Alipay
Pay
Your everyday wallet. Link an international card, pay by QR, and find transport tools.
Start here · English interface
All travel guides5 min read · Guide 3 of 5
The first-timer’s field guide · 03
Internet & apps
Many of the apps you use daily do not load on Chinese networks. This is easy to solve at home, and hard to solve after you land.
A little preparation goes a long way. Save your bookings and your hotel’s Chinese address before departure.
What does not work on a local network
Google (search, Gmail, Maps, Drive), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and many news sites are blocked inside mainland China.
The simplest fix: a travel eSIM
- Some international travel eSIMs route data outside mainland China, so certain blocked apps may work. Confirm routing and supported services with the provider; a China plan alone does not guarantee access.
- Compare coverage, data allowance, validity, hotspot support, and total price. Prices vary widely by provider.
- Buy and install it at home, then activate it when you land. Check your phone supports eSIM first.
- A local SIM card is cheaper for long stays, but it is filtered like any Chinese connection.
Download before you fly
Build your China app toolkit
Genuine app listings and provider websites. For Android, use the provider’s download page; availability varies by country.
Pay
Messaging, WeChat Pay, and mini programs for restaurants and attractions.
A useful second payment option
DiDi China
Move
Book a car, see the fare, and pay in the app. Choose the China app, not DiDi Rider.
English available · Save your hotel address
Trip.com
Move
Book high-speed trains, hotels, and flights with English-language support.
Commercial booking service · Fees may apply
Railway 12306
Move
China Railway’s own ticket platform. Book with your passport after identity verification.
Official railway booking · No reseller markup
AMap
Navigate
Detailed local routes, metro connections, and places. Language availability varies by version.
Also called Gaode Maps
Baidu Maps
Navigate
A local navigation alternative with detailed Chinese addresses and transit routes.
Mainly Chinese · Pair with a translator
Apple Maps
Navigate
A familiar option on iPhone that works in mainland China with local mapping data.
iPhone only · Usually already installed
Google Translate
Navigate
Download the Chinese language pack at home for offline text and camera translation.
Online features may be blocked on local networks
Install before departure
- Alipay and WeChat — payments, messaging, tickets, translation.
- Amap or Baidu Maps — the map apps that actually have live Chinese data. Apple Maps also works.
- DiDi — taxis and ride-hailing, with an English interface.
- Trip.com or 12306 — trains, flights and hotels.
- Google Translate offline Chinese pack, or Baidu Translate, for menus and signs by camera.
- Do not rely on a VPN as your only connection plan. Availability is inconsistent and local rules apply; check your roaming or eSIM provider before departure.
A little extra confidence
Your connection plan
Does an eSIM include a Chinese phone number?
Many travel eSIMs are data-only. You may need a local SIM for services that require a mainland phone number; purchase it with your passport at an official carrier store.
Can I use an eSIM on any phone?
No. Check eSIM compatibility for your exact model and region, and confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked before buying.
What should I save offline?
Your hotel address in Chinese, flight and train confirmations, insurance details, a Chinese translation pack, and this first-timer kit.
Small practical things
- Public Wi-Fi usually asks for a Chinese phone number to send an SMS code, so do not rely on it.
- Save your hotel name and address in Chinese characters; drivers often cannot read the English name.
- Take screenshots of tickets and bookings in case you lose signal.
Information only, not legal advice. Entry rules, prices, app access, and features can change. Confirm details with the official provider before you travel.
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