China Travel Tech Setup: Everything You Need

I've seen tourists land in China with nothing but Google Maps and a credit card. By day two, they're frustrated, lost, and paying 3x for basic transport.

Don't be them.

China's digital ecosystem is completely different from the West. Google is blocked. Credit cards don't work at most vendors. Cash is rarely used. Everything runs through mobile apps and QR codes.

But here's the good news: with 2-3 hours of setup before your flight, you'll have everything working. This guide walks through exactly what to install, configure, and test.

The App Priority Stack

Not all apps are equal. Here's what you actually need, ranked by importance:

Tier 1: Absolutely Essential

| App | Purpose | Setup Time | |-----|---------|------------| | Alipay | Payments, metro, DiDi | 30 min + 24-48h verification | | VPN | Access Google, WhatsApp, etc. | 10-15 min | | Amap (Gaode) | Navigation that works in China | 10 min + offline maps | | Google Translate | Menu/sign translation | 5 min + offline pack |

Tier 2: Strongly Recommended

| App | Purpose | Setup Time | |-----|---------|------------| | WeChat | Backup payments, messaging | 15 min | | Trip.com | Train/flight/hotel booking | 10 min | | eSIM provider app | Internet connectivity | 10 min | | Baidu Translate | No-VPN translation backup | 5 min |

Tier 3: Nice to Have

| App | Purpose | Setup Time | |-----|---------|------------| | Pleco | Chinese dictionary | 5 min | | Apple Maps | Backup navigation | Already installed | | Dianping | Restaurant reviews | 5 min |

Let's set these up.

Week 1-2 Before Departure: Critical Setup

Alipay (30 min setup + 24-48h wait)

This is your most important app. Start early.

Why you need it:

• Pay at 90%+ of merchants
• Metro QR codes
• DiDi ride-hailing
• Restaurant ordering

Setup steps:

1. Download Alipay (look for the international version)
2. Sign up with your phone number (international works)
3. Complete real-name verification:
   • Take a photo of your passport info page
   • Record a short selfie video
   • Wait 24-48 hours for approval
4. Link your Visa or Mastercard
   • Name must match passport exactly
   • Set a 6-digit payment password
5. Make a test payment if possible

Common issues:

• Verification stuck → Check "My Namecard" section, complete face verification
• Card won't link → Ensure name matches passport exactly, try different card
• "Unsupported" → Call your bank, enable CNY transactions

Critical timing: Start 1-2 weeks before travel. Verification can take 24-48 hours for simple cases, up to 7 days if additional documents are needed.

Full Alipay guide

VPN App (15 min)

You cannot access Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, or most Western services without a VPN.

Important: Download and test BEFORE you fly. VPN apps cannot be reliably downloaded in China.

Our recommendations:

• ExpressVPN (most reliable, expensive)
• NordVPN (good balance)
• Surfshark (budget option)

Setup:

1. Purchase subscription
2. Download app on phone AND laptop
3. Log in and test connection
4. Learn how to switch protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN)
5. Save multiple server locations (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore)
6. Install a second VPN as backup

Full VPN guide

Amap/Gaode (10 min + download time)

Google Maps does not work properly in China. Even with VPN, GPS is offset and many locations are missing.

Amap (also called Gaode) is what locals use. It has:

• English interface
• Accurate GPS
• Transit, walking, and driving directions
• Metro exit numbers
• Chinese business names (essential for DiDi)

Setup:

1. Download Amap or 高德地图 (Gaode Ditu)
2. Switch to English in settings
3. Allow location permissions
4. Download offline maps for your cities
5. Save your hotel as a favorite

Pro tip: Search using Chinese names for better results. Copy-paste these:

• 故宫 (Forbidden City)
• 天安门广场 (Tiananmen Square)
• 外滩 (The Bund)
• 兵马俑 (Terracotta Army)
• 西湖 (West Lake)

Google Translate (5 min + download time)

Camera translation for menus and signs.

Setup:

1. Download Google Translate
2. Open the app
3. Go to Settings → Offline Translation
4. Download Simplified Chinese
5. Test camera mode on a Chinese takeout menu

The offline pack is critical. When your VPN drops, you'll still have basic translation.

