15 Best Apps for China Travel (2025)

These best apps for China travel helped us live in China, travel the country, and become a real local in China.

When we first moved to Tianjin, China, I had a million and one questions about how to travel and live there. We had backpacked in China a few years before but never stayed for longer than a month whilst we ticked off our China bucket list.

The first few weeks consisted of hopelessly searching, trying to work out apps and how to write my address in Chinese, and eventually figuring out that China is the most convenient place to live and travel in because of the awesome apps. So, here are THE best apps for China travel.

Note: It is worth investing in a smartphone if you don’t already have one, most of these apps require the internet.

Best Apps for China Travel

1. Express VPN (or similar)

To be able to access certain websites in China, you will need to download a VPN for your phone. This includes websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Gmail, and Pinterest.

We believe Express VPN is one of the best VPNs in China and you can download a 7-day free trial – do this the day you are leaving for China. The 7 days start straight away but the app must be downloaded before entering the country; you will not be able to access it once you are in China.

There are also various free VPNs that you can try once you are in the country. Hexatech is a popular choice and is free to download and use.

Once you have downloaded the app and signed up, you can turn your VPN on and off by pressing the big circle; the app is in English so is fairly simple to navigate. 

2. WeChat

Next on our best apps for China travel list, has to be one of the most popular apps too. It is like the Chinese version of WhatsApp – you can use it to chat with friends but also add local restaurants and businesses to make purchases. 

Either before traveling to China or while you are here, download the WeChat App.

Apart from communicating with others, WeChat can also be used to pay for items in most stores but can also be used to order food online. 

We used this to order our food often, with plenty of local spots listed, as well as Western chains and coffee places too.

Ordering food on WeChat in China

• Press ‘Me’ in the bottom right of the screen. 
• Then press ‘wallet’, this will appear under your name at the top of the screen. 
• Then scroll down until you see an icon of a kangaroo, entitled ‘Food Delivery. 
• Click on the kangaroo and a page will open. This is in Chinese. 
• In the top left, there is a circle shape with a dot inside it. This is your location. 
• Click on this dot and input your address in Chinese. You may ask the hotel/hostel staff to enter the address but what we tend to do is take the English address from the booking website such as booking.com or Ctrip, translate it into Chinese using the Google Translate app then paste this in. Works all the time.
• Once that is set up, you can order from the many restaurants listed.
• Google translate can be used to translate this page; either by screen shooting your screen and then opening it as a picture in the Google Translate app or by using another phone, opening the Google Translate app, and turning on the camera (there is a camera button under the text box).
• There are some restaurants (like food chains such as Mcdonald’s and Pizza Hut) that accept cash on delivery. For others, however, you may need to pay online, which you can do by adding a bank card to your account. 

Adding your bank card to WeChat:

• Open the WeChat app.
• Press ‘Me’ in the bottom right corner of the screen.
• Press ‘Wallet’ under your name at the top of the page. 
• At the top of the page, there are three icons. The third icon says ‘cards’, press this button. 
• From here, press ‘add a card 
• It will then ask for your Name and Card No. On the text box that says Card No, you will see a camera icon. If you click on this icon, you can hover over your card and it will read all the details of your card and save them for you. 

 Please note: WeChat changes its rules for adding foreign cards every so often so you may not be able to add your card at the time of your travel. However, you can order from certain restaurants that allow cash on delivery.

3. Didi

This is China’s version of Uber and one of the best apps for China travel because it helps you get around the cities!

You can order a taxi for immediate pickup or schedule a taxi in advance. These rides are slightly more expensive than local taxis but the app is in English and can recognize most destinations in English. The App in Chinese is also available if you are sharing your location with a local.

Plus, Didi taxis are super affordable, so we often used a didi to visit the fun day trips from Shanghai, like Thames Town or the nearby water towns.

When setting up Didi, you must have a payment method available; preferably a Chinese card to avoid bank charges but international cards are also accepted. Another option is to top up your WeChat account with your international card and use this as payment for both WeChat purchases and Didi.  Once you have set up your payment, you can use this as your payment method. 

