Payments, language and navigation work differently enough that a little preparation will make your trip much easier.
You don't need 15 “essential China apps.” For most first-time visitors, the list is much shorter.
The short answer
- 🔴 CORE — Alipay + WeChat
Set up both before you fly. Together they cover payments and many everyday travel needs. - 🔴 CORE — Translation
Have a translation app you know how to use. - 🟠 HIGH VALUE — Amap (Gaode Maps)
Highly recommended for independent navigation. - 🟡 TRIP-DEPENDENT — 12306 or Trip.com
Add one if you're taking trains. - ⚪ OPTIONAL — DiDi, Dianping, Meituan and the rest
Useful, but usually not worth preparing before your first trip.
Core
Alipay + WeChat
Set up both before you fly
Mobile payment is something we'd sort out before arriving in China.
Both Alipay and WeChat Pay support eligible international bank cards. For a first trip, we'd set up both.
Alipay is a good place to start. Besides payments, you can use it for public transport, ride-hailing and many mini services.
WeChat gives you another payment option, but that's not the only reason we'd install it.
It's widely used for communication, and some attractions, museums and other services use WeChat official accounts or mini-programs for things like reservations.
You may not need those features every day. But when a place you want to visit uses WeChat as its official booking channel, having the app already set up makes life much easier.
Having both Alipay and WeChat also gives you a backup if one payment option doesn't work when you need it.
Before departure, set up your accounts, complete the required verification, add the cards you plan to use and find the basic payment function.
You don't need to learn everything these apps can do. You just need them ready.
Core
Translation
Have one you know how to use
We'd put a translation app in the same priority group as payment.
You'll use it for more than conversations. Menus, signs, hotel staff, addresses and unfamiliar screens can all become easier with translation.
It can also get you out of situations where another tool isn't helping.
Say you need to reach the Beijing Marriott Hotel. Even if you don't have a map app ready, showing a taxi driver the correct hotel name and address in Chinese may be enough.
You don't necessarily need a new translation app for China. If you already have one you're comfortable with and it works with your setup in China, keep it.
If it supports offline Chinese, download it before departure. Make sure you know how to use text, voice and camera translation.
That's more useful than downloading another app you haven't learned yet.
High value
Amap (Gaode Maps)
Highly recommended for independent travel
For navigation in mainland China, we'd start with Amap.
It offers multilingual features for international visitors and makes independent travel much easier.
We still rank it below payment and translation because there are other ways to get around if you don't have it. You can show a driver your destination in Chinese, use ride-hailing or ask your hotel for help.
So we'd install Amap, especially if you're traveling independently. We just wouldn't treat it as being as important as payment or translation.
What about Google Maps?
We wouldn't rely on Google Maps as your only navigation plan for mainland China.
Trip-dependent
12306 or Trip.com
Taking trains? Choose one.
If your trip includes high-speed rail, you'll need a way to book and manage your journeys.
12306 is China Railway's official platform. Trip.com is another option for international travelers.
If you're taking trains, choose one.
If you're not, skip them.
Optional
What about DiDi, Dianping, Meituan and other apps?
They're useful apps — but as a traveler, you probably don't need them.
Many of the things a traveler might need them for can already be handled through Alipay or WeChat.
If you want to download them, go ahead. There's nothing wrong with having more options.
You're traveling in China. You don't need to use your phone like you live here.
Before you fly
Downloading the important apps is only the first step. Spend a few minutes making sure they're actually ready.
- Alipay + WeChat — accounts set up, cards added, payment function found.
- Translation — text, voice and camera understood; offline Chinese downloaded if available.
- Amap — search your arrival airport and first hotel.
- 12306 / Trip.com — if you're taking trains, make sure you know where to find your booking.
That's enough preparation for most first-time visitors.
You don't need to know every feature. You just don't want to figure out an important one for the first time when you're standing at a counter, station or taxi rank in China.