China Travel Guide for Foreigners 2026: VPN, WeChat Pay, Didi & Must-Have Apps

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We visited Beijing as part of our 100-day Asia trip — Zee’s first time back in over 20 years — and China in 2025 is a genuinely different logistical challenge from anywhere else we visited on the entire journey. Not difficult in a way that should put you off — China is one of the most rewarding travel destinations in the world — but different in ways that require specific preparation that most travel guides don’t cover thoroughly enough.

The Great Firewall blocks the apps you rely on every day. Cash is almost completely useless in a country that has gone more cashless than anywhere else on earth. The language barrier is real and significant. And many of China’s most popular attractions sell out days or weeks in advance.

Get the preparation right before you land and China is extraordinary. Arrive unprepared and you will spend your first day firefighting problems that didn’t need to happen.

This is everything we learned firsthand — written specifically for Western travellers, Canadian travellers in particular, visiting China for the first time or returning after many years.

Step 1: Your VPN — Do This Before You Board the Plane

This is the single most important piece of China travel preparation and the one most people either skip or get wrong.

China’s Great Firewall blocks an enormous range of Western apps and websites including Google (Search, Maps, Gmail, Chrome), WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, and the vast majority of Western news sites. The moment your phone connects to a Chinese network — including the airport WiFi when you land — these apps stop working entirely.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes your internet traffic through a server outside China, bypassing the firewall and restoring access to your usual apps. Without one, you are effectively cut off from your digital life for the duration of your stay.

The critical rule: download and configure your VPN before you arrive in China. Once you’re inside the country, the App Store and Google Play Store are themselves subject to restrictions that make downloading VPN apps significantly more difficult. Don’t leave this until the airport. Do it at home, test it, and arrive with it already working.

Which VPN Works in China?

Not all VPNs work reliably in China — the government actively detects and blocks VPN traffic, and many popular VPNs that work elsewhere are regularly disrupted inside the country.

We used Cat VPN throughout our Beijing stay and found it reliable. Cat VPN is specifically optimised for use in China and maintains servers that are updated regularly to stay ahead of firewall detection — which is why China-specific VPNs like Cat VPN often outperform more general-purpose VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN which can become unreliable inside China without warning.

Our VPN checklist:

Download Cat VPN (or your chosen China-compatible VPN) before departure
Set it up and test it while still at home
Purchase a subscription that covers your full trip duration
Keep it running in the background whenever you need to access Western apps
Have a backup VPN downloaded as well — if one stops working, having a second option saves significant stress

Step 2: WeChat — The App That Runs China

WeChat is not just a messaging app in China. It is the operating system of daily life — used for messaging, payments, booking services, scanning QR codes, ordering food, hailing rides, accessing government services, and communicating with virtually everyone. If you only download one Chinese app before your trip, make it WeChat.

Setting Up WeChat as a Foreigner

Download WeChat from your home country App Store before arriving. Create an account using your phone number — international numbers work. You will need an existing WeChat user to verify your new account, which can occasionally be a friction point; ask a friend with WeChat to help, or your hotel staff can often assist.

WeChat Pay for Foreign Cards

WeChat Pay — the payment function built into WeChat — now accepts foreign credit and debit cards linked directly to the app. This is a relatively recent development that has dramatically improved the experience for international visitors.

To set up WeChat Pay with a foreign card:

Open WeChat and navigate to the Wallet section
Select the option to add a bank card
Enter your international Visa or Mastercard details
Verify with your card’s security process

Once linked, WeChat Pay works at virtually every shop, restaurant, market stall, taxi, and vending machine in China — anywhere you see a QR code, which is everywhere. The payment process is simply scanning a QR code or showing your payment code to be scanned. It is faster and more seamless than any card payment system in Canada.

Important: WeChat Pay with a foreign card has transaction limits and some vendors may only accept Chinese bank accounts for certain transactions. Having both WeChat Pay and Alipay configured gives you redundancy if one doesn’t work in a specific situation.

Step 3: Alipay — Easier to Set Up Than You’d Expect

Alipay is China’s other dominant payment platform — owned by Alibaba and equally ubiquitous alongside WeChat Pay. Most vendors accept both, but having Alipay as well gives you complete coverage.

