Essential Apps Every International Student Needs in China

The Complete Digital Survival Guide for Living and Studying in China
The right apps in China make daily life dramatically easier. China is one of the world’s most digitally connected societies. From paying for coffee and ordering food to booking transportation and communicating with classmates, many daily activities in China are completed through mobile apps. For international students, installing the right apps before or shortly after arrival can make life much easier. This guide introduces the essential apps every international student should know when studying and living in China.

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Part of our Life in China guide series.

Quick Overview: The Essential Apps in China

Note: app features, English-language support and availability change frequently, and some apps are China-only. Check each app’s official listing or in-app help centre for the current position before you rely on a feature.

If you only install a few apps, start with these:

App	Main Purpose	Priority
WeChat (微信)	Communication & daily services	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Alipay (支付宝)	Mobile payments	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amap / Gaode Maps (高德地图)	Navigation	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
DiDi (滴滴)	Taxi & ride-hailing	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Meituan (美团)	Food delivery & local services	⭐⭐⭐⭐
12306	Train tickets	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pleco	Chinese dictionary	⭐⭐⭐
Xiaohongshu (小红书)	Local recommendations	⭐⭐⭐

These apps cover most daily situations students will experience in China.

1. WeChat (微信) — The Most Important App in China

Purpose: Communication, social networking, payments, and daily services. If there is one app you must install before coming to China, it is WeChat. In China, people usually exchange WeChat accounts instead of phone numbers. Students use WeChat for:

• Communicating with classmates
• Joining university groups
• Contacting professors
• Receiving school notifications
• Sending files
• Paying through WeChat Pay
• Using mini programs

Why International Students Need It

Your university may create WeChat groups for:

• New student orientation
• Class announcements
• Dormitory information
• Student activities

Many daily services are also built inside WeChat mini programs, including:

• Restaurant ordering
• Ticket booking
• Campus services
• Government services

Tip: Create your WeChat account before arriving if possible. Your university or classmates will likely ask for your WeChat ID immediately after you arrive.

2. Alipay (支付宝) — Your Digital Wallet

Purpose: Mobile payments and daily transactions. China is largely a mobile-payment society. You will use Alipay for:

• Restaurants
• Supermarkets
• Convenience stores
• Online shopping
• Transportation
• Paying bills

Many small shops and street vendors use QR-code payments instead of traditional card payments.

Common Alipay Features for Students

Transportation

You can use Alipay to access:

• Subway payment
• Bus cards
• Taxi services

Mini Programs

Alipay contains many useful mini apps:

• Food delivery
• City services
• University services
• Travel tools

International Card Support

Many international visitors and students can link overseas bank cards to Alipay. However, requirements may change, so check the latest payment rules before arrival.

3. Amap / Gaode Maps (高德地图) — Navigation in China

Purpose: Maps, transportation, and directions. Google Maps is not the best choice in mainland China. Local map apps provide better:

• Subway routes
• Walking directions
• Traffic information
• Restaurant locations
• Campus navigation

Amap (Gaode Maps) is one of the most commonly used navigation apps in China. You can use it to find:

• University buildings
• Restaurants
• Hospitals
• Shopping malls
• Metro stations

4. DiDi (滴滴) — Taxi and Ride-Hailing

Purpose: Transportation. DiDi is similar to Uber. It is useful when:

• You arrive at the airport with luggage
• Public transportation is unavailable
• You travel late at night
• You visit unfamiliar places

Common uses:

• Airport pickup
• Campus transportation
• City travel

DiDi supports international users and offers English-language options in many cases.

5. Meituan (美团) — Food Delivery and Local Services

Purpose: Food, shopping, and local services. Meituan is one of the most useful apps for everyday life. You can use it for:

Food Delivery

Order:

• Chinese food
• Fast food
• Drinks
• Snacks

Other Services

Depending on the city:

• Grocery delivery
• Restaurant reservations
• Hotel booking
• Entertainment tickets
• Local services

For busy students, food delivery apps are often part of everyday life.

6. 12306 — Official Train Booking App

Purpose: Buying train tickets. China’s high-speed railway system connects most major cities. Students often use trains for:

• Weekend trips
• Holidays
• City exploration

• Search train schedules
• Buy tickets
• Check travel information

Another popular option for international users is Trip.com because of its multilingual interface.

7. Pleco — Chinese Dictionary for Learners

Purpose: Chinese learning. Pleco is one of the most useful Chinese-learning tools. Features:

• Chinese-English dictionary
• Character recognition
• Pronunciation
• Vocabulary building

It is especially useful when:

• Reading menus
• Understanding signs
• Learning new vocabulary
• Communicating with locals

8. Translation Apps

Even beginner Chinese learners will sometimes need translation support. Useful tools:

• Microsoft Translator
• Google Translate (where available)
• Camera translation tools

Practical situations:

• Reading Chinese menus
• Talking with service staff
• Understanding documents

However, learning basic Chinese will greatly improve your experience.

9. Xiaohongshu (小红书) — Discover Local Life

Purpose: Lifestyle recommendations and local information. Xiaohongshu is similar to Instagram + Pinterest. Students use it to find:

• Restaurant recommendations
• Travel ideas
• Shopping tips
• Campus information
• City guides

Search examples:

• “Xi’an student restaurants”
• “Shanghai international student life”
• “China dormitory tips”

It is especially useful because many local recommendations are shared by real users.

10. Taobao (淘宝) — Online Shopping

Purpose: Shopping. Taobao is China’s largest online shopping platform. Students commonly buy:

• Dorm supplies
• Electronics
• Clothes
• Daily necessities

Useful for:

• Setting up your dorm room
• Buying affordable products
• Finding items unavailable locally

Recommended Installation Order

Before Flying to China

Install: ✅ WeChat
✅ Alipay
✅ DiDi
✅ Amap
✅ Translation app

First Week After Arrival

Install: ✅ Meituan
✅ 12306
✅ Pleco
✅ Taobao

After You Adapt

Explore: ✅ Xiaohongshu
✅ Dianping
✅ City-specific apps

Useful Tips for International Students

1. Create Accounts Early

Some apps require:

• Phone verification
• Identity verification
• Payment setup

Completing setup before arrival can reduce stress.

2. Keep Your Passport Information Ready

Some services require real-name verification. Keep:

• Passport
• Student documents
• Chinese phone number

available.

3. Learn Basic Chinese App Terms

Useful words:

Chinese	Meaning
搜索	Search
登录	Login
注册	Register
支付	Payment
地址	Address
订单	Order

Knowing these words makes apps easier to use.

Final Thoughts

China’s digital ecosystem may feel unfamiliar at first, but these apps will quickly become part of your daily routine. With the right tools, international students can:

• Travel more easily
• Communicate better
• Save time
• Enjoy everyday life in China

The key apps to remember: WeChat for communication.
Alipay for payments.
Maps for navigation.
DiDi for transportation.
Meituan for daily services. Once these apps are ready, your life in China becomes much smoother.

Official resources: Alipay Global — official setup guides for international users.

Sources

• Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) — app registration and filing requirements in China (accessed 2026-09)
• Each app’s official site or in-app help centre — current features, availability and account rules — these change often

Disclaimer: Rules, prices and platform features in China change frequently and can vary by city, institution and individual circumstances. Always confirm with the relevant authority or provider before making arrangements.