Best Apps to navigate the Great “Wall” of China & language barriers
In the last 10 years, China has massively grown into one of the top travel destinations whether you’re from the East or West. As someone who's been to over 10 cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Shenzhen — this country has such a rich history and beautiful landscapes that I feel like I've just scratched the surface.
However, as you might have heard, adapting to the Chinese way of life might require some effort, especially since major non-Chinese social networking sites are banned in China, and there is a potential language barrier.
Plus, mobile payment has taken China by storm! While most countries are still getting used to cashless payment, China has long been overtaken by mobile wallets that do so much more.
But don’t start fretting just yet — we’ve got the 10 MUST-HAVE apps to conquer China like a pro!
1. Go cashless with WeChat Pay (微信支付)
Credit: WeChat
If you could only download one travel app to visit China, it's got to be WeChat (App Store | Google Play Store). Not only is it China's main messaging app (you'll need this to communicate with tour operators), but you can also order and pay for your meals and shopping with its payment function — WeChat Pay!
Ordering Food
Our colleague Malcolm recently visited Shenzhen, where most restaurants have adopted contactless ordering and payment. To view the menu and order, scan the QR code via WeChat and make your payment directly on the app as well. This also works at bubble tea shops and cafes!
Klook Tip: Don't scan the QR code using your regular camera app, it doesn't work!
Making Payment
If you're shopping, you can also open WeChat and select your Money page to view your unique payment code, which you then scan at the payment counter. You don't even have to input the amount!
WeChat can also be chosen as the preferred payment method if you're using other apps, such as MeiTuan for food delivery or Didi for private hires.
Klook Tip: We recommend setting up your WeChat account and linking it to your credit/debit card before arriving in China, to ensure that you have it ready once you arrive!
2. Find the best food in town with Da Zhong Dian Ping (大众点评)
Nobody loves food as much as we do and we have the perfect dining app! Da Zhong Dian Ping (App Store | Google Play Store) is a platform of user-generated reviews and recommendations of dining places in China — think of it as a Google Maps and Yelp all in one! It’s only available in Chinese at the moment but we promise good food is worth the extra effort.
Dian Ping covers over 300 cities with over 1 million shops listed with genuine user reviews. Just like most dining recommendation platforms, you may apply search filters such as location proximity, budget, and popularity.
Every listing has important information such as its address, phone number, opening hours, and if you’re lucky, an option to make an online reservation.
3. Get around with Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行)
Say ni hao to Didi Chuxing (App Store | Google Play Store) or just “DiDi” to the locals — China’s very own version of Uber. The app is available in both Chinese and English with a user interface very similar to Uber’s. Like most ride-sharing apps, DiDi has several different options ranging from “Express” to “Luxe” and we love how the driver’s profile reflects the number of rides he/she has done thus far.
As most drivers are unable to converse fluently in English, DiDi offers an instant translation feature that allows you to type in English while having drivers receive them in Chinese! There are also prepared English message options with common requests you can choose from. How convenient is that?
Klook Tip: If you face issues signing up for a DiDi account, fret not. DiDi is integrated into AliPay and WeChat, and you can simply book your DiDi ride on those apps instead. We found that easier than having yet another app!
4. Never lose your way with Baidu Maps (百度地图)
Google Maps doesn’t work in China, but you won’t need it when you have Baidu Maps!
As with most of China’s essential lifestyle apps, Baidu Maps (App Store | Google Play Store) isn’t your regular cup of coffee – we’re talking about a sophisticated map search with a 3D option (yes, watch as your pin drops on the 65th floor of Park Hyatt Hotel where the infamous China Bar sits), public transport routes with accurate waiting times, traffic conditions and even a cool heat map function showing you busy areas within the city!
Drop a pin at your favorite venues and place stars to keep them highlighted on the map as you explore the surrounding area; extremely useful for browsing while taking note of your orientation.
5. Book your activities and attractions with Klook
Asia’s largest in-destination booking platform carries a wide range of activities and services for travelers. You can get all your holiday essentials like attraction tickets, hotels, eSIMs, airport transfers, and dining deals!
The Klook app is available in 15 languages — which means you don't have to worry about navigating language barriers when booking attractions for your trip to China.
