This is a simplified summary of the things that are the most important for your China trip.

Doing the following things before you depart for China will eliminate the majority of problems.

1. Apps

Download these apps as a bare minimum:

Alipay for payments, metro card, and mini-app functions (such as renting a shared bike or hailing a DiDi)
WeChat for payments (backup) and instant messaging
AMap for navigation
Trip for buying attraction tickets, train tickets, and any new hotel bookings
DiDi for hailing a taxi (like Uber/Grab)
Bonus: MetroMan for easy-to-navigate maps for the metro

👉 To take a taxi, see my guide How to Hail a DiDi Driver in China

👉 To take the metro, see my guide How to Ride the Metro in China: Ultimate Guide to Getting Around the City

👉 To order food in restaurants, see my guide How to Order Food and Drink in China? A Mini-Guide with Key Phrases

For a full breakdown, check out my article What Apps Do You Really Need As A Tourist In China? Super-Apps and Mini-Programs Unpacked

2. Payments

Alipay - I recommend this as your first option if this is your first time in China

WeChat - for backup

Bind at least one credit card to each app before you depart for China. Make sure your bank account doesn’t have any restrictions on paying abroad.

If your bank needs notification of you travelling abroad, please notify them. Save your credit card’s contact number.

👉 To pay in shops or in apps, see my step by step instructions: How To Make Payments As A Tourist in China: A Beginner's Guide

👉 Check out my article How to Minimise Card Fees When Travelling In China

What about cash? You can still use it, but it will be nowhere near as convenient. A lot of shops don’t have the exact change.

Check if you can get cheaper prices by:

👉 Comparing flight prices to China HERE

👉 Comparing hotel rates in China HERE

3. Internet Connection with access to all sites/apps while in China

To access the internet unblocked everywhere, get a China eSIM (I used one of these) OR a VPN with local Wi-Fi + local SIM card.

Remember to check the eSIM description to make sure it allows you unblocked access.

To access the internet in a non-hotel public area with Wi-Fi (e.g. coffee shop), get a local SIM card. You’ll be okay in most hotels, as they will have a way for you to connect without a local number.

👉 For more details, check out my article Do I Need a Local SIM Card or VPN When Travelling in China?

4. Translating from Chinese to English

Download an app like Microsoft Translator, Baidu Translate, U Dictionary Translator, Pleco.

WeChat also has an in-built QR scan function to translate anything you point your camera at.

For online menus, use screenshot function and upload screenshot to translate.
For anything offline (like physical menus, signage, store labels), use photo function for translating menus from Chinese to English.
To communicate with people, use the 2-way translation function.