If you’re coming to study in China then one thing you’re guaranteed to bring with you and it’s handy too, is of course a mobile phone. There’s no surprises there. It becomes even more important as you take the leap to travel and study abroad, it keeps you safe and connected to back home. But whilst you’re in China for one semester or many, how can you be made to feel at home in a different land? Well, today we’re looking at some of the best and most useful apps you can download and install onto your phone to make your experience in the middle kingdom as smooth as possible. And don’t worry, for these apps, you don’t need to necessarily invest in a VPN to use them. 

So let’s begin! 

…

Google Translate

If you’re a new arrival in China and you don’t speak a word of Mandarin Chinese or only the basic, then the first app you need to get if you haven’t already is Google Translate. Don’t let the misconception that because it’s a Google service that it’s banned in China fool you. Whilst some functions on the app do require a VPN you don’t need one for simple text translations, voice translations, and handwriting translations, plus you can also hear the sound of the translation through the speaker button. There is even a gimmick which allows you to use the camera function and translate say a restaurant menu or a street sign, but there are some dodgy issues with this. Needless to say, Google Translate is not always completely accurate and should never be viewed as such but it is still enormously helpful. When you’re lost in translation speaking to a native Chinese you can use it express what you want to say. Of course, it’s better to learn the language instead. 

WeChat

Next is an app with over 1 billion users and one of the most popular apps for foreigners in China. WeChat is a multipurpose social media platform that can do almost anything, it has literally transformed the way people in China live. Whether you’re studying in China for 6 months or a few years, it’s worth installing. When you get familiar with the various tools and functions you will see that it is unbelievably useful and makes life easier. The best thing about it is that it’s free and your friends and family can also download it, and you can constantly speak to them, through text and voice messaging and even video calls. It’s really a great communication tool that you will no doubt use when you’re here. It’s essential! 

The rise of WeChat and Alipay (another massive multipurpose app) has seen China modernize and advance towards an almost fully paperless social credit system. Yes, people still use cash, but less so than before. Nowadays especially with the new and upcoming generations, they pay through WeChat. All you need to do is attach your Chinese bank account to your WeChat account and with a scan of a QR code you can pay for almost anything. Physical wallets will soon be a thing of the past, defunct and no more than a decoration. No more going to the store to top up your phone, you can do that through WeChat too. 

And as much as it is useful, WeChat can also be fun. Just like Facebook and Instagram, WeChat has what we call ‘WeChat moments’, a place dedicated for you to share content and pictures of your study in China adventure with your friendship circle. Just don’t get addicted! 

Baidu Maps

Lost in China? It happens, don’t worry though. China is a big place and it takes time to get used to your location. But speaking personally, the more you familiarise yourself with the country, cities, towns and streets, the smaller this world actually becomes. But in the meantime, or if you’re interested in venturing out around and exploring what the country has to offer, you can download a map app. Unfortunately Google Maps is out of use without a VPN. The two free alternative map apps we’d recommend are Maps.me and Baidu Maps. We’d say Baidu Maps slightly edges it with obviously the most accurate maps. However, Baidu Maps is all in Chinese, but hang on and just chill out, if you scan the vicinity and match the Chinese characters from the street signs to the map, you will find a system that works. So Baidu Maps also becomes a great learning tool to improve your recognition and reading of Chinese characters and not just enormously helpful when trying to find point a from point b in your campus or when travelling. 

E Le Me

If you have too much studying to do or your just feeling lazy, which we all get that feeling from time to time. You can just stay at home and order takeout food delivered to your address and door. Just download the very convenient E Le Me app (name of app translates as ‘Are you hungry?’ in Mandarin Chinese). One thing to know is that this app does not have an English version so you will need to ask politely for a Chinese friend to assist you and help get you familiar with the steps then you can use it as much as you want. Oh, there is one more thing, if the delivery guy/girl cannot find your location, you will likely get a phone call. Make sure your address is right or improve your Mandarin Chinese language oral skills. But don’t just rely on takeout food though, you are in China, don’t forget there’s a sea of delicious food out there and not very expensive too. 

