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For mainland China, prepare Alipay and WeChat for payments, China Railway 12306 for trains, a local map app such as Amap or Baidu Maps, and a ride-hailing option. Arrange mobile data before you rely on any of them, and keep a physical bank card and some RMB cash as backups. Foreign-card linking and passport verification can require extra checks, so set up the essentials before departure when possible.
Which apps are worth preparing before your trip?
Start with the apps that solve essential tasks: paying, getting online, navigating, booking a ride, and taking trains. Features and availability differ by city, operator, account, and card issuer; an app being useful does not mean every feature will work for every visitor.
| Need | Useful option | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| QR payments | Alipay and WeChat | Eligible overseas cards can be linked, but issuer verification, platform terms, fees, limits, and access to individual services can vary. Keep a bank card and cash as backups. |
| Intercity rail | China Railway 12306 | The official rail booking service. Passport-based real-name verification is required for online ticket purchases; a station ticket office is another option. |
| City navigation | Amap (Gaode Maps) or Baidu Maps | A consular brochure lists both as commonly used and says Amap supports English. Language and features differ; save important addresses in Chinese when possible. |
| City rides | DiDi Greater China or ride-hailing inside Alipay or WeChat | Government guidance identifies these booking routes. Registration, payment, coverage, and language support may vary. |
| Mobile data | International roaming or a local SIM | Arrange roaming before departure or ask a local telecom provider about a passport-based SIM after arrival. Public Wi-Fi is only a limited fallback. |
How should you set up payments?
Prepare Alipay and WeChat if you expect to pay by QR code. The State Council says foreign visitors can link eligible international cards to mobile payment platforms, but approval is not automatic: the card issuer may need to verify the card, and platform terms or individual services may differ. Follow the current prompts in each app rather than relying on old fee information.
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How do you book trains with a foreign passport?
Use China Railway 12306, the official service, for online rail booking. Foreign travelers can use passports, but online purchases require real-name identity verification. Complete the check early enough to address a problem; having a passport does not guarantee instant app approval. If online verification or purchase is an obstacle, a station ticket office is an alternative.
What should you use for maps and city transport?
Maps
Amap (Gaode Maps) and Baidu Maps are commonly used local options. The consular brochure identifies English support for Amap, but map language and available features can differ. Save hotel names, station names, and other important destinations in Chinese where possible; this can help when searching or showing an address.
Public transport
Alipay or WeChat may offer transport QR codes, but the supported services depend on the city and operator. Check the relevant local transit instructions rather than assuming one setup works nationwide.
Ride-hailing
Government guidance identifies DiDi Greater China and ride-hailing access through Alipay or WeChat. Hunan’s 2026 guide says DiDi Greater China supports foreign phone numbers and international bank cards for registration, though success with registration and payment still depends on the user’s circumstances. Where available, an in-app booking route can help when you cannot communicate an address aloud, but confirm the pickup point and destination before the ride.
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How can you stay connected?
Set up international roaming before departure, or ask a local telecom provider about buying a SIM with your passport after arrival. The consular brochure notes that some airports, stations, shopping malls, and hotels offer public Wi-Fi, but it should not be your only connection for navigation, payments, or ride booking. The reviewed official guidance does not compare specific eSIM providers, so confirm coverage and terms with your carrier or provider.
Which add-ons depend on your destination or plans?
Beijing visitor services
For a Beijing visit, consider GO BEIJING or the English version of Jingtong. Beijing municipal guidance describes visitor services that include transport, ticketing, hotels, and English-language maps. The municipality reported 16 languages and 39 integrated services for GO BEIJING in 2026; these figures describe that Beijing platform, not services throughout China.
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Dining and attraction bookings
Dianping can help with dining discovery; WeChat or Alipay mini-programs and Meituan or Ele.me are options for food delivery. Attraction tickets may be available through official websites or mini-programs, and some popular attractions may require reservations. Treat these as trip-specific options, not essential installs; check the attraction’s current booking instructions.
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- Install and sign in: Set up the payment, rail, map, and ride apps you expect to use while you have time to resolve account issues.
- Test payment setup: Try linking an eligible international card in Alipay and WeChat, and follow any issuer or identity checks requested in the apps.
- Start rail verification: Register with China Railway 12306 and begin passport-based real-name verification before you need to buy a ticket.
- Save key destinations: Keep important addresses, such as your hotel and first station, in Chinese as well as in a format you can read.
- Arrange connectivity: Confirm roaming or plan how to obtain a local SIM after arrival.
- Pack backups: Carry a physical bank card and RMB cash in case a mobile payment or account check fails.
These checks can expose setup problems early, but they cannot guarantee every service will work once you arrive. Mainland China guidance does not automatically apply to Hong Kong or Macau, which have different service and network contexts.
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