For China, choose a translation app that works fully offline, and test offline mode before you fly.
Google Translate is widely reported as not dependable on mainland networks. Google's services are blocked on local networks, and the app's dedicated mainland support is reported to have ended years ago.
Travelers report better luck with Apple Translate (built into iOS, with a downloadable Chinese offline pack), Microsoft Translator (widely reported accessible), and Chinese apps like Baidu Translate; Pleco remains the classic dictionary choice for menus and signs.
Why offline packs are the core advice — not app rankings
A translation app is only as useful as its worst moment — a dead zone in the subway, a blocked service on hotel WiFi, a restaurant with no signal. That's why the deciding factor for China travel isn't which app scores highest in some ranking; it's whether the app can translate without an internet connection at all.
- Camera/photo translation for menus and signs is the feature travelers report using most — point the camera, see the translation overlaid. Several apps offer some version of this; check yours works offline before relying on it.
- Voice conversation mode — speak, get a spoken translation back — is genuinely useful for taxi drivers, pharmacy counters, and quick back-and-forth, though it generally needs a live connection.
- WeChat has a built-in translate feature for chat messages, which is handy if you're already messaging a guide, host, or new local contact on WeChat.
- Handwriting input helps when you need to look up or write out a Chinese character rather than speak it — useful for addresses and menu items that don't translate cleanly.
What works on local networks without a VPN
| Option | Status | Workaround | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Translate | No | Foreign eSIM with international routing, or VPN | Offline pack downloaded beforehand partially helps for saved text |
| Apple Translate | Yes | Download the Chinese offline pack before you fly | Built into iOS |
| Microsoft Translator | Yes | Download offline pack before you fly | Widely reported accessible |
| Baidu Translate | Yes | — | Chinese app; English UI available — interface may feel less familiar |
| Pleco (dictionary) | Yes | — | Offline by design |
| DeepL | Partially | Download offline language packs where available | Reports vary — treat it as a backup, not a guarantee |
Google Translate
- Status
- No
- Workaround
- Foreign eSIM with international routing, or VPN
- Note
- Offline pack downloaded beforehand partially helps for saved text
Apple Translate
- Status
- Yes
- Workaround
- Download the Chinese offline pack before you fly
- Note
- Built into iOS
Microsoft Translator
- Status
- Yes
- Workaround
- Download offline pack before you fly
- Note
- Widely reported accessible
Baidu Translate
- Status
- Yes
- Workaround
- —
- Note
- Chinese app; English UI available — interface may feel less familiar
Pleco (dictionary)
- Status
- Yes
- Workaround
- —
- Note
- Offline by design
DeepL
- Status
- Partially
- Workaround
- Download offline language packs where available
- Note
- Reports vary — treat it as a backup, not a guarantee
Which one is right for me?
- iPhone user, want zero extra downloadsApple Translate + Chinese offline pack
- Android, or want a cross-platform appMicrosoft Translator with its offline pack
- Just need to read menus and signsPleco, offline dictionary by design
Getting your translation app ready before you go
App-store downloads and offline packs both need a working connection — do this before you fly, not on arrival.
Installing the app isn't enough — most offline translation packs are a separate download inside the app's settings. Do this on home WiFi before you fly, then test it in airplane mode to confirm it actually works without a connection.
A dedicated offline dictionary like Pleco is a good second option alongside a full translation app — useful specifically for menus, signs, and single-word lookups when you don't need full conversation translation.
Common mistakes travelers make with translation apps in China
Relying on Google Translate without a workaround
Google Translate is widely reported not dependable on local networks in mainland China — Google's services are blocked, and the app's dedicated mainland support is reported to have ended years ago.
Workaround: Have a non-Google backup ready.
Widely reported
Installing the app but skipping the offline pack
The app itself downloading successfully doesn't mean it can translate offline — the language pack is usually a separate step inside the app's settings, and it needs a connection to download.
Never testing offline mode before you need it
Finding out your offline pack didn't download correctly is much easier to fix before departure than in a restaurant with no signal.
Workaround: Turn on airplane mode at home and try a translation before you fly.
Assuming one app covers every situation
Camera translation, voice conversation mode, and a dictionary lookup are different jobs.
Workaround: Many travelers carry more than one app — a full translator plus something like Pleco for menus and signs.
Set this up before you fly (offline packs need a connection to download)
Install a translation app that offers an offline pack — Apple Translate or Microsoft Translator are widely reported reliable choices — and download the Chinese offline pack on home WiFi.
Test it in airplane mode before you leave, to confirm the offline pack actually works without a connection.
Install a dedicated dictionary app like Pleco as a backup for menus, signs, and single-word lookups.
If you plan to rely on Google Translate specifically, know that it needs a foreign eSIM with international routing or a VPN to work reliably in mainland China — the offline pack alone only partially helps.
If you want Google Translate online as well, line up a foreign eSIM whose current provider page describes international routing — verify the plan before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Translate work at all in mainland China?
Not dependably — Google's services are widely reported blocked on local networks in mainland China, and Google Translate's dedicated mainland support is reported to have ended years ago. A downloaded offline language pack may partially help for text you already saved, but live camera and voice translation are not expected to work without a foreign eSIM with international routing or a VPN.
What's the best offline translation choice for China travel?
There's no single "best" — it depends on your phone and needs. Apple Translate (built into iOS) and Microsoft Translator are both widely reported to work reliably once their Chinese offline packs are downloaded. Pleco is the classic offline dictionary for menus and signs specifically.
Does camera/photo translation for menus actually work well?
Several apps offer some version of pointing your camera at text and seeing a translation overlay, which travelers report finding genuinely useful for menus and signs. Results can vary with lighting, handwriting, and unusual fonts, so treat it as a strong aid rather than a perfect read.
Do I need to know Chinese input or handwriting to use these apps?
Not necessarily — most apps let you type in your own language or use voice/camera input. Handwriting input becomes useful in specific situations, like looking up a character you saw on a sign but can't type or pronounce.
Will an eSIM or VPN change which app I should use?
Yes — if you're running a foreign eSIM with international routing or a VPN, Google services including Google Translate become reachable again, widening your options. See our eSIM comparison for plans that describe this kind of routing.
Is English enough to get by in Chinese cities without a translation app?
It depends where you are. Hotels, airports, and larger attractions in major cities often have English signage or English-speaking staff. Taxis, small restaurants, and local shops often don't — a translation app makes those everyday moments much smoother.
Continue your China prep
Sources for this page's claims
Explore the field guide
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