10 Essential Apps for Traveling in China (2025 Guide)

A curated list of 10 must-have China travel apps covering payments, transport, translation, lodging, and itinerary tools—plus verification tips for international visitors navigating a cashless 2025 China.

Traveler scanning a QR code to pay in downtown Shanghai

Cashless payments, QR menus, and mobile-only ticketing are now standard across Mainland China. For first-time visitors, the difference between a seamless trip and constant friction often comes down to the apps installed on your phone. Drawing on the latest 2025 travel trends and local guidance, this article spotlights 10 essential apps for traveling in China, spanning payments, transport, translation, dining, and itinerary support. Each section includes verification and setup pointers tailored to international travelers, so you can scan, pay, and reserve like a local from day one. Insights from the Klook travel blog¹ also informed this refreshed roundup.

How to Choose Your China Travel App Stack

Prioritize by scenario: Secure payments, messaging, and navigation first, then layer in dining, transport bookings, and inspiration tools.
Confirm international access: Many apps now accept overseas mobile numbers and passports, but completing real-name verification and card binding before departure is still best.
Plan reliable download channels: iOS users can switch to a China or Hong Kong Apple ID; Android travelers can rely on Google Play (when available), reputable regional stores, or official APK downloads.
Tighten privacy settings: Turn on two-factor authentication, disable unnecessary permissions, and avoid sensitive account changes while you are on public Wi-Fi.

Payment & Messaging

1. WeChat (with WeChat Pay)

Core strengths: Instant messaging, social feed, QR scanner, and access to thousands of mini programs.
Travel benefits: WeChat Pay supports international cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB), letting you check out at airports, convenience stores, restaurants, and attractions with a single scan.
Quick-start checklist:
1. Register with your passport, then complete WeChat Pay identity verification.
2. Go to Wallet → Add Bank Card and bind an international credit card or UnionPay card.
3. Pin essential mini programs such as 12306 rail booking, Trip.com hotels, and local tourism bureau portals.
Time-saver tip: Create dedicated group chats for guides, drivers, and tour leads so e-tickets, itinerary changes, and receipts stay searchable.

2. Alipay (with Tour Pass)

Core strengths: Mobile payments, metro and bus QR codes, bill settlement, and in-app insurance options.
Travel benefits: Tour Pass lets short-stay visitors open a prepaid digital card, top it up in multiple currencies, and spend anywhere QR codes are accepted.
Quick-start checklist:
1. Download the international Alipay app and complete passport verification.
2. Choose a Tour Pass top-up amount (unused balances are refunded automatically at expiry).
3. Add metro QR codes or attraction reservations via city service modules for instant gate access.
Time-saver tip: Customize the home screen with shortcuts like Rides, Food Delivery, and Hotels, then enable face recognition for one-tap checkouts.

Dining, Experiences & Daily Services

3. Meituan

What it covers: Restaurant deals, food delivery, attraction tickets, hotel bookings, beauty and spa experiences.
Why travelers rely on it: Offers Chinese and English interface options, displays real-time waitlists, and supports WeChat Pay or Alipay checkout.
Power move: Filter for venues with photo menus or English-friendly notes, and buy meal packages ahead of peak dining hours.

4. Dianping

What it covers: Reviews for restaurants, bars, attractions, and classes, plus short-form “store tour” videos.
Why travelers rely on it: Rich user content makes it easy to pinpoint trending spots. Filters for “English service,” “reservations,” or “family-friendly” streamline planning.
Power move: Share curated lists straight to WeChat for group consensus and pre-purchase set menus to skip payment queues.

5. Trip.com

What it covers: Flights, trains, hotels, attraction tickets, car services, and 24/7 multilingual support.
Why travelers rely on it: Integrates directly with China’s 12306 rail system and major scenic reservation platforms, cutting down on repeated ID submissions.
Power move: Activate Trip Planner to receive gate alerts, real-time transit suggestions, and weather updates tailored to each city.

