Best China travel apps: 15+ essential, must-have & best apps for traveling in China

October 22, 2025

Traveling to China will no longer be a challenge if tourists own the following smart applications. With language barriers, separate payment systems and many platforms, careful preparation for the journey to explore the country of a billion people is the key factor for a smooth journey. In the article below, Living Nomads will suggest a series of useful apps when traveling to China, helping tourists confidently move, communicate, book services, pay and experience the local culture to the fullest. Now, let’s check out Best China travel apps: 15+ essential, must-have & best apps for traveling in China (best apps for visiting China) below!

You may be used to using smart applications when in your country. However, when going to China, most of those applications cannot be used. source: hellochinatrip.com | Best China travel apps

China, with its diversity and unlimited wonders, always makes every tourist experience full of surprises. However, for independent travelers, there may be many difficulties such as transportation, hotel booking, or even web browsing. If you are worried about these challenges, let’s explore the following 10 extremely useful Chinese travel apps with Living Nomads:

VPN – application to support Internet connection

Best China travel apps: 15+ essential, must-have & best apps for traveling in China

You probably know that China has its own Internet and search system. Therefore, when in China, you will not be able to use all applications of Google, Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, … Therefore, the only way for you to access the network while here is to use VPN.

VPN Proxy Master is an app that bypasses the firewall to be able to access social networking sites and regular websites when in China. To use this app, you can download it to your device and then register an account with a term of at least 1 month. You can also use it for free, but the speed is very slow, which is not good for your trip.

The cost when you buy VPN packages is around $11.39. You can also buy a Chinese SIM card to improve the speed better. We recommend you to spend money to buy a package or a Chinese SIM card instead of using the free version.

15 indispensable applications when traveling to China | Best China travel apps

You can use various good VPN such as: IVACY, Astrill VPN… and in which ExpressVPN helps you access websites like Facebook, Google, or Instagram freely, regardless of internet restrictions in China. This VPN acts as a secure channel, protecting your online privacy. Using ExpressVPN when traveling in China helps you browse the web safely, access your favorite online services, and protect your personal information from online tracking. This is a useful China travel app to have a free and private internet experience while you explore this country.

Best China travel apps: Payment applications (Wechat, Alipay)

Alipay and Wechat are two payment applications that help tourists be flexible in China | Best China travel apps

Similar to online payment applications in Vietnam such as Momo, Zalopay, … in China, WeChat Pay and Alipay are the two “giants” in the field of cashless payments. Almost all transactions, from calling a taxi, buying milk tea, paying for meals to shopping at the mall, can be done easily with just one QR code scan. In addition, tourists can also use WeChat to text, call, …

Meanwhile, Alipay also provides full functions from phone top-up, electricity and water payment, to credit card transactions. The big plus point of Alipay is that it supports linking with international payment cards such as Visa or Mastercard, helping foreign tourists easily access and use when traveling in China. Thanks to that, Alipay has become the preferred choice of many tourists who want to experience cashless payment conveniently and quickly.

Popular and convenient: As one of the two largest electronic payment applications in China, Alipay focuses on fast and highly secure payment functions, widely accepted from supermarkets, restaurants to small retail stores.
Tourist-friendly: The application has launched an international version, allowing linking Visa/Mastercard cards and immediate use without the need for a domestic bank account. Payment is simple by scanning the QR code or letting the staff scan the Alipay code on the phone.
Integrated services: In addition to payment, Alipay also integrates services such as buying subway tickets, booking sightseeing tickets, or paying bills at hotels.
Support for foreigners: The interface supports English, the customer service team responds quickly and provides English support when needed.

Best apps for traveling in China: Baidu Maps and Maps.me – Chinese Map Applications

More convenient when having Baidu Map, the journey of discovery is easier | Best China travel apps

Maps are an essential tool whenever you need to go to unfamiliar places. You can use Google Maps after installing VPN. This application is completely free. However, you can only use it when there is Internet. Therefore, you can also install 2 applications Baidu Map or Maps.me to look up offline routes when there is no network.

Outside of group activities, tourists will definitely have free time to stroll, shop or enjoy local cuisine according to their own preferences. And to make traveling around the city easier, Baidu Map is a reliable companion.

