Your phone will be your wallet, map, translator, booking platform and transport tool in China. Set it up before you fly so the apps you rely on are ready the moment you land.
Bring the right power bank
Domestic flights: power banks must have a clear China Compulsory Certification (CCC/3C) mark and must not be from a recalled model or batch. Keep them in your carry-on luggage.
High-speed rail: the rating must be clearly marked and each power bank must not exceed 100 Wh. Railway rules do not currently state that a CCC mark is required. Check the latest carrier rules before departure.
Step 1 · Download the essential apps
You do not need dozens of apps — just the right core set. Install these four before your trip and complete any account verification while you still have reliable access to SMS and email.
WeChat Must-have
China’s all-in-one app for messaging, payments, ticket booking, translation and food ordering.
- Set up your account before arrival
- Account verification may require help from another user
- Press and hold messages to translate them
Alipay Must-have
The most tourist-friendly mobile-payment app, with an English interface and support for many foreign cards.
- Pay in shops, restaurants and on transport
- Use Didi and shared-bike mini-programs
- If you set up one payment app, start here
Amap Must-have
Google Maps is not a reliable option for navigating mainland China: it cannot plan high-speed rail or metro journeys, and driving routes may not be up to date. Download Amap (Gaode Maps) before your trip — it is one of the map apps most widely used by locals and provides current walking, driving and public-transport directions.
- Apple Maps is a useful iPhone backup
- Save hotel and attraction names in Chinese
Google Translate Must-have
Use typed, spoken and camera translation for conversations, menus and signs.
- Download the offline Mandarin package before flying
- Test camera and voice translation at home
- Use WeChat’s scan translation as a backup
Helpful extras
- MetroMan: simple metro navigation, fares and first/last train times
- Currency converter: understand prices quickly
- Dianping: local restaurant and attraction reviews
- 12306 China Railway: official train booking; often cheaper, but less beginner-friendly than Trip.com
- Meituan: food delivery; some services may require a Chinese phone number
- Didi: ride-hailing, also available inside Alipay and WeChat
- Taobao: online shopping; mostly Chinese and may require a local number
Step 2 · Set up your mobile data
Payments, maps, ride-hailing and bookings all need a working data connection. Choose your setup before you leave home.
Land in China already connected
Install your travel eSIM at home, save the QR code offline and switch it on when you arrive.
Step 3 · Plan access to your usual services
Google services, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and many other overseas services may not load on standard mainland Chinese networks. Internationally routed travel eSIMs commonly provide access on your phone; laptops and tablets connected to local Wi-Fi may need a separate solution.
Step 4 · Set up mobile payments
China is largely cashless. Link a travel-friendly foreign card to Alipay before departure, then repeat the process in WeChat Pay so you have a backup.
- Open Alipay
- Go to Wallet
- Add your bank card
- Complete SMS and identity verification
- Set your payment password
Once set up, scan the merchant’s QR code or let them scan yours. Small or unusually large transactions and transfers to individuals may sometimes fail with foreign cards.
- Use a card with low or no foreign-transaction fees
- Tell your bank you are travelling if it recommends doing so
- Carry a small amount of cash as a backup
- Keep mobile data available — payment codes need a connection
