List of essential apps for foreign tourists traveling in China (2026 version): payment, transportation, maps, translation and daily life services all at once

When traveling to China, the most important thing that foreign tourists need to solve in advance is often not how to arrange attractions, but whether their mobile phones can be used smoothly.

How to pay with overseas bank card? Can I call a taxi without a Chinese mobile phone number? How to buy high-speed rail tickets with foreign passport? Can Google Maps navigate in China? What should I do if the restaurant menu is only in Chinese?

China's mobile payments, public transportation, online ride-hailing and daily life services have been highly digitized, but these services do not support overseas tourists to the same extent. Some apps support overseas bank cards, some require identity verification, and some functions can only be activated after arriving in China.

This guide is organized according to actual travel scenarios. The focus is not on letting you download dozens of apps, but on helping you prepare the most necessary tools before departure.

Applicable objects: International tourists holding foreign passports who come to China for tourism, family visits, and business trips.

Scope of application: Mainland China, excluding local communication and payment rules of Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions.

01｜Let’s take a look first: What apps do foreign tourists need to install?

If you only plan to stay in China for one to three weeks, you don’t need to install all local Chinese apps.

Just prepare the following tools first.

Among them, Alipay, Amap, and WeChat are the three most worthy of priority preparation.

If your itinerary includes multiple cities, you should also prepare 12306 or Trip.com in advance; if you mainly visit one city, you should prioritize getting familiar with the local subway and bus payment methods.

02｜Payment tools: Alipay and WeChat are the two most important Apps

Priority: Highest｜It is recommended to complete registration and bank card binding before departure

1. Alipay

Preferred payment instrument

• Support overseas mobile phone number registration.
• Supports eligible overseas bank cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, etc.
• You can scan the merchant's QR code to pay, or you can present the payment code.
• In some cities, transportation codes can be used directly.
• Provides multi-language interfaces such as English.

Official website:Alipay

Alipay is one of the payment tools that foreign tourists should install first in China.

The following can usually be done before arriving in China:

1. Download Alipay from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
2. Register using an overseas mobile phone number.
3. Follow the app prompts to complete authentication.
4. Enter the bank card management page and add overseas bank cards that meet the requirements.
5. Follow the prompts to complete verification from the card-issuing bank.

After completing the binding, there are usually two payment methods for daily consumption:

• The merchant shows the payment QR code and opens Alipay to scan it.
• Open the payment code and let the merchant scan it.

Transaction limits and fees for overseas bank cards

This is an important point in the manuscript that needs correction.

According to the payment guidelines for overseas tourists announced by the Shanghai Municipal Government in 2026, when using overseas bank cards to bind Alipay or WeChat payment, the relevant regulatory transaction limits are:

• Maximum single transaction: $5,000.
• Maximum annual cumulative transactions: $50,000.

Note that this is US dollars, not RMB.

Regarding handling fees, after overseas bank cards are bound to mobile payment, there are usually the following charging rules:

• Transactions of RMB 200 and below are generally exempt from platform service fees.
• For transactions over 200 yuan, a service fee of 3% of the total transaction amount may be charged.
• Specific discounts, applicable conditions and actual fees are subject to the payment page.

In addition, the card-issuing bank may charge foreign transaction fees or currency conversion fees, which are different fees from the Alipay platform service fees.

1. WeChat (WeChat) / Weixin Pay

Strongly recommended to install

• Overseas mobile phone numbers can register for WeChat accounts.
• Eligible overseas bank cards can be bound to WeChat Pay.
• You can scan the merchant's payment QR code or present the payment code.
• Supports chatting, sharing location, and contacting hotel and travel service personnel.
• You can use mini programs for some scenic spots, transportation and catering services.

Official website:WeChat

WeChat is not only one of the most commonly used social tools in China, but also an important communication channel during travel.

When traveling in China, you may encounter the following situations:

• The hotel sends check-in information via WeChat.
• The restaurant needs to scan the WeChat QR code to view the menu.
• Some scenic spots use WeChat applet to make reservations.
• Local travel consultants, drivers and tour guides contact tourists via WeChat.

