Useful Resources

Alipay 支付宝

Payment, metro, everything

China's NO.1 payment app. Use for metro, taxis, shopping, restaurants. Accepts international cards.

WeChat/ Weixin 微信支付

Payment + messaging

All-in-one app: messaging, payment, social. Also accepts international cards.

Amap 高德地图

Google Maps alternative

Best navigation app in China. Has English interface. Shows real-time transit, walking directions, POIs.

Baidu Maps 百度地图

Google Maps alternative

Another popular map app. More detailed in some cities. Chinese interface but functional.

Didi 滴滴出行

Chinese Uber

Ride-hailing app integrated with Alipay. Cheaper and more reliable than taxis in most cities.

12306 Railway

Official train booking

Official railway app for booking high-speed trains.

Dianping 大众点评

Chinese Yelp

Find restaurants, read reviews, see menus with photos. Essential for finding good local food.

Xiaohongshu/ 小红书

Red Note

Social media for discovering hidden gems, local spots, travel tips. Like Instagram + Pinterest for China.

Meituan 美团

Food delivery + more

Food delivery, restaurant bookings, movie tickets, activities. Super app for services.

Google Translate

Offline translation

Download Chinese package for offline use. Camera translation very useful for menus and signs(use with VPN).

Microsoft Translator

Translate 100+ languages

Microsoft Translator allows you to translate text, speech, images, and group conversations directly, no need for VPN.

Trip.com 携程

All-in-one booking

Book trains, flights, hotels. English interface. Essential for foreign travelers.

Klook

Travel, Hotels, Leisure

Klook focuses on booking experiences and attractions for independent travelers.