How to order a Didi in China

• Open the app
• Place the green pin at the pickup destination. The app can find your location automatically so look at the street on the map and check it is the location you are in.
• Then, in the second text box, you can type in your location. This can be written in English but a few locations are not labeled in English. 
• Different options will appear at the bottom of the screen. The first option from the left is called ExpressPool; you can share the journey with other passengers who are going in the same direction as you. The second and third options are direct private taxis with the Select option on the right being an upgraded option and slightly better service. 
• Confirm your order. It will find you a taxi and you will get a notification when a taxi is on its way.
• In the bottom left corner of the screen, there is a button that says ‘message’. You can send a message explaining ‘I don’t speak Mandarin, please don’t call’ – sometimes drivers like to call and check your location is correct. 
• The map will show you where your driver is and how near he is to you. Once he has arrived at the pickup location, you have 5 minutes to get your taxi. If you are running late, you can send a message to your driver, and generally, they will wait for you.

4. Google Translate

Google was a lifesaver for us here and one of the best apps for China travel. It is the best Chinese translator app to use in my opinion because it is so user-friendly. 

Download the app before visiting China but also download the Chinese translations as you won’t be able to use the app live without having a VPN on. Google is one of those websites that is banned here in China.

One of the best tools for the translate app is the camera icon; you can click on this and hover your phone camera over a menu, sign, or anything with Chinese characters and it will translate it for you. We have managed to avoid ordering pig intestines or duck neck by using this helpful tool!

For example, we loved exploring the best things to do in Harbin but this is a less-touristy area, so very little was written in English, Translation apps saved us when getting around and especially when eating out.

5. China Metro

China Metro is a must-have app if you plan on getting around the cities using public transport, making it another one of the best apps for China travel. With the China Metro app, you can choose the city you are in and plan your route on the metro line.

The stops are written in English characters so you can put in your starting and ending locations and the app will find you the quickest route. It will also tell you the costs, perfect for working out the cost of travel in China.

We show the Beijing metro app below but there is a helpful Shanghai metro app and apps for smaller cities or lesser-known cities too (see the list above).

Note: Head to your phone settings and make sure the location is enabled on this app. The app can tell you what the nearest station is to you, using your location. 

6. Chinese Skill

For those looking to spend extended time traveling in China, it may be worth downloading the Chinese Skill app and investing some time in using it. You can learn basic day-to-day Chinese which will be helpful; especially if you intend on visiting some of the less touristy areas of China.

The best part of this app is that it doesn’t just teach you how to speak Chinese but it teaches you to learn to read Chinese and how to write Chinese, making it another one of the best apps for China travel and for those wanting to live here.

This makes it our favorite Chinese learning app, especially for those living in the country and wanting to know more than the basics. 

Tip: If you haven’t got time to learn, then just remember Ni hao (pronounced Ne-how) for hello and Xie Xie (pronounced Sh-ye, sh-ye) for thank you.

7. Hello Bike

As you travel around the major cities of China, you will probably notice how many bikes are left around the cities. This is because of the very popular bike-sharing program the country runs. 

Download this app to be able to scan the QR code on the bike, use the bike, and leave the bike wherever you want to (safely); using Hello Bike, our next best apps for China travel.

The Hello Bikes are the blue bikes you will see all over the city but as of 2025, you will also see yellow bikes (Meituan Bike Share company) and turquoise and white bikes (Didi bikes). 

8. Maps.me

This is one of the most used and best apps for China travel, especially if you don’t have much data. This offline map app is perfect for travelers who may not always have access to the internet. It allows you to download detailed maps in advance, search for locations, and even get walking and driving directions without needing a connection.

It’s especially useful for navigating smaller cities and rural areas where other map apps may not work as well.

9. Baidu Maps

If you’re looking for the best navigation app in China, Baidu Maps is the way to go and is another one of the best apps for China travel. We found this incredibly helpful when we were exploring the best things to do in Xi’an, with the map app getting us around and showing us the quickest route.

It provides highly accurate directions for walking, driving, and public transport, including up-to-date subway and bus routes. While it’s mainly in Chinese, the interface is user-friendly, and it’s worth using for its precision and real-time updates.

10. Ctrip (Trip.com)

One of the most essential travel apps in China for train and hotel bookings that we found, is Crip.

Ctrip helps you book trains, flights, and hotels with ease, making it easily one of the best apps for China travel.

It offers English-language support, accepts international credit cards, and provides customer service for any booking issues. The app is widely used by both locals and tourists, making it a reliable choice for travel planning.

11. Pleco

A must-have for travelers who don’t speak Chinese, Pleco is an advanced dictionary and translation app and another one of the best apps for China travel.

It features an offline dictionary, handwriting recognition for Chinese characters, and even a camera function that allows you to translate text instantly. It’s incredibly useful for reading menus, signs, and communicating with locals.

12. AirVisual

Air quality can vary significantly across China, so having a reliable air pollution monitoring app is important, especially for sensitive travelers. We were based in Northern China (Tianjin just outside of Beijing), and the pollution could be a challenge, especially in the colder months.

