China is taking a major step toward simplifying the travel experience for international visitors with the launch of the Nihao China app, a new all-in-one digital platform designed to bridge the gap between foreign travelers and everyday life in the country.
Officially unveiled at the China International Travel Mart in December 2025, the app reflects a broader push to make China more accessible, convenient, and welcoming as inbound tourism continues to recover.
Developed and launched by UnionPay, Nihao China is positioned as far more than a basic travel utility. It brings together payments, transportation, translation, and essential travel services into a single interface, reducing the friction international visitors often face when navigating China’s highly digital ecosystem. From booking trains and hotels to paying for meals or public transit, the app is designed to function as a practical daily companion from arrival to departure.
One App for Payments, Transport, and Essential Services
At the core of Nihao China app is a comprehensive payment system tailored specifically for foreign users. Registration is straightforward, requiring only an email address or an Apple account, after which users can link international bank cards, including UnionPay, Visa, and Mastercard issued outside mainland China. The app supports real-time exchange rates for more than 160 currencies, helping travelers stay aware of costs as they move through the country.
Nihao China connects to hundreds of online platforms, covering key travel and lifestyle needs such as train tickets, food delivery, hotel bookings, and e-commerce. For in-person spending, the app integrates China’s dominant QR-based payment networks, allowing users to scan and pay across more than a thousand everyday service scenarios with a single app. Tax refund services are also included in major cities, streamlining what has traditionally been a complex process for foreign shoppers.
Transportation is another central pillar. The app supports metro systems in 43 major cities and public bus networks across more than 1,700 county-level regions. Travelers can tap in and out without purchasing separate transit cards, while English-language maps help locate nearby ATMs, currency exchange points, and essential services.
Smart Tools Designed to Remove Language Barriers
Beyond payments and transport, Nihao China focuses heavily on communication and navigation. Built-in real-time translation supports Chinese-English conversations, with additional recognition for Japanese, Korean, Arabic, and Russian. In-app page translation ensures users can navigate services without struggling through unfamiliar interfaces.
A smart assistant adds another layer of functionality, answering questions about attractions, dining, and transportation while offering route planning that blends public transit, walking, and other options. Looking ahead, planned updates include visa-related services, virtual SIM activation for instant mobile data, and one-tap reservations for popular museums and cultural sites.
Together, these features position Nihao China as a digital gateway into modern Chinese life. Rather than relying on multiple apps, workarounds, or local assistance, international travelers are given a single, cohesive tool designed specifically around their needs.
As China works to strengthen inbound tourism and people-to-people exchange, Nihao China signals a clear intent: making the country easier to explore, understand, and enjoy for visitors from around the world.