THE PRACTICAL PHONE SETUP FOR MAINLAND CHINA

Seven apps. One calmer first day.

A visual, source-checked guide to paying, chatting, riding, navigating, booking trains and ordering food in mainland China.

Reviewed July 28, 2026Official facts + traveler-tested workarounds

Start with Alipay Browse all 7 apps

01Alipay支付宝 02WeChat微信 03DiDi China滴滴出行 04Amap高德地图 05Trip.com携程国际版 06Railway 12306铁路12306 07Food Delivery美团 · 淘宝闪购

How to read this guide

Official

Product support, identity rules, payments and ticketing are confirmed against government or product sources.

Traveler reports

Reddit experiences identify recurring friction. They are useful context, never a guarantee.

English guides

Google-discovered articles add practical steps only when official information does not cover the experience.

00 · BEFORE ARRIVAL

Do this before you fly

Finish registration while your normal SIM, bank and email are easy to reach.

Install only official app listings and check the developer name.

Keep international SMS and roaming available for verification.

Use your passport name exactly—do not translate or shorten it.

Add two cards and tell your bank you will use them in China.

Save your hotel's Chinese name, address and telephone number.

Carry the physical passport used for every booking.

PAYMENTS · TRANSIT · MINI APPS

Alipay支付宝

The easiest first payment app for most short-term visitors. Set it up before departure and keep another card or payment method as backup.

Best for

QR-code paymentsMetro and bus codesDiDi, translation and mini apps

ASet it up

1
Register with your mobile number
Choose the correct country code and keep international SMS enabled until verification is complete.
2
Verify with your passport
Enter your name exactly as printed in the passport. Do not translate, shorten or rearrange it.
3
Add two bank cards if possible
Open Me → Bank Cards → Add. Your issuing bank may still decline an individual transaction.

BUse it with confidence

1
Scan a merchant code
Tap Scan, check the merchant name and amount, then confirm securely.
2
Let the cashier scan you
Open Pay/Receive and show the live code. Never send anyone a screenshot of this code.
3
Open city-specific transport
Choose Transport, select the correct city, then activate its metro or bus code.

Official illustrated guide showing how to bind an overseas bank card in Alipay — Official payment guide: register, then add an eligible international card.Image and interface source

MESSAGING · PAYMENTS · MINI PROGRAMS

WeChat微信

Your communication app and a useful backup wallet. Hotels, guides and local services often use WeChat messages or mini programs.

Best for

Messages and translationBackup mobile paymentRestaurant and attraction mini programs

ASet it up

1
Create the account safely
Register with your own phone number. If the app requests security assistance, follow its official flow and never pay a stranger.
2
Open Wallet
Go to Me → Services → Wallet → Cards. Labels can vary slightly by account region.
3
Add your passport and card
Complete the identity fields and follow the issuing bank's confirmation prompts.

BUse it with confidence

1
Pay or scan
Use Me → Services → Money, or open Scan from the top-right menu.
2
Translate a message
Press and hold a Chinese message, then choose Translate.
3
Translate a mini program
Open the … menu and choose Translate when available. Recheck prices, quantities and addresses.

Official Weixin Pay guide for adding and using an international card — Official Weixin Pay flow: update the app, open Wallet and add a card.Image and interface source

RIDE-HAILING · TRANSLATED CHAT

DiDi China滴滴出行

The most straightforward ride-hailing option for many international visitors, with an English interface, overseas-number registration and translated messaging.

Best for

Airport and station transfersDoor-to-door ridesTranslated driver messages

ASet it up

1
Install the China version
Use the official DiDi China listing, not an unrelated regional app.
2
Switch to English
Open Me → Settings → General → Language → English. Available ride categories may change after switching.
3
Add payment and location access
Add an international card or an available mobile wallet, and allow location while using the app.

BUse it with confidence

1
Verify the destination
Search the Chinese name if possible and check the city, branch and map pin.
2
Place the pickup pin carefully
At airports, stations and malls, follow the designated ride-hailing pickup-zone signs.
3
Match the car before boarding
Confirm the licence plate, car colour and driver information. Follow the route in the app.

Official DiDi guide showing the path to the Language setting — Official guide: Me → Settings → General → Language.Image and interface source

MAPS · WALKING · PUBLIC TRANSIT

Amap高德地图

A China-focused map with multilingual place information, walking, cycling, transit and driving routes.

Best for

Metro exits and bus routesWalking navigationChinese place names

ASet it up

1
Install Amap Global
Use the official listing. The multilingual version supports English and a growing list of other languages.
2
Allow precise location
Grant location access while using the app so the walking start point and pickup pins are accurate.
3
Save your hotel in Chinese
Save the exact branch, Chinese address and phone number before going offline.

BUse it with confidence

1
Search and verify the branch
Compare the city, district, photos and nearby streets—not only the translated name.
2
Choose a travel mode
Open Route and select walking, transit, cycling or driving. Note the metro exit number.
3
Navigate to the entrance
Large attractions and stations have several gates. Navigate to the visitor entrance, not the area centre.

