If you're a Malaysian travelling to China for the first time, there is one thing I would strongly recommend doing before you even pack your luggage:
Get your essential travel apps ready.
China is not quite the same as travelling to Singapore, Thailand or Japan where you can simply arrive, open Google Maps, tap your usual payment app or credit card and carry on.
For a first-time China traveller, having the right apps can make a BIG difference.
And no, you don't need to download 20 different apps.
Over the years, I've found that there are a few apps I keep coming back to whenever I travel around China .... especially Alipay, WeChat, AMap , TNG and a good translation app.
These apps cover most of the things I need: payment, communication, navigation, transport, translation and getting around.
And I know this because I've had quite a lot of practice.
My China travel story started in 2010
My first trip to China was actually way back in 2010, when I went to Shanghai on a company trip.
At that time, I was definitely not the China traveller I am today. China was not the same as today!
It was a company trip. Everything was arranged. Hotel, transport, itinerary ... just follow the group.
Then in 2011, I went to Beijing on my own. I brought over a thick print out of everything to navigate my ways. Technology was not as advance as today!
That was when travelling in China started to feel very different.
Since then, I've travelled to China regularly, and nowadays I usually make it to China at least twice a year, visiting different cities on different trips.
Shanghai, Beijing and so many other places have slowly become familiar territory.
But every time I visit a new city, I still rely heavily on my phone.
Because let's be honest...
Your phone is practically your travel assistant in China.
It tells you where to go, helps you pay, helps you communicate and sometimes even helps you figure out what on earth you are looking at on a Chinese menu. 😂
So if you're planning your first China trip from Malaysia, here are the apps I recommend preparing before you fly.
1. Alipay : Your Digital Wallet and Travel Assistant aka the Genie for your trip
If you're only going to set up one payment app before your first China trip, Alipay should be one of the first ones you look at.
For foreign visitors, Alipay supports linking eligible international bank cards, and its travel-related functions go beyond simply paying for food and shopping. China's official guidance also notes that Alipay can be used for services such as transportation and other travel-related functions.
What can you use Alipay for?
💳 Paying for food and shopping
You will see QR codes everywhere.
Restaurants.
Convenience stores.
Shopping malls.
Small shops.
Tourist attractions.
Sometimes even tiny little stalls.
You can either scan the merchant's QR code or show your payment QR code, depending on the merchant. Yes. It will translate the menu for you. As a non mandarin speaker....this app is a genie for me.
🚇 Public transport
Alipay can also be useful for transport in supported cities. China's official visitor guide specifically describes using Alipay to obtain a metro QR code after completing the required verification.
🚕 Getting an ehailing ride (Didi)
Alipay also integrates various local services, including transport-related functions.
🎟️ Travel services
Depending on the city and current services available, Alipay can also connect you to things such as tickets, hotel services and other travel functions.
When do I need Alipay?
Basically:
When you need to PAY.
My advice?
Don't wait until you land in China to figure everything out.
Install it, register and set it up while you're still comfortably sitting at home in Malaysia.
That way, if something doesn't work, you still have time to troubleshoot.
2. WeChat : Don't Think of It as "Just Another Chat App"
Malaysians often think of WeChat as simply the Chinese version of WhatsApp.
But in China, WeChat is much more than messaging.
It is part messaging app, part payment platform and part everyday digital ecosystem.
What can you use WeChat for?
💬 Communication
Obviously, you can use it to communicate with people.
But you may also encounter businesses, hotels, tour operators or local contacts that use WeChat.
💰 WeChat Pay
WeChat Pay can be useful as a second payment option. Some small vendor accept WeChat pay only. You still can pay cash but I prefer it cashless especially for non mandarin speaker traveler like me.
China's official guidance says foreign visitors can register Alipay or WeChat and link eligible international bank cards, although available card brands, limits and fees can vary.
📱 Mini Programs
This is where WeChat gets interesting.
Many Chinese businesses and services have their own WeChat Mini Programs.
You may encounter them for restaurants, hotels, transport, attractions and other services.
When do I need WeChat?
Think of WeChat as:
Your communication , backup payment , China digital services app.
I wouldn't rely on only one payment method when travelling.
Phones can die.
Cards can fail.
Apps can have verification issues.
So having more than one option is simply practical.
I always travel with a back up plan to avoid unnecessary stress!
3. AMap : The China Map App I Actually Want on My Phone
If you're used to Google Maps, this is probably the app that will take a little getting used to.
For China travel, I recommend having AMap Global, also known as Gaode Maps, installed before your trip.
The current AMap Global app specifically positions itself for China travel, including navigation, public transport, taxi planning and travel information, with English support available on its current iOS listing.
What can AMap do?
📍 Find places
Search for your hotel, restaurant, attraction, shopping mall or train station.
🚇 Plan public transport
You can check different routes and transportation options.
🚶 Walking directions
Very useful when you're already near your destination but don't know which direction to walk.
And trust me...
China cities can be BIG.
You think:
"Oh, it's just 800 metres."
Then suddenly you're walking through a massive shopping complex trying to find the exit. 😂
🚕 Taxi/navigation
AMap also provides taxi-related functions and route planning.
My favourite China travel habit
Before leaving the hotel, I like to check:
Where am I?
Where am I going?
How long will it take?
Metro or taxi?
Find Halal or 'Qing Zhen' restaurant?