Therefore, even if Alipay has been bound, it is recommended to install WeChat.

Special reminder: Successful registration of a WeChat account does not mean that WeChat payment has been activated. You need to enter the payment function separately, bind the bank card according to the prompts and complete the verification.

In 2026, WeChat Pay also launched a handling fee discount for some overseas bank card users. For example, in the preferential policy announced by Beijing in March 2026, users who bind an international bank card for the first time can enjoy fee reductions for certain transactions of less than 1,000 yuan during the eligible 60-day preferential period. Such activities have applicable conditions and validity periods, and should not be understood to mean that all users and all transactions are permanently free of handling fees.

1. UnionPay App (Cloud QuickPass): Alternate Payment Tool

Cloud QuickPass is a mobile payment application of China UnionPay, which can provide services such as QR code payment.

• Supports some overseas user registration and bank card binding.
• Some overseas markets can be downloaded and used.
• Specific support depends on the card's issuing location, the issuing bank, and the region where the app is located.

Official website:UnionPay International

For ordinary short-term tourists, Alipay and WeChat Pay are usually sufficient, and Union Quick Pass is not a must-install application.

There are three other things to note when it comes to payment:

First, don’t rely entirely on mobile payments. Although mobile payment is very popular in China, there are still some scenarios where cash or bank cards can be used. It is recommended to keep a small amount of RMB cash with you.

Second, whether overseas bank cards can be bound depends on the review of the card organization, card-issuing bank and platform. Even if the bank card belongs to Visa or Mastercard, there is no guarantee that every card can be successfully bound.

Third, it is recommended to prepare two different payment methods, such as binding one bank card with Alipay and another bank card with WeChat Pay, to avoid temporary verification or transaction problems on a certain platform.

03｜Network and communications: Check whether your mobile phone can access the Internet before departure

Priority: Highest | It is recommended to confirm device compatibility before departure

1. International eSIM or local Chinese SIM card

If your phone supports eSIM, you can purchase an international data plan applicable to mainland China in advance; you can also apply for a local SIM card after arriving in China.

Both methods have their own characteristics:

Major mobile communication operators in mainland China include:

• China Mobile
• China Unicom
• China Telecom

Foreign tourists can bring their valid passports and go to the operator's self-operated business hall to apply for a mobile phone card.

It is recommended to check before departure:

• Whether the phone supports eSIM.
• Whether the phone has been unlocked by the operator's network.
• Whether the purchased traffic package clearly covers mainland China.
• Whether to include hotspot sharing function.
• Whether sufficient traffic and valid usage period are provided.
• Do you need to purchase additional voice call services?

Special note: The network access methods of international eSIM and Chinese local SIM may be different. Some international roaming plans allow continued use of some overseas services, but this cannot be considered a feature that all eSIMs have. You should confirm the actual network routing and accessible services with the service provider before purchasing.

1. Mainland China Internet Instructions

Foreign tourists need to understand in advance that the network environment in mainland China is different from that in some countries and regions.

Overseas platforms such as Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp may not be directly accessible under ordinary Internet access in mainland China.

therefore:

• Don't use Google Maps as your only navigation tool.
• Don’t use WhatsApp as your only way to contact hotel or travel agents.
• Don't use Google Translate as your only translation tool.
• Don’t wait until you arrive in China to start troubleshooting network and communications issues.

If there are overseas services that must be used, you should confirm their availability in mainland China and whether the relevant network services comply with local laws and regulations before departure. Do not promote any network tool as guaranteeing access to all offshore services.

04｜Transportation: What to use for high-speed rail, subway, and taxi?

China's urban transportation network is very developed, but the applications used by different transportation modes are not the same.

1. High-speed rail ticket purchase: Railway 12306

The preferred official channel for cross-city rail travel

• The official ticketing platform of China Railway.
• The English website supports ticket purchase with foreign passports.
• Supports services such as train number inquiry, ticket purchase, ticket changes and refunds.
• The electronic ticket is associated with the valid ID used when purchasing the ticket.

