China's internet works differently, and so do its apps. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram and most Western services are blocked on local networks, and the apps locals actually use — for paying, hailing a taxi, riding the metro, finding a place — aren't the ones on your phone now. The good news: with one piece of hardware and a short download list, you arrive fully equipped. Sort this out before you fly.
Get online first: a travel eSIM (and why it beats a VPN)
A travel eSIM is the simplest way to land connected. The important part for China: most travel eSIMs work by roaming, not by a built-in VPN. Your phone connects to a Chinese network, but the data is tunneled out to the provider's gateway in Hong Kong or Singapore and exits the internet there — so the Great Firewall's rules don't apply, and Google, WhatsApp and social media just work. (Treat "VPN included" marketing as shorthand for this roaming setup, not a separate feature.)
Two practical notes:
- After you land, go to Settings → Cellular/Mobile Data and make sure Data Roaming is ON for the eSIM — that's what makes the bypass work.
- Keep your home SIM on roaming too (data off is fine). Your real number still receives SMS codes, which you'll want for app sign-ups and your bank.
What about a VPN? Using one sits in a long-standing legal gray area — enforcement targets sellers and residents, not short-term visitors — but consumer VPNs have also become unreliable on the mainland. A roaming eSIM sidesteps both the legal question and the reliability problem, so it's the dependable route to blocked services.
The apps to install before you fly
Download and sign in at home, while the app stores and sign-up flows are unrestricted.
- WeChat (微信) — China's everything-app: messaging (you'll need it to reach hosts and operators), payments, mini-programs. If you install only one app, install this.
- Alipay (支付宝) — payments, plus mini-programs for the metro, DiDi and more. (See our payment guide for linking a foreign card.)
- DiDi — China's ride-hailing (its "Uber"). Full English interface and a built-in translator for messaging your driver; you can also run DiDi inside Alipay or WeChat without a separate download.
- Trip.com — the easiest way for foreigners to book high-speed trains, flights and hotels in English. It handles passport verification more smoothly than the official 12306 railway app.
- A maps app that works (see below).
- A translation app — Google Translate (its camera mode is great on menus, and it works over your eSIM), with Pleco as a solid offline dictionary backup.
Maps: do not rely on Google Maps
China requires digital maps to use its own GCJ-02 coordinate system ("Mars coordinates"), while Google Maps uses the global WGS-84 system. The result is a visible offset of roughly 50–500 metres — your blue dot sits across the street or down the block. Use instead:
- Apple Maps (iPhone) — it uses Amap/Gaode data inside China, so positions are accurate. The easy default for iPhone users.
- Amap / Gaode (高德地图) — the deepest POI database in the country, real-time transit and traffic, and a genuine English interface added in recent years. The local gold standard.
- Baidu Maps — excellent coverage but effectively Chinese-only, so skip it unless you read Chinese.
Metro and transit
You don't need a separate metro app for most cities. In Alipay, open the Transport section and activate a virtual travel card for Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and many other cities in seconds — then scan your phone through the turnstile. Buses work the same way.
Quick checklist
- Before you fly: buy and install a travel eSIM; download WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, Trip.com, a translator, and a maps app; sign in to each.
- Pack: your phone with the eSIM installed, and your home SIM left on for SMS codes.
- On landing: turn Data Roaming ON for the eSIM, and you're online — Google and WhatsApp included.
Get connected and the rest falls into place. InChina is built for exactly this on-the-ground reality — Chinese place names you can show a driver, the metro line to take, and the words to say when you arrive.
Next step: the route itself
With the phone set up, the remaining question is the route. Plan a route turns your entry point, exit point and dates into a day-by-day itinerary with real train times, and the 240-hour visa-free guide tells you which provinces that route is allowed to touch.
FAQ
Does Google Maps work in China?
Not reliably. Its China data is sparse and offset, and it needs a connection that bypasses the local network. Use Apple Maps (which works for foreigners in China), Amap or Baidu Maps for navigation, and keep Chinese place names handy to show drivers.
Do I need a VPN to travel in China?
Not if you use a travel eSIM. Roaming data from a foreign carrier or a travel eSIM routes through your home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work as usual. VPN apps inside China are unreliable and have become harder to use.
Which eSIM should I get for China?
Any reputable travel eSIM that offers China data with roaming (not a local Chinese SIM) will give you the open internet. Buy and install it before you fly; activate on landing. Check your phone is carrier-unlocked and eSIM-capable.
What apps do I need before flying to China?
The short list: Alipay or WeChat Pay for payments, a maps app that works locally, a translation app with camera mode, DiDi for rides, Trip.com or the 12306 app for trains, and a travel eSIM. Install and sign in at home, where verification steps are easier.
Can I use WhatsApp, Gmail and Instagram in China?
Yes, on roaming data or a travel eSIM. On hotel Wi-Fi or a local Chinese SIM they are blocked. Most travellers keep the eSIM on all trip and use hotel Wi-Fi only for downloads.
Last updated 22 September 2026. App features, eSIM availability and the connectivity situation change; confirm current details before you depend on them.