First Stop China

Apps you need in Changchun

The short list of apps that make the trip work, and what each one replaces.

Last reviewed for the 2026 season · Apps you need across all of China →

In Changchun specifically

For Changchun, the apps that matter most are Alipay (payments + transit), DiDi (rides) and 12306 (trains).
Enable the Changchun metro QR inside Alipay before you arrive.
Download offline maps for Changchun — tunnels and rural routes drop signal.

What everyone needs to know

Alipay does most of the work: payments, transit QR, ride-hailing, translation and bookings all live inside it.
DiDi is the ride-hailing app and has a genuinely usable English interface.
12306 is the official rail booking app and also shows live train status.
Install everything before you fly — app stores and several sites are unreachable on arrival.

The numbers

Item	Typical value
Essential apps	5
Install lead time	Before departure
Alipay mini-programs	Covers transit, taxis, tickets
Offline maps	Download for your cities

Do it in this order

Install Alipay, DiDi, 12306, a translation app and a VPN (if using local data).
Complete identity verification in Alipay and add your card.
Bind a card in DiDi and set the app language to English.
Download offline maps and translation packs for every city on your route.

Mistakes that cost money or time

Waiting until arrival to install anything.
Skipping offline packs and then losing data in a metro tunnel.
Ignoring the transit QR inside Alipay and queueing for paper tickets.

Check it at the source

Questions people actually ask

Do I need WeChat too?: Useful as a backup payment method and for a few vendors that only accept it. Not essential if you have Alipay.
Will apps work without a Chinese number?: Alipay, DiDi and 12306 all work with an international number and a foreign card.

More about Changchun

Apps you need in other cities