📱 Life in China
10 Apps You Need to Download Before Traveling to China
Forget Google and Facebook — here is what you actually need.
🎯 Quick Answer
China runs on apps. Forget Google and Facebook — here you need WeChat for messaging and paying, Alipay for shopping, Didi for rides, and Amap for directions. Download these before you arrive, because some (like Google services) are harder to access once you're inside China.
💳 Payment Apps
💬 WeChat (微信)
China's super-app. You'll use it to message, pay at stores, split bills, order food, book appointments, and more. Almost every business in China accepts WeChat Pay — from fancy restaurants to street food stalls. Set it up with a credit card (Visa/Mastercard), and you're good to go.
💳 Alipay (支付宝)
The other half of China's payment duopoly. Alipay is particularly strong for online shopping (Taobao, Tmall). Like WeChat, it can be used in various payment scenarios, as well as on practical mini-programs such as public transportation and shared bicycles.
💬 Messaging & Social
Yes, WeChat is also your messaging app. Everyone communicates via WeChat — tour guides will coordinate via WeChat groups, and local contacts will expect you to have it. Forget WhatsApp, no one uses it domestically.
🚗 Transport & Navigation
🚗 Didi (滴滴出行)
China's ride-hailing app. You can enter your destination in English, see the fare upfront, and pay with Alipay or WeChat. Works in every major city. Use it instead of hailing taxis — you'll avoid communication issues, and it's cheaper.
🗺️ Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图)
Google Maps doesn't provide turn-by-turn navigation in China. These two are the local alternatives. They work for driving, public transit, walking, and even finding nearby restaurants. Both have some English support, but Baidu Maps is slightly more foreigner-friendly.
🏨 Trip.com (携程)
The English version of Ctrip — China's largest travel booking platform. Book flights, trains, hotels, and attractions. Has full English support and accepts foreign credit cards.
🔤 Translation & Language
🌐 Google Translate
The most reliable option. Download the Chinese language pack for offline use. The camera translation feature is invaluable for menus, signs, and packaging.
📖 Pleco
The gold standard for Chinese-English dictionaries. It supports photo and voice translation, so it's really handy for all sorts of situations.
🍜 Food & Discovery
⭐ Dianping (大众点评)
China's Yelp. Find restaurants by cuisine, price, location, and rating. The interface is Chinese-only, but the photos and maps are easy to navigate. Use it to discover hidden local gems.
🍜 Amap Street Food Ranking (高德扫街榜)
A hidden gem inside Amap. This feature ranks restaurants based on real user behavior — how many people actually navigated there, how many went back multiple times, and how many traveled a long distance just to eat there. Unlike Dianping (where reviews can be bought), the 扫街榜 is based on real footsteps, and Amap has publicly stated it will never accept paid listings.
Just open Amap → search "扫街榜" → and see what locals are actually eating near you. It's perfect for travelers who want to skip tourist traps and find the real deal.