile internet in China. This keeps you connected without a physical SIM card.

Is Google Maps available in China?

Google Maps works a little bit in China. Baidu Maps and Apple Maps are superior options for precise navigation and local data.

How do you book train tickets in China?

Buy your train tickets on China Railway 12306 or Trip.com. These apps provide English and safe payment methods.