🧳Pack My Apps
← All destinations
🇨🇳
Essential apps for

China (mainland)

中国

MandarinCNY8 apps

China is the most app-dependent country on Earth. Almost everything — payments, transit, ordering — goes through WeChat or Alipay. Most Western apps don't work without a VPN.

🔌

Power & Plug

TypeA / C / I
Voltage220V
Freq50Hz

Most hotels have universal outlets that accept multiple plug types.

💬

Basic phrases

Mandarin

  • Hello
    你好
    Ni hao
  • Thank you
    谢谢
    Xie xie
  • Sorry / Excuse me
    对不起
    Dui bu qi
  • Yes
    是
    Shi
  • No
    不是
    Bu shi

+10 more below

🎎

Tipping

Not expected and often refused. High-end international hotels in Beijing/Shanghai are exceptions.

🚖Rideshare & Taxi

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D

Didi

China's dominant rideshare. Has an English interface for travelers.

The Uber of China. Has an English interface.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💳Payments & Wallets

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A

Alipay

China's other major payment app. Travelers can use the 'Tour Pass' mini-program.

Second essential. Tour Pass mini-program lets foreign cards work.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🗺️Navigation & Maps

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A

Amap (Gaode Maps)

China's most accurate maps app. Required since Google Maps doesn't work well in China.

Google Maps barely works in China. Amap (Gaode) is the standard.
iOSAndroidWebsite
B

Baidu Maps

China's other major maps app, with strong real-time transit data.

Backup to Amap, especially for real-time bus arrivals.
iOSAndroidWebsite

💬Translation

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G

Google Translate

The universal default. Camera mode translates signs and menus instantly.

Download offline Mandarin before you arrive — won't work without a VPN otherwise.
iOSAndroidWebsite
W

Waygo

Offline camera translation for Chinese, Japanese, Korean menus. No data required.

Offline menu translation. Works without internet.
iOSAndroidWebsite

📱Messaging

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W

WeChat

China's super-app — messaging, payments, mini-apps, news. Required to communicate locally.

Required. Messages, payments, mini-apps, restaurant menus — all live inside WeChat.
iOSAndroidWebsite

🍱Food Delivery

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M

Meituan (美团)

China's #1 food delivery, restaurant booking, and groceries app.

Food delivery + restaurant booking + groceries. Used daily by locals.
iOSAndroidWebsite
Phrases

All Mandarin phrases

Hello
你好
Ni hao
Thank you
谢谢
Xie xie
Sorry / Excuse me
对不起
Dui bu qi
Yes
是
Shi
No
不是
Bu shi
Please
请
Qing
Goodbye
再见
Zai jian
How much?
多少钱
Duo shao qian
Where is the bathroom?
洗手间在哪里
Xi shou jian zai na li
The bill, please
买单
Mai dan
I don't understand
我不明白
Wo bu ming bai
Do you speak English?
你会说英语吗
Ni hui shuo ying yu ma
Help!
救命
Jiu ming
Delicious
好吃
Hao chi
Cheers
干杯
Gan bei
Briefing

What to know before you go

✓ Do

  • Use both hands when giving/receiving anything important (business cards, gifts).
  • Toast frequently at meals; the host pours first.
  • Don't leave chopsticks upright in rice.

✕Don't

  • Discussing Taiwan, Tibet, Tiananmen, Xinjiang.
  • Refusing offered tea/food without graceful explanation.

⚠️ Common scams to know

  • "Art student" / "tea ceremony" invitations near tourist sites in Beijing.
  • Fake taxi drivers at PVG/PEK — use Didi or the official taxi queue.
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