6. Amap (Gaode Maps)

What it covers: Live traffic data, multi-modal transit routing, walking and cycling navigation, voice guidance.
Why travelers rely on it: Accurate bus and metro timetables, English interface support, offline map downloads, and native ride-hailing integration through Didi.
Power move: Download offline city packs before visiting remote or mountainous regions with limited signal.

7. Baidu Maps

What it covers: Scenic previews, public transport routes, indoor positioning, and nearby discovery.
Why travelers rely on it: Offers virtual tours of top sights and AI audio guides filled with cultural context.
Power move: Enable the Real-Time Bus feature to see exactly when the next vehicle arrives.

8. Didi

What it covers: Taxis, private cars, ride-sharing, chauffeur services, and airport pickups.
Why travelers rely on it: Supports foreign phone numbers, accepts WeChat Pay and Alipay, and includes journey sharing plus an SOS button for late-night rides.
Power move: Schedule rides during rush hour to secure priority matching, and switch to English-language customer support whenever you need help.

Language & Inspiration

9. WeChat Translate & Tencent Translator

What they cover: Text, photo, and voice translation, plus instant transcription.
Why travelers rely on them: WeChat’s long-press translation keeps chats readable, while Scan → Translate deciphers menus on the fly. Tencent Translator provides offline packs for low-signal scenarios.
Power move: Download Mandarin offline voice packs and save key phrases to favorites so you can communicate even without data.

10. Xiaohongshu (RED)

What it covers: Travel itineraries, food and culture reviews, photography guides, and community Q&As.
Why travelers rely on it: Younger explorers use RED to uncover hidden cafés, photogenic alleys, and timely event updates from tourism bureaus.
Power move: Follow official city accounts, organize must-shoot locations into folders, and double-check reservation requirements before you arrive.

Verification & Payment FAQ for International Visitors

Question	Solution
How do I register without a Chinese phone number?	Most apps accept overseas numbers, but enable international roaming or use an eSIM that can receive SMS codes.
Why won’t my international card bind?	Start with Visa or Mastercard accounts billed in USD or EUR. If binding fails, buy a prepaid card at the airport or rely on Alipay Tour Pass.
Are health codes still required?	Mandatory health codes are mostly retired, but some attractions request reservation QR codes—install the relevant WeChat or Alipay mini programs ahead of time.
How do I protect my privacy?	Disable contact syncing and targeted ads, enable two-factor authentication, and clear stored data once your trip ends.

Pre-Departure Checklist (Complete 7 Days Before Takeoff)

List the 10 required apps and secure your logins in a password manager.
Finish WeChat Pay and Alipay Tour Pass verification plus card binding.
Download offline city maps in Amap and Baidu Maps, bookmarking airports, hotels, and must-see attractions.
Reserve popular dining or show slots through Meituan and Dianping.
Book flights, trains, and lodging via Trip.com and sync e-tickets to WeChat mini programs.
Cache Mandarin voice packs in Tencent Translator and save photo checklists in RED.
Confirm phone storage, run system updates, and activate a VPN if you rely on blocked international services.

Smart Travel Tips

Carry dual OS options: iOS and Android handle Chinese app ecosystems differently—consider a secondary Android device for APK installs.
Save offline QR codes: Many metro gates accept offline codes. Generate transit QR packs in WeChat or Alipay to avoid signal-related delays.
Leverage mini programs: Bookmark 12306 rail, cultural bureau reservations, shared power bank rentals, bike sharing, and local event ticketing mini programs for quick recall.
Secure connectivity: Purchase a Mainland-compatible eSIM or pocket Wi-Fi. If you need access to Western email or cloud tools, use a reputable VPN.
Guard your data: Avoid financial transactions on public Wi-Fi and revoke Tour Pass or clear payment app caches once you return home.

Final Thoughts

Prepping these 10 apps in advance is the fastest way to bridge language and payment gaps on your China itinerary. Whether you plan to city-hop across Beijing and Shanghai or chase landscapes in Yunnan and Sichuan, dependable tools for payments, navigation, and day-to-day services keep your schedule flexible and stress-free. Start downloading now to unlock a smoother, safer, and more immersive journey across cashless China.