Moving to China? One of the best ways to make your daily life easier is by using the right apps. From payments and deliveries to transportation and travel, the following must-have apps for living in China will help you navigate everything with confidence.
Whether you’re here for work, study, or long-term life, these apps are essential for newcomers.
0. 微信 (Wēixìn) – WeChat
Best for: Messaging, payments, daily life
WeChat is the most essential app in China. You’ll use it for chatting, mobile payments, booking services, checking in at events, translations, and more. It’s the foundation of life in China.
📖 Example Sentence:
我们用微信聊天，也用微信付钱。
Wǒmen yòng Wēixìn liáotiān, yě yòng Wēixìn fù qián.
“We use WeChat to chat and also to pay.”
1. 饿了么 (È le me) – Ele.me
Best for: Food delivery
Order meals, snacks, drinks, groceries, and late-night treats delivered to your door.
📖 Example:
我在饿了么点了一份饺子。
Wǒ zài È le me diǎn le yí fèn jiǎozi.
“I ordered dumplings on Ele.me.”
2. 大众点评 (Dàzhòng Diǎnpíng) – Dianping
Best for: Restaurant reviews & recommendations
China’s version of Yelp — find restaurants, see menus, check ratings, and explore local favorites.
📖 Example:
我在大众点评上找到了一家很好吃的火锅店。
Wǒ zài Dàzhòng Diǎnpíng shàng zhǎodào le yì jiā hěn hǎochī de huǒguō diàn.
“I found a great hotpot place on Dianping.”
3. 小红书 (Xiǎo Hóng Shū) – Xiaohongshu / RED
Best for: Lifestyle tips, shopping, travel guides
A trendy social platform where users share travel tips, product reviews, beauty routines, and local recommendations.
📖 Example:
我在小红书上看到一个很有趣的旅游攻略。
Wǒ zài Xiǎo Hóng Shū shàng kàn dào yí gè hěn yǒuqù de lǚyóu gōnglüè.
“I saw an interesting travel guide on Xiaohongshu.”
4. 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) – Alipay
Best for: Mobile payments, bills, and money transfers
Alipay is widely accepted across China. You can pay bills, split payments, book services, and even manage your bank cards from the app.
📖 Example:
在中国，很多人用支付宝付款。
Zài Zhōngguó, hěn duō rén yòng Zhīfùbǎo fùkuǎn.
“In China, many people pay with Alipay.”
5. 滴滴出行 (Dīdī Chūxíng) – Didi
Best for: Transportation
Use Didi to book rides — from taxis and private cars to airport transfers.
📖 Example:
我用滴滴叫了一辆车去机场。
Wǒ yòng Dīdī jiào le yí liàng chē qù jīchǎng.
“I booked a Didi to the airport.”
6. 携程 (Xiéchéng) – Ctrip / Trip.com
Best for: Booking hotels, trains & flights
Great for travel planning inside China and internationally. Both Chinese and English versions available.
📖 Example:
我在携程上买了机票。
Wǒ zài Xiéchéng shàng mǎi le jīpiào.
“I bought a flight ticket on Ctrip.”
7. 12306 (Yī Èr Sān Líng Liù) – Official Train Ticket App
Best for: Train travel
This is the official platform for buying train tickets in China — reliable and essential if you take high-speed trains.
📖 Example:
我用12306订了去北京的高铁票。
Wǒ yòng yī èr sān líng liù dìng le qù Běijīng de gāotiě piào.
“I booked a high-speed train ticket to Beijing.”
8. 淘宝 (Táobǎo) – Taobao
Best for: Online shopping
The largest shopping platform in China. From clothing and electronics to home goods and snacks, you can buy almost anything.
📖 Example:
我在淘宝上买了一双鞋。
Wǒ zài Táobǎo shàng mǎi le yì shuāng xié.
“I bought a pair of shoes on Taobao.”
⭐ Final Thoughts: The Apps You Need to Thrive in China
These essential apps for living in China will help you:
✔ communicate
✔ make payments
✔ order food
✔ travel easily
✔ shop online
✔ explore the city like a local
But to truly get the most out of these apps — especially WeChat, Dianping, Xiaohongshu, and Taobao — you need Mandarin. The language behind the apps is what makes daily life smooth, easy, and enjoyable.
At SN Mandarin, we teach practical Chinese for real-life situations, helping newcomers confidently navigate life in China from day one.
👉 Start learning Mandarin today and unlock your life in China!
