Having the right apps installed before arrival makes a China trip much smoother. Here are the essentials.
Payments
Alipay and WeChat handle almost all daily purchases.
Transport
- 12306 for train tickets
- Didi for ride-hailing
- City metro apps for Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou
Maps and translation
Download offline maps and a translation app. Google services may not be reliable in mainland China, so local alternatives are useful.