1. Alipay — the best payment app for foreigners
For international travelers, Alipay is the easiest payment app to sign up for.
- You can register with your passport. Upload your passport details and bind an overseas phone number to complete real-name verification.
- International bank cards are supported. Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Discover and Diners Club can all be linked.
- Scan a QR code to ride the metro and buses. Alipay’s Transport feature lets you activate transit QR codes for each city — just scan and go.
- It integrates other apps. You can open mini-programs such as DiDi and Meituan directly inside Alipay without downloading separate apps.
Full walkthrough: Alipay setup guide for foreigners.
2. WeChat — the Chinese WhatsApp
WeChat is China’s most-used messaging app — handy for contacting hotels, tour guides and local friends — and it also supports mobile payments.
- QR-code payments work too. It supports registration with an overseas phone number, passport real-name verification and linking international bank cards.
- Mini-programs are very useful. You can scan a QR code to order food at the table, and open services such as DiDi and Meituan without downloading separate apps.
Full walkthrough: WeChat Pay setup guide.
Comparing payment apps: Alipay or WeChat — how to choose.
3. Amap — find places and routes
When traveling in China, Amap is more practical than Google Maps for looking up routes. Search for “Amap” in the app store to download it.
- English is supported. You can view attractions, restaurants and hotel information in English.
- Walking and public transit navigation. Look up walking routes, metro transfers and bus lines — great for independent travel.
4. DiDi — the Chinese Uber
DiDi is China’s go-to ride-hailing app: pick your pickup point and destination, and a car is on its way.
- Overseas phone numbers are supported. You can register with your own phone number — no Chinese number needed.
- English is supported. It offers an English interface and instant translation when communicating with drivers.
Full walkthrough: How to use DiDi in China.
5. 12306 — China Railway’s official ticketing app
- 12306 — buy train tickets. China Railway’s official ticketing app, with no extra booking fees. See the China train ticket guide.
6. Trip.com — book hotels
- Trip.com — book hotels and tickets to some attractions. Compared with Agoda or Booking, Trip.com is the best hotel-booking app for traveling in China, because behind it stands China’s largest travel platform — Ctrip. See the guide to booking hotels in China.