This is particularly useful if you're travelling with older family members or, like me, you're trying to be sensible about how much walking you do.
When do I need AMap?
Every single day.
Honestly, if you're travelling independently around China, I would consider a proper China map app almost essential.
4. Touch 'n Go eWallet :Yes, Your Malaysian TNG Can Be Useful in China
This one is especially interesting for Malaysians.
You may already have Touch 'n Go eWallet sitting on your phone, so you don't necessarily need to think of it as a completely new China travel app.
TNG eWallet currently supports overseas QR payments through Alipay+ in Mainland China, and TNG says its overseas QR payment network covers participating merchants including major retail, food and travel-related brands.
China's government travel guidance also specifically lists Touch 'n Go eWallet (Malaysia) among overseas e-wallets that can be used to pay by scanning participating QR codes in China.
What can you use TNG for?
💳 QR payments
When you see a supported QR payment option, TNG can give you another way to pay.
🛍️ Shopping
Useful at participating merchants.
🍜 Food
Useful when the merchant supports the relevant cross-border QR payment network.
Why do I like having TNG as an option?
Because sometimes I simply don't want to think:
"Which card did I link to which app again?"
😂
Having another payment option as my back up plan. To be honest, I hardly use TNG in China.
I prefer Alipay or WeChat Pay.
Think of TNG as another tool in your China travel toolbox.
5. A Translation App : Because Sometimes "Ni Hao" Is Not Enough 😂
Okay, this one is obvious.
But please don't underestimate how useful a translation app can be in China. Especially , as a non mandarin speaker.
Especially when you leave the major tourist areas.
You may encounter:
Chinese-only menus
Chinese-only signs
restaurant instructions
hotel information
transport information
product labels
pharmacy products
conversations where you need to explain something properly
What do I use translation apps for?
📷 Camera translation
Point your phone at Chinese text and translate it.
This is fantastic for menus and signs.
⌨️ Text translation
Type what you want to say and show it to someone.
🎤 Voice translation
Useful when you're trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak English.
When do I need it?
Whenever you think:
"Errrr... what does this say?"😂
And believe me, that moment WILL happen. To be honest, I usually avoid talking hahahaha....but as an avid traveler to China, I can order a simple think or even ask people in my limited mandarin vocab.😀
What About VPN? Do I Need One?
This is something I get asked quite often.
Personally, I usually add international roaming from my Malaysian mobile service provider before I travel. I don't gamble my trip with esim. Sometimes, its very limited over a few ringgit to save.
That is my preferred approach because I don't want to spend my holiday worrying about setting up VPNs, changing SIM cards or troubleshooting internet access.
With my roaming arrangement, my Malaysian phone and the apps I normally use continue to work for me while I'm travelling in China.
So I can use my phone more or less like I normally do.
However, roaming arrangements differ between providers and plans, so don't simply assume yours will work the same way.
Check your telco's current China roaming package before you fly.
And most importantly:
Activate and test your roaming before you leave Malaysia.
I would much rather spend 10 minutes checking everything at home than arrive in China and discover that something isn't working. I usually , did this while at airport after check in my luggage.
My Simple China Travel App Checklist
If you're a first-time China traveller from Malaysia, here's my simple checklist:
| App | Main Function | When You Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Alipay | Payment , travel, transport services | 💳 Daily |
| Messaging , payment , mini programs | 💬 As needed | |
| AMap | Maps , navigation , transport | 📍 Every day |
| Touch 'n Go eWallet | Cross-border QR payment | 💰 Backup/payment option |
| Translation App | Chinese ↔ English/Malay communication | 🗣️ Whenever needed |
And don't forget your airline app, hotel booking app and train booking app if you're travelling independently. I prefer Trip.com
My Golden Rule: Set Everything Up BEFORE You Fly
This is probably the most important thing I can tell a first-time China traveller.
Don't wait until you arrive at China Airport to start downloading apps.
Do it at home.
Before your China trip:
✅ Download the apps
✅ Register your accounts
✅ Verify your phone number
✅ Set up your payment methods
✅ Add your cards where applicable
✅ Check your passport details if required
✅ Test your apps
✅ Activate your roaming
✅ Save your hotel name and address
✅ Keep important addresses in both English and Chinese
✅ Carry some RMB cash as a backup
China is becoming increasingly convenient for international visitors, with official guidance supporting mobile payments, international cards and cash as different payment options.
But my philosophy is simple:
Don't put all your eggs in one digital basket.
Have a few payment options.
Have your hotel address saved.
Have your map app ready.
Have translation available.
And have your roaming sorted before you leave Malaysia.
Then you can spend your holiday doing the fun part...
Eating, shopping, sightseeing and getting lost on purpose. 😂
Final China Travel App Checklist for Malaysians
If you're planning your first trip to China, save this list:
1. Alipay - PAY
2. WeChat - CONNECT
3. AMap - NAVIGATE
4. Touch 'n Go eWallet - BACKUP PAY
5. Translation App - COMMUNICATE
And for me:
Roaming - CONNECT TO THE INTERNET
That's my basic China travel setup.
Simple, practical and much less stressful than arriving at the airport and thinking:
Note: Apps, payment functions, card support, roaming packages and merchant acceptance can change. Check the latest information from the relevant app, payment provider and Malaysian telco before your trip.
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