The practical side of your journey

Your China
travel toolkit.

Pay for breakfast, find the right station, book a ride or translate a menu. Find the tools that make your own kind of trip easier.

Find the apps you need

Before you fly: three setup tips

You do not need every app here. Start with a payment option, a map and a way to communicate. Add tools to suit your plans.

01
Choose your essentials
Use the filters to focus on what you will actually use.
02
Set up before you fly
Allow time for account, phone and payment checks.
03
Keep a simple backup
Save addresses offline and carry some cash.

Start with the basicsEssential apps Payments Maps Translation Train tickets

Compatibility & regional differences

This guide focuses on mainland China. Services and arrangements in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan differ. English interfaces, overseas phone numbers and international cards are not supported by every service; availability can vary by account, city, device and app version. Install through the official provider or your device’s trusted app store, and check the developer name before downloading.

Choose by what you need to do

Less searching. More exploring.

Before-you-fly checklist

Loading travel tools…

Preparing your travel toolkit…

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A useful starting point, even without JavaScript.

Enable JavaScript for the searchable app directory and detailed setup notes. These common tools can help you prepare in the meantime.

Pay & connect: Alipay and WeChat Pay are common mobile-payment options. Check identity verification and support for your card. WeChat also helps you keep in touch with local contacts.
Taxis: DiDi can help arrange rides. Check the pick-up location and destination before confirming, and use the provider’s instructions to identify your driver.
Metro & buses: Check the local operator’s route information. Transit QR codes may be available through a payment app, but activation and overseas-card support vary by city.
Maps: Amap and Baidu Maps can help with local routes. Save your destination name and address in Chinese, and confirm the correct entrance or station exit.
Trains: Railway 12306 is the official mainland railway booking service. Enter passenger details exactly as required for the travel document you will carry.
Flights & hotels: Trip.com covers transport and accommodation. Check the final price, baggage rules and cancellation terms before booking.
Food & delivery: Dianping offers restaurant information; Meituan covers dining and other local services. Many listings and ordering steps are in Chinese and may require a local phone number.
Translation: A translation app can help with menus and addresses. Download languages where supported, and verify important medical, dietary or booking details with a person.
Weather: Use a forecast for your exact destination and check official local warnings. Mountain conditions may differ from the nearest city forecast.
Mobile data: Compare roaming or a local SIM with your carrier. Check device compatibility, identity requirements, coverage and access to verification messages.
Money & essentials: A currency converter is useful for estimates, not guaranteed exchange rates. Keep some cash and offline copies of important travel details.

Use official provider websites or your device’s official app store. Check the developer name before installing; avoid downloads from unfamiliar links.

A calmer first day

Set up at home.
Arrive ready.

Complete the steps you can before departure. Keep important details somewhere you can reach without mobile data.

Check your phone and payment setup
Verify your number while you can still receive codes. Complete any required identity checks and check card support, fees and limits with the provider. Approval is not guaranteed.
Match rail bookings to your passport
Enter the passenger name and document details exactly as the booking service requires. Keep the original travel document used for the ticket with you.
Save addresses and confirmations offline
Keep your hotel’s Chinese name, address and phone number, plus booking confirmations and a translation backup. Download offline maps or language packs where supported.
Plan your mobile connection
Check roaming or a local SIM with your carrier, including device compatibility, identity requirements and how to receive verification messages. Website and app access can vary by network.
Carry an alternative way to pay
Keep some renminbi cash and another payment option for a flat battery, a network problem or a card that is not accepted. Do not rely on a single app.

Independent visitor guidance, not a guarantee that a service will work for every traveler. App names identify their respective providers; inclusion does not imply a partnership or endorsement. Check official setup instructions and current terms before travel.

Review information loads with the app directory.

Your Chinatravel toolkit.

Less searching. More exploring.

Set up at home.Arrive ready.

Check your phone and payment setup

Match rail bookings to your passport

Save addresses and confirmations offline

Plan your mobile connection

Carry an alternative way to pay

Your China
travel toolkit.

Set up at home.
Arrive ready.