The reason there are forty near-identical articles about this is search volume, not complexity. The underlying rule is one sentence: on a Chinese network, foreign services that the regulator blocks are unreachable; on a foreign-routed connection, they behave normally.
The list
| App | On Chinese Wi-Fi / local SIM | On travel eSIM or roaming | Chinese replacement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Search / Gmail | Blocked | Works | Baidu, Aliyun mail |
| Google Maps | Blocked | Works | Amap (高德), Baidu Maps |
| Blocked | Works | ||
| Blocked | Works | Xiaohongshu | |
| Blocked | Works | — | |
| YouTube | Blocked | Works | Bilibili |
| Netflix | Blocked | Works (region-limited) | iQiyi, Youku |
| Spotify | Blocked / patchy | Works | QQ Music, NetEase Cloud |
| Telegram | Blocked | Works | — |
| Discord | Blocked | Works | — |
| Strava | Patchy, sync fails | Works | Keep (Chinese running app) |
| Apple Maps | Works | Works | — |
| Microsoft Outlook / Teams | Usually works | Works | — |
| Booking.com | Works | Works | Ctrip / Trip.com |
| Uber | Does not operate | Does not operate | DiDi (has English UI) |
| Airbnb | Withdrawn from mainland | — | Local apartment platforms |
The four apps you actually need to install
- 1Alipay (支付宝)
Not just payments. It has mini-apps for DiDi, train tickets, translation and attraction bookings. Turning on “Transport” gives you a QR code that works on most city metros.
- 2WeChat (微信)
Your guide, hotel and any local contact will use this. It is also the fallback payment method. Set it up before you fly — registration needs SMS verification.
- 3Amap (高德地图)
The only maps app with reliable Chinese address data, live bus arrivals and walking routes that account for barriers. English mode is limited but usable.
- 4DiDi (滴滴)
The Chinese Uber, with an English interface inside the Alipay mini-app. Cheaper than airport taxis and no cash needed.
Google Translate — the nuanced answer
The app itself partially works: offline packs download fine and the camera translation feature functions without a network. What fails is conversational speech translation and anything that needs the online model. Download the offline Chinese pack (Simplified) before you fly and it will get you through menus and signs, which is 90% of the use case.
Two better options for real conversation: the translate function built into WeChat, and asking your guide. This is not a joke — the single most useful translation tool on a guided trip is a person who has been translating for foreign guests for a decade.
Things people get wrong
- “I’ll just use a VPN.” Consumer VPNs are detected and blocked unpredictably. They are a backup, not a plan.
- “Apple Maps works, so I’m fine.” Apple Maps works because it uses Chinese map data, and it is good for driving, weak for transit and useless for small alleys.
- “I’ll download apps when I arrive.” The App Store and Google Play may not load on a Chinese connection. Install everything before you board.