Apps for China: What to download before you travel in 2026

What apps do I need for China?

Getting ready for a trip to China means taking a few practical steps in advance, such as installing phone apps for maps, translation, digital payments, and ride-hailing. Your everyday favorites like Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and X (Twitter) are blocked in China. However, local apps provide the same functions — a helpful option even for short trips since going a week without messaging and daily apps isn’t convenient.

To use these local apps while you explore, you’ll need a reliable mobile data connection. An eSIM for China is often cheaper than international roaming, so you can stay connected without a surprise bill when you get home. Get started by downloading the Saily eSIM app and getting a Saily eSIM data plan for China before you leave home.

Which apps are blocked in China, and which still work

If you are wondering, “Will my phone work in China?” your device will work just fine, but your apps are a different story. Most of your go-to digital platforms — from AI tools and streaming services to Western news sites, social media, and cloud storage — are blocked. Good news for iPhone users — core tools like Apple Maps, iCloud, and iMessage work perfectly well. Outside of the Apple ecosystem, most everyday foreign services have direct Chinese counterparts available. 

China’s internet block applies whenever your traffic runs through a local network — hotel Wi-Fi, public hotspots, or a Chinese SIM card. To keep your usual apps working, use an international travel eSIM, turn on roaming, or connect through a VPN.

10 best apps for traveling to China

Pinpointing the sights you want to see and the food spots you want to try before you leave home sets you up for a more relaxing trip in China. The next step is figuring out how to get around and how to pay for things like rides, meals, and tickets — which is where the right apps for payments, transport, maps, dining, translation, and connectivity come in.

1. Alipay (支付宝)

Alipay is China’s main digital payment app. You can rely on it to pay for your hotel or street food just by scanning a QR code with your phone. It also hosts mini-programs — lightweight sub-apps inside Alipay — that give you quick access to services such as food delivery, ride-hailing, and ticket booking without downloading separate apps. You don’t have to load money into your Alipay balance beforehand — the app charges your linked home credit card whenever you pay.

• Best for: Alipay is best for paying in shops, restaurants, taxis, and public transport.

• Language: Alipay has an official international version that supports 16 languages.

• Setup: Download the app and register with your primary phone number. You also need to verify your identity with your passport and a facial scan.

• Payments: Pair a supported foreign credit card or debit card with Alipay to make payments in China. Keep single transactions under ¥200 (US$29) to avoid the three percent service fee applied to larger purchases.

• Good to know: Complete the Alipay verification process before leaving for your trip because the platform can take up to 48 hours to approve new profiles. 

2. WeChat (微信)

WeChat is China’s main messaging app and the default way to contact hotels, tour guides, drivers, and restaurants. Beyond chatting, it works as a digital wallet and houses mini-programs for ordering food, hailing rides, booking tickets, and scanning QR codes. 

• Best for: WeChat is best for messaging, making payments, and accessing everyday services through its mini-programs. 

• Language: The app supports 18 languages, including English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Arabic. 

• Setup: You can register with your primary number, but you may need another WeChat user to verify your account. Setting up WeChat Pay requires identity verification with a valid passport.

• Payments: Link a supported payment card to use WeChat Pay, but keep in mind that peer-to-peer money transfers and digital red envelopes are usually restricted for users with foreign cards. Payments of ¥200 (US$29) or less are free, while larger transactions have a three percent service fee.

• Good to know: WeChat may ask you to complete additional account verification, so it’s best to set the app up before your trip.

3. Amap (高德地图) or Apple Maps

If you want to navigate China like a local, Amap is your best bet — it’s a digital map and navigation app that provides real-time traffic information. It covers almost every way of getting around, including driving, ride-hailing, buses, subways, cycling, walking, trains, and flights. 

If you have an iPhone, you can stick with Apple Maps for directions, live traffic, and transit because it automatically switches to Amap’s local mapping data once you’re in China.

• Best for: Amap is best for detailed navigation and getting around China, while Apple Maps works as a reliable option if you have an iPhone.

• Language: Amap supports 16 languages, including English, while Apple Maps supports 33 languages.

• Setup: You can rely on Amap for basic navigation without a Chinese phone number or passport, although some features may require you to create an account. Apple Maps doesn’t need a separate account or setup, so you can use it directly on your iPhone. 

• Payments: With Amap, you can pay for rides through Alipay or WeChat Pay once you’ve linked your credit or debit card to either service. Apple Maps doesn’t handle payments directly, but you can turn to Apple Pay for eligible purchases and public transport in mainland China. 

• Good to know: Set up and test the apps before your trip, while you have a stable internet connection and access to your phone for SMS verification codes. You should also allow location access after installing the apps because both of them rely on your location for navigation and directions. 

4. DiDi (滴滴出行)

Skip the street-taxi lottery and open DiDi instead — it’s China’s main ride-hailing app and the local alternative to services like Uber, Lyft, and Bolt. You can use it to book private cars, taxis, chauffeur services, car rental, buses, and bike sharing, as well as access delivery services. You can open DiDi as its own app or launch it through mini-programs in Alipay and WeChat.