Official English website:12306 English

Foreign tourists can use a valid foreign passport to purchase tickets for China's high-speed rail and ordinary trains.

Things to note before purchasing tickets:

• Complete the passenger profile using the name and ID number from your passport.
• Complete identity information verification according to platform requirements.
• Check your passport information when purchasing tickets to avoid errors in name spelling or ID number.
• After purchasing the ticket, keep the ticket purchase information properly and bring the original passport used when purchasing the ticket.

Do I need to print my ticket when entering the station?

Usually not required.

China Railway implements electronic passenger tickets. Foreign tourists should bring the valid passport used when purchasing tickets and complete the verification of entry, exit and boarding through gates or manual channels that support passport recognition.

Special attention:

• Passport photos alone cannot replace the original passport.
• If the automatic gate cannot recognize the passport, you should ask the staff for help and go through the manual verification channel.
• Ticket purchase information sheets and reimbursement vouchers cannot replace travel documents.

12306 The English website clearly states that foreign passengers can use valid passports that meet the regulations to purchase real-name tickets. The English website also provides services such as ticket purchase, ticket change, and refund.

2. Ticket purchasing alternative for international tourists: Trip.com

Recommended installation

• English interface and multi-language service.
• Supports using foreign passports to fill in passenger information.
• Supports booking of travel products such as hotels, air tickets, and train tickets.
• Supports a variety of overseas payment methods, please refer to the order payment page for details.

Official website:Trip.com

If you’re unfamiliar with 12306’s registration and identity verification process, Trip.com can serve as an easier alternative.

However, it should be noted that Trip.com is a third-party booking platform and not the official ticketing website of China Railways. Order service fees, booking rules and cancellation and modification conditions should be subject to the actual order page.

suggestion:

• If you want to purchase tickets directly through official railway channels, please choose 12306 first.
• If you value English operation and overseas payment convenience more, you can consider Trip.com.
• Do not submit the same train order for the same passenger repeatedly on multiple platforms to avoid duplicate ticket purchases.

3. Online car-hailing: DiDi (Didi Chuxing)

Recommended installation

• Provide DiDi-Greater China services for international users.
• Registration using some overseas mobile phone numbers is supported.
• Supports eligible international bank card payments.
• There are different types of online ride-hailing services to choose from.

Official website:DiDi Global

Foreign tourists can request a ride through Didi International User Service.

In addition, Alipay and WeChat have also integrated some taxi service portals:

• Alipay: Enter transportation or travel-related services and select taxi.
• WeChat: Enter the service and find the entrance to travel or hail a taxi.

For tourists coming to China for the first time, it is recommended to give priority to ride-hailing methods that provide an English interface and clearly display the pick-up location and destination.

Practical reminders when using Didi:

1. Try to save the Chinese addresses of hotels, airports and scenic spots in advance.
2. Airports and large train stations often have dedicated ride-hailing pick-up and pick-up areas.
3. Don’t just rely on the English hotel name to locate the hotel, try to confirm the Chinese address.
4. Check the license plate, model and driver information before getting in the car.
5. If the driver cannot contact you, you can use the message or phone function in the app.

4. Subway and bus: Give priority to using Alipay transportation code

Most major cities in China have comprehensive subway and bus networks.

Foreign tourists usually have the following modes of transportation:

• Use Alipay to activate transportation codes in local cities.
• Use WeChat transportation services supported by some cities.
• Buy a one-way ticket at a metro station.
• Use a local transport card.
• Use eligible overseas bank cards in cities and routes that support direct swiping with international bank cards.

How to use Alipay to take the subway?

General steps:

1. Open Alipay.
2. Go to Transport or related mobility services.
3. Select your city.
4. Complete identity verification as required.
5. Open subway code.
6. When entering and exiting the station, follow the instructions of the local gate to scan the code.

It should be noted that the ride code usually needs to be opened separately by city. It cannot be used in all cities across the country after being collected in one city.

In addition, the subway systems in some cities support direct payment of overseas bank cards, but not all cities, all lines and all bank cards are applicable.

