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China First Day
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Essential Apps Guide

Arrival task by task

Don't install 20 apps because a blog told you to. Think about what you actually need to do on day one: pay, navigate, translate, get a ride, and talk to your hotel.

What to do

  1. 1

    Write down your day-one tasks first, then pick apps for each one. Payment, maps, translation, transport, booking access.

  2. 2

    One app per task is enough. You don't need three map apps.

  3. 3

    Don't install stuff you haven't tested. An untested app is worse than no app — it gives you false confidence.

  4. 4

    Save your hotel address and key phrases outside any single app (notes app, screenshot) in case one crashes.

Double-check before you rely on this

  • Every essential task has one tested tool that you know how to use.

  • If one app dies, you can still get to your hotel and pay for things.

  • Your plan doesn't depend on accessing any restricted services.