The Essential Apps in China (2026)

Most Chinese cities are close to cashless. Taxis, restaurants, vending machines and street vendors expect a QR code scan. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted at some hotels and larger stores, but you cannot rely on them for everyday spending.

Alipay and WeChat Pay both let foreign cards be linked, which is the single most useful thing you can do before travelling. Alipay is usually the smoother of the two. Limits on foreign-card payments and the verification rules have changed several times, so check the app's current terms rather than relying on any number you read online.

Many Western services (Google, WhatsApp, Gmail, most social networks) are blocked or unreliable on a Chinese mobile connection. A travel eSIM from abroad often gets around this because the traffic leaves via another country. A VPN is the other route, but it has to be installed before you arrive, because the download sites are blocked.

For business travellers the practical point is simple: make sure you can reach your email and files, and make sure suppliers can reach you on WeChat. Test all of this at the airport rather than at the factory gate.

If you want a local number instead, read Do I need a local phone number?. Short answer: most visitors manage with an eSIM, but a +86 number is what unlocks several of the Chinese-only apps in the chart.

Amap (Gaode) is the practical map for visitors: English interface, metro and walking routes, and taxi calling. Google Maps in China is inaccurate and often unusable. Save the Chinese name of every hotel and factory, as drivers search by Chinese name or address, not by English.

For rides, use DiDi or Amap's taxi calling. If a driver cancels or you struggle with pickup points, see Setting up DiDi and ride sharing. For short hops around a hotel district, shared bikes are a cheap option, though unlocking them is a hurdle for foreign accounts.

Food delivery is huge in China and it is how many factory workers and office staff eat. The leading app is Meituan, with Ele.me as the main competitor. Both are built for Chinese users. If your hotel is far from restaurants, or you are stuck on a factory campus, a delivery order is often the easiest meal of the day. Read Using Meituan to order food.

Taobao is where you buy almost anything for delivery within a day or two, from a phone charger to a suit bag. It is Chinese only and wants a local address and phone number. See Using Taobao and getting groceries.

Dianping is the review and voucher app. Chinese diners check it before choosing a restaurant, and group deals can be much cheaper than the menu price. See getting discounts and deals.

High-speed rail is the best way to move between factory cities such as Shenzhen, Dongguan and Foshan, or between Shanghai and Jiangsu cities. Trip.com books it in English with a passport and shows seat classes and times. At the station you scan your passport at the gate, so keep it accessible.

Station security and ticket gates are fast but unforgiving about arriving late. Aim to be at the station well before departure on a business trip, especially in a big hub.

• Fapiao (official receipts): ask for one at hotels and restaurants if your employer needs expense proof. Foreign payers can often still receive one, but you must ask at the time.
• Power: power bank rentals are everywhere and can save a long day of factory visits.
• Language: have a translation app, and ask your Chinese contact to write destinations in Chinese for drivers.
• Passport: you need it for hotels, trains and some factory gates, so keep a photo of it too.

For city-specific planning, start with the top cities for business travellers, then read the guide for your destination, such as Shenzhen or Dongguan.