Google, Facebook, Gmail and many Western apps may not work in China, so set everything up before you fly.
- Maps: Amap (Gaode) or Apple Maps; Google Maps is offset and incomplete.
- Payments: Alipay or WeChat Pay (see Paying in China).
- Rides: DiDi, or book through Alipay.
- Trains and hotels: Trip.com, in English.
- Translation: an app that works offline.
- Internet: a roaming international eSIM usually still reaches Google and Facebook, unlike a local Chinese SIM.
Note: download offline maps and save your hotel address in Chinese characters to show taxi drivers.