In the vast Chinese market, there are many outstanding apps that rival global giants like WhatsApp, PayPal, Twitter, Booking, Uber, and Yelp in user experience across social networking, payment, shopping, transportation, food delivery, and information services. These apps are essential for foreigners visiting, working, or living in China. Stay tuned as we introduce some of these top-notch domestic apps next.
1.WeChat (微信)- Chinese ‘Snapchat, WhatsApp’
WeChat is a versatile messaging and social media app that offers instant messaging, voice and video calls, social networking features, payment services, and more. It's one of the most widely used apps in China.
- Messaging: You can send text, voice messages, photos, videos, and files to friends. You can also create group chats.
- Voice/Video Calls: Initiate voice or video calls with your contacts.
- WeChat Pay: Link your bank account or credit card to pay for products and services directly within the app (like online shopping, utility bills, or even offline purchases).
- Moments: Share photos, videos, and status updates with your contacts.
- Mini Programs: Access a wide range of small apps within WeChat for services like ordering food, booking tickets, and even playing games.
2. Didi Chuxing (滴滴出行)- Chinese ‘Uber’
Didi Chuxing is the dominant ride-hailing app in China, similar to Uber or Lyft. It connects passengers with drivers and provides options for taxis, private cars, and carpooling.
- Booking a Ride: Open the app, enter your destination, choose your ride type (Didi Express, Didi Premier, etc.), and confirm your pickup location.
- Payment: You can pay via Didi Pay or through your linked bank card, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.
- Ride Options: Didi provides different car options for various budgets, including economy, premium, and carpooling.
- Safety Features: The app offers features like ride tracking, real-time location sharing, and a rating system for both drivers and passengers.
3. Amap (高德地图)-Chinese Google map
Amap is a popular mapping and navigation app in China, providing features like real-time traffic information, navigation for driving, walking, and public transport, as well as local business listings.
- Navigation: Enter your destination, and Amap will provide the best routes using real-time traffic data for driving, walking, cycling, or public transportation.
- Public Transportation: Amap offers schedules and route planning for buses and subways, along with real-time updates on transit availability.
- Traffic Info: The app provides real-time traffic updates, showing congested areas and suggesting alternate routes to avoid delays.
- Nearby Places: You can search for restaurants, gas stations, hotels, and other local businesses.
4. Dianping (大众点评)- Chinese ‘Yelp’
Dianping is a review and recommendation app focused on restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and other local services. It’s like Yelp, offering user-generated content to help users find the best places to eat, shop, and visit.
- Search: You can search for restaurants, cafes, bars, shopping malls, entertainment venues, and more based on your preferences.
- Reviews and Ratings: Check reviews, ratings, and photos uploaded by other users to make informed decisions.
- Group Buying (Groupon-like feature): Dianping offers discounts and deals through group buying, where you can purchase vouchers for restaurants and services at lower prices.
- Reservations: Many businesses allow you to book a table or appointment directly through the app.
5.Taobao(淘宝)-Chinese ‘Amazon/Ebay'
Taobao is one of China’s largest and most popular online shopping platforms, similar to Amazon or eBay, but with a unique twist. It offers an extensive variety of products, ranging from fashion and electronics to home goods and groceries.
- Convenient Shopping: The app is user-friendly, with smart search features and detailed product descriptions. You can browse by category, filter by price, or even use the built-in image recognition to find products using pictures.
- Efficient Delivery ： Taobao offers reliable and fast delivery services, often with options for same-day or next-day delivery in major cities. You can track your orders in real-time, ensuring you know exactly when to expect your purchases.
-Payment Options: Taobao supports Alipay for secure payments, and you can also use international credit cards or set up local payment options if available.
Once you download the app, you can start browsing immediately. It’s recommended to set up an account, add your shipping address, and link a payment method to make the checkout process seamless.
6.iTranslate (i翻译)-Chinese 'Google Translate'
A highly useful translation app that supports instant translation in over 100 languages for travel, business and daily communication. It offers text, voice and camera translation features that make it easy to translate words in text, conversations or images. In addition, iTranslate also features offline translation for when you don't have an internet connection.