Your smartphone becomes your lifeline in China. This guide covers the apps you must install before you arrive, and explains your options for getting online — honestly, including the Great Firewall.
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The Must-Have Apps
🗺️ Navigation: Amap (高德地图)
Download: iOS · Android
Amap (also called Gaode Maps) is China’s most accurate mapping app, built for Chinese roads and public transport. Google Maps works poorly or not at all in mainland China — switch to Amap immediately.
- Why it beats Google Maps: Real-time traffic data, live metro routes, accurate walking directions inside malls and subway stations.
- Language tip: Amap has an English-language mode. Go to Me → Settings → Language → English.
- Offline maps: You can download city maps for offline use — essential if your data connection is unreliable.
🚕 Ride-Hailing: DiDi (滴滴出行)
Download: iOS · Android (search “DiDi — Ride-Hailing App”)
DiDi is China’s Uber equivalent, and it is generally cheaper and more widely available than taxis in cities. The international version of the DiDi app is available in English and accepts foreign Visa/Mastercard cards.
- How to set up: Download the app → register with your phone number → add a payment card.
- Tip: Enter your destination in English — the app will auto-suggest Chinese place names.
- Alternatives: In some cities, Meituan and Ctrip also offer ride-hailing.
🚄 Train Booking: Trip.com or 12306
For high-speed train tickets:
- Trip.com (English interface, accepts foreign cards, small booking fee) — easiest for first-timers.
- 12306 — China’s official rail booking app. Chinese interface only, but you can buy tickets without a booking fee. Requires a Chinese phone number for verification.
See our Getting Around guide for a full walkthrough of booking trains.
💬 Translation: DeepL + WeChat’s Built-in Translator
- DeepL (iOS/Android): The most accurate translator for menus, signs, and conversations. Download for offline use.
- WeChat has a built-in real-time translation feature within chats — useful for communicating with locals.
- Google Translate: works in China if you have a VPN, or use the downloaded offline language packs without internet.
🍜 Food Delivery: Meituan (美团) or Eleme (饿了么)
If you are staying in an apartment or want delivery to your hotel, Meituan and Eleme are the two dominant platforms. Both have English-mode options:
- Meituan is generally better for variety. Go to Me → Settings → switch to English.
- Both accept foreign cards via Alipay or WeChat Pay (see our Payment Guide).
📡 WeChat (微信)
Download: iOS · Android
Whether you like it or not, WeChat is how China communicates. Many businesses, restaurants, and services communicate exclusively via WeChat. You will need it to:
- Receive menus (scan a QR code at restaurants)
- Contact hotels and tour operators
- Use WeChat Pay
Register with your foreign phone number. Note that new accounts from overseas sometimes require a verification step — ask a friend with an existing WeChat account to scan a QR code to confirm you are human.
Internet Access in China: Honest Overview
The Great Firewall
The Great Firewall of China (防火长城) blocks a large number of foreign websites and apps, including:
- Google (Search, Maps, Gmail, Drive, YouTube)
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, Snapchat, TikTok (the international version)
- Most Western news sites
Your options
Option 1: VPN (Virtual Private Network)
A VPN encrypts your traffic and routes it through a server outside China, bypassing the Firewall.
The catch: VPNs are in a legal grey area for foreigners. Personal use is rarely prosecuted, but selling or distributing VPNs is illegal. The Firewall also actively blocks many VPN providers.
Our recommendation:
- Set up your VPN before you arrive. Many VPN provider websites are blocked inside China, so you cannot sign up or download apps once you land.
- Reputable providers with a history of working in China include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Astrill. Test them before your trip.
- Have a backup VPN in case one stops working.
Option 2: Use Chinese alternatives
For many travel needs, Chinese apps work perfectly:
- Baidu Maps instead of Google Maps (or better: Amap)
- WeChat instead of WhatsApp
- Weibo for social browsing
- Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese version) for local short video content
Option 3: International roaming
If you use a foreign SIM card with international roaming, you bypass the Firewall entirely — your traffic is routed through your home network. This is the cleanest solution for short visits.
- Check with your carrier for China roaming rates. Many carriers offer affordable daily roaming packs.
- Data can be slow at peak times in crowded tourist areas.
Option 4: China SIM card or pocket WiFi
- Local SIM cards from China Unicom, China Mobile, or China Telecom are inexpensive (~¥100–¥200 for a tourist package), but they operate inside the Firewall — you will need a VPN to access blocked sites.
- Pocket WiFi rental is available at major airports. It uses Chinese networks and has the same Firewall limitations.
Before You Fly: Pre-Arrival Checklist
- Download Amap and save offline maps for your destination cities
- Install DiDi and add a payment method
- Set up Alipay (see Payment Guide)
- Install and test a VPN on all your devices
- Download DeepL offline language packs (Chinese Simplified)
- Register WeChat and complete phone verification
- Download Google Maps offline areas as a backup (works offline even if the live service is blocked)
Last updated: May 2026 · App availability and VPN effectiveness change frequently. Verify current status before your trip.