Preparing for your upcoming trip to Canton Fair involves more than just packing your bags; it requires careful consideration of the digital tools that will enhance your travel experience. Beyond the essentials like visas, passports, currency, and plug adapters, integrating specific smartphone applications into your itinerary can significantly enrich your journey.
In today’s interconnected world, smartphones have evolved into indispensable travel companions, offering a myriad of functionalities that streamline various aspects of the travel experience. From navigation and communication to financial transactions and itinerary planning, mobile apps have revolutionized the way we navigate and engage with foreign environments. Let’s delve into a comprehensive guide to indispensable apps and invaluable insights to facilitate a seamless exploration of China.
You can also watch our video on currency exchange and transportation on YouTube.
VPN services
During your stay in China, access to certain international platforms and websites may be restricted. To ensure uninterrupted connectivity, consider utilizing a reliable Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass these restrictions and maintain secure internet access. Otherwise, when you’re in China, you won’t be able to use apps like Google, Play Store, or Facebook.
Two essential Apps
Integral to daily life in China, WeChat and Alipay are indispensable mobile applications offering a myriad of functionalities.
Widely regarded as China’s “super app”, WeChat transcends conventional messaging platforms, offering a diverse range of functionalities including messaging, social networking, mobile payments, and more. Its ubiquitous presence in Chinese daily life makes it indispensable for travelers seeking seamless communication and transactional capabilities. During the Canton Fair, establishing connections with prospective suppliers is crucial. Adding them on WeChat facilitates seamless communication, fostering stronger and more fruitful partnerships in the future.
As China’s leading third-party mobile payment platform, Alipay facilitates cashless transactions across a wide range of merchants and service providers. From retail purchases to transportation fares, Alipay’s e-wallet system offers unparalleled convenience and security. Alipay supports e-wallets from various countries and can be used for various modes of transportation. It’s not just a payment tool; whether you’re in Guangzhou or elsewhere in China, you can use Alipay to scan and pay for subway rides, bus fares, and even shared bikes.
Travel planning Apps
Streamline your travel arrangements with specialized apps tailored for navigating China’s vast landscapes and diverse attractions. Platforms such as Trip.com provide comprehensive travel guides, hotel bookings, and itinerary planning tools, ensuring a well-organized journey.
Trip.com, formerly known as Ctrip, is a leading online travel agency offering a wide range of services to travelers worldwide. With its headquarters in Shanghai, China, Trip.com has grown into one of the largest online travel platforms globally. The platform provides comprehensive travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, vacation packages, car rentals, train tickets, and activities. With partnerships with thousands of airlines, hotels, and travel service providers worldwide, Trip.com offers users a vast selection of options to plan and book their trips conveniently.
One of the key features of Trip.com is its user-friendly interface and intuitive booking process. Users can easily search for flights, hotels, or vacation packages based on their preferences and budget. The website and mobile app provide detailed information and reviews for each listing, helping users make informed decisions.
Transportation navigation
Efficiently traverse China’s bustling cities and expansive regions with reliable navigation apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, and local alternatives like Baidu Maps and Amap. The latter two apps are localized, thus able to provide more accurate locations and a greater number of places, such as Canton Fair Complex.
MU Group has a 3000-square-meter showroom in Canton Fair Complex, showcasing a wide range of product categories such as kitchenware, home appliances, bathroom products, toys, lights, electrical appliances, storage, tools, personal care, beauty storage and so on. Visitors to the exhibition hall can enjoy complimentary afternoon tea, access to meeting rooms, and professional assistance from our sales representatives.
Baidu Maps is a leading online mapping and navigation service provider in China, developed by Baidu Inc. It offers comprehensive map coverage, real-time traffic information, route planning, and nearby search features, helping users easily find destinations and plan the best routes.
Gaode Maps, is another well-known online mapping and navigation service provider in China, developed by Amap, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group. Similar to Baidu Maps, Gaode Maps also offers detailed map data, real-time traffic conditions, route planning, and nearby search functionality. These two applications are widely popular in China, providing users with convenient navigation and travel experiences.
Explore ride-hailing services such as DiDi for convenient transportation options.
Delivery / food Apps
Meituan is a Chinese e-commerce platform that offers a wide range of services, including food delivery, restaurant reviews, hotel bookings, movie ticketing, and more. It’s particularly popular for its food delivery service, allowing users to order food from local restaurants and have it delivered to their doorstep.
Ele.me, also known as “Hungry Now” is another prominent food delivery platform in China. Similar to Meituan, Ele.me enables users to order food from nearby restaurants for delivery or takeaway. In addition to food delivery, services for grocery and medicine delivery are also available on Meituan and Ele.me.
Dianping is a comprehensive platform for restaurant reviews, local business information, and group-buying deals. Users can explore restaurant listings, read reviews, view photos, and find discounts and promotions offered by businesses.
Online shopping Apps
JD.com is another major e-commerce platform in China. Unlike Taobao, JD.com operates on a direct sales model, sourcing products directly from manufacturers and authorized distributors. This ensures authenticity and quality assurance. JD.com is renowned for its fast and reliable delivery services.
Pinduoduo is a unique social e-commerce platform that focuses on group-buying deals and discounts. It encourages users to team up with friends or family members to purchase products at lower prices. Pinduoduo offers a wide range of products, particularly targeting price-sensitive consumers in lower-tier cities and rural areas.
Lifestyle platform
Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) is a popular social e-commerce platform in China that combines user-generated content with shopping features. Initially launched as a platform for sharing overseas shopping experiences, Xiaohongshu has evolved into a comprehensive lifestyle platform offering a wide range of content, including product reviews, travel guides, fashion tips, beauty tutorials, and more.
Document management
Safeguard your important documents and travel information by digitizing and storing them securely on your mobile device. Maintain digital copies of passports, visas, travel insurance, and other essential documents for easy access and peace of mind during your travels.
By harnessing the power of essential apps and optimizing your mobile experience with the right accessories, you’re poised to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of China’s cultural treasures and natural wonders. Stay tuned for more expert tips and recommendations to elevate your travel experience to new heights.