China, with its vastness and numerous attractions, can be a daunting destination to navigate. However, with the right China travel tools at your fingertips, your journey can be transformed into a seamless adventure. We will guide you through essential aspects, such as finding the perfect hotels in China, the convenience of eSIM cards, and the necessity of VPNs to ensure your travel experience is stress-free.
Essential China travel tools –apps and more 🧰
💻 Astrill VPN: https://www.astrill.com/a/rv04jg6p0fgo
💻 EXPRESS VPN: https://go.expressvpn.com/c/3827810/1462856/16063
📱 eSIM: AIRALO (use discount code for 3 USD – DOMIN5053) https://ref.airalo.com/Vvdr
🏨 Hotels: https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=859131&auth_success=1
🛏️ More hotels: https://www.trip.com/t/kfPyWd5cJX1
🚄 Trains in China: https://www.trip.com/t/oB5sSeCcJX1
✈️ Flights in China: https://www.trip.com/t/2Bl3jDEcJX1
Traveling to a foreign country, especially one with a language barrier, can be a challenge. However, with the right tools, this challenge can be turned into an exciting adventure. Whether you’re a tourist, student, or businessperson, our China travel toolkit – including essential China travel apps-will equip you with everything you need to navigate China’s wonders, including the necessity of VPNs and eSIM cards.
Learn the best tools when traveling in China to:
- have access to all the online platforms you use on a daily basis
- conveniently use the network, no matter where you are in the country, and call anyone you want
- book hotels and other accommodations 24/7.
Best VPN in China & Asia
Some websites, especially popular social media platforms we use daily, are blocked in China. To access such websites and apps, you need a reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) app. You should download a VPN app and set it up before your trip to China, as it may be impossible to do so once you land in China.
We have tested many VPNs in China and Asia, and these are the best ones:
- Astrill VPN for an unlimited number of devices
- EXPRESS VPN, which can be connected to up to eight devices simultaneously or more.
SIM in China & Asia – eSIM
Staying connected while traveling in China can be a challenge due to strict internet regulations and restrictions on foreign SIM cards. However, with eSIM, this challenge can be easily overcome. Simply switch on your eSIM on your phone, and you can access mobile data almost everywhere in China. This convenience allows you to look up transportation, hotels, and restaurants or share your travel experiences with loved ones back home on the spot.
When it comes to using eSIM in China, Asia, or anywhere else, we recommend AIRALO (for our readers, we have a special discount code DOMIN5053 for 3 USD off).
How to find the best hotels in China?
Choosing the right place to stay in China is key to a memorable experience. Whether you’re seeking a luxury hotel in Shanghai’s bustling metropolis, a traditional guesthouse in one of Beijing’s hutongs, or a cozy hostel in the scenic landscapes of Guilin, Booking.com has you covered. With a wide range of accommodations to suit every budget and standard, you can book with confidence and focus on enjoying your trip.
Booking.com provides lodging reservation services for approximately 2.7 million properties in the world. It has features like flexible booking options and 24/7 customer support. Explore the options on Booking.com now.
How to book train tickets in China?
China has one of the world’s most extensive and fastest high-speed rail networks.
If you want to book train tickets in China, you should check out trip.com. The platform provides access to real-time train schedules, ticket availability, and pricing, making it incredibly convenient for travelers to plan their journeys. You can book tickets even if you don’t know how to speak Chinese!
On Trip.com and through its app, you can easily:
- purchase tickets,
- manage bookings,
- receive notifications about train departures, delays, or cancellations, making it a go-to platform for both local and international train travelers in China.
Booking flights in China
Booking flights in China may be even more challenging than booking other modes of transport.
Trip.com is great for booking flights in China. It offers easy access to a wide range of flights, both domestic and international, allowing them to compare fares, flight times, and services across different carriers. Additionally, Trip.com offers 24/7 customer support, multi-language services, and the ability to use international payment methods, making it an essential tool for non-Chinese speakers planning their travel in China.
WeChat in China
WeChat can make your China trip easier. You can use the app for payments, communication, and navigation. For tourists, this means simplified payments at stores, restaurants, and taxis, as well as easier booking for accommodations and tickets. You can also use WeChat to translate menus and signs.
See what more you can do once you download and set up your WeChat account.
Setting up WeChat Pay
To make payments in China using WeChat Pay, follow our step-by-step WeChat Pay guide.
How to set up an Alipay account?
An alternative to WeChat is Alipay. As a tourist in China, you can use Alipay for almost all digital transactions across the country, from major retailers and hotels to local markets and taxis. You can also use it for various services like booking train tickets and paying for bike rentals, all in this single app.
To set up Alipay on your mobile phone:
- download the app from your device’s app store
- open the app and register for an account with your phone number
- verify your phone number
- add your bank card details under the “Cards” section of the app.
Check out our dedicated blog post about setting up Alipay.
Does Google Translate work in China?
Chinese (Mandarin) is not an easy language to learn. Fortunately, some apps can help us translate menus, signs or any other information. It can also translate real-time speech translation. One of such apps is Google Translate.
However, due to internet restrictions in China, popular services like Google are not accessible. To use Google Translate within China, you have to install a VPN (Virtual Private Network) before arrival. Only then can you use Google Translate and other restricted online services.
Essential China travel tools
We hope you have a pleasant trip using the must-have apps we introduced for traveling in China. We encourage you to explore other online resources for traveling in China, such as forums, China travel guides, travel blogs, social media platforms, etc., to gather recommendations from fellow travelers—just make sure the information is reliable. Happy travel planning!
