Your Ultimate Digital Survival Kit – From City Streets to Remote Villages

Traveling in China is easier than ever—if you have the right apps. Whether you’re ordering food, hopping on a shuttle bus in a remote town, or unlocking a shared bike in downtown Shanghai, these apps will completely change your travel experience. Here’s your essential guide to staying connected, moving around, and discovering local life in China:

🧾 1. Alipay (支付宝)

Your #1 tool for payment.

Use Alipay to pay for almost everything:

🛵 restaurants, 🏨 hotels, 🚇 metro, 🚌 buses, 🚲 shared bikes, 🚕 Didi rides, and 🎟️ entrance tickets.

It also includes city transport passes and foreign credit card linking, making it a top choice for travelers.

💬 2. WeChat (微信)

China’s “Super App” — like WhatsApp, but so much more.

Besides messaging, WeChat lets you:

✅ Pay for everything

✅ Book tickets and food via Mini Programs

✅ Access government services

✅ Stay connected with locals or your Mandarin teacher 😉

🍜 3. Dianping (大众点评)

Your local foodie and fun guide!

Think of Dianping as a mix of Yelp + Groupon.

Find:

⭐ Restaurant reviews
🎟️ Set menu deals
💆‍♀️ Spa, massage, and beauty spots
☕ Cafés, 🕹️ escape rooms, 🎬 cinemas, and more!

💡 Link it with Alipay to unlock exclusive discounts.

✈️ 4. Trip.com (English) / Ctrip (携程 - Chinese)

Perfect for booking your entire China trip in one place.

🚆 High-speed train tickets
✈️ Domestic flights
🏨 Hotels across all cities
Bonus tip: It links your flight info with pickup & drop-off services—super convenient, especially when you land late at night! and it can book the train in advance in case the tickets sold out in one second during holidays!!

🗺️ 5. Amap (高德地图)

A Chinese map app that also works in English.

Very reliable for:

🚘 Ordering cars (multiple platforms supported)
🚶 Walking directions
🚌 Real-time bus and metro info
📍 Apple Maps also works well now in China!

🚐 Highly Suggested for Remote Travel

When you’re headed to more local, off-the-beaten-path places, don’t worry!

✅ WeChat Mini Programs often let you book shuttle buses from train stations to travel spots—running every hour.

✅ Use Dida Sharing Cars (嘀嗒出行) to carpool with local drivers. Choose how many seats you want—cheaper and more local!

✨ Final Tip:

Download these apps before your trip, set them up with your passport and international number (some allow linking to foreign bank cards), Don’t forget verify your Alipay account!! very important!! and your China trip will be smooth and enjoyable.

🚀 Stay tuned—next blog will include step-by-step instructions on how to use each app like a local!

📱 Must-Have Apps When Traveling in Shanghai and China(2025)