China
7 categories · 12 apps
Jump by category
Open the app categories that matter faster: rides, maps, shopping, food discovery, delivery, and stays.
Ride-hailing
Install one direct ride-hailing option first. The benefit is largest at airports and during rush hours.
Maps
Do not stop at one map app. Tourist-friendly UI and local data density are not always the same app.
AMap Global
Best default map pick for visitors because the experience is friendlier for international users.
Use this first for walking, driving, and common point-of-interest searches.
Payments
Payments often break before language does in everyday offline moments.
Shopping / fashion
For clothes and quick replacement buys, shopping apps save more time than hunting in person first.
Food discovery
Food discovery starts with local review and deal layers.
Dianping
Primary pick for ratings, neighborhood discovery, and restaurant shortlists.
If you want the closest local equivalent to a deep review-and-ranking app, start here.
Food delivery / local life
One strong delivery app is usually enough.
Hotels / stays
For stays, start with one booking app and one local chain option.
Read first
Many merchants default to QR payments, so setting up a payment app early reduces friction.
If you do not want a map app that leans fully Chinese-first, start with AMap Global and keep Baidu Maps as backup.
Download flow
Start from the official link first, then choose the platform link that matches your device.
If you only want to install the minimum, start with the app marked as Primary in each category.
Other ready countries in the region
🇯🇵 Japan
In Japan, solve rides and navigation first. For most visitors, GO plus Google Maps covers the trip.
Japan Local Apps🇲🇾 Malaysia
In Malaysia, install Grab first, then pair it with a familiar map app. That already covers most tourist moments.
Malaysia Local Apps🇸🇬 Singapore
Singapore can stay lean: Grab plus the map app you already trust is usually enough.
Singapore Local Apps