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Apps & VPN Guide for China
Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, Gmail — all blocked. Here's exactly what you need to install before you land, and how to set up each one.
Best VPNs for China (Tested 2026)
The Great Firewall is aggressive. Not all VPNs work. We tested 12 VPNs in China — these 3 actually work reliably. Install before you arrive — VPN websites are blocked in China.
ExpressVPN
9.2/10$8.32/mo (annual)
Pros
- ✓ Most reliable access in China
- ✓ Fast servers across Asia
- ✓ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ✓ Great mobile apps
Cons
- ✗ Premium price
- ✗ No free trial
AstrillVPN
9.0/10$10/mo (monthly)
Pros
- ✓ Specifically optimized for China
- ✓ Stealth mode works well
- ✓ Very fast on local servers
Cons
- ✗ More expensive
- ✗ UI could be better
NordVPN
7.5/10$3.99/mo (annual)
Pros
- ✓ Affordable
- ✓ Large server network
- ✓ Good for general use
Cons
- ✗ Hit-or-miss in China recently
- ✗ Requires obfuscated servers setting
Essential Apps to Download
Your phone is your lifeline in China. These 6 apps cover payment, transport, food, and navigation.
Alipay
PaymentThe #1 payment app in China. Link your foreign credit card (Visa/Mastercard) and pay everywhere — street vendors, subways, restaurants, even temples.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download Alipay before arriving
- 2.Sign up with your phone number
- 3.Go to Me → Bank Cards → Add Card
- 4.Link your Visa or Mastercard
- 5.Verify identity with passport photo
Every Chinese person uses WeChat. It's WhatsApp + Facebook + Venmo combined. Essential for chatting with locals, guides, and hotels.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download WeChat
- 2.Sign up with your phone number
- 3.Have an existing WeChat user verify your account (may be required)
- 4.Enable WeChat Pay if desired
Didi
TransportChina's Uber. Available in English, accepts foreign cards, and works in 400+ cities. Much cheaper than taxis and no language barrier.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download Didi (Great China version)
- 2.Register with phone number
- 3.Add credit card in Settings → Payment
- 4.The app has full English interface
Meituan
Food & ServicesChina's super-app for food delivery, hotel booking, movie tickets, bike sharing, and more. Mostly Chinese-only but worth the effort.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download Meituan
- 2.Register with phone number
- 3.Link Alipay or WeChat Pay
- 4.Use the camera translation feature in the app
Baidu Maps / Amap
NavigationGoogle Maps is inaccurate in China due to GPS offset. Use Baidu Maps (Chinese) or Amap (Gaode) for accurate navigation. Apple Maps works well too.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download Amap (高德地图) or Baidu Maps (百度地图)
- 2.The interface is in Chinese — use screenshots with Google Translate
- 3.Apple Maps on iPhone works accurately in China
12306
TransportOfficial railway app for booking high-speed and regular trains. Available in English. Essential for train travel — tickets sell out fast during holidays.
Setup Steps
- 1.Download Railway 12306
- 2.Switch language to English
- 3.Register with passport number
- 4.Book tickets up to 15 days in advance
SIM Card or eSIM?
Physical SIM
- • Buy at airport or any China Mobile/China Unicom store
- • Need your passport
- • ~$15–30 for 7–30 days with data
- • No VPN needed for Chinese apps
- • Your home number won't work while SIM is swapped
eSIM (Recommended)
- • Buy online before you travel (Airalo, Holafly, Nomad)
- • No passport needed
- • ~$10–40 for 7–30 days with data
- • Keep your home number for calls/texts
- • eSIM data routes through Hong Kong/Singapore — no VPN needed for Google, Instagram, etc.
- • Downside: no Chinese phone number (needed for some apps)
Our Recommendation
Get an eSIM for data + Google access, and buy a cheap physical SIM if you need a Chinese number for app verification. Best of both worlds.