Your digital starter kit for payments, communication, navigation, travel and language support.
Moving to China involves more than packing your suitcase and preparing your documents.
Once you arrive, many everyday tasks will depend on your phone. You may need it to pay for breakfast, contact your university, find your hotel, take a train or understand a Chinese sign.
China has a highly developed digital ecosystem, but many of its most useful services operate through local apps. Downloading them only after arrival can be inconvenient, especially when you are still setting up mobile data, receiving verification codes or finding your way around a new city.
Here are five apps worth preparing before your flight.
1. Alipay
For payments and everyday services
Alipay is one of the most useful apps for daily life in China.
It can be used for QR-code payments at many restaurants, convenience stores, shopping centres and other participating businesses. It also provides access to transport services, ride-hailing and a range of useful mini apps.
International visitors may be able to register with an overseas phone number and connect a supported international bank card.
You do not need to understand every feature before arriving. The priority is to download the official app, create your account and check whether you can add your preferred payment method.
Best for: Payments, public transport and local digital services.
Prepare before arrival: Register your account and check that your phone can receive verification messages.
2. WeChat
For communication and community life
In China, WeChat is much more than a messaging app.
Friends, classmates, colleagues, landlords and organisations often use it as their main communication channel. Universities and businesses may also publish information through WeChat groups and Official Accounts.
Its Mini Programs allow users to access services inside WeChat without downloading a separate app. Depending on the service, they may be used for restaurant menus, bookings, deliveries and payments.
WeChat is also likely to be your gateway into local communities. Once you arrive, you may be invited into class groups, housing groups, professional networks or newcomer communities.
Best for: Messaging, group chats, local information and Mini Programs.
Prepare before arrival: Create your account using a phone number you will continue to use.
3. AMap Global
For local navigation
Addresses in China are not always easy to find using English names alone.
AMap Global is designed to help international users navigate Chinese cities through an English interface. It can provide walking routes, public transport information, metro exits and local place searches.
It is especially useful when travelling from an airport or railway station to your accommodation. Saving your hotel, university or apartment in advance can make your first journey much easier.
Keep the destination’s Chinese address as well. It can be useful when speaking to a taxi driver or asking someone for directions.
Best for: Walking routes, public transport, local addresses and city navigation.
Prepare before arrival: Save the Chinese address of your first accommodation.
4. Railway 12306
For official train tickets
China’s railway network makes travelling between cities fast and convenient.
Railway 12306 is the official platform for purchasing train tickets. Foreign travellers can use passport information when creating passenger profiles and booking journeys.
Using the official platform allows you to see railway schedules and ticket availability directly. However, identity information must be entered carefully, and passport verification may be required before all functions become available.
Even when your ticket is stored digitally, you should carry the original passport connected to your booking.
Best for: High-speed rail and intercity train travel.
Prepare before arrival: Create your account, enter your passport information carefully and complete any requested verification early.
5. Pleco
For understanding Chinese words and characters
Translation tools are useful, but they do not always explain individual Chinese characters clearly.
Pleco is a Chinese-English dictionary designed for people learning or using Chinese. It can help you look up words, recognise unfamiliar characters and understand practical vocabulary encountered in daily life.
Depending on the version and installed features, it may also provide handwriting input, camera-based text recognition and downloadable dictionary content.
This can be particularly useful for reading menus, signs, medicine packaging and administrative terms.
Best for: Chinese vocabulary, character recognition and offline reference.
Prepare before arrival: Download the app and any dictionary content you may want to access offline.
Before You Fly
You do not need to master all five apps before arriving.
A simple preparation checklist is enough:
- Download the official versions
- Update them before travelling
- Register using a phone number that can receive SMS messages
- Keep your passport details nearby
- Save your accommodation address in Chinese
- Prepare more than one payment method
- Carry your original passport when travelling
The goal is not to become an expert before your flight.
It is simply to make sure that the basic tools are ready when you need them.
More Step-by-Step Guides Are Coming
This article is only an introduction.
In the coming posts, Adapt to China will explain individual apps in more detail, including:
How to register and add an international card to Alipay
How to set up WeChat and join local communities
How to purchase train tickets using a foreign passport
How to navigate Chinese cities without speaking Chinese
How to prepare backup payment methods
App functions and registration requirements may change over time, so always follow the latest instructions displayed by the official app.
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