Essential Apps for China Travel

Quick Answer

Download these before arrival: Alipay, WeChat, Didi (ride-hailing), Apple Maps or Maps.me (offline maps), and a translation app.

App Replacements

• Google Maps → Apple Maps (works) or Maps.me (offline)
• Uber → Didi (has English interface)
• Yelp/TripAdvisor → Dianping (Chinese only) or ask locals
• Google Translate → Baidu Translate or offline Google Translate
• WhatsApp → WeChat (everyone in China uses it)
• Venmo/PayPal → Alipay or WeChat Pay

Must-Have Apps

1. Alipay

For payments. Essential — you can't buy anything without it.

2. WeChat

For communication. Chinese businesses and many locals only use WeChat.

3. Didi

China's Uber. Has English interface, accepts foreign cards.

4. Maps

Apple Maps works in China. For offline backup, download Maps.me or HERE WeGo.

5. Translation

Baidu Translate has better Chinese support. Google Translate offline mode also works.

LOCAL TIP: Download offline maps and translation dictionaries BEFORE arrival. You may not have reliable internet everywhere.