Prepare a small app set and test the logins before flying. Download from your device's official store, sign in, and check that verification codes reach you.
China travel apps: what to install before you fly
PLANNING A TRIP?
Take this into a trip
Start with a destination or a question. Nothing is added to your plan without your review.
Plan your China tripSet up these five jobs
Pay — Alipay and WeChat. Follow the payment checklist to link your card and prepare a backup method.
Stay in touch — WeChat. Add your host or guide's contact before arrival so you can exchange addresses, arrival times, and access instructions in one place.
Find the correct place — Amap (Gaode). Save your hotel's Chinese name, full address, and phone number. Check the branch and map pin against the booking, then choose the right station exit or building entrance. A familiar English hotel name may point to the wrong branch.
Book a ride — DiDi China. Use the China app with its English interface, foreign-number registration, and international-card options. Confirm the pickup point, match the car and plate, and use translated in-app chat if needed. If booking fails, ask your hotel or a staffed taxi rank for help.
Read and be understood — a translator. Download Chinese and test text, camera, and speech separately in airplane mode; offline support varies. Save essential addresses as screenshots. Use the phrase guide when you need to show a short request.
Add bookings for your itinerary
Need another local service? Check whether it already has a mini program in Alipay or WeChat before installing a separate app. English support and phone-number requirements vary by service.
Taking trains? Complete Railway 12306 passport verification before your travel day, and use the same original passport for the journey. Check the station name as well as the city. If verification fails, use a staffed station ticket counter.
Booking a hotel or attraction? Save confirmation details outside the app, check passenger names and entry requirements, and confirm whether advance reservations are needed. A payment receipt alone may not be an entry ticket; keep the actual booking or admission code.
Taking the metro? Activate the correct city's transport service if supported. Its transport QR differs from your shop-payment code. If setup fails, ask the station service desk about a ticket before entering the gate.
Keep the phone usable
Carry a charger and a suitable power bank. On mainland domestic flights, a power bank needs a clear CCC mark and must not be a recalled model or batch; check the airline's capacity and carriage rules too.
Checked October 28, 2026. Set up mobile data before relying on apps outside Wi-Fi.
From reading to journey
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