The application provides complete information on directions, public transportation, real-time traffic conditions and prominent locations near you. The intuitive interface, detailed data and accurate positioning capabilities make Baidu Map an ideal choice for anyone who wants to explore China conveniently and safely on their own.

In addition, Baidu supports Chinese so you can also use it to ask for directions when traveling. The information on the map is also very clear so you can rest assured to use it.

Perfect alternative to Google Maps: These are the two most used Chinese map apps by locals and are highly rated for their accuracy, especially in inland areas and public transport routes.
Detailed directions: The app provides directions for both private and public transport (bus, subway), displays real-time traffic conditions, and suggests ways to combine multiple modes of transport.
How to use: The interface is mainly in Chinese, but you can enter place names in Latin or copy Chinese names from elsewhere. A little tip is to use Google Translate to translate screenshots from the app, which is very convenient.
Handy offline map app: Maps.me is ideal if you don’t have a constant internet connection. Just download the area map before your trip, and you’ll be able to look up directions and find attractions without the need for internet.

Speak and Translate – Translation Support

Language barriers are difficult for anyone who is not fluent in Chinese. What you need is a translation support application to help you when you are in a faraway country. We recommend you the Speak and Translate application. This is an application that supports voice, image, and text search. You can use a pro account to experience all the features of this application.

In addition, there are also many other dictionary applications that you can use according to your needs.

Multi-purpose translation application: Supports text, voice, and image – suitable for more complex communication situations. Friendly interface and easy to operate even if you are not familiar with translation apps.

Best apps for China travel: Klook – Book tours, tickets, and activities

Klook is the largest ticket and entertainment booking platform in Asia. Here, you can buy tickets for attractions, rent portable Wi-Fi devices, and even book airport transfers. Tickets are often discounted, and you can pay in many different currencies.

Klook is a useful tool for finding and booking tickets for entertainment and sightseeing activities in China, helping you enjoy your trip conveniently and interestingly.

Ticket and tour booking channels are very familiar to Southeast Asian tourists.
Provide detailed information, real reviews, convenient e-tickets.
Can be used to book sightseeing tickets, buy SIM/eSIM, train tickets, rent equipment or participate in cultural activities such as cooking classes, craft workshops, etc.

Instant language translation application (Waygo)

Even if you have a tour guide accompanying you on the tour, owning a personal language translation application is always a smart solution when traveling abroad. With Waygo, travelers can easily translate Chinese characters and signs into English with just a simple scan. In particular, this application does not require an internet connection, which is extremely useful when travelers travel to places with weak signals or no Wi-Fi. A compact tool but a great support for travelers’ journey to explore China.

Waygo is a powerful mobile application that allows you to translate languages instantly. In particular, Waygo mainly focuses on translating Chinese characters and diagrams into English. What’s unique is that you don’t need an internet connection to use Waygo, which is very useful when you are traveling in places with unstable internet connections.

How to use this Chinese translation app Waygo is very simple. You just need to open the application, hold your phone up to a Chinese text or diagram that you want to translate, then the application will recognize and display the English version right on your screen. This is very useful when you need to translate street signs, restaurant menus, or other important information while traveling in China.

Instant camera translation: Waygo is an app that translates Chinese text into English by scanning the camera. The big advantage: no internet connection is required to work.
Limitations: The free version only allows 10 translations/day. You can upgrade if you need to use more.

CTrip – Travel app for booking tickets, booking hotels

Compared to having to use many different applications for purposes such as booking rooms, booking airline tickets, train tickets, etc., in China, you only need to use the Ctrip application to perform the above operations. This is a convenient application that integrates many different benefits. You will also be supported by the application’s staff when accessing trip.com for support. The staff here are all fluent in English, so you don’t need to worry too much.

Multi-purpose application for tourists, integrating booking airline tickets, high-speed train tickets, hotels and domestic schedules.
Supports English, has a very good customer service team.
Very suitable if you want to flexibly plan your travel within China.