For example, Beijing already supports the use of qualified overseas Visa and Mastercard bank cards to directly swipe at gates on some urban rail transit lines. The actual support scope should be subject to the local transportation department announcements and gate markings.

If your phone is out of battery, the network is abnormal, or your ride code cannot be used, you can purchase a one-way ticket or ask station staff for help.

5. Flight enquiry: Prioritize using the airline’s official app

If you need to take a domestic flight or international flight in China, it is recommended to install the official app of the actual operating airline.

Main uses include:

• Check flight status.
• View check-in information.
• Get gate and terminal information.
• Receive notifications of flight delays, cancellations and boarding time changes.
• Check-in online for some flights.

For example, airlines such as Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines all have their own official service channels.

It is not recommended to use a third-party flight inquiry app as the only source of information. Flight status and boarding gate information should be subject to airline notifications and airport on-site displays.

05｜Map Navigation: Don’t just rely on Google Maps

Priority: Highest | It is recommended to download and test before departure

Maps are one of the most common areas for foreign tourists to encounter problems when traveling in China.

In mainland China, Google Maps is not a reliable primary navigation tool. Even if it does turn on, there may be issues with map data, positioning, route planning, and real-time traffic information.

The following tools are recommended.

1. Amap (Amap)

Preferred map

• Provides English map services for international users.
• Supports route planning for driving, public transportation, walking, etc.
• You can check hotels, restaurants, scenic spots and transportation stations.
• Some multilingual travel assistance services are available.

Official services:Amap

Amap has launched an English map service for international tourists.

It is recommended to install Amap before departure and save it in advance:

• Hotel name and Chinese address.
• Names of main scenic spots.
• Train station and airport names.
• Tour group meeting point.
• There are subway stations and dining areas around the hotel.

For cross-city travel, it is recommended to reconfirm the exact location of hotels and scenic spots every time you visit a new city.

1. Baidu Maps

Backup tools

• Rich local location and business information in mainland China.
• Great for finding some small restaurants, shops and local amenities.
• The Chinese interface and Chinese search experience are more suitable for users who are familiar with Chinese.

Official website:Baidu map

Baidu Maps can be used as an alternative to Amap, but for foreign tourists who do not speak Chinese, the operating threshold may be higher.

1. Apple Maps

If you use an iPhone, you can keep Apple Maps as a complementary tool.

However, in mainland China, location coverage, navigation information and public transportation support may be different from Amap, and it is not recommended to use it as the only navigation source.

Suggestions for using the map:

Many hotels, restaurants and scenic spots in China have English names, Chinese names and map-marked names that are not completely consistent.

The most efficient way is:

• Save the Chinese address.
• Save the hotel's location on the map.
• Before setting off, make sure your destination is visible to the driver.
• For remote scenic spots, confirm the entrance and parking lot location in advance.

Especially in ancient towns, mountainous areas and large scenic spots, the center location of the scenic spot on the map is not necessarily the entrance accessible by vehicles.

06｜Translation tool: How to solve menus, street signs and daily communication?

Priority: Highest｜It is recommended to prepare at least two translation methods

The most common language barrier that foreign tourists encounter in China is not necessarily complicated conversations, but menus, traffic signs, hotel descriptions and daily service information.

It is recommended to prepare the following tools.

1. Mobile phone comes with translation function

Apple Translate

Suitable for iPhone users and can be used for daily text and voice translation. Whether offline Chinese translation is supported should be determined by the device model, system version and downloaded language pack.

If you use another brand of Android phone, you can also check whether the system has its own translation function.

Don't rely solely on online translation. It is recommended to test whether the Chinese language pack can be downloaded and whether it can be used normally offline before departure.

1. WeChat (WeChat) translation function

WeChat is very useful in chatting and communicating.

For example:

• Translate Chinese chat content into English.
• Translate English information into Chinese.
• Communicate hotel check-in, pick-up and meeting times via text.
• Features such as image translation are used in some versions and usage scenarios.

However, WeChat Translation cannot completely replace professional translation tools, especially for information such as menus, drug descriptions, and important contracts.

