Useful Apps
The six apps that cover almost everything in China: Alipay, WeChat, Amap, DiDi, Trip.com — set them up before you land.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026 · policies change — confirm the official sources before travel
Chinese life runs on apps. Restaurants use QR codes, taxis are called from phones, and menus live inside WeChat. The good news: the five or six apps below cover almost everything a visitor needs, and they can all be set up before you land.
Key points
What works in practice
Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay with your home card before you fly — verification can take a day or two
Download offline translation packs for Google Translate (or install Pleco) before you land
Screenshot your hotel address in Chinese — it helps taxi drivers more than any map link
Keep cash as a backup for the rare vendor who cannot take foreign-linked payments
Log into your airline and hotel apps before arrival; re-verifying them inside China can be painful
Mistakes to avoid
Expecting Google Maps to work well — it doesn’t in China
Installing apps only after landing, then struggling with SMS verification codes
Not downloading the Chinese language pack for your translation app before arrival
Assuming every app has an English version — most Chinese apps don’t
Frequently asked
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use these apps?
No. Alipay and WeChat Pay work with international numbers, and DiDi and Trip.com accept foreign accounts. A local number helps with some services, but most visitors do fine without one.
Can I use my home card in Alipay?
Yes — Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and others can be linked. Some transactions carry a small fee, so keep a backup card.
What if I don’t want to set up payments?
Cash still works in most places, and Trip.com takes international cards for trains, flights and hotels. But Alipay will save you a lot of friction.
Questions about your trip?
If you want help with routes or want to ask me something directly, you can find me here.