Didi

The transportation links in many cities are generally very convenient, with the metro, high-speed rail, buses, taxis, planes and share bikes. You’re really spoilt for choice for any type of travel. There is of course ‘Didi’, the Uber of China, and guess what, this time they do have an English version of their app. It’s particularly handy if you want to get somewhere quickly and want to avoid the crowded rush hours on the metro and buses. The app can track your location or you can input it manually, then you can request a car and then wait till your request is picked up, that simple. Then you just watch your phone screen as the car approaches your location. Make sure you notice the colour and license plate of the car on screen so you can see it as it comes. The Didi driver might give you a call too if he can’t see you, so make sure you stay where you are and you’re in a spot which is easily located.  

Taobao 

Do you love a bargain? And you love shopping online? But you can’t wait for the long international deliveries to make it to China? Don’t fret. China has Taobao, an online shopping website just like Amazon. Whatever you need and want you can get from Taobao at miraculously cheap prices, and products can be delivered next day too. Just like E Le Me, Taobao does not have an English version, so you might need a Chinese friend again to help you use it. Or you can download Google Chrome web browser and use the browser’s translation function to translate the site (And yes Google Chrome web browser does work even if the Google search engine doesn’t). Don’t become a shopaholic though, it’s easy too with these prices.

Pleco

As a Chinese learning resource, Pleco is one of the most popular for foreigners to use. Of course, there is the basic free version, a paid version or you can purchase add-ons. The free version features their excellent English-to-Chinese dictionary, lite versions of their flashcards and text reader functions. So you can use this on the go if you ever get stuck trying to express yourself in Mandarin Chinese. The app allows for several ways of input, in English, in pinyin, and even in handwriting. Obviously if you’re willing to spend a bit, you get a bit more bang for your buck. It has native Chinese speaking audio for some listening practice and major add-ons include optical character recognition (OCR) which you can use live with camera to point it at some sign or menu and get the direct translation, no need to take a picture. This seems an upgrade on the similar corresponding Google Translate feature. 

Metro China Subway (Metro Man)

As an international student in China, particularly in the major cities, you will definitely ride the metro, it’s cheap but also extremely easy to use. In most major cities there will be English signs too. On average it takes from 2 – 3 minutes to get from one stop to the next. There are new metro lines developing in many rapidly growing cities too, Chengdu just one of them. All you need is to purchase a metro card in your city and top it up for each time you use the metro, and to help you navigate the system, download an app called Metro China Subway (Metro Man). This will allow you to easily plan your journey on the metro, how to get to a certain stop, the best route, how long it takes and also the cost. 

MoBike

How does that Katie Melua song go, ‘there are nine million bicycles in Beijing’, it’s an old stereotype. There are many bicycles in China but this is now due to how prevalent bikesharing is and how convenient it makes life and travelling. With many competing bikesharing companies, you will see lines of branded bikes on many street corners. People hardly ride their own bikes anymore. One such bikesharing app is MoBike. It’s free to sign up and all you need is your passport to verify your identity, then attach your credit/debit card, pay a 200RMB deposit depending on which city you’re in, and top up your account. Charges are calculated on how much time you use the bike, you will be able to check this in the app, it’s as cheap as 1 RMB for every 15 minutes. To start using, all you need to do is find a MoBike, that’ll be the orange one, scan the QR code on the bike to unlock then start riding. Don’t forget to unlock when you get off. It’s easy-peasy. You can get some good exercise this way too. 

Ctrip 

Are you an avid traveller? Is one of the reasons why you chose China as your study destination because it is a great travel destination? Then Ctrip is the app for you. It is great for booking flights, trains and accommodation all around China. You want to know something? China has many public holidays too, and plus the winter and summer breaks that come with academic study, there will be plenty of opportunity to travel. Just make sure you finish all your studying first. 

…

Well, that’s our 10 useful apps we think you should use whilst you’re in China. If you know anymore, feel free to let us know. And last thing, we don’t want to sound like your teacher but make sure you turn your phone off in class or leave it on silent. Have a good study! :)