Most foreigners use Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter before they come to China. All of these become suddenly inaccessible because of the Great Chinese Firewall. Here are 10 apps which will make life in China 100 times easier.
Most foreigners use Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter before they come to China. All of these become suddenly inaccessible because of the Great Chinese Firewall. Here are 10 apps which will make life in China 100 times easier.
GIF:bing
1. Microsoft translator
This is a life-saving app for anybody who doesn’t know Chinese at all. You can take a screenshot of the app or website page written in Chinese, and microsoft translator will have it in english within seconds. This is especially useful for when you’re shopping on taobao, and cannot understand the product description written in Chinese.
2. Alipay
This helps you live like a local, you can pay your electricity, water and gas bills, recharge your phone, transfer money to friends safely, and book flight tickets via alipay. Again, it is simple to sign up, and there is an english version available on the app store.
3. WeChat
The default instant messenger and preferred mode of payment by most everyone in China. It is easy to sign up, using just your phone number and password. It has features like “look around” and “message in a bottle” that allow you to make new friends too.
4. Meituan
The ultimate app in China to order food for delivery or take out. There are always great discounts featured on the home page and by individual restaurants too. 20rmb or more allows you have your food delivered which arrives within 30 minutes. You can even track your delivery as it comes so you know exactly when it’s at your door. This app is only available in Chinese so Pleco or Microsoft translator will help you navigate easily.
5. Bank of China
Most foreigners go to the ATM to check the balance in their card, but this app makes it easy to check your balance and do transactions from the comfort of your home.
6. Taobao
If you are planning to stay in China for more than a couple of months, get a Taobao acount, have a tabao account at all costs. It helps you find the best products and goods, even imported items from your home country. It has very cheap and good quality stuff, so it will save you time, energy and money in the long run. It’s a hassle to set it up, so take the help of a Chinese friend. Don’t be intimidated because the app is in Chinese – use microsoft translator!
7. Ren ren
Now that we’ve covered the basic necessities, let’s move to entertainment – renren has almost all of your favorite TV shows from back home: friends, modern family, big bang theory, the list is endless. You don’t have to sign up – and it’s free to use!
8. Amazon Kindle
You can find useful dictionaries and textbooks on this app. Just be sure to make your purchases on the amazon.cn website, and make payments via Alipay or Chinese bank card. Use Google Chrome to browse the amazon website, because it automatically translates web pages to your preferred language.
9 & 10. Super VPN and Turbo VPN
No list is complete without a handy VPN to use in China. Both of these are free, and available on the Apple app store and Google Play Store.
