Visiting China soon? Here are the best apps for China travel that I use and recommend every time.
I’ve traveled extensively throughout China, and I keep coming back.
So, I know that the apps I’ve shared below are the only ones you’ll need (the first three are critical).
These China travel apps will help you pay for things, get around, communicate, and generally make your trip easier.
Most importantly, none require any knowledge of Mandarin or a Chinese bank account or phone number.
1. Google Translate
Google Translate can help you decipher what food you’re about to order! Image by SHV_photo on Shutterstock.
If you are going on a tour in China, then you can rely on the tour guide to help translate.
However, you’re still going to find yourself in situations where there’s a language barrier and you need a translation.
For example, you might want to bargain for a Chinese souvenir or ask for directions. Having the Google Translate mobile app will help you in these sticky situations.
You can use your phone’s camera to translate street signs and food on a menu, as well as use the voice translator. The sweetest thing of all is you can access Google Translate offline.
I recommend Google Translate because it’s free and easy to use. But there are plenty of other decent China travel apps that help with translation, including Pleco and Microsoft Translator.
Heading to China solo? You’re dead in the water without a translation app.
Get Google Translate on Google Play or in the App Store.
2. Astrill VPN
A VPN app means you can stay in touch while in China. Image by BestforBest on Shutterstock.
In my opinion, this is the most important China travel app of all.
Without a virtual private network (VPN) app, you won’t be able to use all your favorite sites like Instagram, Facebook, Google, Gmail, YouTube or WhatsApp – or even Google Translate above.
This is because the Chinese government blocks all major Western sites and apps.
A VPN app will make it possible to stay in touch with loved ones back home, and allow you to do the things you normally take for granted like watch Netflix or read the news online.
During my travels in China, I’ve found Astrill VPN to be the most reliable VPN. Most others don’t work in China.
If you have time on your hands, you can compare the best VPN apps for China by reading my review here. The features are fairly similar though.
3. Alipay
You can pay for practically anything in China with Alipay. Image by Freer on Shutterstock.
Chinese people use their phones to pay for everything, from train tickets to street food. And when you’re traveling in The Middle Kingdom, you can too.
Alipay is one of the best apps for foreigners in China. But you can also use WeChat Pay.
From my experience and talking to other travelers in China, Alipay is less buggy and seems to have fewer issues accepting foreign bank cards.
Alipay also has a Tour Card option, which gives you 90 days of paying on your phone while you’re visiting China.
This involves a temporary Chinese bank account being set up for you, and there are top-up limits and fees. So, it’s more cumbersome than simply adding your bank or credit card to Alipay.
If you’re uncomfortable providing your personal information (e.g. passport) to Alipay or WeChat Pay, you’ll have to use cash in China instead. But this is getting increasingly harder as China moves to a cashless society.
Otherwise, your international debit card can only be used for purchases at places like large supermarkets.
Get the Alipay app here.
4. PackPoint
A packing app can help sort out what you need to bring to China. Image by Kindel Media on Pexels.
I don’t mind packing for a holiday because I’m usually organized. But I still get a bit of anxiety thinking that I’ve missed something.
PackPoint takes away the stress by basically telling you what to pack in your suitcase.
This is based on how long you’ll be in China (or any destination), the weather, and the activities you have planned during your trip.
The app has a free version, or you can upgrade for premium features like sharing your list with your fellow travelers.
Get the PackPoint app here.
Another option – download my China packing list PDF and make your China travel even easier!
5. MetroMan China
This app helps you plan your city train trips on the subway. Image by NGCHIYUI on Shutterstock.
There are so many cool places to explore in China, and many are accessible via the subway trains in the big cities.
MetroMan is one of the best China transport apps. It makes it super-easy to plan your travel, work out the best routes, and even calculate the cost of your train trip.
I’ve used it a bazillion times!
The app is especially great for solo travel in China or if your package tour is bookended by a free day or two.
It’s suitable for every Chinese city that has a subway system, from Beijing to Shanghai and everywhere in between.
Get the MetroMan China app on Google Play or in the App Store.
6. Google Maps
A map app is a necessity for traveling around China. Image by William Hook on Unsplash.
A navigation app is worth its weight in gold – not just for traveling around China but in any country overseas.
Finding your way back to your hotel and exploring all the famous places in China is easier with Google Maps (or preferably Apple Maps if you’re an iOS user).
Just remember to download your Astrill VPN app before you arrive in China because Google Maps won’t work in China otherwise.
There are alternative Chinese map apps such as MAPS.ME and Baidu Maps. None are perfect (including Google), and Baidu is only in Chinese.
Get Google Maps on Google Play or in the App Store.
