Essential Apps for Foreigners in China
| App | What it's for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging + payments | The single most important app. Link your foreign card to WeChat Pay. | |
| Alipay | Payments | Backup payment app; also links foreign cards. |
| Translation app | Chinese ↔ your language | Camera translation for signs, menus, and hospital forms. |
| Maps | Navigation | Amap (Gaode) or Apple Maps; Google Maps is unreliable in China. |
| Didi | Ride-hailing | China's Uber, with an English interface. |
| VPN | Access to blocked sites | Install and test before you leave — many are blocked inside China. |
Top tip: set up WeChat Pay and Alipay before arriving, and test your VPN — both are much harder to configure once you are inside mainland China.
How to Book an Appointment at a Public Hospital
Public hospitals in China are high-volume, and most booking is done through their official WeChat account or app — usually in Chinese. As a foreigner, you have three realistic paths:
- Hospital international department: book by phone or email — English-speaking staff, but response times vary.
- Official WeChat account / app: self-service, but Chinese-language and often requires a local phone number.
- Coordinator (us): we book the appointment, translate, and handle the paperwork — you just show up.
You'll typically need
- A Chinese mobile number (buy a local SIM at the airport with your passport).
- Your passport (used as your hospital ID).
- Any prior imaging and reports, ideally translated.
What to Expect on the Day
Chinese public hospitals are efficient but crowded. A typical appointment day looks like this:
- Register at the outpatient desk — show your passport and pay the registration fee.
- See the doctor — consultations are often shorter than you may be used to; bring your questions.
- Pay for tests at the cashier (WeChat/Alipay/cash).
- Get imaging/labs done — often same-day or next-day results.
- Collect results and, if needed, book a follow-up or schedule treatment.
Without Chinese, this is where a coordinator or an international department makes the biggest difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What apps do I need as a foreigner in China?
WeChat (messaging + payments), Alipay (payments), a translation app, a maps app (Amap or Apple Maps), and Didi for ride-hailing. Install and test a VPN before you leave.
How do foreigners book an appointment at a Chinese public hospital?
Through the hospital's official WeChat account or app (usually Chinese), through the international department by phone/email, or through a coordinator who handles booking, translation, and paperwork.
Do I need a Chinese phone number to use hospital booking apps?
Many booking systems require one. Buy a local SIM at the airport with your passport. Some international departments accept overseas numbers and email.
Can I use my home maps app in China?
Apple Maps works in China, but Google Maps is unreliable. Use Amap or Baidu Maps locally, and a translation app for signs and menus.
Skip the logistics — we'll book it for you
We handle the appointment, translation, and day-of navigation, so you walk into the hospital with everything already arranged.
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