The good news: Alipay has made significant efforts to welcome foreign tourists and the setup process for international visitors is genuinely straightforward.

Setting Up Alipay as a Foreigner

Download Alipay from your home App Store before arrival
Select “International User” during registration
Verify your identity with your passport
Link your foreign Visa or Mastercard

Alipay’s international version supports foreign cards directly and the interface has good English support. Once set up, it works identically to WeChat Pay — scan to pay, show your code to be scanned, done.

When to Use Alipay vs WeChat Pay

In practice, both work almost everywhere and you’ll develop a preference quickly. Alipay tends to be slightly more widely accepted in larger retail and transport contexts; WeChat Pay dominates in social and food contexts. Having both means you never encounter a situation where only one is accepted and you don’t have it.

Step 4: Didi — China’s Uber

Didi is China’s dominant ride-hailing app — the direct equivalent of Uber or Grab, and the primary way to get around Chinese cities as a foreigner without navigating taxis or public transport.

Why Didi is Essential

Regular taxis in Chinese cities can be reluctant to pick up foreign passengers due to language barriers — if you can’t communicate your destination in Mandarin, some drivers will simply drive past. Didi solves this completely: you enter your destination in the app (it has an English interface), the fare is fixed upfront, payment is cashless through WeChat Pay or Alipay, and the driver navigates to you via GPS. No language required.

Setting Up Didi

Download the Didi app from your home App Store before arrival
Register with your phone number — international numbers work
Link payment through WeChat Pay or Alipay
The app has an English language option — switch to it in settings

Important note: Didi requires a working internet connection to function. Make sure your VPN is active and your e-SIM data is running before trying to book a ride.

Didi Tips for Foreigners

Always confirm the car make, model, and license plate in the app before getting in
Show the driver your destination on the app screen if there’s any confusion
Didi is significantly cheaper than taxis for most city trips
During peak hours in Beijing, surge pricing applies — similar to Uber

Step 5: Amap (高德地图) — Navigation That Actually Works in China

Google Maps does not work in China without a VPN, and even with a VPN the map data for Chinese cities is often inaccurate because Google’s China mapping data is deliberately offset. For navigation inside China, you need a Chinese mapping app.

Amap (高德地图, Gaode Maps) is what we used throughout Beijing and it was excellent — accurate, real-time traffic data, public transit directions, walking routes, and Points of Interest that actually reflect what’s on the ground. Apple Maps also works reasonably well in China as an alternative.

Setting Up Amap

Download Amap from your home App Store before arrival (search “Amap” or “Gaode Maps”)
The app has an English interface option
Works without a VPN — it’s a Chinese app and not subject to firewall restrictions
Use it for all navigation: walking, subway, driving, and Didi pickup points

Pro tip: When booking a Didi, use Amap to find the exact address or landmark of your destination in Chinese characters, then copy it into Didi. This ensures the driver’s navigation is accurate and eliminates any address translation errors.

Step 6: Translation Apps — Your Language Bridge

The language barrier in China is significant and real. Unlike Hong Kong, Thailand, or Vietnam where English is reasonably widespread in tourist and hospitality contexts, Mandarin dominates in mainland China and English proficiency outside major international hotels is limited.

Two translation tools will get you through almost any situation:

Google Translate (requires VPN to download updates, but the app itself with offline Chinese language pack downloaded works without VPN) — essential for translating menus, signs, and written communication. The camera translation function — point your phone camera at Chinese text and see an instant translation overlay — is particularly useful for menus and street signs.

WeChat’s built-in translation — WeChat messages can be translated directly within the app, which is useful for communicating with vendors, hotel staff, and anyone who contacts you via WeChat.

Practical tip: Before any important interaction — booking a restaurant, asking for directions, communicating a dietary need — type your request in English in Google Translate, switch to Chinese output, and show the screen to the person you’re talking to. This works reliably and is universally understood as a communication method in China.

Step 7: Connectivity — Your e-SIM Strategy

A working data connection is the foundation everything else runs on. Without data, your VPN doesn’t work. Without your VPN, your Western apps don’t work. Without your apps, you can’t pay, navigate, or communicate.

