Tech Setup
工具Your phone is your lifeline.
Get it ready before you land.
In China, your phone handles payments, navigation, ride-hailing, translation, and almost everything else. These free tools make sure you arrive connected — not locked out.
Free tools
Set up your phone before you fly
China runs on Alipay, WeChat, and a completely different app stack. This wizard walks you through installing and configuring each one — step by step, personalized for your phone and nationality.
Will it work in China?
Search any app, website, or service to see if it's blocked, slow, or fully functional behind the Great Firewall. Each entry includes the current status, a detailed note, and a Chinese alternative where available.
Before you go
Install a VPN first
You cannot download a VPN once you're in China — app stores block them. Install and test it at home before departure. This is the single most important tech step.
Set up Alipay
Cash is nearly unusable in urban China. Link an international card to Alipay before you arrive. WeChat Pay is a bonus, but Alipay alone covers 95% of transactions.
Download offline maps
Google Maps works poorly in China. Download Amap (高德地图) for navigation and save offline maps for your destination cities. Metro maps are built in.