1. Translation apps such as Youdao Translator

It can be used as an auxiliary translation tool. The specific supported languages, photo translation, voice translation and offline thesaurus are subject to the current App version.

1. Photo translation: more practical than simple text translation

When traveling in China, the following scenes especially require photography and translation:

• Chinese restaurant menu.
• Subway and bus tips.
• Hotel check-in instructions.
• Product labeling and food ingredients.
• Scenic area information board.
• Self-service ticket machine interface.

If you need to translate drug instructions, allergens, medical information or safety tips, you cannot rely solely on machine translation to make the final judgment. You should further confirm with the staff.

Suggestion: Before departure, prepare at least one Chinese-English translation tool that can be used offline, and then cooperate with WeChat’s daily communication translation function. Do not use Google Translate as your only tool, as its online service may not be directly usable under normal network conditions in mainland China.

07｜Catering and life services: Which apps are worth installing?

This section is not required by all visitors.

If you are a group of tourists whose hotels, transportation and meals are arranged by a travel agency, you usually do not need to install all local life applications separately.

But if you are traveling independently or staying for a long time, the following apps will be helpful.

1. Dianping: Find local restaurants and experiences

It is similar to a platform that combines restaurant reviews, merchant information and local life recommendations.

• Check out restaurants and cafes.
• Check out user reviews and live photos.
• Check opening hours and address.
• Find some scenic spots, entertainment and life services.

It should be noted that Dianping is mainly for local Chinese users, with a high proportion of Chinese content, and limited English interface support and operating experience for overseas users.

Tourists who don't speak Chinese can choose restaurants based on pictures, addresses and map positioning.

You can use the following Chinese keywords when searching:

• Vegetarian: Vegetarian.
• Halal: Halal.
• Coffee: Coffee.
• Seafood: Seafood.
• Hot Pot: Hot Pot.
• Accessibility: Accessibility.

It’s important to note that labels and user reviews on the platform are not a substitute for a restaurant’s formal confirmation of ingredients, allergens or halal certification status.

2. Meituan: Food delivery and local life services

It mainly provides takeaway, catering, hotel and some local life services.

Meituan is widely used in local life services in China, but for short-term foreign tourists, there are operational barriers such as Chinese interface, mobile phone number verification, address filling and payment.

If the hotel can assist with food ordering, there is usually no need to download Meituan specifically for a short trip.

3. Ele.me: Alternative takeaway platform

One of China's major food delivery platforms, which can be used to order meals and some daily necessities.

For short-term tourists who do not speak Chinese, the convenience of use is usually not as good as assisting in ordering meals through the hotel front desk.

Practical suggestions: For ordinary inbound tourists, Dianping is usually more useful than Meituan and Ele.me. Unless you plan to travel independently for a long time, the latter two are not must-install applications.

08｜Practical information that is easily overlooked: emergency help, hotel address and cash

This information may be more important than installing a few more apps.

1. Commonly used emergency telephone numbers in China

It is recommended to save these numbers to your mobile phone address book.

If your passport is lost, you should promptly report it to the local public security agency and contact your country’s embassy or consulate in China to learn about the procedures for re-issuing travel documents.

2. The hotel’s Chinese name and address must be saved in advance

This is a very practical detail that is often overlooked by foreign tourists.

In China, the English name of a hotel may not be accurately recognized by drivers.

It is recommended to save the following information:

• The hotel’s full name in Chinese.
• The hotel’s detailed address in Chinese.
• Hotel contact number.
• Hotel map location.
• Hotel booking confirmation.

It is best to save these information to mobile phone photo albums and offline memos.

When you need to take a taxi, you can directly show the Chinese address to the driver.

3. A small amount of RMB cash is still worth preparing

Mobile payment is very popular in China, but it does not mean that cash has completely lost its role.

Cash can be used as a backup in the following situations:

• The phone is out of battery.
• The network connection is abnormal.
• Mobile payment accounts are temporarily unavailable.
• Some merchants do not support the current bank card or payment method.
• Buy some transportation tickets or small items.