Dianping – App to find places to eat and drink

China has long been famous for its long-standing culture and incomparable culinary delicacies. Therefore, if you want to find places to eat and drink, Dianping is indispensable. Like Vietnamese food search apps such as Foody, Lozi, …, Dianping also has a similar operating mechanism.

source: nativex.com | best apps for traveling in china

Dianping supports users to look up, view reviews, and images of restaurants according to their level of preference. In addition, the application also guides attractive tourist destinations in China. The reliability of this application is also very high, so you can completely rest assured and trust in using it.

Evaluate and suggest places to eat and drink in China through the Dian Ping application. Although not all reviews are available in English, you can still find restaurants worth trying.

In addition to cuisine, Dianping also recommends places to have fun, spa, watch movies, experience tours, … according to the current location.

Air Matters – Air Quality Monitoring

source: philips.com | best apps for traveling in china

In some areas like Beijing, air quality can be harmful. The Air Matters app helps you monitor the air pollution index and protect your health. Always check the pollution index and bring a mask when needed.

Air Matters is a useful Chinese travel app that helps you monitor the air quality at locations during your trip, especially if you are concerned about air pollution and want to protect your health in an environment with problematic air quality.

Mobike or OFO – Bicycle rental apps

Tourists will surely see rows of bicycles lined up neatly along the streets or public areas in China. All are ready for you to “go” with just one simple operation: scan the QR code with your phone. So how to use these convenient vehicles? Let’s explore how to scan the code and start your journey to explore China in an extremely economical and interesting way.

The OFO app will help travelers do that quickly and easily. Just download OFO to your phone, register an account with a few simple steps, then turn on the location to find the nearest bike. Once you have selected a bike, scan the QR code on the bike body, the bike lock will automatically unlock and you are ready to start your journey. The app offers an eco-friendly, affordable and extremely convenient travel experience for exploring the city in your own way.

You can easily see images of long rows of bikes lined up in public places in China. Just scan the code with your phone and you can use these bikes. So how to scan the code to use a bike?

You can download the Mobike or OFO app to rent a bike here. The first trips you can use are free, the next trips will be 1 CNY/trip. You also need to deposit 20 CNY but will get it back after the end of the trip. You also need to pay attention to the parking location because not everywhere can be parked.

Try experiencing the feeling of renting a bike on the streets of China. We believe that it will be an interesting experience for you.

Urban bike rental app: China is famous for its shared bike system. You just need to scan the QR code on the bike to unlock it, then use it freely for a short time.
Reasonable cost: The first ride is usually free, the following rides cost about 1 CNY. A small deposit is required, and please note that parking is in the correct area.

Transportation app (Didi Chuxing)

Didi Chuxing allows tourists to book a full car quickly

Taking a taxi on the street can be a big challenge when traveling to China. Differences in language and service operation often confuse tourists from the beginning. But don’t worry, the Didi Chuxing app will help travelers remove all barriers with just a few taps on the phone.

The app allows travelers to book a variety of vehicles from regular taxis, private cars to luxury cars, easily choosing according to their needs and budget. The friendly interface, English support and especially the instant message translation feature help travelers communicate effectively with drivers without knowing Chinese. With Didi, traveling becomes simpler, faster and more convenient than ever, so that travelers can easily explore their journey.

Like Uber or Grab in Vietnam, Didi is the most popular taxi booking app today. Didi Chuxing has surpassed other taxi booking companies in the Chinese market, rising to the top. You can use the Wifi system across the country to book a car. If you do not have internet, the DiDi driver can also rely on your PIN code to pick you up in the most convenient way.

China’s “Uber”: This is the most popular taxi booking app in China, very necessary if you encounter language barriers or do not want to take a taxi on the street.
Convenient and smart: Didi has an English version, supporting real-time translation of messages with the driver. You can pay via WeChat, Alipay or international cards, and the driver can locate you even if you are not fluent in Chinese.

The taxi price is also quite reasonable and you can pay with international cards as usual.
The good news is that you can link international cards such as Visa, Mastercard to use WeChat Pay without having a Chinese bank account. With just a few steps of registration before your trip, you will no longer worry about spending money when traveling.

Find places to eat (Meituan Dianping)

source: scmp | best apps for china travel

Discovering unique culinary culture is an indispensable part of your China travel itinerary. With countless fragrant street foods to traditional restaurants with a strong local flavor, all of them make tourists fascinated from the first time they enjoy them. If in Vietnam, tourists are too familiar with platforms such as Foody, Lozi, … to hunt for delicious places to eat, then in China, Dianping is the indispensable “powerful assistant” of culinary enthusiasts.

