Essential Apps for China Travel
Make your China trip easier and more convenient. Here are the must-have apps for payment, navigation, translation, and transportation.
Payment & Lifestyle
Essential App
Not just a chat tool — it's a full platform for payments, ride-hailing, ticket booking, and more.
- Scan to Pay
- Mini Programs
- Real-time Chat Translation
Alipay
Top Payment Choice
Professional payment tool with rich travel service features built in.
- Good international card support
- Built-in Hello Bike
- Favorable exchange rates
Maps & Navigation
Amap (Gaode)
Accurate Navigation
China's most accurate map app, offering taxi, public transit, walking, and other navigation modes.
MetroMan
Metro Essential
Multi-language Chinese subway navigation app, covering all cities with metro systems.
Travel & Translation
Trip.com
Ctrip's international version — the go-to platform for booking hotels, train tickets, and flights with a full English interface.
Google Translate
Powerful offline translation — camera real-time translation for menus and street signs is very practical.
DiDi (essential_apps.didi_title)
China's version of Uber, supports English interface and international credit cards. Easy ride-hailing.