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Country kit · China

Best apps for China travel: what to download and set up before you go

Before you fly, set up a payment app (Alipay or WeChat Pay, or both) and link your card, because most of China pays by QR code. Install Amap for maps, DiDi for rides and Railway 12306 for trains, download Chinese for offline translation, and choose an eSIM or roaming plan. Do it at home: sign-up codes go to your home phone number, and Google services are blocked on local networks.

Mainland China. Hong Kong and Macau need their own guides.Updated 21 October 202610 apps · 5 to set up at home

Country guide not yet reviewedCheck the official links before you rely on it. Every note below links to its source. How we review · Report a correction

Before you fly: 7 steps

The same checklist as the China kit in the app. Every step is optional; skip what you don’t need.

  1. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay and link your cardVerify with your passport. Verification codes go to your home phone number.
  2. Download Chinese for offline translationWorks without data on the metro.
  3. Install Amap and switch it to EnglishGoogle Maps isn’t reliable here.
  4. Register on Railway 12306Only if you’ll book trains yourself.
  5. Choose an eSIM or roaming planDecide before you fly.
  6. Save your hotel’s address in ChineseCopy it from your booking so you can show a driver.
  7. Bring a little cash as a backupFor the odd stall or a payment app problem.

Save this checklist to my kit

Payments

Alipay

Pay by QR code in shops, taxis and the metro

Most travelers

Most shops, taxis, metro gates and street stalls take QR-code payments. Foreign cards and cash are accepted less often.

Set up at home

  1. Install the app and sign up with your phone number.
  2. Verify your identity with your passport.
  3. Link a Visa or Mastercard.
  4. Keep your home SIM active so verification codes reach you.
Language
English is available in the app settings.
Paying
International Visa and Mastercard cards can be linked. Larger payments may carry a card fee; the app shows it before you confirm.
Offline
No. Paying needs mobile data. Carry some cash as a backup.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Source: Payments Journal: Alipay and WeChat Pay support foreign cards · GOV.UK foreign travel advice: China

WeChat

Messaging, plus WeChat Pay at many restaurants

Most travelers

Many restaurants, hotels and guides use WeChat to message and to take payments. Some menus are ordered by scanning a WeChat code.

Set up at home

  1. Install the app and sign up with your phone number.
  2. Complete the account check; it may ask an existing WeChat user to confirm you.
  3. Open Me › Pay and link a Visa or Mastercard.
Language
English is available.
Paying
International Visa and Mastercard cards can be linked in WeChat Pay. Larger payments may carry a card fee.
Offline
No. Messages and payments need mobile data.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Source: Payments Journal: Alipay and WeChat Pay support foreign cards

Maps

Amap

Local map with English menus and live transit

Most travelers

Local map data, metro and bus routes, and walking directions. Google Maps data is limited in mainland China.

Set up

  1. Install the app.
  2. Switch the language to English in settings.
  3. Search for your hotel and save it.
Language
English and other languages are available.
Offline
Partly. Download city maps in the app before you go.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Source: Amap launches a multilingual map for overseas users

Apple Maps

Built into iPhone and uses local map data

Optional

Already on your iPhone, with local map data in mainland China.

Set up

  1. Nothing to install. Save your hotel as a favourite.
Phones
iPhone only
Language
Uses your phone’s language.
Offline
Partly. Download maps for your cities in the Maps app.

Getting around

Metro and buses: many cities let you scan in with the transport code inside Alipay, so you may not need another app. Check for your city.

DiDi

Ride-hailing in English, with foreign cards

Most travelers

The main ride-hailing app in China. You can also book DiDi rides from inside Alipay.

Set up

  1. Install the app, or use the DiDi option inside Alipay.
  2. Sign up with your phone number.
  3. Add a payment method.
Language
English is available.
Paying
International cards are accepted; payment through Alipay or WeChat Pay also works.
Offline
No. Booking a ride needs mobile data.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Source: Trip.com: China taxi apps for foreigners

Trains

Railway 12306

Official train tickets. Register with your passport.

Most travelers

The official China Railway booking app, with an English version. No booking-agent fee.

Set up at home

  1. Install the app and switch to English.
  2. Register with your passport details.
  3. Wait for passport verification before you need to book.
Language
English is available.
Paying
Check the payment options in the app; they change.
Offline
No. Booking needs data. Your passport is your ticket at the station.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Source: How to buy high-speed train tickets on the 12306 app

Trip.com

Booking agent in English; may add a service fee

Optional

Books trains, hotels and flights in English with international cards, if you’d rather not use 12306.

Set up

  1. Install the app and sign in.
  2. Add passenger passport details for train bookings.
Language
English and many other languages.
Paying
International cards accepted.
Offline
Bookings can be viewed offline once loaded.

Official siteGoogle Play

Source: 12306 vs Trip.com

Translation

Your translator app

Download Chinese (Simplified) for offline use

Most travelers

Translation without data, for menus, signs and short conversations. Online-only translators may not work on local networks.

Set up at home

  1. Open the translator you already use (for example the Translate app on iPhone).
  2. Download Chinese (Simplified) for offline use.
  3. Try it in flight mode before you leave.
Offline
Yes, once the language is downloaded.

Pleco

Chinese dictionary that works offline

Optional

A dictionary that works without data, useful for reading characters on signs and menus.

Set up

  1. Install the app; the basic dictionary is free.
Language
English and Chinese.
Offline
Yes.

Official siteApp StoreGoogle Play

Connectivity

Google services, WhatsApp and many foreign websites are blocked on local networks. Rules on VPNs can change, so check your government’s current travel advice before you go. Amicly doesn’t recommend a VPN.

eSIM or roaming

Choose a data plan before you fly

Most travelers

Payment, maps and ride apps all need mobile data. Choose an eSIM or your home operator’s roaming plan before you leave.

Set up at home

  1. Check that your phone supports eSIM.
  2. Buy and install the eSIM at home, or turn on roaming with your operator.
  3. Keep your home number available for verification codes.

Source: GOV.UK foreign travel advice: China

Apps you may already have

General travel apps Amicly shows for every country, with what changes in China.

  • Google Maps · Maps, transit and offline areas
    In China: Needs connectivity preparation · limited local data
  • Google Translate · Camera and offline translation
    In China: Download the offline pack; online use needs connectivity preparation
  • Wise · Card and money in many currencies

Sources

Found a mistake? Report a correction and we’ll check it against the source.