Top 9 Apps for China Travel You Need in 2026

Best Apps for China Travel at a Glance

The right apps for China travel help you pay, navigate, book transport, and stay in touch while exploring mainland China.

1. Alipay

Many businesses across mainland China use QR code payments, while many also accept cash and international bank cards. Before your trip, link an eligible Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club card to Alipay and complete identity verification. You can then pay at shops, restaurants, and attractions by scanning a QR code or showing your payment code. Alipay also supports taxis, shared bikes, attraction tickets, buses, and metro systems in many cities.

• International Card Support: Link eligible Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover, or Diners Club cards without opening a Chinese bank account.
• Transit Payment Codes: Pay for buses and metro rides in supported cities using QR codes.
• Ride Booking: Book taxis and private cars directly from the app.
• Mini Programs: Access services like luggage storage, attraction tickets, and bike rentals without downloading extra apps.

2. WeChat

WeChat is China’s essential messaging and travel app, used by hotels, tour operators, and local businesses for quick customer support. Since WhatsApp is restricted without a pre-set VPN, travelers rely on WeChat, which also enables eligible international visitors to link cards to WeChat Pay.

• Instant Messaging: Send text messages, voice notes, photos, videos, and make voice or video calls over Wi-Fi or mobile data.
• WeChat Pay: Link supported international payment cards to pay at participating WeChat Pay merchants.
• Mini Programs: Access lightweight in-app services for food ordering, ride-hailing, attraction tickets, bike rentals, and other local services without downloading separate apps.
• Official Accounts: Follow participating airlines, hotels, attractions, and transport providers for updates, booking information, and customer support.

3. AMap (Gaode Maps)

International map apps are often inaccurate in mainland China given mismatched mapping systems. Local apps like AMap rely on official data, delivering reliable directions for driving, walking, and transit. AMap guides travelers straight to specific scenic spot entrances and transit stops, though GPS tracking can weaken underground.

• Accurate Local Maps: Uses official mainland China map data for more reliable directions.
• Live Public Transport: Shows metro routes, bus information, and suggested station exits in supported cities.
• Lane Guidance: Helps drivers stay in the correct lane on major roads and expressways.
• Walking Routes: Guides you through shopping centers, pedestrian streets, and connected walkways.

4. Railway 12306 (China Railway Official)

Railway 12306 is the official China Railway app for booking high-speed and other train tickets. Foreign tourists can register with a valid passport and must complete identity verification before buying tickets. Verification can be completed online by entering passport details or, when required, uploading a photo of the passport information page.

• Official Ticket Booking: Buy train tickets directly from China Railway.
• Passport Verification: Complete real-name verification using your foreign passport before booking.
• Foreign Card Payments: Pay online with supported foreign bank cards, including Visa, Mastercard, JCB, and Diners Club.
• Ticket Changes: Change or cancel eligible bookings through the app.
• Electronic Tickets: Use the same passport used for booking when entering the station and boarding.

5. Trip.com

Trip.com makes booking hotels, flights, and attraction tickets in China easy for foreign travelers. It clearly shows which hotels accept international passports. If you stay near Shanghai's Bund, you can quickly compare hotels, read reviews, and confirm your booking before arrival.

• Foreigner-Friendly Hotels: Filter hotels that accept international guests and can register foreign passport holders.
• Flights and Trains: Book domestic flights, high-speed trains, and airport transfers in one place.
• English Customer Support: Access English-language customer support for booking assistance.
• Attraction Tickets: Buy tickets for popular sights before you arrive to save time.

6. Dianping

If you want to eat where locals do, Dianping is one of the best apps to have. It helps you discover restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and local food spots with reviews, photos, and average prices. Around Kuanzhai Alley in Chengdu, local ratings can help you discover restaurants that don't appear on international review platforms.

• Local Reviews: Read customer ratings and reviews from millions of diners across China.
• Dish Photos: Browse photos of popular menu items before ordering.
• Queue Information: Get digital queue tickets and track wait times live within 500m–2km of the venue. Note that staff members call numbers in Mandarin, and poor cell service can freeze in-app updates.
• Dining Deals: Buy discount meal vouchers at participating restaurants.

7. Baidu Translate

Baidu Translate helps travelers navigate Chinese language barriers with ease. Its camera translates printed text, while voice and typing options handle live conversations. When visiting Chongqing's Ciqikou Ancient Town, camera scanning helps you read local menus instantly.

• Camera Translation: Translate printed Chinese text on signs, menus, and notices using your phone's camera.
• Voice Translation: Translate spoken conversations between English and Chinese in real time when your device and internet connection support it.
• Offline Language Packs: Download available offline language packs before your trip so you can translate basic text without mobile data.
• Text Translation: Type or paste Chinese text to get quick translations and pronunciation.

Alternatively, Android users can use Microsoft Translator or download the Baidu Translate APK directly from Baidu's official website.

8. Pleco

Pleco is one of the most useful Chinese dictionary apps for travelers. It works fully offline and helps you understand Chinese words, characters, and pronunciation even when you don't have mobile data. If you are visiting the underground galleries at the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an, you can still look up unfamiliar characters without needing an internet connection.

• Handwriting Search: Draw Chinese characters on your screen to find their meanings.
• Offline Dictionary: Access definitions, pronunciation, and example sentences without an internet connection.
• Character Lookup: Find Chinese characters using radicals, handwriting, or stroke count.
• Document Reader: Read Chinese text inside the app and tap unfamiliar words for instant definitions.

9. DiDi

DiDi is a popular ride-hailing app in mainland China for booking taxis and other car services. You can enter your pickup point and destination, check the estimated fare, and request a ride through the app. Foreign travelers can sign up with an international phone number and use supported international bank cards to pay for rides.

• Ride Booking: Book taxis and other available car services directly through the app.
• Fare Estimates: Check the estimated fare after entering your pickup point and destination.
• Multiple Ride Options: Choose from services such as Express, Taxi, Premier, and Luxe where available.
• Pickup Location: Use your phone's location service to help set your pickup point.

Power Your Apps for China Travel with SimCorner

Most everyday services in China depend on mobile data. This includes QR payments, navigation, and transit. Install your eSIM or activate your SIM card before you leave. This ensures you can get online right after landing to access maps, payment apps, and bookings immediately.

Features

• Flexible Data Plans: Pick flexible data packages tailored for brief holidays or multi-week tours across mainland cities.
• eSIM or Physical SIM: Select an eSIM for instant delivery or have a physical SIM card shipped before you travel.
• Connect to Local Networks: Connect directly to China Unicom (CUCC), China Telecom (CTCC), and China Mobile (CMCC) for broad geographic coverage.
• Easy eSIM Top-Ups: Add more data to your active eSIM from SimCorner’s website or app without physical SIM swapping.

Buy your eSIM or travel SIM data plan online and set it up before leaving. Physical SIM cards should be activated before departure to connect automatically upon arrival. You will get instant local data, letting you skip airport SIM queues and public Wi-Fi lines.