Refer China: The 9 Best Apps for Traveling in China！

Exploring China's rich tapestry of culture, history, and landscapes has been revolutionized by technology. Mobile apps have become the key to a hassle-free experience, offering solutions from language barriers to navigation and local insights.

Here are the top 10 apps to enhance your travel through China:

12306 (中国铁路客户服务中心)

For train travel, the 12306 app is essential. It allows you to book, change, or cancel train tickets directly from your phone, making long-distance travel a breeze.

Metro China(中国地铁)/ Metro Man

For large cities travel, these apps are essential. The Metro Man app excels with its key features, such as computing optimal routes, providing details on ticket costs, travel times, and transfer points. Users also benefit from station-specific maps that facilitate choosing the best exit strategy. Moreover, the app includes information on the local services and facilities available near each station.

Baidu Maps 百度地图/

For accurate navigation and transit information, Baidu Maps is a must-have. It offers detailed maps, real-time traffic updates, and public transit schedules, making it easy to find your way around China's largest cities.

Dianping (大众点评)

Dianping is China's answer to Yelp, providing reviews and ratings for restaurants, cafes, and bars. Use it to discover local eateries, read reviews in both English and Chinese, and make reservations.

Ctrip (携程旅行)

Ctrip is a comprehensive travel booking app that allows you to book flights, hotels, trains, and even tour packages. It's an excellent one-stop-shop for planning your trip itinerary.

U Dictionary(有道词典)

As a local dictionary and translation tool in China, Youdao（U） Dictionary has a better understanding of local culture and language habits, and can provide more accurate translation assistance.

It is worth mentioning that it also has camera translation and voice translation functions. By shooting the content that needs to be translated through the mobile phone camera, such as the menu, the App can automatically recognize the text content in the screen and translate it into the required language;

It can also record voice in two languages to achieve real-time translation, which currently supports 35 languages and 49 different accents.

DIDI 滴滴出行

DiDi is the Chinese equivalent of Uber or Lyft and is essential to hailing a car on rainy nights or during rush hour when taxis are scarce. The app is available in English and you can pay for your rides using your WeChat Wallet, Alipay account, an international credit card or cash.

Similar to Uber, Didi provides a choice of cars, such as Express, Taxi, Premier and Luxe. Luxe cars can only be booked through the reservation, and they come with well-trained and suited up drivers. Luxe cards are ideal for picking up business clients at the airport or taking a date out for a special occasion, while Express cars are the most economical choice.

The DiDi app provides comprehensive safety services, such as the option to add emergency contacts, audio recording, privacy screening (which blocks your phone number from drivers' view) and more. You can even program the app to send a message to your emergency contact when you enter a vehicle and to continuously provide your contact with your GPS real-time location.

WeChat 微信

WeChat is more than just a messaging app; it's a lifestyle. With its 'Wallet' feature, you can pay for goods, order food, book taxis, and even check into hotels. Its social features also make it great for connecting with locals.

Alipay 支付宝

Alipay is China's second major digital payment app, together with WeChat Wallet. You can use it to pay for goods and services, make direct transfers and pay bills. Through long-term use of the app, you can earn a credit score based on your purchase history. You can open an Alipay account at a local bank in China with your passport number and Chinese phone number. Just about any place of business in China will accept both Alipay and WeChat Wallet payments.

What can you use Alipay for?

Shop on most Chinese websites, including Taobao
Transfer money to other people
Pay credit card bills
Pay phone bills
Invest in Alibaba's mutual fund (only for people with a Chinese national ID)
Check your bank balance
Shop at supermarkets, restaurants and vending machines
Hail a taxi

Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned expat, these top 10 apps will serve as your trusted companions, ensuring that your journey through China is as seamless and enriching as possible. Happy travels!

Editor: CH

Refer China

The 9 Best Apps for Traveling in China！

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