Maps: search for the entrance, not just the attraction
Amap and Baidu Maps are widely used local map services. Apple Maps is another option on compatible Apple devices. Language and features vary by service and device, so try searching your first hotel before departure.
Use the Chinese name to distinguish similar places. Match the full address and entrance with your hotel, attraction booking or station ticket. A large park, museum campus or railway station can have several gates far apart.
Transport: keep the booking and station name together
Use China Railway’s English website or app for rail planning and supported ticket services. For a car, Didi can be used through its app or supported payment-app services. Check your pickup location before requesting the ride.
Save the complete station name in Chinese. Shanghai Railway Station and Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station are not interchangeable. On arrival, open the operator’s pickup instructions rather than walking to an arbitrary roadside point.
Translation: save the phrases you will need
Choose a translation app with text, camera and speech functions that suit your phone and connection. Download supported offline language files before departure. Test a menu photograph and a short spoken question at home.
For an address, show the original Chinese text instead of translating it repeatedly. For a food allergy or an important appointment, prepare the wording in advance and make sure the other person understands it.
Food and bookings: keep the details you can show
Dianping can help you look at restaurants, addresses and menu photographs, although language and account requirements may affect what you can do. Treat other travelers’ reviews as opinions and check a restaurant’s location before setting off.
Keep bookings in the account or service where you purchased them. Save the reference, date, included service, contact and cancellation conditions. A screenshot is a helpful backup but may not replace a live ticket code or identity check.
Make the toolkit usable when something goes wrong
Keep a small list of essential apps rather than adding many unfamiliar accounts on arrival. Set up account recovery and a way to receive verification messages. Carry a charger and save the hotel phone number away from the phone.
Ask for help with a screen when needed, but enter your own passwords and payment codes. For a missed connection, contact the operator responsible for that booking.
Common questions
Will an English address always work in a local map?
Not always. Save the Chinese name, full address and entrance so you can search or show them to staff.
Can a translation app handle an allergy safely?
Use a carefully prepared allergy card and ask about ingredients and preparation. An app alone cannot establish that a meal is safe for your needs.