China is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but if you don't prepare, it might become more difficult than needed. On this page I will describe the required applications, the visa, an overview of the areas to visit, and an overview of the available guides

Required apps

There are a few apps you have to install and configure to make your life in China a lot easier. This blog also offers tutorials for how to use these apps.

You will need the following apps:

Alipay

You use Alipay for the following things:

• Making payments through a QR-code

• Getting a card for metro and bus

• For a translations, by text, image or voice

• Build-in Didi, which you will need to order taxi's

• A lot of restaurants have a QR-code for Alipay, where you can order your food or drink. Now you can also translate the menu through Alipay.

WeChat

This is the WhatsApp of China, and everybody uses this. A lot of hostels and hotels want you to have your WeChat when you arrive. WeChat has a built-in translator, so that way you can chat with each other in Chinese and English, without difficulty.

WeChat also has a payment system that is sometimes used, not all shops and restaurants support Alipay, and will have a WeChat QR code instead.

Finally you can use WeChat for "mini-programs", which you can use for ordering tickets online for certain tourist areas.

AMap

The Google Maps of China. All Google services are blocked in China (unless you have an E-sim), so AMap is a good substitute. AMap will show you public transport options (bus and metro), something which Google Maps cannot do in China, so this is a must have app.

Trip.com

You can book all the hotels and hostels through Trip.com. In China this platform is more popular than for example Booking.com. You can also book train tickets through Trip.com, which is the easiest way to do this. You do pay an additional fee to Trip.com this way. If you don't want to pay an additional fee I would recommend downloading the 12306 Railway app.

12306 (optional)

The official application for booking train tickets in China. If you train tickets through this platform you do not have to pay an additional fee. You can link your Alipay account to 12306 to make payments easier.

Visa

In 2026 you don't need a visa, if you stay less than 30 days inside the country. Once you leave the country, you can enter again for a new 30 days visa free stay. The easiest way to do this is by traveling to Hong Kong or Macau, and re-enter the country from there.

If you want to stay longer than 30 days, you can get a visa from the following website: Chinese Visa Application Service Center

Places to visit

China has everything, from huge cyberpunk cities to all kinds of nature. See the travel guides for specific regions below.