Best Apps for Traveling in China
China’s app ecosystem is different from the rest of the world. Google Play doesn’t work (you’ll need a VPN or a Chinese app store). Many Western apps are blocked. But the Chinese alternatives are often better than what you’re used to. Here’s what to download before your trip.
WeChat (微信) — your everything app. Messaging, payments, ride-hailing, restaurant bookings, flight tickets, and more. It’s the only genuinely essential app. Install it before you arrive. Didi (滴滴) — China’s Uber. Works in English, shows prices upfront. Alipay (支付宝) — payment app, essential for many merchants. Amap (高德地图) — navigation that works better than Google Maps in China. Pleco — the best Chinese-English dictionary. Works offline. Trip.com — for booking trains and hotels. Train China — specifically for high-speed rail tickets. Douyin (抖音) — Chinese TikTok, great for food recommendations by location.
Download everything before you arrive — app stores and VPN websites are blocked in China.