4 Must-Have Apps for China Travel

Hey fellow wanderlusters! If you’re gearing up for a trip to China, let me spill the tea: this country runs on apps—and I’m not talking about just scrolling Instagram. Last time I visited, I almost panicked when I realized no one uses cash (like, not even the old lady selling roasted chestnuts on the street). But these 4 apps turned my “uh-oh” into a “this is awesome”—let me break ’em down with all the messy, fun details!

1. Alipay: The Cashless King That Handles Everything

Let’s set a scene: I’m in Xi’an, staring at a street vendor’s crispy roujiamo (Chinese hamburger—chef’s kiss) and only have a crumpled $2 bill. The vendor just grinned, held up their phone, and I scanned their Alipay code—done. No haggling over exchange rates, no fumbling for change.

Fun bonus: I once forgot my transit card in Shanghai, and Alipay let me swipe directly into the subway turnstile (saved me 20 minutes of waiting in line for a new card). You can even rent those neon-yellow shared bikes with it—just scan the QR code on the handlebar, and off you go.

2. DiDi Chuxing: Your Late-Night Ride + Secret Food Guide

Here’s a true story: I was out in Chengdu until 1am, craving spicy hot pot leftovers, and couldn’t flag a taxi (they all zoomed past me). Opened DiDi, typed my hotel address (in English!), and 2 minutes later a driver pulled up.

He didn’t speak a word of English, but DiDi’s built-in translator let us chat—turns out he lives near a secret night market, and he dropped me off there first. I left with a belly full of spicy tofu and a new favorite spot (that’s not on any tourist map). Total win.

3. Amap: The Navigation Hero That Finds Hidden Gems

I tried to track down a famous lamb soup shop in Lanzhou—everyone said it’s in a tiny alley, no sign, no Google Maps listing. Amap’s AR navigation (the one that overlays arrows on your camera view) walked me right to the door (I would’ve circled that block forever otherwise).

And the best part? Its “Local Discovery” tab recommends eats that tourists never find. It led me to a mom-and-pop noodle shop where the owner gave me a free bowl of pickled veggies—because I was the only foreigner who’d ever found his spot.

4. Laihua Tong: Your “I Have No Clue What I’m Doing” Lifeline

When I first landed in Beijing, I spiraled: “Wait, how long can I stay on my visa again?” Opened Laihua Tong, tapped “Visa Check,” and it pulled up my exact stay limit in 2 seconds.

Later, at a Sichuan restaurant, the menu was only Chinese—its photo translator turned “ma la xiang guo” into “spicy dry pot” (warning: it’s way spicier than it sounds, but so worth the nose run). The cherry on top? You don’t even need to make an account for basic stuff—perfect for when you’re jet-lagged and brain-dead.

Quick Pro Tip (From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way)

Download all these before you land (China’s internet blocks some app stores once you’re there) and link your international bank card to Alipay/DiDi first. Trust me, you’ll go from “how do I pay for this pancake?” to “I’m basically a local” in 24 hours.

So who’s ready to scan for street food, get (briefly) lost then found in alleys, and eat way too much spicy food? These apps have your back—happy traveling!