We used Airalo for our China e-SIM — activated before we landed — and it provided reliable data throughout Beijing. Get 10% off with our link.

Important: Chinese domestic SIM cards from carriers like China Mobile and China Unicom are subject to the same firewall restrictions as all Chinese internet. A foreign e-SIM through Airalo routes through international servers, which means your VPN has a better foundation to work from. This is a meaningful practical advantage over buying a local SIM on arrival.

Step 8: What to Book in Advance

China’s most popular attractions have moved to timed entry ticket systems that sell out significantly in advance — sometimes weeks ahead during peak seasons. Arriving at the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, or the Temple of Heaven without a pre-booked ticket can mean being turned away entirely.

Always book in advance:

Forbidden City (Palace Museum) — timed entry tickets must be booked online through the official Palace Museum website. Tickets sell out weeks ahead during Golden Week (October), Chinese New Year, and summer holidays. Book as early as possible — the booking window typically opens 60 days in advance.

Great Wall — different sections have different booking requirements. Mutianyu requires advance ticket booking; Badaling sells out faster than almost any other attraction in China. Book through Klook for package deals that include transport from Beijing — this is significantly easier than booking transport and tickets separately.

Temple of Heaven — advance tickets recommended during peak periods.

Popular restaurants — Beijing’s most sought-after restaurants, particularly for Peking duck at renowned establishments, require reservations days or weeks ahead. Ask your hotel concierge to make reservations on your behalf — this is one of the most valuable things hotel staff can do for foreign visitors, and a good hotel will handle the Chinese-language booking process for you.

Train tickets — China’s high-speed rail network is exceptional but popular routes sell out. Book through Trip.com (formerly Ctrip) which has a functional English interface and accepts international cards.

Step 9: Your Hotel Staff Are Your Most Valuable Resource

This cannot be overstated: in China more than anywhere else we visited on our 100-day trip, hotel staff at international properties are an invaluable bridge between foreign visitors and the logistics of daily life in the country.

What your hotel staff can help with:

Making restaurant reservations in Chinese on your behalf
Booking tickets to attractions through Chinese platforms
Writing your destination in Chinese characters for taxi drivers
Recommending nearby restaurants and local experiences
Helping set up WeChat Pay or Alipay if you encounter difficulties
Translating any documents or communications you receive
Arranging Didi pickups if you’re having app difficulties
Advising on current VPN reliability

At both the Hyatt Regency Wangjing and the St. Regis Beijing, staff were outstanding at facilitating exactly this kind of support. Don’t hesitate to ask — this is part of what international hotels in China provide, and the staff are well practised at helping foreign guests navigate the country’s unique digital ecosystem.

Step 10: Cash in China — Almost Entirely Useless

China has undergone the most complete cashless payment transition of any major economy in the world. WeChat Pay and Alipay have displaced cash so thoroughly that many vendors — market stalls, small restaurants, transport — no longer accept physical renminbi at all, or will look at you with genuine confusion if you offer it.

Bring some cash as an emergency backup — perhaps 500–1,000 RMB — but don’t rely on it for daily spending. Every normal transaction in modern China runs through a QR code. Get your WeChat Pay and Alipay set up before you arrive and treat them as your primary payment methods from the moment you land.

Currency note: ATMs in major Chinese cities will dispense RMB from international cards, but withdrawal fees can be significant and the usefulness of the cash once obtained is limited. Focus on digital payment setup rather than cash access.

Quick Reference: The China Foreigner Checklist

Before you leave home:

✅ Download and configure Cat VPN (or China-compatible alternative) — test it works
✅ Download WeChat and create an account — link your foreign card to WeChat Pay
✅ Download Alipay and set up international account — link your foreign card
✅ Download Didi and link payment
✅ Download Amap for navigation
✅ Download Google Translate with offline Chinese language pack
✅ Set up Airalo e-SIM for China data — activate before landing
✅ Book Forbidden City tickets online if visiting
✅ Book Great Wall transport and tickets through Klook
✅ Book any popular restaurant reservations through your hotel
✅ Check your passport validity — China requires 6 months validity beyond your travel dates
✅ Confirm your visa is in order — most Western nationalities require a Chinese tourist visa applied for in advance

On arrival:

✅ Activate your VPN immediately before connecting to any Chinese network
✅ Confirm WeChat Pay and Alipay are working with a small test transaction
✅ Download any remaining apps while your VPN is running
✅ Save your hotel address in Chinese characters in your phone
✅ Introduce yourself to hotel concierge staff and let them know you’re a foreign visitor — they will be your most important resource

Practical Information

Visa: Most Western nationalities including Canadians require a tourist visa for China, applied for through the Chinese consulate before travel. China has been expanding visa-free access for certain nationalities — check current requirements well in advance as policies change. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before your trip.

