9 Mobile App to Download Before Heading to China

Indeed, the use of technology has now infuses into our life and is something we cannot leave home without it. Mobile application assist us in many ways, adding a tinge of convenience to it. You may have your flights and hotel booked for the trip ,but hey, have you download the necessary mobile applications to ensure you can use your phone conveniently in China? Here is some mobile applications to download before leaving the country and some go a long way in helping you to plan for your China trip.

 1) Alipay 

This is one of the preferred mode of mobile payment back in China. I managed to download it before heading to China. One can now open an account without holding a China bank account. Just got to deposit a certain amount (E.g. USD100) into the account. When you used up the money in that account, just top it up from your credit card. From purchasing a dinner, to buying a bottle of mineral water along the road stalls, everyone uses mobile payment. Simply scan the code and key in the correct amount. I witnessed a foreigner wanting to buy a bottle of water, but the shop owner did not have change. The transaction as a result could not go through and the tourist head to the next outlet to get the water. In fact, when I give cash to the shop owner, there were comments like they did not see cold hard cash notes for some time. That shows how frequent mobile payment is being transacted in China. You need it to survive even if it is for just a week in China. One thing I love about the Alipay app was that I could keep track of my own expenses easily as seen below.

2) Express VPN & Turbo VPN 

Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you get past the blocks and filters that were registered with the Chinese government. In other words, it mean by passing China strict internet policy, allowing one to use goggle applications which includes Instagram, Facebook, Gmail that are essential in our daily social life. Installing the VPN application should be done when you are in your home country before you arrive into China.

Usually, the VPN App allow free usage up to 7 days. If you would like to continue using free usage after trial period, one have to switch to the other VPN. Hence, I strongly recommend you to download 2 VPN App. If you are using the hotel free WiFi, always remember to switch on your VPN first.

3) Baidu Ditu

In other words, this acts like your goggle map. This is the solution to prevent you from getting lost in China. Easy to use with the app showing the different public transportation modes one can use to get to destination. It even shows the bus timings, expected time one will arrive at the final place. However, you have to type it in Chinese. Alternatively, you can download it and have the hotel reception staff key in the destination before stepping out of hotel. I had managed to find my way easily using this and travel by public bus, which includes me having to switch buses.

4) Metro China Subway

This App covers all Chinese cities , acting like a one stop solution to all cities in China that currently have a subway. Forget about bringing the tourist map brochures. This App is best use together with Baidu App.

5) Didi Chuxing

If your home country uses Grab / Uber/ GoJek, then Didi is the identical solution to taking a taxi ride in China. It is always easier and often cheaper to call a driver using Didi.

6) WeChat 

It acts like your social media aka facebook platform. This is where your new found friends in China connects with you in the social media world. Almost everyone in China are using WeChat. Make new friends by scanning each other unique QR code. WeChat also comes in useful when you want to add your hostel owner, taxi driver, tour guide for easier communication. What I did during my trip in China was that I added my next day van driver on WeChat, so we keep in touch and communicate with him via the app on the exact spot and time to pick me up.

7) Baidu

This can be seen as the goggle search engine. In China, when you are unsure of anything, the locals would say: “Just Baidu it” , meaning like how we say:” Just goggle it”.

8) Dian Ping 

Directly translate it, this would mean “Review”. Indeed, this App acts like a review page showing comments on places of tourist attractions, restaurants reviews. One can also find local information like hidden tourist attractions which is frequent mostly by locals. Use this App to check out the best spot in town for cafe hopping, must eat local restaurants. In addition, one may enjoy more discounts if you uses the App by writing a good review and showing the restaurant owner. This app allows people to rate local businesses and share reviews.

9) MaFengWo 

This App is where young Chinese can share travel photos and that attract new customers to look at the company bookable travel offerings. Download this App to help you in your itinerary planning for the trip in China. In it, you can see people comments, reviews, suggestions on getting from one place to another. It is a handy App to source for information esspeically so for freely independent tourists. Rest assure the guides, photos and travel tips are posted by like minded travellers who want to make your trip planning easier.

Categories: Asia Region, Travel Tips