If you’re heading to China as an international student, there are important apps that you need to download on your phone. Many of the apps you use back home such as Uber, Google Maps or Facebook are not usable in China.
So get your app store or play store open and download the 10 useful mobile apps for foreign students in China!
23 Best Apps For University Students In China
1. 微信 WeChat (iOS/Android) For instant messaging and payments. The importance of this app cannot be understated. Equivalent to WhatsApp + PayPal + Facebook + Instagram.
2. 淘宝 TaoBao(iOS/Android) Four words, Online Shopping + in China. It’s even more incredible than you could imagine. Shipped all the way to university within a few days. For expensive items such as mobiles, computers or original items TaoBao is not recommended. Instead, try using JD.com and TMall due their process of seller verification.
3. 美团 MeiTuan (iOS/Android) Platform with several services: Food delivery, Cinema tickets, Hotel booking, train tickets etc.
4. 京东 JD.com (iOS/Android) Online shopping as well but with verified sellers. More expensive than Taobao usually but when you’re buying electronics you’re safer with JD.com.
5. 高德地图 AMaps (iOS/Android) One of the best maps apps inside China.
6. 饿了么 Ele.me (iOS/Android) Similar to Meituan, you can order food from a vast selection of restaurants and have them delivered to your building’s lobby.
7. 支付宝 Alipay (iOS/Android) The first payment app. You’ll pay more with WeChat but Alipay is necessary for using Taobao. It helps to have both apps for the are occasion only one is accepted.
8. 大众点评 Dàzhòng diǎnpíng (iOS/Android) A app with user ratings for everything. Particularly useful for finding places to eat, from the high end to the hyper local. If you’re anywhere in China and looking for a bite to eat this app will help you finding something amazing. Can also book movie tickets, and order food to your doorstep, and loads more. Western equivalent: Yelp + Zomato + Foursquare + Google Maps
9. 滴滴出行 DiDi (iOS/Android) Chinese Uber, order a wide variety of taxis. A little infamous for having drivers struggle to locate you. Stand in very clear places and make sure your location pin matches where you are. You can also schedule taxi’s in advance. This German international student shares her experience using DiDi here.
10. 百度翻译 Baidu Translate (iOS/Android) Google translate isn’t blocked in China but Baidu translate might be better. Not for translation quality but rather for ease of use. Especially on iPhone, you can share highlighted text directly to the translation app.
11. 天猫 TMall (iOS/Android) Online shopping from official brand stores. It’s essentially Taobao but with reliable sellers.
12. Pleco (iOS/Android) Your Mandarin learning companion. Great dictionary with add-ons that are worth buying if you’re serious about learning Mandarin.
13. Trip.com, formerly Ctrip (iOS/Android) Great app for booking flights and train tickets in China. Has a higher booking fee than other apps but is super easy to use. Until you’re confident with your chinese skills we recommend it.
14. Airbnb (iOS/Android) Can lead to some really amazing places to stay. Usually on the pricier side.
15. Booking.com (iOS/Android) Very comprehensive listing in almost every city, great for hostels and well located spots.
16. Mobike (iOS/Android) The more expensive but reliable of the two big share bike companies. Mobike are the awesome silver and orange bikes.
17. Ofo (iOS/Android) The cheaper and more commonplace of the two big share bike companies. The bicycles can be a little unreliable at times, make sure to check the quality of the bike before you ride.
18. Netease Music (iOS/Android) Magical Chinese music app. Can stream pretty much anything for free, and for a small fee store the songs. Equivalent to Spotify + Apple Music + Deezer but possibly better.
19. 闲鱼 Xiányú(iOS/Android) Second hand sales store. Buyer beware but you could find a sweet deal.
20. AtTsinghua (iOS/Android) Comprehensive and essential Tsinghua app. Download and explore.
21. Tsinghua Now (iOS/Android) Tsinghua apps that helps you manage your homework assignments and see your grade point average.
22. CampNet (iOS) This application will auto login in your account to the tsinghua wifi networks. This is a huge timesaver.
23. Air Matters (iOS/Android) China is making massive progress on reducing pollution but bad days still creep in. This app is detailed and sends alerts.
24. Wellcee (iOS/Android) A free online platform for finding accommodation in China. Learn how to rent an apartment with Wellcee here.
25. JSS (iOS/Android) The leading international food delivery platform in Beijing and Shanghai. JSS brings you the best restaurants and high quality food and products.
26. Astrill VPN (iOS/Android) Provides secure VPN connection using military grade encryption based on OpenVPN and OpenWeb protocols.
27. ExpressVPN (iOS/Android) A virtual private network engineered to protect your privacy and security. Learn why you need to use VPN in China here.
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