Traveling to mainland China can be an exciting and enriching experience, but navigating the digital landscape can be quite different from what you might be used to. With the right apps on your smartphone, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here’s a guide to the essential apps you need to survive and thrive during your visit to China.
| Purpose | World | Chinese Locals |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging and Social Media | WhatsApp/Messenger/Telegram | |
| Mobile Payments | PayPal | Alipay, WeChat Pay |
| Ride-Hailing | Uber/Grab | Didi |
| Navigation and Maps | Google Maps | Baidu Maps/AMap |
| Food Delivery | Uber Eats/Grab Food | Ele.me, Meituan |
| Travel Bookings | Booking.com, Airbnb | Ctrip (Trip.com) |
| Language Translation | Google Translate | Pleco etc. |
| Find a Restaurant | Google Map Reviews/Yelp | Dianping |
Social networking, messaging, and payments.
WeChat is the most versatile and widely used app in China. It functions as a messaging app, social media platform, and mobile payment service. You can use it to chat with locals, make payments at stores, restaurants, and even for transportation.
Mobile payments and financial services.
Alipay is another crucial app for making payments in China. It’s accepted almost everywhere and offers additional features like money transfers, bill payments, and even investment options.
Ride-hailing and transportation.
Didi is the Chinese equivalent of Uber and is essential for getting around in cities. The app allows you to book various types of rides, including taxis, private cars, and shared rides.
Navigation and maps.
While Google Maps is not available in China, Baidu Maps/AMap is a reliable alternative. It provides detailed maps, public transportation routes, and navigation services.
Language translation and dictionary.
A powerful Chinese-English dictionary and translation app. It’s invaluable for travelers who need help with language barriers. The app includes features like handwriting recognition and audio pronunciation.
To provide user reviews and recommendations for restaurants and various entertainment venues.
Dianping is a comprehensive lifestyle platform in China, renowned for its extensive database of user-generated reviews and ratings. It helps users discover the best restaurants, cafes, bars, and other entertainment options. The app includes features such as location-based searches, detailed reviews, ratings, and photos from other users, making it an essential tool for both locals and travelers to find the best spots for dining and entertainment.
Travel bookings and itinerary management.
Ctrip is a comprehensive travel booking app that allows you to book flights, trains, hotels, and tours. It also helps manage your travel itinerary and provides travel guides and tips.
Food delivery.
These apps are the go-to for food delivery in China. They offer a wide range of restaurant options, from local eateries to international chains, and deliver right to your doorstep.
Accessing restricted websites and services.
Many popular Western websites and apps are blocked in China. A reliable VPN app is essential for accessing services like Google, Facebook, and Instagram. Make sure to download and set up your VPN before arriving in China.
Traveling in China requires a different set of apps, many of which might not be familiar or easily accessible to Western travelers. To simplify your travel experience, we offer a convenient phone rental service. Our phones come pre-installed with all the essential apps you need, including WeChat, Alipay, Didi, Baidu Maps, and more. Additionally, we provide an option to top up with Chinese currency for seamless transactions, so that you don’t have to go bank to exchange money with high fees.
Contact our sales team to inquire about renting a phone and make your trip to China hassle-free and enjoyable.
