Travel Guide 2026

Your Digital Companion
for China

Navigate payments, transport, food & more with the essential apps every traveler needs.

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Essential Apps

The must-have toolkit for surviving and thriving in China.

WeChat

The ultimate super-app. Essential for messaging, payments, mini-programs, and scanning QR codes everywhere.

Download

Alipay

The main payment alternative. Link your foreign credit card to easily pay at stores, restaurants, and for transport.

Download

Amap (Gaode)

Google Maps is inaccurate in China. Amap offers the most precise navigation, transit routes, and even ride-hailing.

Download

DiDi

China's Uber. Available in English, allowing you to easily book rides and pay automatically through WeChat/Alipay.

Download

Trip.com

The easiest way for foreigners to book high-speed trains, flights, and hotels using international cards.

Download

12306

The official China Railway app. Now supports English. Best for checking real-time train schedules and booking directly.

Download

Meituan

The go-to app for food delivery, restaurant reviews, and local services. Note: Chinese language only.

Download

Xiaohongshu (RED)

China's Instagram. Amazing for discovering trendy spots, travel itineraries, and authentic local food recs.

Download

Getting Started

Your step-by-step preparation timeline.

1

Get a Chinese SIM Card & VPN

For internet access, either buy a local SIM at the airport (requires passport) or use an eSIM like Holafly or Airalo. Essential: download a VPN (like Astrill or LetsVPN) *before* you arrive to access Google, WhatsApp, etc.

2

Install WeChat

Register with your home country phone number or new Chinese number. This is your lifeline for communication, scanning QR codes, and mini-programs.

3

Set Up Mobile Payment

Download Alipay and WeChat. Add your foreign credit card (Visa/Mastercard) to the wallet section. They both now fully support international cards for seamless payments.

4

Download Transportation Apps

Get DiDi for ride-hailing (it has an English interface), Amap for navigation, and use the Metro mini-programs within Alipay for scanning onto the subway.

5

Translate & Explore

Ensure you have a translation tool (like Apple Translate or Baidu Translate). Use Trip.com to book trains/attractions in English, and Xiaohongshu to find the best spots!

Travel Tips & FAQ

Everything else you need to know before you go.

China is practically a cashless society run entirely on QR codes. You rarely need cash, though it's legally still accepted. To pay like a local, download **Alipay** or **WeChat**, go to the Wallet section, and link your foreign Visa or Mastercard. When paying, you either scan the vendor's QR code or show them your payment QR code.
Yes. The "Great Firewall" blocks many Western apps including Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. You must download and install a reliable VPN *before* you arrive in China. Alternatively, using a roaming eSIM (like Airalo) often routes traffic outside China, naturally bypassing the firewall without needing a separate VPN.
Every Chinese city's metro system is incredibly clean, efficient, and has English signage. Open **Alipay**, tap "Transport" at the top, select "Metro", and get a digital QR code transit card for that specific city. Just scan the QR code at the turnstile to enter and exit.
In restaurants, you usually order by scanning a QR code on the table using WeChat or Alipay, which opens a mini-program menu. Many of these menus don't have English, so use a translation app's camera feature. For delivery to your hotel, **Meituan** or **Ele.me** are the major apps, but they require some basic Chinese to navigate.