GoKawiilGuide details essential apps like WeChat and Alipay for travelers in China
A traveler recounts learning to navigate China's digital ecosystem during a two-week trip, noting that Western apps such as WhatsApp, Instagram and Google services are blocked by the Great Firewall. Instead, visitors must rely on Chinese 'super apps' like WeChat and Alipay, which are used for nearly everything including payments, since cash and credit cards are rarely accepted. The writer recommends linking these apps to credit cards before arrival, as setup abroad can be difficult.