We know the thought of traveling in a new country can bring up questions about staying connected. But don't worry—China is a modern, digitally connected destination! After familiarizing yourself with China’s “Essential Travel Trio,” we’ve compiled the top four helpful digital tools below. Setting these up before you go will ensure your trip is smooth, convenient, and incredibly fun!

1. VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Staying in touch with family, friends, and your usual digital services is easy, but requires a simple step: a VPN (Virtual Private Network). To stay connected, we recommend reliable VPN services like Astrill or LetsVPN.

Even if you have an eSIM that allows access to services like Google, a VPN is still essential. It lets you switch your virtual location to different countries and ensures more stable access to all services—essentially making it feel like you're browsing the internet from another country.

Important: Download and set up your VPN before arriving in China, as these apps often cannot be accessed or installed once you’re inside the country. 

2. Translation Tools

Don't let the language barrier worry you! With incredible Translation Tools, communicating is a breeze. While dedicated devices like handheld translators or AR translation glasses are available, we recommend these practical software options:

  • Baidu Translate app: Works best overall, but requires a Chinese phone number to continue using the service.

    Google Translate: Works well, but requires a VPN to be used in China.

    Microsoft Translator: Works well and does not require a VPN.

    Doubao: A Chinese AI assistant. Works well. You can register with a foreign phone number, but the interface is not available in English.

    WeChat: Its built-in translation feature is useful for basic daily conversations through text. For more advanced needs, it is recommended to use it alongside a dedicated translation app.

3. Ride-Hailing (Didi Chuxing / “滴滴出行”)

Didi is China’s leading ride-hailing app, offering both Chinese and English interfaces and English-speaking customer support. You can link an international credit card for seamless payments. Didi mimi app is available to access directly from Wechat or Alipay!

Note: Uber is not available in mainland China. 

4. Local Lifestyle Guide (Dianping / “大众点评”)

Dianping is China’s most popular local review and discovery platform—think Yelp meets Groupon. Use it to:

  • Find top-rated restaurants, shops, and attractions

  • Book tickets and redeem discounts

  • Check real-time pricing and user reviews

While the app is primarily in Chinese, its rich content and transparent pricing make it incredibly useful—even with basic navigation skills.