Mission
We keep foreigners informed with battle-tested flows, essential apps, and contingency tips for travel or life in China. The content stays actionable, easy to share, and frequently refreshed. If you uncover new requirements, better walkthroughs, or emerging risks, please open an Issue so everyone can benefit. Want to co-maintain? Send a Pull Request.
Quick Start Checklist
- Secure reliable connectivity (Nomad eSIM or roaming SIM) plus a VPN that currently works from mainland China.
- Install and verify the recommended apps below before departure—identity checks abroad are easier.
- After landing, prioritize mobile payments (Alipay/WeChat), transport (Amap/ride-hailing), and messaging (WhatsApp over VPN or a local SIM).
Detailed walkthrough with screenshots: 📱 Essential Apps for Foreigners Traveling to China.
Must Have Apps in China
| Use Case | App | Link | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payments | Alipay | App Store | App Store |
| Local intel | RedNote (Xiaohongshu) | App Store | App Store |
| Maps / Taxi | Amap | App Store | App Store |
| Transport / Hotels | Trip.com | App Store | App Store |
| Translation | Youdao Translator | App Store | App Store |
| VPN (Primary) | easyWorld | Website | iOS Shadowrocket setup |
| VPN reality check | Other services | Reddit discussion | Commercial VPNs such as NordVPN remain unreliable in China |
| Internet (eSIM) | Nomad | App Store | USD 20 · 20GB · 30 days |
With a Nomad eSIM you often avoid extra VPN hardware when accessing international services.
Extra Notes
- With a stable VPN, WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and other overseas apps function normally.
- China uses Type A/I plugs. Bring a universal adapter or order one via Taobao once Alipay real-name verification is finished.
- Store digital copies of your passport, visa, and hotel registration for random checks at stations, hotels, or police posts.