Traveling to China is an exciting adventure filled with rich culture, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes.
However, have you ever heard that you can't access internet in China?
Take it as a big mistake. The digital landscape in China just operates differently compared to what most travelers are accustomed to everywhere else. Most famous application like Google, Facebook, Instagram, X, Linkedin and Youtube are forbidden there, but many others do work in China.
Initially, VPNs may be seen as a solution to access these services, but it's important to note that doing so is against the law in China. Additionally, the majority of VPNs are not functional in that country. While you can download them, it's unlikely that you will be able to connect to servers outside of China.
You can note however that to my experience, using a foreign SIM card data might in some occasion provide access to all these apps without having to use a VPN.
Regardless of the choices you make for your trip, I would like to share a list of essential applications travelers need in China in orer to help you navigate smoothly during your journey and improve your travel experience.
1. WeChat （微信)
WeChat is the ultimate all-in-one super app created by Tencent that revolutionize the way you connect and navigate your daily life! From messaging to social media, mobile payments, voice and video calls, and more, WeChat has got you covered. Whether you're in China or anywhere else in the world, this versatile platform lets you effortlessly share moments with friends, order food, hail a taxi, manage your finances, and so much more - all in one convenient place!
To register Wechat, you need a SIM card, no matter where it is from. As Wechat pay and Alipay are the two essential ways to pay in China - basically Chinese don't use cash anymore, if you want to pay with cash, better prepare the exact amount you need, or they will not have the change to give back - you probably want to register wechat pay, which requires a mainland bank account and that most foreigners don't have, but if you have close Chinese friends and they trust you, you can use their relative card on Wechat (like me, I use the relative card of my wife), this one doesn't require anything special, not even related.
2. Alipay （支付宝）
Alipay is considered as the competitore of wechat. They provide many similar services and opened themself to foreign credit card first. It has become a widely-used digital payment platform that offers a convenient and secure way for users to make online and in-store transactions. Alipay also provides features such as money transfers, bill payments, and even investment options. Many micro-application also allow users to grab taxis and take public transportation. With its user-friendly interface and widespread acceptance, Alipay has become an essential tool for payment and the best option at this day for foreigners.
3. Pleco / Google translation / Iphone translation...
Navigating the language barrier can be challenging, but with all translation application (google one being usually also accessible), you can quickly translate and understand Mandarin.
Google translation or any other translation app like iphone one either allows you to communicate with locals for simple conversations or take pictures on which translation of chinese caracters is shown into your language.
Pleco, being a powerfull chinese-english dictionnary which can be used offline, offers features to translate on the go.
4. Didi Chuxing （滴滴出行)
Be aware that Chinese taxi, like everywhere else in the world, will try to get more money from you than necessary. Telling you that the rate increased, not going via the shortest road or even changing the price announced at the end of the course.
The easiest way to avoid these, even more if you don't speak a word of chinese is by using the local taxi hailing application. Getting around in China's bustling cities has been made easier with Didi Chuxing, the equivalent of Uber or Grab in Asia. From taxis to private cars and bikes, Didi offers diverse transportation options, ensuring you reach your destination conveniently.
5. Moovit and GaoDeDiTu （高德地图）
For efficient navigation through China's complex public transportation systems, or symply to check the map, Moovit (in english) or GaoDeDiTu (in chinese) are your reliable companions. From buses to subways, they both provide detailed routes, schedules, and real-time updates to help you reach your destinations hassle-free. You can also book a taxi on GaoDeDiTu.
8. Railway12306
If you want to book a train ticket, you have two options: you can either visit the train station in person and go to the ticket counter, or you can use the Chinese app Railway12306 (Chinese language).
You can book all your tickets through this app 14 days in advance by providing your passport details and linking either your Alipay or Wechat payment account.
Noted, only people with Chinese ID or Hong Kong travel permit in Mainland (回乡证) can register this app directly, people with foreign passports can be added to a Chinese person's account. Which means you need your Chinese friend to buy tickets for you. For example, my wife registered this app and added my passport info to her account, every time we need to go around she booked the tickets for me. This might not be useful for pure foreigner travelers but I found so many expats with Chinese spouse who don't know anything about it. Mixed couples, try this please.
9. Meituan （美团）, Kunar （去哪儿）, Trip.com
These two first apps are the primary options for booking flights and accommodations online in China.
Since they are entirely in Chinese, it's preferable to be fluent in Mandarin to navigate them.
If you're limited to using an English app, Trip.com is the go-to platform for booking train tickets, flights, and hotels.
Other apps such as Booking.com or Agoda may also feature deals in China, particularly in major cities with global hotel chains.
10. Taobao （淘宝）
Taobao is an online shopping platform that serves as a marketplace for individuals and businesses to buy and sell a wide variety of products. The purpose of Taobao is to provide a convenient and accessible platform for users to browse, compare, and purchase goods ranging from clothing and electronics to household items and more. It aims to connect and facilitate communication of buyers with sellers in a user-friendly environment, offering a vast selection of products at competitive prices.
Everything is written in Chinese, but English users always manage to navigate through it. By having an Alipay or WeChat account, you can purchase all your souvenirs directly from this application (if you have enough days to receive it obviously) !
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For travelers or expats planning to live in China for a period of time, this selection of Chinese apps could prove to be quite useful. While most of these apps are in Chinese, and some only accessible with a chinese ID, English alternatives are also available for foreigners.
Despite China's distinctive internet landscape, familiarizing yourself with these apps can greatly facilitate your ability to adapt in this country, fully engage with the culture, and create lasting memories while discovering the marvels of China.
I will be sharing additional articles soon to explain how to utilize the most essential ones. Stay connected!
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