Overseas bank cards can also try to withdraw RMB cash at ATMs that support the corresponding bank card organization, but they need to pay attention to ATM limits, card-issuing bank fees and exchange rates.

4. Charging and mobile phone power management

Maps, photography, translation, mobile payment and online ride-hailing all require the use of mobile phones.

suggestion:

• Fully charge your phone before setting off every day.
• Carry a power bank that complies with air transport regulations with you.
• Save your ticket and hotel information in advance when taking long-distance transportation.
• Keep important information offline.

Power banks should comply with the regulations of the place of departure, airlines and China Civil Aviation on carrying and boarding. Do not just rely on shared charging equipment on the street.

09｜Preparation before departure: a really useful pre-trip checklist

It is recommended that foreign tourists complete the following preparations 24-48 hours before departure.

Step One: Mobile App

• Download Alipay and try to register.
• Download WeChat and complete account registration.
• Download Amap English map.
• Download DiDi or confirm the taxi service entrance in Alipay.
• If you need to take the high-speed rail, download Railway 12306 or install Trip.com.
• Prepare at least one Chinese-English translation tool.
• Download the official airline app (if necessary).

Step 2: Payment preparation

• Confirm that the overseas bank card can be used normally.
• Try to bind your bank card to Alipay.
• Try to bind your bank card to WeChat Pay.
• Understand the transaction fees of overseas bank cards.
• Confirm that the bank card has activated the overseas transaction function.
• Prepare a small amount of RMB cash as a backup.

Unnecessary consumption for testing is not recommended. You can first check the bank card binding status and confirm whether the payment is successful when making the first small purchase during the actual trip.

Step Three: Network Preparation

• Confirm that the phone does not have a carrier network lock.
• Check if eSIM is supported.
• Purchase a data plan suitable for mainland China, or plan to purchase a SIM card on arrival.
• Confirm the package coverage, traffic and validity period.
• Test maps and translation tools ahead of time.
• Confirm the availability of important overseas services in mainland China.

Step 4: Travel information

• Save the hotel’s Chinese name and detailed address.
• Save hotel contact number.
• Save flight information and train ticket orders.
• Save travel insurance information.
• Save a backup copy of your passport data page.
• Save emergency contacts and contact information of your country’s embassy and consulate in China.
• Save important information to offline notes.

10｜One-screen collection: the most practical Chinese information for traveling in China

If tourists do not speak Chinese, it is recommended to save the following set of common expressions in advance.

It is recommended to put the hotel address, emergency contact and these common expressions in the same mobile phone memo.

If your phone does not have a network connection, you can also show it directly to the driver, hotel staff or local residents.

11｜China Travel App Frequently Asked Questions for Foreign Visitors

Q1: Can I use Alipay and WeChat without a mainland Chinese mobile phone number?

Can.

Both Alipay and WeChat support the registration of eligible overseas mobile phone numbers. Overseas bank cards can also be bound according to platform requirements.

However, account registration, bank card binding and identity verification are different links. Some users may require additional verification, depending on platform review and card-issuing bank.

It is recommended to complete the registration before departure and do not wait until you arrive in China.

Q2: Do foreign tourists have to install Alipay and WeChat apps?

Not necessarily, but it is recommended to install both.

Alipay mainly solves daily payment, some transportation and life service problems; in addition to payment, WeChat also undertakes functions such as social communication, hotel contact and mini program services.

Installing just one of them may not cover all travel scenarios.

Q3: Can overseas Visa and Mastercard be used directly in China?

Some merchants can directly use overseas bank cards, but there is no guarantee that all merchants will accept them.

Usually you need to check whether the checkout counter displays the logo of the corresponding bank card organization.

For small restaurants, street shops and some local service merchants, mobile payments may be more common.

Therefore, it is recommended to prepare overseas bank cards, mobile payments and a small amount of RMB cash at the same time.

Q4: Alipay and WeChat Pay are bound to overseas bank cards. Do they need a Chinese bank account?

Usually not required.