This is one of the best apps for China travel because it provides real-time air quality data for major cities, forecasts pollution levels, and offers health recommendations based on the current air conditions. It’s a great tool for planning outdoor activities and staying informed.

13. Fliggy

Owned by Alibaba, Fliggy is a popular travel booking platform in China, offering flights, train tickets, hotels, and even attraction tickets. It’s known for providing exclusive deals and discounts, often better than those found on international booking sites. My Chinese friends often refer to this as one of the best apps for China travel because of the great deals and perks.

While the app is mainly in Chinese, it can be useful for travelers comfortable using translation tools. We found some great deals via the app with the help of our Chinese friends and found those working in hotels and tour companies to be helpful when booking onward travel.

Fliggy also offers a membership program that lets users earn points and enjoy perks like VIP lounge access at airports.

14. China Train Booking

This app is one of the easiest ways for foreign travelers to book train tickets in China, making it another one of the best apps for China travel. It provides an English interface, accepts international payment methods, and offers real-time ticket availability for China’s extensive high-speed rail network.

A standout feature is its customer support, which helps users with ticket collection and trip planning. Since train tickets in China sell out quickly, using this app ensures a smooth booking experience without language barriers.

15. Meituan

A super app in China, Meituan is primarily known for its food delivery service, but it also offers hotel bookings, travel deals, and even attraction tickets. It’s widely used by locals for everyday services, from ordering takeout to renting bicycles.

While the app is mostly in Chinese, it can be useful for travelers looking for affordable dining options, as it often provides discounts at restaurants.

Using translation tools, travelers can navigate Meituan to discover local experiences and make their trips more convenient.

Best Apps for Living in China

The above list is perfect for travel in China, but there are a few other apps you may want to download, especially if you have chosen to move and live in China:

• Taobao – You can buy anything and everything from TaoBao and sometimes what shows up may not always be what you expected.
• Carrefour – The European company has a chain of supermarkets in China that deliver groceries on the same day of ordering. 
• AliPay – Some stores and markets will accept AliPay payments You attach your card to the app and then make payments by scanning a QR code. 
• TMall – Similar to Taobao, TMall is like the Chinese Amazon. There is better quality stuff on this website but items cost more. 
• JD – The JD China app is a collection of services. You can log into your water or electricity account and pay your monthly bill. You can find pharmacies online and order medicine to arrive within 45 minutes, order items from the grocery store, order electronic items, and more. 
• WayGo – This translator app is a great tool to translate road signs and menus without needing a VPN (Google requires a VPN to access). 
• Dianping – If you love eating out, this app is for you. It is like Tripadvisor for China, with reviews of restaurants all over the country, written by locals and expats. 
• XE Currency – We always have this app regardless of where we travel but it is handy having this available in China so that you can quickly convert, especially good when haggling in markets. 
• Luckin’ Coffee – For coffee lovers, this is a must. This quickly growing coffee chain offers fantastic deals, has a menu in English, and is cheaper than Starbucks. 

Apps for China FAQ

Can you Skype in China?

Skype is banned in China but you can Skype family and friends if you are attached to a VPN. A VPN allows you to access banned websites so download Express VPN before you travel in the USA.

What is the Chinese App Store called?

Anzhi Market is the name of the App Store on Chinese phones. If you have an iPhone, you can still access the App Store as usual. 

What apps should I download before going to China?

As we have included in this post, you need Google Translate, WeChat, Didi, and a VPN at the least.

What is the most popular app in China?

WeChat is the most popular app in China, with locals and visitors up to 983 million actively using it by the time of writing. 

What apps are banned in China?

China bans most Google apps, so don’t expect to use Gmail, Google maps, Dropbox, Microsoft One Drive, Google Play, YouTube, or Hootsuite without a VPN. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are also banned in China. 

Can I use WhatsApp in China?

WhatsApp is a restricted app, meaning you will need a VPN to use it. This can make the app slower so bear that in mind when communicating on it. 

Is Spotify banned in China?

No, Spotify is not banned so you will be able to access this app during your time. However, China has not yet launched its service, so mainland Chinese customers can not yet sign up for Spotify. 

Is WeChat like WhatsApp?

Yes, WeChat is a messenger app similar to WhatsApp but has more features for the user, including food ordering, bill checking, and QR payment options. 

Can I download Chinese apps in English?

Some apps are available in English whilst many have an option to change the language after download. The most popular apps like Didi and WeChat can be downloaded in English.