Editorial note: These apps are recommended for their usefulness to travelers. Some booking links on ChinaGoTrip may be affiliate links, as explained in our affiliate disclosure.
Plane Tickets / Train Tickets / Attractions Tickets
In China, there are official websites and apps for booking train and plane tickets:
Attraction tickets may be sold through an official website, an official WeChat mini program, or a major booking platform. The correct channel and foreign-passport support vary by attraction.
China Railway 12306 has an English website and app, but some local attraction channels remain Chinese-first.
Real-name services may ask for passport details or identity verification. Set up payment and upload your passport to 12306 before tickets open, rather than waiting until the day of travel.
For the complete process—from passport verification and station selection to boarding and city transport—read the China trains and transport guide.
ChinaGoTrip recommends the following app:
Trip.com
Book plane tickets, train tickets, and attractions tickets.
Payment Apps
Digital payments are widely used for daily transactions in China, with Alipay and WeChat Pay being the two most widely accepted platforms.
Linked International Card Coverage
Payment Coverage | Alipay | WeChat Pay |
|---|---|---|
| In-store purchase | Usually | Usually |
| Online purchase | Varies | Varies |
| DiDi (taxi service) | Usually | Usually |
| Food delivery order | Varies | Varies |
| Taobao (online purchase) | Varies | Varies |
| Jingdong (online purchase) | Varies | Varies |
| Peer transfers | Usually unavailable | Usually unavailable |
| Train/plane ticket purchase | Varies by seller | Varies by seller |
| Bike-sharing app payment | Usually | Varies |
| Ticket booking | Varies | Varies |
For international tourists, Alipay is often the easiest payment method to set up. As a leading open platform for payments and digital services in China, it allows foreign travelers to link an international credit card and pay at tens of millions of merchants nationwide.
For detailed setup instructions, read the dedicated guide:
How to use Alipay in China
How to register and connect your card to Alipay and how to use it in China.
WeChat (Weixin) is China's leading social messaging app, and WeChat Pay is its built-in digital wallet.
WeChat Pay is widely accepted across China, from major shopping centers and restaurants to many street stalls and online services. Depending on the city and merchant, you may be able to use it for public transit, food delivery, tickets, and everyday purchases.
For detailed setup instructions, read the dedicated guide:
How to use WeChat Pay in China
How to register and connect your card to WeChat Pay and how to use it in China.
Navigation Apps
China has several popular navigation and mapping applications designed specifically for mainland China. These apps provide accurate coverage of Chinese cities, transit systems, and real-time traffic conditions.
For more information, please refer to the following article:
Navigation Apps in China
How to choose the best navigation app in China.
Ride-hailing Apps
DiDi is a widely used ride-hailing service in China and supports an English interface, overseas phone numbers, and in-app translation. Available vehicle categories vary by city.
Didi Rider
Ride-hailing app in China.
Amap now offers an English interface and built-in ride-hailing for international users, making it a convenient all-in-one alternative if you already use it for navigation.
Amap Map
Amap is a popular navigation and mapping app in China.
Food Delivery Apps
Meituan and Ele.me are major food-delivery apps in China. Their interfaces and merchant listings remain largely Chinese, and delivery usually requires a precise Chinese address and a reachable phone number. The Ele.me mini app inside English-language Alipay can be easier for a short visit.
Meituan
Meituan is a food delivery and lifestyle service app in China.