Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Quick Answer
Install these five apps before your flight:
- ✅ Alipay – Mobile payments
- ✅ WeChat – Messaging and payments
- ✅ Didi – Taxis
- ✅ Trip.com – Hotels, trains and flights
- ✅ Google Translate (offline language pack)
These five apps alone will make travelling around China much easier.
At a Glance
| App | What It’s For | Essential? |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Mobile payments | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Messaging & backup payments | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| Didi | Taxi booking | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Trip.com | Hotels, trains & flights | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Google Translate | Translation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Google Maps (offline) | Reference only | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Apple Maps | Navigation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Amap (Gaode Maps) | Local navigation | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pleco | Chinese dictionary | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Microsoft Translator | Alternative translator | ⭐⭐⭐ |
The Five Apps You Shouldn’t Fly Without
1. Alipay
Your most important app in China.
Use it to:
- Pay in shops
- Restaurants
- Attractions
- Convenience stores
- Many public transport systems
CTB Recommendation: Install before you fly.
2. WeChat
China’s most popular messaging app.
Many businesses communicate through WeChat, and WeChat Pay provides a useful backup to Alipay.
3. Didi
Think of it as China’s Uber.
It is available in English and is the easiest way to book taxis in most cities.
No need to negotiate fares or explain directions.
4. Trip.com
Probably the most useful travel app for foreign visitors.
Use it to:
- Book hotels
- Buy high-speed rail tickets
- Book domestic flights
- Reserve attraction tickets
It has excellent English support.
5. Google Translate
Download the Chinese offline language pack before leaving home.
It can translate:
- Menus
- Signs
- Conversations
- Simple questions
Even if you rarely need it, you’ll be glad it’s there.
Useful Extras
Apple Maps
Surprisingly reliable in major Chinese cities and often easier to use than many visitors expect.
Google Maps
Useful for researching places before your trip.
However, location information inside China isn’t always as accurate as local mapping services.
Download offline maps before departure.
Amap (Gaode Maps)
One of China’s most popular navigation apps.
More accurate for local transport, although much of the interface is in Chinese.
Pleco
An excellent Chinese-English dictionary.
Perfect if you’re interested in learning a few useful Chinese words during your trip.
Common Mistakes
❌ Downloading apps after landing
Airport Wi-Fi may be slow, and mobile data may not be ready yet.
❌ Not downloading offline translation
You’ll appreciate it if you lose internet access.
❌ Relying on only one payment app
Install both Alipay and WeChat before travelling.
❌ Ignoring Trip.com
Many first-time visitors don’t realise how useful it is for booking trains, hotels and attractions in one place.
ChinaTravelBUG Experience
Before our first independent trip, we thought we’d need a dozen different apps.
In reality, we relied on just four most of the time: Alipay, Didi, Trip.com and WeChat.
Those four apps handled almost everything—from paying for lunch and booking train tickets to finding our hotel and calling a taxi.
Simple preparation before departure meant we could spend more time enjoying China and less time troubleshooting technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need all 15 apps?
No. Most travellers will be perfectly fine with the five essential apps listed at the beginning of this guide.
Should I download everything before leaving home?
Yes. It’s much easier using your home internet connection.
Is Trip.com better than booking at the station?
For most foreign visitors, yes. It offers an English interface and simplifies train and hotel bookings.
Can I travel in China without speaking Chinese?
Yes. These apps, together with a translation tool, make independent travel much easier than many people expect.
ChinaTravelBUG Tip
💡 Create a folder called “China Trip” on your phone before you leave.
Put all your China travel apps into one place so they’re easy to find when you need them.
Continue Exploring China Made Easy
- Just Landed in China? Here’s Exactly What to Do in Your First 24 Hours
- How to Use Alipay & WeChat Pay in China
- Internet in China Made Easy: eSIM, SIM Card or Roaming?
