Essential Apps for Foreign Visitors (2025)

Alipay（支付宝 · Alipay）

Scan-to-pay, bike/power-bank rental, food ordering, attraction tickets, health services.

• Highlights: bind Visa/Mastercard; typical caps: per-payment up to USD $5,000, annual total about $50,000.
• Download: iOS App Store (search “支付宝”); Android Google Play or official APK.
• Language: 「我的」 → 「设置」 → 「通用」 → 「语言」 → English

How to use

• Bind a foreign card: 「我的」 → 「银行卡」 → 「添加银行卡」 → enter Visa/Mastercard → verify.
• Pay by QR: tap 「付钱」 to show your code, or scan the merchant’s code and enter the amount.
• Attraction tickets: search the site name (e.g., “景点名称”) → choose ticket → pay → use the QR at entry.

WeChat Pay（微信支付）

In-store QR payments, online purchases & service bookings; chat with built-in translation (~18 languages).

• Download: iOS App Store (search “微信”); Android Google Play or official APK.
• Language: follows your phone’s system language (no separate toggle).

How to use

• Bind a foreign card: 「我」 → 「服务」 → 「钱包」 → 「银行卡」 → add card (passport info may be required).
• Scan or show code: tap 「收付款」 → choose 「扫码」 or 「出示付款码」.
• Book via mini-programs: search “酒店/景点名称” → open the mini-program → select service → pay.

Gaode Map / Amap（高德地图）

• Real-time navigation (walk/drive/transit), subway maps, ride-hailing entry.
• Advantage: fast updates; coverage across cities & towns nationwide.
• Language: no full English UI yet, but English place names work in search.

How to use

• Type an English destination (e.g., “Shanghai Hongqiao Airport”) and pick a route.
• Transit: choose “Subway/Bus”, set origin/destination, view live arrivals.
• Ride-hailing: tap “打车”, set destination, choose car type.

12306 (Official Railway)

• Book high-speed & regular trains; English version available.
• Download: iOS App Store (search “铁路12306”); Android official APK.
• Language: 「我的」 → 「设置」 → 「语言」 → English

How to use

• Real-name: upload passport & complete facial verification.
• Booking: tap “车票预订” → set origin/destination/date → pick a train → add passenger → pay.

• Taxi/ride-hailing with English UI; cards & wallets supported.
• Needs an SMS-capable phone number (many foreign SIMs/eSIMs work).

Trip.com（携程国际版）

• Flights, hotels, attraction tickets (600+ attractions), real user reviews.
• Language: in-app: My → Settings → Language → English.

How to use

• Hotels: tap “Hotels” → set city/dates → filter by rating/price → book.
• Attractions: search the site → choose ticket → add traveler → pay → use QR at gate.

Meituan（美团）

• Hotels, attraction tickets, restaurant queue numbers, local deals.
• Some flows require a Chinese mobile number; using via Alipay mini-program helps.
• Language: default Chinese; switch phone system language to English if needed.

How to use

• Restaurant queue: 「美食」 → search the restaurant → 「排队取号」 → set party size → receive SMS.
• Hotels: search hotel → choose dates → add guests → pay.

U Dictionary（有道词典国际版）

• Photo OCR and real-time voice interpreting (~35 languages); great for menus & road signs.
• Language: 「我的」 → 「设置」 → 「语言」 → English

How to use

• Photo translate: tap the camera icon → point at a menu/sign → get instant translation.
• Voice translate: tap the mic → speak → see the Chinese/English output.

WeChat Translate（微信翻译）

• In chats, long-press a message → 「翻译」 to see the translation (≈18 languages).
• Default language: 「设置」 → 「通用」 → 「翻译」 → choose English.

• 5G data; supports international apps (Google/WhatsApp, etc.).
• No separate app needed: insert SIM and follow the pack’s quick steps.

How to use

• Buy: airport or convenience stores (passport registration supported).
• Activate: insert SIM → send the activation SMS as instructed.

• Reputable providers include NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
• Install and test before departure; use responsibly and follow local laws.

How to use

• Download the app → create an account → connect to an available region per the provider’s guidance.