Before you travel
Essential Apps Before Visiting China
Install and test the tools you will depend on before your flight. A few minutes of preparation can prevent hours of friction after arrival.
Start with five functions, not twenty apps
You need reliable tools for communication, payments, maps, transport, and translation. The exact app can vary by phone and region, but every visitor should have at least one working option for each function before landing.
1. Messaging
Set up WeChat if you expect to communicate with hotels, suppliers, drivers, or local contacts. Complete registration and add at least one known contact before departure.
2. Payments
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay, link an eligible foreign card, and complete any identity checks in advance. Keep a second payment method and some cash as backup.
3. Maps and addresses
Save hotel and meeting addresses in both English and Chinese. Map coverage and place names can differ between international and Chinese services, so keep screenshots and Chinese text.
4. Transport
Use an app that supports ride-hailing in China and ensure your phone number can receive messages. For rail travel, keep the passenger name exactly consistent with the travel document used for booking.
5. Translation
Download offline language data where available. Camera translation is useful for menus and signs, but important instructions should still be confirmed with a person.
Before you board
- Log in to every essential app
- Test your payment card
- Save Chinese addresses for your first hotel and destination
- Keep offline screenshots of bookings
- Make sure roaming or your eSIM will work on arrival