Start here
Prepare a few apps you can actually use: a payment wallet, a map, translation and your booking apps. Test your own route and sign-ins before travelling.
Start with four jobs
| Job | Our suggested preparation |
|---|---|
| Pay | Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay, then keep a separate backup. |
| Find places | Choose a map available for your device and test searches using both Chinese and English names. |
| Communicate | Choose a translation app; download any offline language pack it supports. |
| Retrieve bookings | Sign in to the services you used for your hotel, transport and tickets. Save key confirmations. |
This is an editorial checklist, not a requirement to install every popular China app.
Check a real destination
Search for your own hotel, the airport terminal on your flight and the station or pier on your ticket. Compare the Chinese name and address with the booking.
Apple Maps and AMap/Gaode are options to investigate, depending on your phone and language needs. We have not tested all current versions on every device. If an English hotel name gives several results, ask the hotel for its Chinese name and entrance instead of choosing a likely-looking pin.
Do not depend on one overseas service
UK travel advice notes restrictions affecting services including Google, Facebook and YouTube in mainland China. Whether a particular service works also depends on the connection you use.
Our recommendation is to save key information in a form that needs no sign-in or live map: a screenshot of your booking, a text address and an offline destination card. A map outage should not erase the name of your hotel.
A five-minute departure check
- Open each essential app and check that you are signed in.
- Make sure you can receive account verification messages.
- Save your hotel details and travel confirmations to your phone.
- Put the phone in airplane mode and try opening what you saved.
- Keep a written copy of one trusted contact and your first night’s address.
Only use official app stores or the provider’s official download instructions. Do not install a modified payment app from a chat message.