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Payment & Apps

What apps should I download before going to China?

~4 min read

By HappyChinaTrip · Last updated 6 May 2026

Quick answer

Install Alipay, WeChat, Amap or Apple Maps, Trip.com, Didi, Pleco, and a paid VPN. Set them up on home Wi-Fi before you fly.

Get the Free First-Time China Starter Pack

A practical prep pack for first-time visitors: checklist, payment reminders, eSIM tips, train notes, itinerary prompts, and common mistakes to avoid.

China travel checklistPayment & apps setup reminderseSIM and internet tipsHigh-speed train booking notesFirst-time itinerary planning promptsCommon mistakes to avoid

Best for: Anyone packing for China who wants to keep their phone simple.

The real problem

The China app ecosystem is huge and mostly in Chinese. It's easy to install the wrong thing and miss the essentials.

What you should do

  1. 1

    Payments: Alipay + WeChat

    Cover almost every transaction.

  2. 2

    Maps: Amap or Apple Maps

    Google Maps doesn't work. Amap has English search. Apple Maps is reliable on iOS.

  3. 3

    Booking: Trip.com

    Trains, hotels, flights — English, foreign card friendly.

  4. 4

    Transport: Didi

    Ride-hailing with English UI. Cheap.

  5. 5

    Translation: Pleco + Google Translate

    Pleco for camera OCR, Translate for voice.

  6. 6

    Connectivity: a paid VPN

    Set it up at home — VPN apps are blocked in China app stores.

Quick wins before you go

0/3 done

Tick these off as you read — saved on this device only.

Recommended kit

Payment & Apps Setup Guide

Set up Alipay, WeChat Pay, maps, eSIM and essential China apps before your flight.

The part most first-timers wish they had fixed earlier.

$15Get the kit

Common mistakes

  • ✕Installing five different VPNs hoping one works. Pay for one trusted provider before flying.
  • ✕Forgetting to download Chinese language packs for offline translation.

Recommended next step

Get the Payment & Apps Setup Guide

FAQ

Is Google Maps really useless in China?+

Yes — the map data is wrong and routing fails. Use Amap or Apple Maps.

Do I need a Chinese SIM?+

An eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad) handles most short trips. A local SIM only matters for stays longer than two weeks.

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