About Go2China
Your practical guide to apps for life in China
What go2china.app is
go2china.app is a free, no-login offline toolkit for international travelers and expats arriving in China. It helps foreigners navigate China's separate digital ecosystem — where Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Uber are blocked — by providing practical alternatives and survival tools.
What it provides
- Chinese app alternatives — find the local equivalent of every Western app you use (WeChat for WhatsApp, Alipay for payments, DiDi for Uber, Amap for Google Maps, and 50+ more)
- Emergency phrase cards — show-the-screen Chinese text for cashier card declines, WeChat/Alipay payment failures, DiDi driver communication, hospital visits, and lost passport situations
- Address translator — AI prompt to convert English hotel addresses into Chinese for DiDi and Amap, with links to AI tools that work without a VPN (DeepSeek, Kimi)
- WeChat mini-program matrix — Chinese search terms to open official metro apps (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen), train tickets (12306), and food delivery inside WeChat
- Search keywords — Chinese phrases for finding food, nightlife, shopping, transport, and daily life services on 小红书, 美团, and 大众点评
- Setup guides — step-by-step instructions for Alipay (international card), WeChat (friend verification), DiDi, Amap, and eSIM roaming
- eSIM / connectivity guide — how to stay connected in China using international roaming (WhatsApp, iMessage) without a VPN
Who it is for
Travelers from the US, UK, Australia, Europe, South Korea, and Japan visiting or relocating to mainland China. Works fully offline. No account required. No data collected.
How guides are written
The guides on this site are written based on publicly available information, reports from travelers in online communities (Reddit, Quora, travel forums), official app documentation, and ongoing monitoring of changes to China's digital ecosystem. We cross-reference multiple sources before publishing and update guides when policies or app features change.
China's app landscape changes frequently — Alipay's international card support, WeChat's verification requirements, and VPN availability all shift over time. Dates on each guide reflect the last time the content was reviewed. If you notice something outdated, please let us know at hello@go2china.app.
Every traveler's situation is different — your phone carrier, home country, visa type, and timing all affect what works. We link to real community discussions at the bottom of each guide so you can see how others in similar situations have handled things.
Why this exists
China operates a separate digital ecosystem from the rest of the world. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Uber, and most Western apps are blocked or unavailable in mainland China. For travelers and expats arriving unprepared, this can make basic tasks — navigating, paying for things, ordering food, staying in touch — unexpectedly difficult.
Go2China was built to solve that specific problem. It shows you exactly which Chinese apps replace the ones you already use, and sends you directly to the right download page for your device.
How it works
Check the apps you currently use. We'll highlight the Chinese equivalents — two by default, with more available if you want them. Tap any Chinese app to go straight to its App Store or Google Play listing. No account required, no data collected.
Your selections are saved locally on your device so you can come back and pick up where you left off.
Before you land
Three things matter most:
- Download WeChat before you go. It's the single most important app — used for messaging, payments, booking taxis, scanning QR codes, and more. Set it up while you still have unrestricted internet access.
- Get Alipay or WeChat Pay working. China is largely cashless. Most shops, restaurants, and transport only accept these two. International credit cards work at major hotels but not reliably elsewhere.
- Decide on a VPN or local SIM. A Chinese SIM card gives you fast local data. If you need continued access to Google, Gmail, or other blocked services, set up a reputable VPN before you arrive — downloading one from inside China is difficult.
App store links
Some links on this site are affiliate links — when you sign up or make a purchase through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Other store links go directly to official app stores. App availability may vary by device and region. We don't host, distribute, or endorse any of the apps listed — they are provided for informational purposes only.
Languages
Go2China is available in English, 中文 (Chinese), Français, and Español. Use the language selector in the header to switch.
Contact
Found an outdated link or missing app? Reach us at hello@go2china.app.