App way to travel in China

Here are eight apps to use for a smoother trip to the country

- Sarah Stanley

Navigating a foreign country can be daunting, including figuring out payment methods, navigation and booking local attractions. These anxieties are more pronounced for travellers to China, especially if they do not speak Mandarin or have not visited the country in a long time.

China's online system is a result of its censorship regulations, often referred to as the "Great Firewall", which restricts access to certain international websites and apps like Google and WhatsApp.

As a result, local companies have come up with alternatives to help users navigate daily life. Super-apps integrate multiple services such as messaging, e-commerce, payment methods and ride-hailing into a single application.

WeChat, for instance, is among the super-apps that allows access to social messaging functions alongside its payment method WeChat Pay, food delivery services and more.

Another such example is China's Alipay app, which serves more than one billion users.

The country has grown in popularity among Singapore travellers over the past year. They are drawn to its affordable luxury hotels, vast natural landscapes and growing culinary scene.

According to data from foreign currency digital wallet YouTrip, China overtook perennial favourite Japan as the top travel destination for Singaporeans in June. The platform listed Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, Guangzhou and Chengdu as the top five Chinese cities Singaporeans travelled to that month.

The renewed interest is driven in part by the country's relaxed visa policies, which have allowed Singaporeans to enter the country visa-free for up to 30 days as at February 2024.

Improved connectivity has also played a role. Data from aviation analytics company Cirium showed that flights from Singapore to China have increased by around 7 per cent between October 2024 and October 2025.