China Travel: Essential Apps for Foreigners
- DolphinUnion
- Sep 21
- 7 min read
Tourists go crazy for China’s diverse magic—Beijing’s Forbidden City, Shanghai’s futuristic skyline, Guilin’s karst mountains—but as a Chinese local who’s traveled across China (and helped 200+ foreign friends plan trips over 8 years), I know the real struggle isn’t picking spots. It’s figuring out which apps work everywhere in China.
Last month, my friend from Canada landed in Beijing with only Google Maps and WhatsApp—he couldn’t book a taxi to the Great Wall, pay for dumplings, or even find his hotel. That’s why I made this guide: to break down the 8 apps you actually need for any Chinese city, with local tips that work in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and beyond. No more app panic—this is exactly what I install on my foreign friends’ phones before their cross-China trips.
1. Payment Apps: Ditch Cash—Use These Two – China essential apps for foreigners
Cash works in small rural stalls, but 90% of China (from Beijing’s hutong restaurants to Shanghai’s malls) uses phone payments. These two apps are non-negotiable.
1.1 Alipay (Zhifubao)
Why You Need It: It’s the most widely accepted app in China. I use it in every city—for buying soybean milk in Beijing’s hutongs, paying for high-speed train tickets in Shanghai, even renting shared bikes near Guilin’s Li River.
Local Tip: Set up “International Version” before you arrive. Go to “Me” → “Settings” → “International Services”—this lets you link a foreign credit card (Visa/Mastercard). No Chinese bank account needed!
Personal Story: Last Spring Festival, my friend from Brazil tried to pay cash at a hot pot joint in Chengdu. The owner said, “No cash—only Alipay!” I helped him set up the international version, and he used it for every meal from Chengdu to Xi’an.
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Huawei AppGallery, Google Play) → Search “Alipay” → Install.
1.2 WeChat Pay (Weixin Zhifu)
Why You Need It: Great backup for Alipay—some small shops (like the noodle stall I love in Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter) only take WeChat Pay. Plus, WeChat is how locals chat—you can add your Great Wall tour guide or Shanghai hotel staff to ask questions.
Local Tip: Use the “Mini Programs” for top spots. Search “Great Wall Tickets” to book Mutianyu entries, or “Shanghai Metro” to buy subway passes—no need for physical tickets.
Avoid This: Don’t forget to enable “English Mode”—go to “Me” → “Settings” → “General” → “Language” → “English.” The default is Chinese, and it’s easy to get lost!
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play, Huawei AppGallery) → Search “WeChat” → Install, then set up WeChat Pay in “Me” → “Payment.”
2. Transportation Apps: Navigate Any Chinese City – China essential apps for foreigners
From Beijing’s busy streets to Chongqing’s 8D layers, these apps will keep you from getting lost (or missing your train to Xi’an).
2.1 Amap (Gaode Maps)
Why You Need It: Google Maps is useless here—Amap is the only app that understands China’s unique layouts. It’ll tell you if a Beijing subway exit leads to a hutong or a mall, or if a “1st floor” in Chongqing is actually on the 6th floor.
Local Tips:
Download “Offline Maps” for cities you’ll visit—signal is bad in remote areas (like around Zhangjiajie’s Avatar peaks).
Use the “Walking” mode for Shanghai’s Bund— it avoids crowded main roads and takes you through quiet alleyways with local cafes.
Personal Story: My friend from France tried to walk from Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to his hotel with Google Maps—he ended up 3km away. I showed him Amap, and he got there in 20 minutes.
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Amap” → Enable English in settings.
2.2 12306 (China Railway App)
Why You Need It: To book high-speed trains anywhere in China—Beijing to Shanghai, Chengdu to Xi’an, Guilin to Guangzhou. It’s official, so no extra fees (unlike Trip.com).
Local Tip: Book tickets 15 days early for holidays. Trains to the Great Wall (Beijing North Station) sell out fast during National Day—set an alarm!
Pro Move: Use the “Seat Selection” feature to pick window seats (look for “A” or “F” codes)—you’ll get great views of China’s countryside (like the rice fields between Guilin and Yangshuo).
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “12306” → English mode available.
2.3 Didi Chuxing
Why You Need It: Taxis are hard to flag down in busy cities, and drivers rarely speak English. Didi lets you type your destination in English (e.g., “Shanghai Disneyland”) and shows the price upfront (no scams!).
Local Tips:
Choose “Express” (cheapest) for short trips (e.g., Beijing airport to Tiananmen Square).
Add your hotel address to “Favorites”—typing in Chinese characters is a pain, especially in cities with complex names (like Zhangjiajie).
Personal Story: My friend from Australia took a taxi in Shanghai once—he asked for “Yu Garden,” and the driver took him to “Yu Garden West” (2km away). Now he only uses Didi in every city.
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Didi Chuxing” → English interface available.
