📱 Must-Have Apps When Traveling in Shanghai and China(2025)
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!
🚄 6. 12306 - China Railway 12306)
🧭 is China’s official train ticket booking system, run by the China Railway Corporation. It’s the most reliable platform to search train schedules, check availability, and book tickets online across China. Whether you’re planning a high-speed ride from Shanghai to Hangzhou or an overnight sleeper to Xi’an, 12306 is the go-to tool for both locals and travelers. You can access it via the website or the 12306 app, available in Chinese (and partially in English).Wechat translation or screenshot and translate it.
✅ Step-by-Step Guide:
Create an account on the 12306 website or app — use your passport for ID.
Search your route by entering departure & arrival cities, date, and train type.
Choose your train — compare seat types (second class, first class, business, sleeper, etc.).
Enter passenger details — your full name and passport number must match your actual ID.
Pay online using Alipay, WeChat Pay, or a Chinese bank card (some foreign cards may not work).
Travel with your passport — no need to collect a paper ticket. You can scan your passport at the station or use the manual check-in lane.
🌟 Pros of Using 12306
✅ Official & Reliable: Direct access to all real-time China Railway data.
✅ Real-Time Availability: See live updates on ticket availability, delays, and cancellations.
✅ No Middlemen Fees: Avoid extra charges from travel agencies or apps.
✅ Waitlist Function: Join a digital queue for sold-out trains—great for holidays!
✅ Split Trip Options: Manually book in segments (e.g., Shanghai → Jiashan → Hangzhou) if direct trains are full.
🚐 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 blogs will include step-by-step instructions on how to use each app like a local!