7. DiDi
Use the DiDi app to get around Chinese cities. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
While I’m still on the topic of getting around, you should also download DiDi Rider for your trip.
It’s one of the best China travel apps and it’s China’s version of Uber or Lyft. DiDi drivers literally turn up in minutes.
Just be warned – the driver may call you to confirm your exact location. Unless you can speak Chinese, you won’t be able to make sense of the call!
This has happened to me numerous times.
Just send the driver one of the automated messages within the app, e.g. that you’re unable to talk. This will be in English on your end, yet appear in Mandarin on their end.
When you’re in the car, you can also use the in-app message translator if you need to communicate with the driver. Or use Google Translate.
You can also access DiDi from within the transport services section of Alipay and WeChat.
Get DiDi on Google Play or in the App Store.
8. Trip
Get the Trip app to book hotels, tours and plane tickets. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
I absolutely love Trip.
It’s one of the most popular holiday booking sites for mainland China, and you can do everything in English. Yay!
I’ve used it time and time again for hotels, flights, tours, and my favorite – bullet train bookings.
If you’re on a packaged tour, where everything is sorted, you may not need Trip.
But if you’re taking advantage of China’s Visa-Free Travel and you have some time to explore, or your tour has finished and there’s more you want to see, Trip is a great app to have.
Another good accommodation booking app is Agoda (fairly popular in China) or Hostelworld if you’re on a shoestring budget.
Get the Trip (formerly Ctrip) app here.
9. XE
XE is a must-have app if you’re unsure about currency rates. Image by Pixabay.
Ahhh, who could forget about converting currencies when traveling?
The free currency app, XE, has a simple interface to know how much things cost in China. (In case you don’t know, the local currency is renminbi or yuan).
Simply enter the amount you want to convert and it’ll appear instantly on your phone. You can even use the app to transfer money.
XE is a helpful travel app not just for China, but any destination overseas. I particularly like it when I’m on a layover in another Asian city like Hong Kong and I have no idea about the local currency.
Oh, and before you head to China you might want to familiarize yourself with counting money in Chinese. It’ll help you when shopping in the markets.
Get the XE currency app here.
10. Sherpa’s Food Delivery
Sherpa’s is an awesome English delivery app in China. Image by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.
The leading food delivery apps in China are Meituan and Ele.me, and they’re used by millions of Chinese every day.
The problem is, these apps are only available in Mandarin and you may need a Chinese phone number. So, unless you can understand Chinese characters, you’re going hungry!
Luckily, that’s where Sherpa’s comes in. Not only can you order food straight to your hotel door using their English version app, you can also get alcohol, groceries, and even movie tickets.
Sherpa’s is currently available in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou, and they even have a bilingual call center if your order goes astray (I can’t say that’s happened to me yet).
Just note that delivery fees are higher than Meituan and Ele.me, but remember you’re paying for the rare privilege of a dedicated English app in China!
Get the Sherpa’s Food Delivery app here.
What about bike sharing apps?
Want to ride a bike, e-bike or scooter in China?
You’ll need either Alipay or WeChat Pay in order to pay, but you’ll first need to navigate your way around the bike app which is in Chinese.
Ask your local tour guide to help you.
My final, most important tip
Make sure you download your essential apps before you arrive in China.
In particular, you need to download your China VPN app before you arrive, otherwise you won’t be able to access major Western websites and apps. (If you want a cheaper option than Astrill VPN, see my China VPN review).
And, the Google Play store only works in China with a VPN.
So, for the best possible experience in this amazing country, arrive prepared!
Got any questions about my recommended apps for China travel? Any hidden gems of your own? Let me know in the comments below. Otherwise, take a read of my epic article on Chinese culture. You’ll learn a lot.
Main image credit: Supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
FAQ about China travel apps
What apps should I download for travel in China?
The most important ones: a VPN app so you can access foreign apps and websites, Alipay or WeChat Pay so you can pay for things, and a translation app like Google Translate or Pleco.
How do I use Alipay and WeChat Pay to pay for things in China?
You scan the vendor’s QR code and then enter the amount on your phone, followed by your password. Or, you hold up your app’s QR code to the vendor’s scanner (no amount or password required).
Which taxi app works in China?
DiDi is the best one as that’s what all the local use. The app’s in English, but the taxi drivers only speak Chinese.
What is the most commonly used app in China?
It’s WeChat, without a doubt. When you’re in China, you’ll probably only use WeChat’s payment function, but there are lots of other useful features in the app.
Do I need to download a social media app for China?
No, because you’re probably not going to make Chinese friends on a short trip. But if you download WeChat, you’ll be able to communicate with your tour guide (which is handy if you get lost!).
