Installing Play Store on Chinese Samsung Note 3 I have a Chinese Note 3 running Android 4.3. It doesn't have the Play Store which defeats everything that made Samsung dominate the smartphone space. I can't download GMail; I am stuck with a browser that uses Baidu for search; there is no Facebook and Twitter. It could almost be just one big feature phone outside China.

I would like to ask how do I install the Play Store and get the other Google services on the device. I searched the internet and it always tells me to root the device.

Could anyone enlighten me on how does rooting the device be able to get the play store running again?

Could anyone provide the steps in installing it after you rooted the device?
Upon searching at XDA, few had success in rooting Galaxy Note 3 (Chinese version) SM-N9006 and installing Google PlayStore via CWM. Nobody there has mentioned why root is required to flash CWM via ODIN. My guess is it is required to flash CWM by ODIN. CWM is required to flash GApps. 

Please follow the instuctions in this thread at XDA where users have reported success with CWM and PlayStore functionality. 

There is another thread which uses a safe method for rooting without disturbing Knox. I would recommend trying it out before following the first link for flashing GApps. 

Disclaimer: I do not own this device and any answer provided by me is found from internet search and the rate of success may vary. Please read thoroughly before proceeding to avoid bricking your device.