Klook also offers discounted tickets to key attractions like Shanghai Disneyland and Universal Studios Beijing. You’ll even get to skip the queues with mobile e-tickets sent directly to your app or email after a successful checkout!
It is also especially helpful to book day tours out of the major cities that might require quite a bit of time and energy if you were to venture out on your own.
6. Seamless payment with Alipay (支付宝)
Alipay (App Store | Google Play Store) is a must-have app for tourists in China, making cashless transactions effortless across the country. With Alipay, international travelers can easily link their Visa or Mastercard — no need for a local bank account — so paying for everything from meals to transport is a breeze.
The app’s simple QR code payment feature, widely used in China, eliminates the need for cash or cards, letting you focus on enjoying your trip. Plus, Alipay often includes exclusive discounts and promotions at popular spots. This app not only enhances your travel experience but also keeps your spending organized with a digital transaction record.
Klook Tip: Both Alipay and WeChat offer similar payment functions and are widely accepted across China.
7. Order food delivery with Meituan (美团)
Meituan (App Store | Google Play Store) is an essential app for travelers in China, offering a one-stop platform for food delivery, hotel bookings, and local attractions. It's best known for its on-demand food delivery!
You can select the store based on your desired cuisine or distance to your location. After ordering, you can track your food live while waiting for it to be delivered right to your doorstep!
8. Become a subway pro with MetroMan China
This has got to be one of the most useful apps for navigating the public transportation system in China. MetroMan China (App Store | Google Play Store) has a very simple and straightforward user interface that is all in English!
Take a glance at the different subway lines or obtain traveling instructions when you key in your start and end destinations. It offers all possible routes that can be filtered either by duration or simplicity (the least transfers). This feature comes in very handy when you’re planning your routes for the day!
9. Stay digitally connected with ExpressVPN
Source: cdn.com
For the uninitiated, popular social media and connectivity apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Gmail are inaccessible via Chinese networks — the "Great Wall of China". However, you can circumvent this by accessing these platforms via a virtual private network or VPN.
A VPN works as a secure channel for protecting private web traffic from interference and censorship. It does so by modifying your IP address and in doing so, “tricks” the network into thinking you’re surfing the net from a different country.
There are free VPN apps available but these often don’t come with the security VPNExpress offers. The app also performs when it comes to encryption and speed, allowing you to stream videos and scroll through those Instagram stories without interruption.
10. Speak like a local with Waygo
Source: thenextweb.com
This isn’t your average translator! Waygo is an award-winning offline visual translation application that enables travelers to easily overcome the language barrier while exploring China. Unlike conventional character-by-character translation, Waygo lets users translate menu items, street signs and more.
Simply wave your camera over the Chinese characters and with the use of optical character recognition, is able to instantly translate Chinese into English. What makes Waygo an amazing app is also its ability to translate offline (this means you don’t have to be connected to any internet source for the app to work).
It’s time to order dinner like a pro!
🇨🇳 Beijing Travel Essentials 🇨🇳
- Day trips: Great Wall of China | Gubei Water Town
Getting around
Stay connected with a China eSIM and find the best places to stay in Beijing — plus exclusive hotel promos and bundle deals!
Start Planning for Your Trip to China
Credit: @bingham008 via Unsplash
With these 10 essential apps in your toolkit, navigating China has never been easier! From language translation to seamless payments and insider travel tips, you're all set for an unforgettable adventure.
Now that you're equipped with the tools to make your trip smooth and stress-free, it's time to start planning your journey to China. Whether you're exploring the Great Wall in Beijing, or visiting modern skyscrapers in Shanghai, China is waiting to be explored. So, why wait? Dive into the adventure of a lifetime and let these apps be your guide!
🇨🇳 Shanghai Travel Essentials 🇨🇳
- Day trips: Zhujiajiao Ancient Town | Chongming Island
Getting around
Stay connected with a China eSIM and find the best places to stay in Shanghai — plus exclusive hotel promos and bundle deals!
What is Klook?
Klook is a world-leading travel and experiences platform, with over half a million offerings in over 2,700 destinations! Browse our growing collection of travel activities and services in 15 languages, and complete bookings seamlessly with 40 currencies and over 40 payment methods.
We're here to bring the world closer together through experiences. Whether it's something new in your neighborhood or an adventure abroad, with Klook you're always connected to a world of things to do and places to see.