• Best for: DiDi is best for getting around cities by car, whether you want to book a ride, hail a taxi, or hire a private driver. 

• Language: The app has a full English interface, so you can use it without speaking Chinese. A built-in translation tool also automatically translates messages between you and your driver. 

• Setup: Download the DiDi China app and register with your home phone number and your international credit or debit card. 

• Payments: If you book through the DiDi standalone app, you can cover rides with your international credit card. If you use the mini-program inside Alipay or WeChat instead, payment is handled through those platforms.

• Good to know: Get the app sorted before you leave home while you have a stable internet connection, and ensure location access is enabled, so DiDi can find your pickup point. You can also open the DiDi mini-program in Alipay or WeChat if you’d prefer not to install the standalone app.

5. Pleco

When language barriers get tricky, Pleco is your secret weapon — it’s a Chinese dictionary and language-learning app that works offline. Having offline mode ready ensures you can still scan menus, signs, and street text, even if your internet connection drops. Search for words by typing, drawing characters by hand, or using your camera to read Chinese text.

• Best for: Pleco is a handy offline dictionary for understanding individual Chinese words, characters, and short phrases while you travel.

• Language: With its English interface and dictionary, it’s straightforward to use from day one. You can search for Chinese words and characters using English, Pinyin, handwriting, or voice.

• Setup: You can download Pleco and start using it right away — you don’t have to create an account or provide personal data. Keep in mind that Pleco is designed as a mobile app, so you won’t find an official desktop version yet. 

• Payments: The basic Pleco app is free, but you can buy add-ons — like optical character recognition (OCR), upgraded handwriting recognition, flashcards, and specialized dictionaries.

• Good to know: Pleco works well as a Chinese dictionary, while Baidu Translate is a helpful companion app because it focuses on translating complete sentences, photos of text, and spoken language. Keeping both of these apps gives you a complete set of tools for dealing with Chinese while traveling. 

6. Saily

Saily is an eSIM app that helps you stay connected abroad with prepaid mobile data plans. You install the eSIM straight from the app, saving you the search for a SIM card for China at the airport after a long flight. In China, a Saily eSIM connects you through an international network, so you can keep using your favorite home apps instead of downloading local alternatives. Get a Saily eSIM data plan for China with a few taps and skip expensive roaming and hunting for unsecured Wi-Fi.

• Best for: Saily is a great eSIM app for getting travel data in more than 200 destinations. If your trip takes you to multiple countries, you can also activate an eSIM for Asia directly in the app.

• Language: The Saily app is available in 13 languages, including English, French, German, Italian, and Japanese. 

• Setup: Download the Saily eSIM app and create an account. To set up your eSIM, you’ll need a device that is eSIM compatible and not carrier locked. Select the destination you’re visiting and buy your plan without any QR or activation codes.

• Payments: You can buy a Saily eSIM data plan in the app or on the website by picking a destination and plan, then checking out. You won’t pay hidden fees, and you can top up your plan anytime in the app.

• Good to know: The Saily eSIM app gives you more than an internet connection. It also comes with built-in security features like an ad blocker and web protection (which help stay safe on public Wi-Fi at cafés, hotels, and airports), plus the option to add a US phone number with a +1 prefix.

7. Trip.com

When you’re booking flights, trains, and hotels in China, Trip.com puts your entire itinerary in one place. It’s one of China’s biggest online travel platforms, working much like Booking.com or Expedia. Beyond where to stay and how to get around, the app handles attraction tickets, tours, car rentals, and airport transfers. You can pay with international cards or digital wallets, making it simple to get your trip details sorted.

• Best for: Trip.com serves as a centralized hub to manage high-speed train, domestic flight, and hotel reservations in China.

• Language: The platform is available in 24 languages.

• Setup: You can use Trip.com through its website or mobile app. You can create an account with your email address or phone number.

• Payments: Pay for bookings with international credit and debit cards, as well as other options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 

• Good to know: Some hotels in China only accept domestic guests, so Trip.com helps you check which properties take international travelers. For train reservations, you can use your passport instead of a Chinese ID. The reservation links directly to your profile, meaning you can skip the paper ticket counter and just swipe your travel document at the station gates to board.

8. Dianping (大众点评)

If you’re looking for a place to eat or a service to book in China, Dianping is the local equivalent of Yelp or Google Reviews. You can browse restaurants, check out menus and ratings, view photos, and join waitlists or arrange appointments. The app also helps you find local activities and buy discounted vouchers, making it great for finding a meal near your hotel or a major attraction.

• Best for: Use Dianping to find popular restaurants and local services based on ratings, reviews, and recommendations from other users.  

• Language: The app is primarily in Chinese, so pairing it with a translation tool helps if you don’t read the language.

• Setup: You can browse Dianping without setting up an account, but most features require you to log in with a phone number or a WeChat account. If you register by phone, you’ll need to receive an SMS verification code. Allow location access to see the restaurants and services near you. 