Week Before Departure: Secondary Setup

WeChat (15 min)

Backup payment method and essential for messaging locals.

Setup:

1. Download WeChat
2. Sign up with phone number
3. Enable Wallet (Me → Services → Wallet)
4. Link a card (same process as Alipay)
5. Add your hotel on WeChat for easy communication

WeChat Pay verification can be harder than Alipay. Set it up, but don't rely on it as primary.

Trip.com (10 min)

Best platform for booking trains, flights, and hotels with English interface.

Setup:

1. Download Trip.com app
2. Create account
3. Add passport details to your profile
4. Enable notifications for booking updates

When you book trains, your passport info auto-fills. No re-typing.

Full train booking guide

eSIM Provider (10 min)

If you're using an eSIM for internet:

1. Purchase from provider (Holafly, Airalo, etc.)
2. Scan QR code to install (before departure)
3. Don't activate yet—wait until landing
4. Keep home SIM active for SMS verification codes

Baidu Translate (5 min)

No-VPN backup when Google fails.

1. Download from App Store/Play Store
2. Allow camera permissions
3. Test photo translation

Interface is Chinese, but the camera button is obvious.

3-4 Days Before: Final Checks

Test Everything

• [ ] Alipay shows "Verified" status
• [ ] Test payment goes through (small purchase online)
• [ ] VPN connects on phone AND laptop
• [ ] Amap loads and shows your current location
• [ ] Google Translate camera mode works
• [ ] Offline Chinese pack downloaded

Screenshot Critical Info

Your phone might die. Internet might fail. Screenshots save you.

Take screenshots of:

• Hotel address in Chinese
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Flight/train tickets
• Passport info page
• Emergency contacts
• Alipay payment QR code (valid briefly, but useful)

Save these in a separate "China Travel" album.

Prepare Offline Content

Download entertainment for trains and VPN-free moments:

• Netflix/Spotify content in offline mode
• Podcasts
• Books/audiobooks
• Google Maps offline (for reference, even if inaccurate)

Charge Everything

• Phone at 100%
• Power bank charged (10,000-20,000 mAh recommended)
• Laptop charged if traveling with one

Day of Flight: Final Steps

Before Leaving Home

• [ ] Apps updated to latest versions
• [ ] eSIM installed but not activated
• [ ] VPN logged in and ready
• [ ] Power bank in carry-on
• [ ] Passport accessible

At the Airport

• [ ] Enable eSIM data when you land
• [ ] Test VPN immediately
• [ ] Keep home SIM on for SMS (but data off)
• [ ] Open Alipay to confirm it works

First Hour in China

• [ ] VPN connects successfully
• [ ] Alipay opens and shows balance/cards
• [ ] Amap shows your location
• [ ] Test one small payment (airport shop)

If everything works, you're set. If something fails, you have time to troubleshoot before you really need it.

The Complete Checklist

Print this or screenshot it:

2 weeks before:

• [ ] Alipay downloaded and verification started
• [ ] VPN purchased, downloaded, tested
• [ ] Backup VPN installed

1 week before:

• [ ] Alipay verification complete
• [ ] Card linked and test payment done
• [ ] Amap installed with offline maps
• [ ] Google Translate offline Chinese downloaded
• [ ] WeChat installed and Wallet enabled
• [ ] Trip.com account with passport saved
• [ ] eSIM purchased and installed (not activated)
• [ ] Baidu Translate downloaded

3 days before:

• [ ] All apps tested and working
• [ ] Screenshots saved (hotel, bookings, passport)
• [ ] Offline content downloaded
• [ ] Power bank charged

Day of flight:

• [ ] Phone charged 100%
• [ ] Apps updated
• [ ] Passport accessible

On landing:

• [ ] eSIM activated
• [ ] VPN tested
• [ ] First payment made

If This Feels Like Too Much

We get it. This is a lot of prep for a vacation.

If you'd rather have someone verify your setup or help when things break, our Guardian package includes pre-trip tech check and 24/7 WeChat support. It's $19 and covers the "why isn't this working at 2 AM" moments.

Either way, the prep is worth it. Two hours now saves days of frustration later.

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Related Guides:

• How to Use Alipay for Foreigners
• VPN and Internet in China
• How to Use DiDi in China
• Surviving the Language Barrier