China’s app ecosystem is parallel to the global one — all the global standards (Google Maps, Uber, Google Translate) are blocked, but Chinese equivalents exist that are often better for local use. And several Western apps still work in China without modification. Here’s what you actually need.
Navigation: Maps
Chinese maps are essential. Google Maps is blocked in China. More importantly, even where accessible via VPN, Google Maps has outdated data for many Chinese cities and doesn’t show the complete Chinese road network accurately.
Gaode Maps (高德地图, Amap)
The most accurate map for China — used by taxis, DiDi, and most Chinese navigation. The English interface is decent for major cities.
Setup: Download before China or from mainland app stores. An Amap account can be linked to your WeChat. Walking, transit, cycling, and driving directions all work excellently.
Offline maps: Download city maps for offline use before areas with poor connectivity.
Baidu Maps (百度地图)
Also excellent, slightly more complex interface. Better for rural area detail in some provinces.
Choose one: Most travellers use Gaode (Amap) — it’s slightly more foreigner-friendly and has better English-language UI in 2024+ versions.
Ride Hailing: DiDi (滴滴)
DiDi is China’s Uber — the dominant ride-hailing platform. The international version (DiDi International app, available globally) allows foreign payment card registration.
Setup:
- Download “DiDi” from App Store/Google Play
- Register with phone number
- Link international Visa/Mastercard OR use WeChat/Alipay in-app
Pricing: DiDi prices are generally 20–30% cheaper than hailed taxis for equivalent journeys. Airport transfers significantly cheaper than metered taxis.
English interface: The international version has English UI. Enter your destination in Chinese (copy-paste from Google Maps or Gaode Maps) or use the app’s destination search.
Alternative: Any standard taxi in Chinese cities is metered and perfectly reliable — just harder to communicate destination without Mandarin.
Food Delivery & Restaurants
Meituan (美团) and Ele.me (饿了么) are food delivery platforms also used for restaurant discovery and booking.
For travellers: Use Dianping (大众点评) — Meituan’s Yelp equivalent — for restaurant reviews and recommendations. Good English content in major cities. Links directly to maps.
Train and Flight Booking
Trip.com (Ctrip) — English-language booking for all Chinese trains, flights, and hotels. Slightly more expensive than domestic platforms but dramatically more convenient.
12306 — Official train booking. Foreign passport registration now works (see our booking guide). Cheaper than Trip.com but Chinese-language interface.
Translation
Google Translate: Blocked, but pre-downloaded offline translation packs still work for text translation and camera translation even without internet.
Baidu Translate: Works without VPN, also has camera translation.
DeepL: Works in China without VPN from browser.
For menus: Camera mode translation on Google Translate (offline) or Baidu Translate is remarkably good for Chinese restaurant menus. Point and translate in real time.
What Western Apps Still Work Without VPN
- WhatsApp: Works
- Telegram: Blocked
- Instagram: Blocked
- Facebook/FB Messenger: Blocked
- Twitter/X: Blocked
- Gmail: Works in browser, blocked in native app (use browser)
- iMessage: Works
- Spotify: Works
- Netflix: Blocked
- YouTube: Blocked
- Zoom: Works
- Slack: Works
- LinkedIn: Works
VPN Recommendation
A VPN is not essential for basic China travel but is useful for maintaining normal internet habits. Download and test your VPN before arriving in China (some VPN signup sites are blocked from within China).
Reliable commercial VPNs for China (as of 2026): ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Astrill. Performance varies by location and time; having a backup is useful.
Legal note: Personal VPN use in China is in a grey area — technically requiring licensed providers, but personal use by tourists is not enforced. Do not use VPNs for business data processing.
Also see: China WeChat Alipay Setup Guide | China SIM Card Guide | China First-Timer Practical Guide