3. Translation Apps: Talk to Locals (and Read Menus) – China essential apps for foreigners
Most Chinese locals don’t speak English—especially outside big cities. These apps will help you order Peking duck (and avoid spicy surprises in Sichuan).
3.1 Microsoft Translator
Why You Need It: Google Translate works, but Microsoft Translator anslate works, but Microsoft Translator is better for local dialects. Sichuan people speak fast—this app picks up on slang (like “la” meaning “spicy”), and even understands Beijing’s hutong accents.
Local Tip: Use “Photo Translation” for menus. Point your camera at a Peking duck menu in Beijing, and it’ll translate “skin-only” vs “meat-only”—no more guessing!
Pro Move: Download “Chinese (Mainland)” offline pack—works without internet (great for remote spots like Jiuzhaigou’s lakes).
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Microsoft Translator.”
3.2 Google Translate
Why You Need It: Backup for Microsoft Translator. It’s better for typing long messages (e.g., asking your Xi’an hotel to hold your luggage while you visit the Terracotta Army).
Avoid This: Don’t use voice translation in noisy areas (like Shanghai’s Nanjing Road pedestrian street)—it’ll mix up words. Type instead.
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Google Translate.”
4. Life & Travel Apps: Eat, Book, and Stay Prepared – China essential apps for foreigners
These apps make your cross-China trip smoother—from finding the best dumplings in Beijing to checking if it’ll rain on your Guilin cruise.
4.1 Dianping (Dianping)
Why You Need It: It’s Yelp for China—find the best local spots (not tourist traps) in any city. I use it to find hidden dumpling shops in Beijing, authentic hot pot in Chengdu, and fresh seafood in Qingdao.
Local Tips:
Look for shops with “4.5+ stars” and 1000+ reviews—those are the real deals (avoid 3-star spots with fake reviews!).
Avoid “tourist street” restaurants (like Beijing’s Wangfujing Snack Street)—search “local food alley” for cheaper, better eats.
Personal Story: I took my friend from Canada to “Aunt Wang’s Dumplings” (4.8 stars on Dianping) in Beijing—he said it was better than any dumpling he’d had in Toronto.
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Dianping” → Enable English.
4.2 Moji Weather (Moji Tianqi)
Why You Need It: China’s weather varies wildly—Beijing’s winters are freezing, while Hainan’s are hot year-round. Moji Weather predicts 15 days ahead, so you know to pack a jacket for Xi’an’s autumns or sunscreen for Sanya’s beaches.
Local Tip: Check the “Air Quality Index (AQI)” for northern cities (like Beijing)—on bad air days, wear a mask (you can buy cheap ones at convenience stores).
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Moji Weather” → English mode available.
4.3 Viator
Why You Need It: For booking tours (like Terracotta Army guides in Xi’an or Li River cruises in Guilin) in English. It’s more reliable than random street tour sellers, especially in tourist-heavy spots.
Local Tip: Book the “Early Morning Terracotta Tour” in Xi’an—you’ll avoid crowds and get a private guide (worth every penny to learn about the emperors!).
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “Viator.”
5. Internet App: Stay Connected Across China – China essential apps for foreigners
You can’t use WhatsApp/Instagram in China without extra help. This app keeps you connected, no matter which city you’re in.
5.1 RedteaGo (eSIM)
Why You Need It: It’s the easiest way to get data in China—no need to buy a physical SIM card (which requires a Chinese ID). Just download the eSIM and activate it, and it works in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and beyond.
Local Tip: Buy the “10-Day China Package” (¥70)—it gives you enough data for maps, translation, and sharing photos (once you’re on WiFi at hotels).
Avoid This: Don’t wait to buy it—activate it 1 day before you arrive. It takes 10 minutes to set up, and you don’t want to do it at the airport (where WiFi is spotty!).
How to Download: iOS (App Store) / Android (Google Play) → Search “RedteaGo.”
Final Recommendation: My Go-To China Travel Toolkit
I spent 2 months putting together DolphinUnion’s China Travel Guide—even I use it when my foreign friends travel cross-country, because it has details I can’t fit here. The guide includes a step-by-step video to set up Alipay/WeChat Pay (no more confusion!) and a list of “hidden” Mini Programs (like one for booking skip-the-line tickets to the Forbidden City)—two exclusive tips you won’t find in this blog.
Last week, a reader from Australia messaged me. He’d downloaded all the apps but couldn’t set up WeChat Pay for his Shanghai trip. After using my guide’s video, he got it working in 5 minutes. He said, “I just paid for xiaolongbao (steamed buns) with my phone—this feels like magic!”
If you don’t want to stress about apps, or worry about getting lost in Beijing’s hutongs or Chongqing’s hills, grab our DolphinUnion guide. It’s like having a local friend with you the whole time—no more app struggles, just more time to enjoy Peking duck in Beijing, hot pot in Chengdu, and the amazing views of Guilin’s karst mountains.
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