Chinese Platforms & Essential Apps
A working guide to the Chinese digital ecosystem for international buyers and visitors — the platforms and apps we use every day, what each is for, and how to use them safely.
How LinkWin helps foreign buyers use these tools We open Alibaba supplier chats in Chinese on your behalf, verify companies on qichacha, help you set up Alipay and WeChat Pay, navigate 1688 (Chinese-only), and place Didi rides between markets and factories. You bring the goal — we drive the tools.
B2B & e-commerce platforms
Alibaba.com
Purpose International B2B sourcing platform
Best for International buyers, sourcing agents
Pros English interface, Trade Assurance escrow, huge supplier base
Watch out Prices higher than 1688; many listings are trading companies, not factories
Language EN + many
1688.com
Purpose China's largest domestic wholesale marketplace
Best for Experienced buyers with a Chinese-speaking agent
Pros Factory-direct prices, small MOQ, huge selection
Watch out Chinese only; sellers often will not ship abroad — needs an export agent
Language Chinese only
Made-in-China.com
Purpose B2B platform focused on manufacturers
Best for Industrial goods, machinery, hardware
Pros Verified-supplier system, industrial focus
Watch out Smaller catalogue than Alibaba; still verify independently
Language EN + others
Global Sources
Purpose International sourcing platform + trade shows
Best for Electronics, mobile, home goods, fashion
Pros Curated, Hong-Kong-based, trade-show integration
Watch out Fewer listings than Alibaba but often better vetted
Language EN
DHgate
Purpose Wholesale marketplace for small quantities
Best for E-commerce sellers, small importers
Pros Very small MOQs, drop-shipping-friendly
Watch out Quality variable; check reviews carefully
Language EN + others
AliExpress
Purpose Retail & small-business international e-commerce
Best for Retail buyers, resellers
Pros Small units, buyer protection, many languages
Watch out Retail prices; not for bulk B2B
Language EN + many
Taobao
Purpose China's largest consumer marketplace
Best for Shopping while living in China
Pros Everything you can imagine; live-stream sales
Watch out Chinese phone + Chinese payment usually needed
Language Chinese only
Tmall
Purpose Brand-focused retail platform
Best for Brands selling into China
Pros Verified brand stores, higher trust
Watch out Setup for foreign brands requires local entity or partner
Language Chinese only
JD.com (Jingdong)
Purpose Major e-commerce platform, own logistics
Best for Electronics buyers in China
Pros Fast delivery, strong on electronics, authentic goods
Watch out Mostly domestic-facing
Language Chinese
Pinduoduo / Temu
Purpose Value-focused e-commerce (Temu overseas)
Best for Bargain retail buyers
Pros Very low prices, aggressive shipping
Watch out Retail scale only, quality variable, growing regulation abroad
Language EN + many
Communication & business apps
WeChat (微信)
Purpose Chat, calls, payments, business identity
Best for Anyone doing business in China
Pros Universal in China; mini-programs, payments and QR everywhere
Watch out Registration abroad can require an existing user to vouch
Language EN + many
WeCom / WeChat Work (企业微信)
Purpose Business communication + CRM
Best for Chinese companies managing external contacts
Pros Interoperable with personal WeChat; audit-friendly
Watch out Aimed at teams, not solo users
Language EN + Chinese
DingTalk (钉钉)
Purpose Enterprise collaboration & management
Best for Chinese enterprises, factories
Pros Approvals, attendance, OA workflows
Watch out Steeper learning curve than WeChat
Language EN + others
Payment & finance
Alipay (支付宝)
Purpose China's leading super-app for payments and life
Best for Visitors and residents alike
Pros Tour Pass for foreign cards; ubiquitous QR; taxis and transit
Watch out Some limits per transaction on Tour Pass; keep passport handy for setup
Language EN + Chinese
WeChat Pay (微信支付)
Purpose Payments inside the WeChat super-app
Best for Anyone already using WeChat
Pros Foreign card top-up now supported for many countries
Watch out Some caps on foreign-card usage; verify limits
Language EN + Chinese
Chinese bank apps
Purpose Bank transfers, remittances, forex
Best for Holders of Chinese bank accounts
Pros Real-time transfers, English support at ICBC, BOC, CCB
Watch out Opening an account as a non-resident is slower and city-specific
Language EN + Chinese
Logistics, transport & delivery
Didi (滴滴)
Purpose Taxi & ride-hailing
Best for Anyone getting around Chinese cities
Pros Runs inside Alipay/WeChat; English UI available
Watch out Confirm the pin-drop; some drivers speak little English
Language EN + Chinese
Meituan (美团)
Purpose Food delivery, hotels, local services
Best for Residents; visitors with a Chinese payment method
Pros Everything in one app: food, hotels, tickets, groceries
Watch out Chinese only; needs a Chinese address
Language Chinese
Ele.me (饿了么)
Purpose Food delivery inside Alipay
Best for Anyone using Alipay
Pros Convenient if Alipay is already set up
Watch out Smaller than Meituan
Language Chinese
SF Express (顺丰)
Purpose Premium domestic + international express
Best for Sample and small-parcel shipping
Pros Reliable, English support at hubs
Watch out Premium price for premium speed
Language EN + Chinese
12306 (railway) + Trip.com
Purpose High-speed rail and flight booking
Best for Business travellers
Pros 12306 has English; Trip.com is fully international
Watch out For 12306, foreign passports need to be added and sometimes verified in-person
Language EN + Chinese
Travel & visitor apps
Amap (高德) / Baidu Maps
Purpose Navigation optimized for China
Best for Visitors and residents
Pros Accurate inside China; often better than Google Maps
Watch out Interface mostly Chinese; Amap has an English mode
Language EN + Chinese
Translation apps
Purpose Live translation for menus, chats and signs
Best for All visitors
Pros Camera translation is very useful for menus
Watch out Some apps (Google Translate) may be limited inside China; download offline packs
Language EN + many
Trip.com / Ctrip
Purpose Hotel booking in China + international
Best for International visitors
Pros Full English; loyalty programme
Watch out Some Chinese-only inventory sits on Meituan or Ctrip's Chinese app
Language EN
Safety, verification and useful tips
- Verify Chinese companies through qichacha (企查查) or tianyancha before signing anything.
- Never pay to a personal account or a bank account that doesn't match the seller's company name.
- Use platform escrow (Alibaba Trade Assurance) for first orders whenever possible.
- Set up Alipay and WeChat Pay before your trip — many stores no longer accept cash.
- For any app, download the current version from an official store; keep the interface language you can read.
Platform features and availability change; verify current terms on the operator's site. Some services may not work outside mainland China.