Traveling to China soon? Google Translate, Gmail, and Maps are all blocked. Here is the practical toolkit that actually works in 2026.
Translation
Use a web-based translator like ChinaPal AI that works without a VPN. It supports text, photo, and voice translation between 10 languages. No app download required.
Navigation
Apple Maps works in China. Amap has an English mode. Google Maps is blocked.
Payments
Alipay now accepts foreign Visa and Mastercard. Bind your card before you arrive.
Transport
Didi has an English version for ride-hailing. Trip.com books train tickets in English.
The one thing to do before you fly
Open aihubai.cn/translate.html on your phone browser and add it to your home screen. It takes 30 seconds and saves you from the menu panic.
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