Eligible overseas bank cards can be directly bound to Alipay or WeChat Pay without having to open a mainland Chinese bank account first.

However, successful binding depends on the bank card type, card-issuing bank and platform review.

Q5: Can Google Maps be used in China?

Google Maps is not recommended as your primary navigation tool for travel in China.

Under ordinary network conditions in mainland China, Google Maps and related services may not be accessible normally, and map data and positioning services may also be affected.

It is recommended to use Amap as the main navigation tool and save the Chinese names and addresses of hotels and scenic spots in advance.

Q6: Can foreign tourists use the official China High-speed Railway App 12306?

Can.

The China Railway 12306 English website accepts valid foreign passports that meet the regulations and provides services such as ticket purchase, ticket changes and refunds.

When purchasing tickets, foreign tourists should accurately fill in their passport information and complete identity verification as required.

If you are not familiar with the official ticket purchasing process, you can also use international travel booking platforms such as Trip.com.

Q7: Can I use Didi to hail a ride without a Chinese mobile phone number?

Can.

DiDi-Greater China supports the registration and use of eligible overseas mobile phone numbers and international bank cards.

You can also try to reserve a vehicle through Alipay or the taxi portal in WeChat.

Actual availability depends on account verification, payment method and local service coverage.

Q8: Can foreign tourists use Apple Pay in China?

It is necessary to distinguish Apple Pay from Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Whether Apple Pay can be used in mainland China depends on the issuing region of the bound bank card, the bank card organization, the issuing bank, and the merchant's acceptance terminal.

Even if Apple Pay is already available in other countries, it does not mean that the bound bank card will be able to pay at all merchants in mainland China.

It is recommended not to use Apple Pay as your only payment method.

Q9: What should I do if my phone does not have eSIM function?

After arriving in China, you can bring your passport to the self-operated business hall of China Mobile, China Unicom or China Telecom to inquire about how to apply for a physical SIM card.

You need to pay attention to whether the mobile phone supports the corresponding network standard and whether the operator's network lock has been unlocked.

Q10: Do foreign tourists must download Meituan and Ele.me when traveling in China?

unnecessary.

These two platforms mainly serve China's local takeout market. The Chinese interface, mobile phone number verification, address filling and payment may cause certain operational difficulties for foreign tourists.

When traveling for a short period of time, you can assist with ordering meals through the hotel front desk, or use Dianping to find nearby restaurants.

Q11: Can I still travel in China if my mobile phone has no network?

It is possible in some scenarios, but there will be obvious limitations.

Download offline translation language packs, save hotel addresses, tickets and travel information in advance to cope with some network interruptions.

However, online payment, real-time ride hailing, dynamic navigation and some electronic ticketing services usually still require an Internet connection.

Therefore, it is recommended to always have a backup communication plan ready.

Q12: What should foreign tourists do if they encounter an emergency while traveling in China?

You can call the corresponding emergency service hotline in mainland China:

• 110: The police call the police.
• 119: Fire alarm.
• 120: Medical emergency.
• 122: Traffic accident alarm.

If your passport is lost, you should promptly report it to the local public security agency and contact your country's embassy or consulate in China.

12｜Final advice: Don’t turn China travel into an app downloading contest

For foreign tourists coming to China for the first time, what really matters is not how many apps are installed on their phones, but whether several key links can function properly.

If you only choose the tools that are most worth preparing in advance, my advice is:

If your trip to China is arranged by a professional travel agency, it can actually be further simplified:

• Use Alipay for daily consumption.
• Contact travel advisors and service staff using WeChat.
• Use Amap for free activities in the city.
• Use Didi when you need to request a ride alone.
• If you need to take the high-speed rail by yourself, use 12306 or Trip.com.

Other local life applications can be installed according to actual needs.

The convenience of traveling in China does not depend on whether tourists are familiar with all Chinese apps, but on whether the four basic issues of payment, network, transportation and language are solved in advance.

Take a little time to prepare before departure, and once you arrive, you can focus more on the Chinese cities, culture, food, and scenery that are truly worth experiencing.