Official Amap English interface showing public transport routes — Official English interface: compare routes, walking distance, transfers and station exits.Image and interface source

HOTELS · TRAINS · FLIGHTS

Trip.com携程国际版

The simplest multilingual booking option for many visitors. It accepts passport details and international payment methods, with 24/7 customer support.

Best for

Hotels that accept international guestsChina train ticketsFlights, transfers and attractions

ASet it up

1
Create a traveller profile
Choose Passport and enter surname, given names, document number, nationality and expiry exactly.
2
Add an international payment method
The official listing supports multiple card and wallet options; availability depends on your region.
3
Turn on booking notifications
A submitted train request is not final until its status shows confirmed and ticketed.

BUse it with confidence

1
Choose the exact stations
Do not rely on pinyin alone. Before paying, check the Chinese characters, province or city, and full station name. For example, Jiangsu's 苏州 and Anhui's 宿州 may both appear as ‘Suzhou’ when tone marks are omitted.
2
Review fees and policies
Check service fees, cancellation rules and whether a hotel accepts international guests.
3
Keep the confirmation offline
Save the Chinese hotel address or train number, carriage and seat. Carry the physical booking passport.

Official Trip.com China high-speed train booking page — Official booking page: confirm origin, destination, date and the final ticket status.Image and interface source

OFFICIAL RAIL TICKETS

Railway 12306铁路12306

China Railway's official platform. It offers direct ticket availability and usually avoids third-party service fees, but passport verification needs preparation.

Best for

Official ticket inventoryDirect changes and refundsAvoiding third-party service fees

ASet it up

1
Use the official app or English website
Check the developer carefully. Similar third-party apps can use 12306 in their names.
2
Register with a foreign passport
Fill in the name, nationality, passport number and expiry exactly as requested.
3
Complete identity verification early
Upload a clear passport information page if requested. If online verification fails, use a staffed station window.

BUse it with confidence

1
Search the full station name
Do not rely on pinyin alone. Before paying, check the Chinese characters, province or city, and full station name. For example, Jiangsu's 苏州 and Anhui's 宿州 may both appear as ‘Suzhou’ when tone marks are omitted.
2
Confirm that the ticket is issued
Save the train number, carriage and seat after payment.
3
Board with the physical passport
Use a passport-enabled gate or the staffed manual channel marked 人工通道.

Official English Railway 12306 search and train-results interface — Official English interface: check both station names, the date and the selected train.Image and interface source

MEITUAN · TAOBAO FLASH

Food Delivery美团 · 淘宝闪购

Mainland China's delivery apps are still mostly Chinese. The most practical visitor workflow is through Alipay or WeChat mini programs with built-in translation.

Best for

Meals and drinksGroceries and convenience itemsHotel delivery

ASet it up

1
Open the service inside Alipay or WeChat
Search 美团 or 淘宝闪购. Mini-program availability and labels can vary by city and account.
2
Use the mini-program translator
Open the … menu and choose Translate. Treat translated ingredients and allergy information cautiously.
3
Ask the hotel for its delivery address
Use the hotel's Chinese address, building, lobby instructions and a reachable phone number.

BUse it with confidence

1
Check the restaurant
Look at the restaurant name, rating, recent order volume, delivery time and minimum order.
2
Review every option
Confirm size, quantity, spice level, extras, cutlery and the final address before payment.
3
Leave a no-call note
Write: 我不会说中文，请发文字消息。请放在酒店前台或外卖柜，谢谢。

Official illustrated food-delivery restaurant page with labels for name, rating and average spending — Official guide: identify the restaurant, rating and expected spending before choosing items.Image and interface source

TRAIN BOOKING DECISION

Trip.com or Railway 12306?

Choose Trip.com

You want the easiest multilingual flow.
You need international customer support.
You accept a possible service fee for convenience.

Choose Railway 12306

You want the official railway platform.
You want to avoid third-party service fees.
You can verify your passport before travel day.

Both ultimately depend on China Railway ticket availability. No platform can guarantee a sold-out seat.

WHEN SOMETHING FAILS

A two-minute recovery plan

The SMS code never arrives

Check the country code, enable roaming, turn off SMS filtering and retry on a trusted network.

An international card is declined

Approve the transaction with the issuing bank, try a second card, then use the other wallet or RMB cash.

Passport verification fails

Recheck name order and image clarity. For rail, try the English website or a staffed station window.

The map shows the wrong place

Search the Chinese name and verify the city, district, branch, photos and entrance.

A driver or courier cannot find you

Send a text, a photo of the pickup point and the Chinese address. Ask hotel reception to help.

The railway gate rejects the passport

Use the staffed manual channel marked 人工通道 and show the physical passport.

SAVE THIS OFFLINE

Chinese messages that solve real problems

For drivers and couriers我不会说中文，请发文字消息，不要打电话。谢谢！

I do not speak Chinese. Please send a text message instead of calling.

For hotel delivery请放在酒店前台或外卖柜，谢谢。

Please leave the order at hotel reception or the delivery shelf.

When you are lost我不会说中文，请帮我联系酒店。

I do not speak Chinese. Please help me contact my hotel.

SOURCES · 资料来源

Source library

Every source is labelled by authority and kept separate from traveler experience.