1. Getting online: four options
| Option | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM (international data pack) | Buy before departure, works on landing, keeps your number for SMS | No Chinese number — some app registrations limited | 1–2 week trips (easiest) |
| Local physical SIM | Cheap abundant data; a Chinese number unlocks app sign-ups and OTP codes | Needs real-name registration at an airport/carrier counter | 7+ days, heavy local usage |
| International roaming | Zero setup | Pricey, small data caps | Business / zero-effort |
| Hotel / public Wi-Fi | Free | Patchy, slow | Backup only |
The trade-off: if you'll grab 12306 tickets, unlock shared bikes and book hot attractions, a Chinese number helps a lot (physical SIM); for navigation + translation + payments, eSIM is enough. Or combine: eSIM as the floor, add a cheap local data SIM after landing.
ℹ On network accessAvailability of some international apps and services inside mainland China may differ from abroad, and rules change. Confirm with your carrier/provider that your daily apps (mail, office, social) actually work locally, and use compliant access methods in line with Chinese law. HK/Macao follow different regimes.
2. The app kit
🗺 Maps & navigation
- Amap (高德) / Baidu Maps: Chinese UI but English search works; the most complete POI data; offline packs available;
- Apple Maps: served by Amap inside the mainland — good English experience on iOS.
🗣 Translation
- Google Translate: offline Chinese pack + live camera translation (the menu saviour);
- Microsoft Translator: excellent offline pack, strong conversation mode;
- Pleco: the Chinese-character power tool — handwriting/camera lookup with pinyin; the endgame for menus and signs;
- Baidu / Youdao Translate: best Chinese speech recognition for two-way conversations;
- Tip: star your go-to phrases — they work offline.
🚕 Getting around
- DiDi (滴滴): overseas numbers and international cards supported, English UI;
- Railway 12306: official train tickets (passport registration + international cards);
- Umetrip / Flightradar24: flight status.
🍜 Life & booking
- Alipay / WeChat: payments + attraction mini-programs (see the payments guide);
- Meituan / Dianping: restaurant ratings and queues;
- Trip.com / Booking: hotels with friendly international card flows;
- Official attraction accounts: where Forbidden City–style real-name bookings live.
3. When language fails
- Show, don't speak: screenshot the Chinese address/dish and display it — the most reliable move;
- Conversation mode: you speak English, the app shows Chinese, they type back;
- Calculator diplomacy: prices negotiated by screen;
- Ask the young: English among students is strong — the teenager passing by is your interpreter;
- Hotel card: front desks outperform averages — have them write destinations in Chinese.
✓ Chinese number gestures, crash courseAt markets you'll see fingers, not words: 1–5 match yours; 6 = thumb + pinky ("call me"); 8 = thumb + index (a pistol); 9 = curled index; 10 = crossed index+middle or a fist. Learn "six" and "ten" and bargaining success doubles.
4. Survival Chinese
The 12 survival phrases have grown into a standalone Survival Chinese phrasebook: 10 scenario categories and 118 phrases — emergency, transport, hotel, food, shopping, medical and more, every line with pinyin, male/female audio and tap-to-copy to show your screen, printable to carry along.
✓ Pro tipWhen words fail, copy the Chinese and show your screen — showing beats speaking. Emergency numbers: 110 police · 120 ambulance · 119 fire.