Essential China Apps for Foreign Travelers
Configure the 5 apps most foreign transit travelers need before landing. Complete setup while you still have reliable connectivity.
1. DiDi (Ride Hailing)
DiDi is China's dominant ride-hailing app — think Uber, but it's the only option that works reliably. Taxis hailed from the street often refuse foreigners or don't use meters. The China version (DiDi China) supports a full English UI and foreign card payments.
Official Downloads
Download "DiDi China" from App Store or Google Play. Ensure you get the version for mainland China, as the global version will not work.
Setup steps (complete before departure):
Download DiDi China from your app store.
Register with your foreign phone number and email.
Add your Visa/Mastercard as payment method.
Set your destination in Chinese characters before leaving the airport — copy-paste from this guide or Google Translate.
Test the app by viewing the map in your destination city (it should load Chinese map tiles).
Common failure points:
- •Downloaded the wrong version — make sure it is "DiDi China", not the global version used in Australia/Brazil.
- •Driver calls and speaks only Chinese — use the in-app translation feature or send a preset message.
- •Payment fails — some debit cards are blocked; use a credit card instead.
- •No cars available at airport — walk to the designated ride-hailing pickup zone (usually signed in English).
Works without Chinese phone number: Yes ✓
2. Alipay (Payments)
Alipay is accepted at virtually every merchant in China. The International Card service lets foreign travelers link overseas cards and pay via QR code. See the Payment Guide for detailed card setup — this section covers the app configuration itself.
App configuration steps:
Download Alipay and register with your foreign phone number.
Complete identity verification — upload your passport photo page.
Navigate to "International Card" and link your Visa/Mastercard.
Enable notifications so you receive payment confirmations.
Pin the QR code payment screen to your favorites for quick access.
Common failure points:
- •Identity verification stuck — try uploading a clearer passport photo with all corners visible.
- •App language resets to Chinese — go to Settings → General → Language → English.
- •International Card not showing — update to the latest version; it's sometimes hidden in older builds.
- •QR code scanner lag — clear app cache if the scanner takes more than 5 seconds to load.
Works without Chinese phone number: Yes ✓
3. WeChat (Messaging + Payment Backup)
WeChat is China's super-app: messaging, payments, mini-programs, and more. Some small vendors only accept WeChat Pay (not Alipay). Having both ensures you're never stuck. WeChat is also the primary way to communicate with hotel staff and drivers.
Official Downloads
Download from App Store or Google Play. Search "WeChat" (not Weixin).
Setup steps:
Download WeChat and register with your foreign phone number.
Add a profile photo — accounts without photos are sometimes flagged as spam.
Go to Me → Services → Wallet → Cards to link your Visa/Mastercard.
Verify payment with a small test transaction.
Save useful mini-programs: metro pass, train tickets, restaurant ordering.
Common failure points:
- •Registration blocked — WeChat sometimes requires an existing user to verify new accounts. Ask a friend who uses WeChat to scan your verification QR.
- •Payment card rejected — try a different card; some banks block WeChat transactions by default.
- •Messages not sending — confirm your mobile data connection is active and that your app version is current.
Works without Chinese phone number: Yes ✓
4. Gaode Maps (高德地图)
Google Maps does not work in mainland China. Gaode Maps (also called Amap) is the most accurate navigation app for China. It has correct road layouts, real-time traffic, metro routing, and walking directions that actually match the physical world.
Official Downloads
Download from App Store or Google Play. Search "Amap" or "高德地图".
Setup steps:
Download Gaode Maps (Amap) — no registration required for basic navigation.
Before departure, search for your hotel/destination and save it as a favorite.
Download offline maps for your transit city (Settings → Offline Maps → select city).
Practice searching using Chinese place names (copy from this guide).
Enable transit mode to see metro + bus + walking combined routes.
Common failure points:
- •App is entirely in Chinese — there is a partial English mode in newer versions, but most labels remain in Chinese. Use screenshot + translate as fallback.
- •GPS drift — normal in China due to coordinate system differences (GCJ-02). The app compensates automatically.
- •Cannot find a place — use the Chinese name (中文), not the English name.
Works without Chinese phone number: Yes ✓
5. 12306 / Trip.com (Train Tickets)
China's high-speed rail network is the best way to travel between cities during a transit stop. The official 12306 app requires a Chinese phone number, so most foreigners use Trip.com instead, which accepts foreign passports and cards.
Official Downloads
Download Trip.com from App Store or Google Play. For 12306, search "铁路12306" (only if you have a Chinese number).
Setup steps (Trip.com recommended):
Download Trip.com and register with your email.
Add your passport details in the Passenger section — use exactly the name as shown on your passport.
Search for train routes between your cities (e.g., Shanghai → Hangzhou).
Book and pay with your foreign Visa/Mastercard.
Save your e-ticket — you'll need your passport number and booking reference to collect physical tickets at the station.
Common failure points:
- •Passport name mismatch — the name must exactly match your passport (no middle name abbreviations).
- •Ticket sold out — popular routes sell out 2-3 days before departure. Book early.
- •Cannot collect ticket — bring your physical passport to the station counter; digital copies are not accepted.
- •12306 registration fails — this is expected for foreigners without a Chinese phone number. Use Trip.com instead.
Trip.com: No Chinese number needed ✓ | 12306: Requires Chinese number ✗
Connectivity note
Plan for mobile data first. International roaming or a China eSIM is the safest way to make maps, translation, payment, and guide access work when you leave the airport.
- Test your eSIM or home-carrier roaming before departure, not after arrival.
- Download offline maps and save key Chinese addresses in case signal is weak.
- Save key payment and communication screens to your phone; home-screen install is optional, not required.
For reference only. Download links and setup steps may change. Verify with official app stores. Last updated: April 2026.
About This Guide
✍️ Written & reviewed by the China Transit Guide Editorial Team · 🗓 Last reviewed: April 2026
This guide is based on hands-on travel and app testing in mainland China. Download links and setup steps may change with app updates — verify with official app stores.
This site does not provide legal visa advice. Always verify entry requirements with official government sources.