Currency: Chinese Renminbi (RMB/CNY). Set up WeChat Pay and Alipay with foreign cards as your primary payment method — cash is largely obsolete in modern Chinese cities.

Language: Mandarin Chinese. English is limited outside international hotels and major tourist facilities. Google Translate camera function and WeChat translation are essential tools.

Internet: The Great Firewall blocks most Western apps and websites. Configure Cat VPN before arrival. Use Airalo e-SIM for data — foreign e-SIMs provide a better VPN foundation than domestic Chinese SIMs.

Transport: Beijing subway for city movement — efficient, affordable, comprehensive. Didi for ride-hailing. China’s high-speed rail network for inter-city travel — book through Trip.com.

Hotels: We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Beijing Wangjing and the St. Regis Beijing — both on points and free night certificates. Read our full reviews on the blog. Check options on Agoda.

Tours and tickets: Book Great Wall, Forbidden City tours and all activities through Klook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a VPN in China? Yes — absolutely essential. Without a VPN you lose access to Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and most Western apps the moment you connect to a Chinese network. Download and configure Cat VPN before you arrive — it cannot be reliably downloaded once you’re inside China.

Can foreigners use WeChat Pay and Alipay in China? Yes — both now accept foreign Visa and Mastercard linked directly to the apps. Set both up before arriving. This is the most important practical step for navigating daily life in China as a foreign visitor.

What is Didi and how does foreigners use it in China? Didi is China’s Uber equivalent — the primary ride-hailing app used throughout the country. It has an English interface, accepts payment through WeChat Pay or Alipay, and eliminates the language barrier problem of hailing regular taxis. Essential for getting around Chinese cities comfortably.

What maps app works in China? Amap (高德地图 / Gaode Maps) is what we used and recommend — accurate, real-time, and available in English. Apple Maps also works reasonably well. Google Maps data for China is inaccurate even with a VPN due to deliberate coordinate offsetting.

Do I need cash in China? Bring a small amount as emergency backup but don’t rely on it. China is now so thoroughly cashless that many vendors don’t accept physical RMB at all. WeChat Pay and Alipay with foreign cards linked are your primary payment tools.

How far in advance should I book the Forbidden City? As early as possible — the booking window opens 60 days in advance and tickets sell out weeks ahead during peak periods. Don’t assume you can book a few days before your visit. The Forbidden City is one of the most visited attractions on earth and the timed entry system is strictly enforced.

Is China difficult to travel as a foreigner? With the right preparation — VPN, WeChat Pay, Alipay, Didi, Amap — China is very manageable and extraordinarily rewarding. Without that preparation, the first day or two can be genuinely frustrating. The investment of a few hours of setup before you leave home transforms the experience completely.

Final Thoughts

China is one of the most extraordinary travel destinations in the world — a country of staggering history, exceptional food, breathtaking scale, and a modernity that exists in constant dialogue with thousands of years of civilisation. Visiting it as a foreigner in 2026 requires specific preparation that other destinations simply don’t demand, but that preparation is genuinely not complicated once you know what it involves.

VPN configured. WeChat Pay and Alipay set up. Didi downloaded. Amap loaded. Tickets booked. Hotel staff briefed that you’ll need their help.

Do those six things before you board your flight and China will open up to you in a way that rewards every bit of the effort.

For our Beijing travel story — the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, hutong neighbourhoods, and Zee’s emotional return after 20 years — read our Beijing travel guide. For how we funded the China leg of our trip on Aeroplan points, our how we saved $20,000 guide has the full breakdown.

This was part of our 100-day Asia adventure.