Due to the language barrier and cultural differences from the West, the prospect of visiting China is intimidating and often overwhelming to many would-be travelers. Thanks to smartphones, translation programs, and increased access to apps that were once exclusively Chinese, it has never been easier for foreign travelers to explore this ancient and diverse country. Download these 6 must-have apps for travel in China before boarding your flight (your app store may or may not work without a VPN in China) and you’ll be able to communicate, navigate, book flights, trains, and hotels, and make purchases with ease.