Tourists can completely preview images of dishes and a series of reviews from previous diners. Although most of the review content is in Chinese, don’t worry, just turn on the automatic translation feature and tourists can clearly understand and choose dishes and restaurants that suit their taste.

Is the largest food delivery platform in China, with a friendly and easy-to-use interface.
Integrates many services: ordering food, pre-booking tables, buying movie tickets, beauty, spa, …
Fast payment via WeChat Pay or Alipay.

Airbnb – Find a places to stay easily

source: shutterstock | best apps for china travel

Airbnb is a platform that connects people who need to rent a house and people who have a room to rent around the world. In China, you can find accommodation options with good prices and high quality services. You can also find rooms with English descriptions and read reviews from previous travelers.

China travel app Airbnb is a powerful tool to help you find accommodation easily and enjoy a diverse travel experience in China.

China Metro – Subway search app

Bullet train Shanghai – Beijing. copyright: Lyu Biao/VCG/Getty Images | best apps for china travel

Besides bicycles, subways are also a popular means of transportation chosen by many people to travel in China. China Metro will bring a similar experience but exclusively for China’s modern subway system. This app provides full information about metro lines, travel routes, waiting times and detailed instructions to each station.

Just enter your departure and destination, China Metro will immediately suggest the most convenient and fastest route, helping you save time and avoid getting lost in the huge traffic network. In particular, this application is completely free. However, to fully utilize the features, visitors need to connect to the network. Therefore, do not forget to prepare a 4G sim or wifi device to ensure smooth travel throughout your journey to explore China.

Metroman app | best apps for china travel

The subway is a popular means of transportation in China. If you want to try the subway instead of expensive taxis, you can download the China Metro application. This application will help you find the subway, how to get to the train station like the bus in Vietnam.

You can use China Metro for free but need to have internet and remember to install the map before starting this application.

Smart subway app: Apps like MetroMan or China Metro are great assistants for traveling by subway in big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, etc.
Features: Look up routes, number of transfers, travel time and metro system maps by city. You can add an electronic metro card to Alipay to scan the code when entering/exiting the station – extremely fast and convenient.

Wechat- Communication application in China

Wechat (Weixin) is a communication application used by the majority of Chinese people. Therefore, you should use this application when you want to contact your Chinese friends and relatives. To be able to use this application, you need a reputable relative to scan the code to start using it. People who are not trustworthy enough may not be able to help you with this.

In addition to free calling and texting, WeChat also has a translation function right in the conversation, helping you easily communicate with locals even if you are not good at Chinese. Besides, many tourist attractions, shops and even tour guides use WeChat as the main means of communication.

In addition to the features of listening, calling, and texting like Line, WhatsApp, Wechat also helps users know the utilities through QR Code. Moreover, the Wechat Pay feature is also extremely useful for Chinese people.

You can refer to the instructions on how to install and use Wechat on PC and phone

Main features: Not only is it a Chinese social networking app with free messaging and calling functions similar to Zalo, WeChat is also the center of all cashless transactions. You can easily scan QR codes to shop, eat, book a taxi, or pay for hotels.
Support for tourists: WeChat now allows linking international credit cards such as Visa or Mastercard, making transactions more convenient than ever for international tourists.
Book tickets and contact: In addition to payment, you can use WeChat to book sightseeing tickets (many destinations such as museums require online booking via the app), or quickly contact hotels and local partners.
Note on registration: Registering a new account has become easier, but in some cases, another user still needs to scan the authentication code. It is recommended to create an account and complete verification before coming to China.

source: Fintech New Malaysia | best apps for china travel

So, if you are planning to go to China, don’t forget to download WeChat and set up an account before your trip. A compact application but will help you enjoy your trip much easier and more convenient!

With the useful applications suggested above, traveling to China will become simpler and more convenient than ever. Pocket these series of applications before leaving to make your journey to explore the vast country of China smoother, more interesting and more complete. Don’t forget to save this article and share it with your friends if you find it useful!