Apps and WeChat Accounts You Need in China

Here is everything you will need to navigate your China life.

Apps

1. Communication: WeChat

Since What’s App and facebook messanger are officially blocked in China. WeChat is the very definition of indispensable in China. This is where you will connect with your friends, communicate with colleagues, make business deals, flirt, and etc. Privacy? Forget about it, since WeChat is the big brother that is watching you, mind what you are saying (or typing) in the chat.

Available in multiple languages ( But for WeChat Pay it only supports with English and Chinese)

On iOS & On Android

 
2. Call a Cab: DiDi

Uber is no longer working in China. DiDi offers regular taxis, a private car service called Premier, and the Express option for carpooling.

You can check how amazing DiDi is: Didi Chuxing App now in English
https://www.refoxrelocation.com/expat-tips/didi-chuxin-now-english/

Available in English

On iOS & On Android

 
3. Go green and go cycling: Mobike / Ofo bike

Mobike and Ofo are the biggest players on the share bike market but there are many other options such as Bluegogo and these dazzling golden bikes equipped with phone charging.

Ofo’s partnership with DiDi means that users can also search for bikes using DiDi’s app. Mobike has a similar deal with a ride-hailing company called Shouqi (首汽租车) but the cities covered by the partnership is still limited. The company also has a mini app integrated with WeChat’s wallet.

Available in English

On iOS & On Android

 
4. Translation: Pleco / Youdao

Pleco is a Chinese – English translation app that helps you crack the language barrier in China. You can “draw” Chinese character on screen and it will immediately look up the words accurately. Also this app has an amazing function that you can use your camera to sacn characters like a menu, it will soon identify these characters and translate them to English. It also supports text – to – audio function.

Youdao is similar to Pleco but it support more languages. Here’s the link you can see how it works.

Youdao App: Speak and get it translated into Chinese https://www.refoxrelocation.com/expat-tips/youdao-app-speak-and-get-it-translated-into-chinese/

 

Available in English

On iOS & On Android

 
5.Beijing Subway Mapway

In a city that’s as big as Beijing, it helps to get a bit of clarity and the information you need to travel the subway in confidence. Find the quickest routes to work, simplify your journey home and get to new places in the city without the stress. Beijing Subway Map combines step-by-step guides with high lights on the map so you’ll never go wrong.

Mapway have designed a bilingual map that’s clear and easy to read. And to keep up with a subway system that’s always changing, the map also includes faded lines, so you can see routes that will be available in the future.

Available in English

On iOS & On Android

WeChat account

1. HiredChina

It provides foreign talents the best career opportunities available around China and it offers exciting and challenging positions.

2. Food Delivery: Sherpa’s

Food delivery in China is an impressively dynamic and tech-driven industry which means that users have a variety of choices. From Chinese to European or Thai and so on, any kind of cuisine you can name it, Sherpa’s can deliver it for you! Also Sherpa’s app is now available on app store for iOS and Android .

3. Bon App

Bon App helps you discover great restaurants with bite-size dining suggestions on the go, powered by an international foodie community of more than half million expats, English-speaking locals, and global travelers.

4. AnyHelper

AnyHelper is an internet company whcih plans to help every expat live as conveniently as locals. Their platform is a real – time Q&A system that is based on WeChat to help expats connect with local services, local info and local jobs.