China is an amazing country but if you’re not a local, it can be extremely had to navigate. Here are five apps to take you from clueless tourist to competent traveler in just a few clicks.
WeChat and WeChat Pay
WeChat is the Chinese equivalent of Facebook in the sense that everybody is on it. As well as using it to connect with people, you can also use it to pay for anything from your food to the hotel room. It’s the most convenient way to pay in China.
Waygo
When I first discovered Waygo, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d stumbled across some kind of Harry Potter technological wizardry. It’s an offline visual translation application that enables you to translate words via your mobile camera. If you’re confused by a Chinese menu, you can use Waygo to magically translate the text live through your phone.
Baidu Maps
Baidu Maps is much more accurate than Google Maps when it comes to exploring China. The map is extremely sophisticated and includes public transport options and live traffic updates too.
Uber
Yup, Uber is even operating in China. If you want to avoid an awkward conversation with your cab driver who can’t understand your embarrassing attempts to pronounce where you’re going, Uber is the answer.
China Air Quality Index
China hardly has a reputation for fresh country air. At times, the air pollution can get so bad that you might be wise to delay your afternoon walk or head out of the city. The China Air Quality app can help you make these decisions by letting you know the air pollutions wherever you.