• Payments: You can pay for vouchers, restaurant deals, and attraction or activity bookings through Alipay or WeChat Pay, using your international card linked to either service. 

• Good to know: Set up your Dianping account before your trip so you can easily receive the SMS verification code. Combining the app with a translation tool gives you a better experience.

9. Meituan (美团)

Whenever you want to order a hot meal without leaving your room, Meituan is one of the key apps you’ll rely on. It works a bit like DoorDash, but goes beyond restaurant deliveries, bringing together a range of local services and bookings in cities across the country.

• Best for: Use Meituan to order food and groceries, book hotels and movie tickets, find restaurant deals, and rent shared bikes. 

• Language: The app is mostly in Chinese, but you can rely on translation tools or access Meituan through WeChat or Alipay to make it easier to use.

• Setup: You can browse the app without an account, but you have to log in to place orders and make reservations. Register with your phone number and verify it with an SMS code, or log in through WeChat.

• Payments: Pay for orders and bookings through Alipay or WeChat using your linked international card. 

• Good to know: Set up the app before you leave home so you can easily complete the SMS verification step. You can also use Meituan to have food delivered directly to your hotel. 

10. Xiaohongshu (小红书)

Think of Xiaohongshu as China’s Instagram mixed with a search engine — a visual platform where people share and discover restaurants, cafes, travel spots, fashion, beauty, and everyday lifestyle ideas. It’s a great way to browse photos from other travelers and find local recommendations that might not show up on typical sightseeing apps.

• Best for: Use Xiaohongshu to find local recommendations for restaurants, cafés, attractions, and photo spots. It’s especially helpful for discovering places that aren’t in the usual travel guides.

• Language: You can set the app to English and turn on automatic translation for Chinese posts and comments, although you might still see some content in Chinese.

• Setup: Sign in with your phone number, Apple account, or Google account.

• Payments: Browsing Xiaohongshu doesn’t require adding a credit card or digital wallet.

• Good to know: Research places and get a feel for local trends before your trip. Search by neighborhood, attraction, or specific location to see recommendations from other users, then save your favorites to check out later.

What are the best translation apps for China?

Choosing a translation app for China comes down to how you plan to use it. Pleco acts as an offline Chinese dictionary, while Baidu Translate handles full sentences, images, and voice with local accuracy. Apple Translate gives you a convenient option built right into your iPhone, making it a great alternative if you need a quick translation without opening another app.

Each app has its own strengths for everyday travel. Pleco comes in handy to read a menu, recognize an unfamiliar Chinese character, or look up a word offline. Baidu Translate is a better choice to translate a conversation, ask for directions, or talk to a driver. Apple Translate is a good all-around option if you use an iPhone, especially for quick voice or camera translations. Keep more than one of these apps on your device to cover different situations.

What are the best map apps for China?

Finding your way around China is simple with the right app on your device. Amap gives you detailed routes for the metro and buses, as well as real-time driving directions. Apple Maps is the go-to choice if you’re already on an iPhone, while Baidu Maps is a popular option that lets you download maps for offline use.

Keep in mind that China requires maps to use its own coordinate system, so pins copied from Google Maps can land a few hundred meters or yards off. That’s why it’s a good idea to search for places by name inside Amap or Baidu Maps instead of pasting coordinates.

A pro-tip is to save your hotel and attraction addresses in Chinese characters. Having the local text makes finding and sharing places much easier, and it helps taxi or DiDi drivers identify your destination faster.

How do you set up apps before you arrive in China?

The first step is to get your China travel apps ready to go before you head out. Chinese networks can block app store downloads, and verification texts don’t always reach a foreign number, so taking care of the setup at home leaves you ready to enjoy your trip from day one.

• Download the apps you want to use and update them to the latest version.

• Register an account for each service and complete the verification requests, including SMS verification for your phone number.

• Have your passport nearby to fill out identity checks, and keep your phone accessible to receive SMS verification codes during registration.

• Open each app and test it before departure to make sure your accounts work.

Essential tips for your China trip (including app setup)

Beyond just mapping out which sights to visit, a memorable trip to China comes down to setting up everyday essentials like transport, apps, and payments before you leave:

• Register your payment apps at home. Without a working internet connection when you land, you may not be able to complete identity checks or receive login verification texts on your foreign number.

• Save addresses in Chinese characters. Showing the written characters makes it easier for taxi drivers to find the correct destination and for locals to help you with directions. 

• Download offline maps and dictionaries. They might come in handy when your internet connection is spotty. 

• Carry your passport for app verification. Some apps may require your passport details to verify your identity.

• Keep a backup payment method. Carry some cash or a second card for vendors that only take local currency or specific card networks.

• Buy a travel eSIM. Setting up a Saily eSIM before leaving home gets your internet connection ready the moment you land. Just buy a plan for the duration of your stay and install the eSIM straight in the app — no QR codes needed.